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King Edward VIII
Drawing on Edward VIII's diaries and love letters and on the private papers of Chamberlain, Churchill, and Baldwin, this biography reveals the man who gave up a throne for love.
672 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
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About the author
Philip Ziegler
77 books40 followersPhilip Ziegler was a British biographer and historian known for his meticulously researched works on historical figures and events. After studying at Eton and New College, Oxford, he served in the British Foreign Service, with postings in Laos, South Africa, Colombia, and NATO. He later transitioned into publishing and writing, eventually becoming a distinguished biographer.
His notable works include Mountbatten: The Official Biography, Edward VIII: The Official Biography, and The Black Death. He also wrote about figures such as Lord Melbourne, Harold Wilson, and George VI. Over the years, Ziegler contributed to major publications like The Spectator, The Times, and History Today.
His personal life was marked by tragedy when his first wife was killed during a home invasion in Bogotá in 1967. He later remarried and continued his literary career until his passing in 2023 at the age of 93.
His notable works include Mountbatten: The Official Biography, Edward VIII: The Official Biography, and The Black Death. He also wrote about figures such as Lord Melbourne, Harold Wilson, and George VI. Over the years, Ziegler contributed to major publications like The Spectator, The Times, and History Today.
His personal life was marked by tragedy when his first wife was killed during a home invasion in Bogotá in 1967. He later remarried and continued his literary career until his passing in 2023 at the age of 93.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 9, 2022
For an "authorized" biography, Philip Ziegler's King Edward VIII paints a remarkably unflattering portrait. The King who was once, and in some circles still is, romanticized for abdicating his throne "for the woman I love" has undergone a drubbing in recent decades, as his personal foibles and fascist sympathies have inspired heavy scrutiny. Ziegler's book, perhaps the most thorough and "definitive" work on this ill-starred ruler, tries to be generous to Edward but finds little to be generous about. His early life is a rake's progress of romantic liaisons, drunken escapades and academic failures, interrupted by uneventful military service and occasional diplomatic tours. Ziegler unsparingly shows Edward's vapidity: his private letters, well into adulthood, read like the diary of a middle schooler who never mastered the English language, while his public utterances rarely aspired to the banal. He tries to balance this intellectual nullity with comments on Edward's charm and charisma, his good looks, his charitable causes (he was, quite honorably, a lifelong spokesman for British veterans) and popularity with the public, both in England and the Empire. That's as it may be, and in the symbol-laden modern monarchy such skills aren’t unimportant. But it's more noteworthy that even Edward's father, the stolid George V, worried that "after I am dead, the boy will ruin himself within twelve months."
How prophetic those words. Indeed, Edward's brief reign in 1936 was scandal-plagued and ineffectual. The young King swiftly found himself bickering with his family and palace staff, alienating his allies in Parliament (save Winston Churchill, who embarrassingly stood by him to the end) and the press, flirting with fascism and generally making a nuisance of himself without any achievements. Though, in fairness, Edward's reign was likely foredoomed by his relationship with the American divorcee Wallis Simpson, whom Ziegler describes as possessing a sadomasochistic hold on her lover - perhaps cruelly, but on the basis of evidence here, not unfairly. Edward does inspire a modicum of sympathy for his choosing love over duty, butting heads with hide-bound royals more horrified by his courting a non-royal (and a divorcee!) than his all-around ignorance. Lest we sympathize too much though, Edward repeatedly undercuts our understanding. His stand, romantic in isolation, seems less noble when placed in the context of a man who never saw the world, and his throne, as anything more than an extension of his own desires.
After leaving the throne, Edward (now the Duke of Windsor) decamped with Mrs. Simpson to Paris, making further nuisance of himself by bickering with his brother George VI and visiting Nazi Germany on a self-styled diplomatic mission, receiving a private audience with Adolf Hitler himself. Ziegler rightly notes that most British conservatives viewed Hitler as the lesser of two evils next to the Soviet Union, and he discards the sensationalist claims that Simpson was a German agent or Edward actively involved in Nazi plots to overthrow his brother and install himself on the throne. But even without recourse to conspiracy theories, the record is damning enough: Edward praised Hitler and Mussolini throughout the '30s, and spent much of his brief time in power pushing for an Anglo-German alliance against Stalin. "Dictators are very popular these days," he observed soon after Hitler's rise, "and we might want one in England before long." The Royal Family, smarting over the abdication, took the threat of Edward’s treason seriously and exiled him to the Bahamas. Even in this marginal post, the Duke of Windsor embroiled himself in business corruption, race riots (which Edward naturally blamed on the "savagery" of Nassau's Black population) and covering up the murder of mob-connected financier Sir Harry Oakes.
As Ziegler's portrait concludes with Edward's later days as a footloose exile, trying with limited success to salvage his reputation and rebuild his relationship with the Windsors, it becomes clear that extending this vacuous figure sympathy is a fool's errand. For Ziegler's scruples as a biographer outweigh pretenses of balance: no matter how generous his phrasings or prodigious his apologies for Edward's behavior (unconvincingly assuring us that while Edward spent most of his days as Prince of Wales drinking and playing squash, "he could have done much less"), the sum total of the man is null. He was an intellectual cipher, a moral disaster and a political pillock; he abandoned his friends, disgraced his family and nation and dragged the throne through the mud, which only his brother's wartime reign could expunge. His one redeeming feature, his devotion to Wallis Simpson, seems less admirable the more one sees his resentment channeled into badgering his family for money, attention and access. Presumably Ziegler did not plan to present Edward as an irredeemable lout; but few readers will read his thorough, damning biography and come away with any other impression.
How prophetic those words. Indeed, Edward's brief reign in 1936 was scandal-plagued and ineffectual. The young King swiftly found himself bickering with his family and palace staff, alienating his allies in Parliament (save Winston Churchill, who embarrassingly stood by him to the end) and the press, flirting with fascism and generally making a nuisance of himself without any achievements. Though, in fairness, Edward's reign was likely foredoomed by his relationship with the American divorcee Wallis Simpson, whom Ziegler describes as possessing a sadomasochistic hold on her lover - perhaps cruelly, but on the basis of evidence here, not unfairly. Edward does inspire a modicum of sympathy for his choosing love over duty, butting heads with hide-bound royals more horrified by his courting a non-royal (and a divorcee!) than his all-around ignorance. Lest we sympathize too much though, Edward repeatedly undercuts our understanding. His stand, romantic in isolation, seems less noble when placed in the context of a man who never saw the world, and his throne, as anything more than an extension of his own desires.
After leaving the throne, Edward (now the Duke of Windsor) decamped with Mrs. Simpson to Paris, making further nuisance of himself by bickering with his brother George VI and visiting Nazi Germany on a self-styled diplomatic mission, receiving a private audience with Adolf Hitler himself. Ziegler rightly notes that most British conservatives viewed Hitler as the lesser of two evils next to the Soviet Union, and he discards the sensationalist claims that Simpson was a German agent or Edward actively involved in Nazi plots to overthrow his brother and install himself on the throne. But even without recourse to conspiracy theories, the record is damning enough: Edward praised Hitler and Mussolini throughout the '30s, and spent much of his brief time in power pushing for an Anglo-German alliance against Stalin. "Dictators are very popular these days," he observed soon after Hitler's rise, "and we might want one in England before long." The Royal Family, smarting over the abdication, took the threat of Edward’s treason seriously and exiled him to the Bahamas. Even in this marginal post, the Duke of Windsor embroiled himself in business corruption, race riots (which Edward naturally blamed on the "savagery" of Nassau's Black population) and covering up the murder of mob-connected financier Sir Harry Oakes.
As Ziegler's portrait concludes with Edward's later days as a footloose exile, trying with limited success to salvage his reputation and rebuild his relationship with the Windsors, it becomes clear that extending this vacuous figure sympathy is a fool's errand. For Ziegler's scruples as a biographer outweigh pretenses of balance: no matter how generous his phrasings or prodigious his apologies for Edward's behavior (unconvincingly assuring us that while Edward spent most of his days as Prince of Wales drinking and playing squash, "he could have done much less"), the sum total of the man is null. He was an intellectual cipher, a moral disaster and a political pillock; he abandoned his friends, disgraced his family and nation and dragged the throne through the mud, which only his brother's wartime reign could expunge. His one redeeming feature, his devotion to Wallis Simpson, seems less admirable the more one sees his resentment channeled into badgering his family for money, attention and access. Presumably Ziegler did not plan to present Edward as an irredeemable lout; but few readers will read his thorough, damning biography and come away with any other impression.
September 18, 2022
Официалната биография на крал Едуард VIII е задълбочен анализ на една противоречива историческа личност. Представителят на династията Уиндзор вероятно ще бъде запомнен най-вече с абдикацията си след по-малко от година на трона през 1936 г. Причината е очаквана - жена. По-точно това е американката Уолис Симпсън, която има зад себе си два развода и няма как да бъде приета от консервативната британска общност като кралица или дори като кралица-консорт. След натиск от правителството, заплашващо с подаване на оставка и огромен публичен скандал, Едуард VIII решава да се откаже от наследствената власт в полза на брат си - Албърт, познат повече като крал Джордж VI.
След абдикацията и сватбата си, бившият престолонаследник, вече с титлата дук на Уиндзор, се превръща в persona non grata на острова. Младоженците са принудени да напуснат Великобритания и живеят на различни места в континентална Европа. Едно от посещенията на Едуард през 1937 г. е в нацистка Германия, където се среща и лично с Адолф Хитлер. Дукът става част от плановете на нацистите да бъде върнат на власт (по подобие на предателя Видкун Куизлинг в Норвегия) след евентуално завладяване на Великобритания. Бързото превземане на Франция през май и юни 1940 г. принуждава Едуард да бяга. Но дори в тази опасна ситуация кралското семейство не желае да върне дука вкъщи и той бива назначен на казионната позиция губернатор на Бахамите, за да бъде възможно най-далече от войната. Пристигайки в столицата Насау на остров Ню Провидънс, Едуард започва да се вълнува повече от чисто икономически и расови проблеми в изолирания остров, докато неговите сънародници биват бомбардирани.
След войната Едуард се опитва всячески да стане фактор в световната политика и търси позицията на официален представител или посланик в различни страни, но получава категоричен отказ. Превръща се в неудобна фигура, която не е желана от никое правителство заради предполагаемите връзки с нацистите.
Едуард се отказва от престола заради любовта на живота си, която видимо не го заслужава. Една модерна трагична история, която си струва да се познава.
След абдикацията и сватбата си, бившият престолонаследник, вече с титлата дук на Уиндзор, се превръща в persona non grata на острова. Младоженците са принудени да напуснат Великобритания и живеят на различни места в континентална Европа. Едно от посещенията на Едуард през 1937 г. е в нацистка Германия, където се среща и лично с Адолф Хитлер. Дукът става част от плановете на нацистите да бъде върнат на власт (по подобие на предателя Видкун Куизлинг в Норвегия) след евентуално завладяване на Великобритания. Бързото превземане на Франция през май и юни 1940 г. принуждава Едуард да бяга. Но дори в тази опасна ситуация кралското семейство не желае да върне дука вкъщи и той бива назначен на казионната позиция губернатор на Бахамите, за да бъде възможно най-далече от войната. Пристигайки в столицата Насау на остров Ню Провидънс, Едуард започва да се вълнува повече от чисто икономически и расови проблеми в изолирания остров, докато неговите сънародници биват бомбардирани.
След войната Едуард се опитва всячески да стане фактор в световната политика и търси позицията на официален представител или посланик в различни страни, но получава категоричен отказ. Превръща се в неудобна фигура, която не е желана от никое правителство заради предполагаемите връзки с нацистите.
Едуард се отказва от престола заради любовта на живота си, която видимо не го заслужава. Една модерна трагична история, която си струва да се познава.
February 6, 2015
The history of the reign of Edward VIII - exceptionally short-lived as it was, and indeed one could question whether he ever 'reigned' at all, given that there was no Coronation - is known above all things for its ending. The traditional fairytale is that he gave up all for love, that he sacrificed his position, his family, his country, his throne, to be with the woman he loved. And of course, in the most superficial sense, all that is true.
However, as with all stories, there is more to it than that. Rarely can a Prince of Wales have approached the idea of his enthronement with less enthusiasm, and it does seem that temperamentally Edward, or David as he was actually known to family and friends, was utterly unsuited to be King. Edward, it seems, had the misfortune to be heir to the throne at a time when the country and the monarchy were changing rapidly - Edward was perhaps the first 'modern' Royal, at a time when the monarchy and the country were still to a very large extent stuck in the Victorian/Edwardian eras. And yet at the same time, he held the very traditional view that a monarch's private life remained private. Not for him the current sense that the Royal Family belong to the nation, that the private and public are intertwined. He simply could not see why whom he chose as friends, how he spent his time, and above all else, who he chose to love and marry, were any business of anyone else.
In this engaging and well-written biography, the Prince of Wales/Edward VIII/Duke of Windsor comes across as a man of arrested development, a man who never truly grew up. He was charming, cavalier, humorous, warm-hearted - but Ziegler depicts him as a immature man of superficial interests, easily distracted, irresponsible, self-pitying, restless and utterly lacking in the sense of duty that has been such a hallmark of the reigns of his brother George VI and his niece Elizabeth II. One cannot imagine either of those figures sacrificing the welfare of the country for their own personal happiness, as David chose to do.
David also comes across as utterly in thrall to Wallis Simpson, and whilst he was consumed with love for her and devoted to his dying day, the relationship never seems entirely healthy. She simultaneously mothered and managed, seduced and dominated him, and his devotion to her was never entirely or equally reciprocated. There was a great deal of self-abasement on his part, an almost cringing servility that comes across as truly pathetic. It leads one to be somewhat grateful that the Abdication Crisis did not resolve in his favour and that England was never faced with King Edward VIII and Queen Wallis. One cannot help thinking when reading this book that England dodged a bullet, so to speak, when Edward VIII abdicated his throne and became instead merely Duke of Windsor.
However, as with all stories, there is more to it than that. Rarely can a Prince of Wales have approached the idea of his enthronement with less enthusiasm, and it does seem that temperamentally Edward, or David as he was actually known to family and friends, was utterly unsuited to be King. Edward, it seems, had the misfortune to be heir to the throne at a time when the country and the monarchy were changing rapidly - Edward was perhaps the first 'modern' Royal, at a time when the monarchy and the country were still to a very large extent stuck in the Victorian/Edwardian eras. And yet at the same time, he held the very traditional view that a monarch's private life remained private. Not for him the current sense that the Royal Family belong to the nation, that the private and public are intertwined. He simply could not see why whom he chose as friends, how he spent his time, and above all else, who he chose to love and marry, were any business of anyone else.
In this engaging and well-written biography, the Prince of Wales/Edward VIII/Duke of Windsor comes across as a man of arrested development, a man who never truly grew up. He was charming, cavalier, humorous, warm-hearted - but Ziegler depicts him as a immature man of superficial interests, easily distracted, irresponsible, self-pitying, restless and utterly lacking in the sense of duty that has been such a hallmark of the reigns of his brother George VI and his niece Elizabeth II. One cannot imagine either of those figures sacrificing the welfare of the country for their own personal happiness, as David chose to do.
David also comes across as utterly in thrall to Wallis Simpson, and whilst he was consumed with love for her and devoted to his dying day, the relationship never seems entirely healthy. She simultaneously mothered and managed, seduced and dominated him, and his devotion to her was never entirely or equally reciprocated. There was a great deal of self-abasement on his part, an almost cringing servility that comes across as truly pathetic. It leads one to be somewhat grateful that the Abdication Crisis did not resolve in his favour and that England was never faced with King Edward VIII and Queen Wallis. One cannot help thinking when reading this book that England dodged a bullet, so to speak, when Edward VIII abdicated his throne and became instead merely Duke of Windsor.
February 1, 2020
this biography is chock full of lots of research details, some of which I'd never read before even though I've read many a Royal bio. However this book suffers from Ziegler's other books in that it is so hell-bent on adding every single fact that it loses readability along the way. The chapters that come to mind cover World War I, which are so peppered with mimutia of military memos that it feels like it repeats itself over and over without really telling anything new.
However, I did stick with it and enjoyed it overall. Edward was such a small man in many ways, and this book helps bring that out.
One thing I thought was curious is the fact that so much focus is on his own life that the outside influences that shaped his future are often minimalized. Wallis Simpson is the most obvious one. This controlling greedy woman is not fleshed out very much which is odd considering she basically forged his destiny by starting an affair with him. I wonder if a reader who didn't know as much about her backstory would wonder about how she could have such influence over him.
One nice thing that did come out is that his relationship with his mother was much warmer and loving than I had previously thought. She was a strong personality around him that gave him more likeability.
All in all this book helps confirm my opinion that Edward was a weak-minded person who is too easily swayed by influences around him that may or may not have had his best interests at heart. He may have been the most well-trained Prince of Wales in England's history, but that doesn't mean he would have been a good King. I can't help but feel that England dodged a bullet by not having to have him as their monarch for longer than they did.
However, I did stick with it and enjoyed it overall. Edward was such a small man in many ways, and this book helps bring that out.
One thing I thought was curious is the fact that so much focus is on his own life that the outside influences that shaped his future are often minimalized. Wallis Simpson is the most obvious one. This controlling greedy woman is not fleshed out very much which is odd considering she basically forged his destiny by starting an affair with him. I wonder if a reader who didn't know as much about her backstory would wonder about how she could have such influence over him.
One nice thing that did come out is that his relationship with his mother was much warmer and loving than I had previously thought. She was a strong personality around him that gave him more likeability.
All in all this book helps confirm my opinion that Edward was a weak-minded person who is too easily swayed by influences around him that may or may not have had his best interests at heart. He may have been the most well-trained Prince of Wales in England's history, but that doesn't mean he would have been a good King. I can't help but feel that England dodged a bullet by not having to have him as their monarch for longer than they did.
March 31, 2018
This was an interesting and very balanced biography of the man who abdicated the throne because of love.... And possibly also because he was unwilling to do the work required of a King.
Edward VIII was a fantastic Prince of Wales as a young man - the original Prince Charming. But as he grew older he seemed to stop growing up. He enjoyed all of the perks of being Royal but had no desire to do any of the work that came along with the position. Even prior to his Father's King George V's death, his Father was saying that it would be better if David abdicated (although I think he was hoping for it before he died and the Crown was thrown into Chaos).
The book traces his life after abdication (ties to the Nazis, petty arguments with his relatives about money and if Wallace should be treated as an HRH, governorship of the Bahamas, etc.) until his death.
This is the second royal autobiography I've been drawn to read after watching the Crown. I'm sure by the time the series is over I'll know the royal family backwards and forwards!
Edward VIII was a fantastic Prince of Wales as a young man - the original Prince Charming. But as he grew older he seemed to stop growing up. He enjoyed all of the perks of being Royal but had no desire to do any of the work that came along with the position. Even prior to his Father's King George V's death, his Father was saying that it would be better if David abdicated (although I think he was hoping for it before he died and the Crown was thrown into Chaos).
The book traces his life after abdication (ties to the Nazis, petty arguments with his relatives about money and if Wallace should be treated as an HRH, governorship of the Bahamas, etc.) until his death.
This is the second royal autobiography I've been drawn to read after watching the Crown. I'm sure by the time the series is over I'll know the royal family backwards and forwards!
March 7, 2009
Philip Ziegler has produced a well researched balanced and very readable account of the life of the only King in Modern British history to voluntarily renounce the throne. Edward - like all princes of Wales was indulged yet had stern parents for whom "duty" was paramount. He emerges as spoilt, lazy, drunken - in his youth and feckless. At the same time he was charming, kind, generous to friends in financial trouble, physically brave and ultimatly courageous in flying in the face of centuries of tradition in abandoning a court where importance is calabrated purely in terms of proximity to the throne.
If I have one critisism of Ziegler it is that the cause of the "Abdication Crises" Mrs Simpson does not get alot of attention. The comments of Edward's servants during their courtship suggest a driven women with a keen appreciation of the value of money. Whether she had any hope or intention of becomming Queen is never explored which is a pity.
The author lays to rest conclusively the common belief that Edward was pro -nazi or that he would have returned to Britain as a puppet king in the event of a German victory. His period as Governor General of the Bahamas is described in detail and Edward emerges as a shrewd operator who left the islands more prosperous than when he left, was not afraid to take on the white merchant class, although he opposed the inclusion of representatives of the black population being included because of his racial prejudice.
Edward emerges as a man who spent the first part of his life trying to get his mother's approval then spent the last 40 years constantly reassuring himself that he had his wife's. The Royal family in the main emerge as somewhat petty acting illegally in refusing the Duchess the style of her Royal Highness. That said on his abdication Edward lied to his brother the future king about his true financial position so perhaps honours were even.
That the Royal family refused to acknowledge the happiness his wife brought him caused Edward unneccessary distress. It seems clear his was a happier Duke than a King.
What a pity he didn't live long enough to appreciate the delicious irony of our own dear Prince of Wales - himself divorced trying to convince us to let him do what cost his great uncle and empire
If I have one critisism of Ziegler it is that the cause of the "Abdication Crises" Mrs Simpson does not get alot of attention. The comments of Edward's servants during their courtship suggest a driven women with a keen appreciation of the value of money. Whether she had any hope or intention of becomming Queen is never explored which is a pity.
The author lays to rest conclusively the common belief that Edward was pro -nazi or that he would have returned to Britain as a puppet king in the event of a German victory. His period as Governor General of the Bahamas is described in detail and Edward emerges as a shrewd operator who left the islands more prosperous than when he left, was not afraid to take on the white merchant class, although he opposed the inclusion of representatives of the black population being included because of his racial prejudice.
Edward emerges as a man who spent the first part of his life trying to get his mother's approval then spent the last 40 years constantly reassuring himself that he had his wife's. The Royal family in the main emerge as somewhat petty acting illegally in refusing the Duchess the style of her Royal Highness. That said on his abdication Edward lied to his brother the future king about his true financial position so perhaps honours were even.
That the Royal family refused to acknowledge the happiness his wife brought him caused Edward unneccessary distress. It seems clear his was a happier Duke than a King.
What a pity he didn't live long enough to appreciate the delicious irony of our own dear Prince of Wales - himself divorced trying to convince us to let him do what cost his great uncle and empire
Read
February 16, 2019Grueling read, but balanced. No sensationalism.
August 31, 2015
Edward the VIII, the Little Man who became Duke Of Windsor.
For me this biography might be considered the conclusion of a series of books about the Hanovers/Windsors beginning with Georges III and IV, Princess Charlotte, Queen Victoria and Albert and progressing through their daughters, Edward VII, Queen Mary, the three cousins of WWI empires and the Windsors themselves.
At the conclusion of this book the author discussed the tendency to sum royalty with one epithet: the Conqueror, the Unready, the Lion Hearted and he discussed and discarded options for Edward VIII. Unworthy, Obstinate, Amiable, Well-meaning. He was all of those things, and more: generous yet stingy; loyal yet vindictive; obsessed with his royal status but not willing to earn it; not stupid but dangerously unclever at times; elitist yet socially conscious; democratic yet not immune to fascist efficiency; uxorious to a fault he saw his duty to his wife before his country. He was a fascinating creature of a time and place but a rather boring and pathetic man.
Many social historians deplore the seeming coldness of royal child-rearing. After reading this series of generational biographies I recognize that royal child-rearing is geared to the demands and requirement of the king and royal family members and their profound obligations their people. This was not something Edward understood, wanted for himself or believed in. Though he did want the adulation and the money and genuflection. As did That Woman he gave it all up for.
He was referred to by Wallis and other lovers as the Little Man. And he was.
I dub him, Edward the Little Man.
September 10, 2016
One of the few Windsors with apparently no sense of duty. An intriguing character. The one thing that struck me the most when I first read it was that he was 40 years old when he abdicated not a mere youth in his twenties. I'd always thought he was younger probably because of his looks. Not the most prepossessing of individuals, despite his charm, but still someone whose story I wanted to understand. Philip Ziegler is a great author and it's a really enjoyable read.
February 9, 2017
A wonderful read, comprehensive and serious but at times with the gossipy tone its subject deserves. The choice of title is key - King Edward VIII was king for only a few months, and the chapters devoted to that period are the ones that really crackle.
February 5, 2018
Its fascinating when ever we get the chance to read about someone from the royal family. Its interesting to see the kind of life theyve lived, while being privy to all kinds of luxuries.
Ziegler's biography of Edward VIII or also known as, Prince Edward, Prince of Wales, King Edward VIII and lastly Duke of Windsor. (Im sure he was refered to by many other names but those were the ones commonly used throughout the book). Was greatly in depth. So much research went into this, that anyone tasked with collecting all the research would have found it daunting. Phillip though, did so expertly and weaved all that research and letters into a compelling narrative. One that deserved to be told.
The things we do for love, or I should say the things King Edward VIII had done for love. He abdicated the very thing that was his birthright (the throne) all for a woman. If thats not love I dont know what is.
Its funny how the book is titled,"King Edward VIII" even though Edward the VIII wasnt even king for that long. He was more the 'blue collar' royal. He was charming and he had a soft spot for the working man. He wanted just to be considered a comrade, like some of the regular boys he brushed shoulders with during his military service. Often putting him in disagreement with his family. Especially, when it came to Wallis Simpson the woman he fell in love with and married.
The King Edward VIII biography by Phillip Ziegler doesnt fail to impress. It was remarkable to see inside the life and times of such a compelling royal.
Ziegler's biography of Edward VIII or also known as, Prince Edward, Prince of Wales, King Edward VIII and lastly Duke of Windsor. (Im sure he was refered to by many other names but those were the ones commonly used throughout the book). Was greatly in depth. So much research went into this, that anyone tasked with collecting all the research would have found it daunting. Phillip though, did so expertly and weaved all that research and letters into a compelling narrative. One that deserved to be told.
The things we do for love, or I should say the things King Edward VIII had done for love. He abdicated the very thing that was his birthright (the throne) all for a woman. If thats not love I dont know what is.
Its funny how the book is titled,"King Edward VIII" even though Edward the VIII wasnt even king for that long. He was more the 'blue collar' royal. He was charming and he had a soft spot for the working man. He wanted just to be considered a comrade, like some of the regular boys he brushed shoulders with during his military service. Often putting him in disagreement with his family. Especially, when it came to Wallis Simpson the woman he fell in love with and married.
The King Edward VIII biography by Phillip Ziegler doesnt fail to impress. It was remarkable to see inside the life and times of such a compelling royal.
March 24, 2023
A Human Tragedy
Although years old now I found this a balanced bio of our former King-Emperor. Tragedy? Most certainly. Although we should not judge the mores of the 30s by today’s standards I was astounded at the po faced, hypocritical stance of the Church of England. Firstly, marriage is not a sacrament, secondly, the C of E was founded on a divorce. OK, divorce was not acceptable in polite society but polite society was utterly hypocritical. There is no doubt he had to abdicate but those who forced this on him didn’t have clean hands. As for the treatment of Wallis, this has to be viewed as a family feud, we know of such things in our own family closets. Yes, it was mean, yes it was unnecessary. One thing is for sure he loved her unreservedly and unconditionally, maybe too much. Did she love him? Maybe, probably but not in the same intense way he loved her. There has been a lot of bunkum written and on telly recently about him being a Nazi. There is no proof of this, it’s all regurgitated film flam. A sad, if pampered life of indolence. That was his lot. Yes, truly a tragedy. Not many come out of it with honour.
Although years old now I found this a balanced bio of our former King-Emperor. Tragedy? Most certainly. Although we should not judge the mores of the 30s by today’s standards I was astounded at the po faced, hypocritical stance of the Church of England. Firstly, marriage is not a sacrament, secondly, the C of E was founded on a divorce. OK, divorce was not acceptable in polite society but polite society was utterly hypocritical. There is no doubt he had to abdicate but those who forced this on him didn’t have clean hands. As for the treatment of Wallis, this has to be viewed as a family feud, we know of such things in our own family closets. Yes, it was mean, yes it was unnecessary. One thing is for sure he loved her unreservedly and unconditionally, maybe too much. Did she love him? Maybe, probably but not in the same intense way he loved her. There has been a lot of bunkum written and on telly recently about him being a Nazi. There is no proof of this, it’s all regurgitated film flam. A sad, if pampered life of indolence. That was his lot. Yes, truly a tragedy. Not many come out of it with honour.
July 27, 2018
Over the years I’ve heard and seen much of Edward VIII, who became king of Great Britain in 1936 and abdicated that same year to marry American divorcée Wallis Simpson. Philip Ziegler’s fine biography covers the life of his subject from cradle to grave and is well-researched and documented. He describes the king—later named the Duke of Windsor—as a reckless, restless and undisciplined. Also charming, devoted to his wife, and caring a great deal for the poor and struggling in his country.
I might add sometimes unwise. Was it worth it to give up the throne for Wallis? Readers must judge for themselves; I see him as a spoiled boy who believed he could walk away from the responsibilities and restrictions of court life but keep all the privileges that lifestyle accords. For most, life doesn’t work like that.
I do feel a greater understanding for his choice having read the biography, but do not feel much sympathy for the Windsors.
I might add sometimes unwise. Was it worth it to give up the throne for Wallis? Readers must judge for themselves; I see him as a spoiled boy who believed he could walk away from the responsibilities and restrictions of court life but keep all the privileges that lifestyle accords. For most, life doesn’t work like that.
I do feel a greater understanding for his choice having read the biography, but do not feel much sympathy for the Windsors.
March 6, 2022
I have progressed from reading novelizations of Edward and Wallis to mini-histories of specific incidents to finally a full-fledged biography of Edward. Although now I have dates and places and names to put this curious man in context, I still don’t feel comfortable with his character. At no fault to the author, it is impossible for us non-royals and non-aristocrats to fully comprehend his choices, fears, liberties, or excuses. It’s enough to make me a republican! Ziegler approaches Edward straight-forwardly, without the awe of royalty or riches, and describes his life, I think, fairly. As history , this treatment reads easily and the thematic structure helps us understand the phases of his life. It delves into lesser known years and doesn’t belabour the more famous episodes, almost treating them with the same gravity which may very well have been how Edward perceived them himself. A worthwhile read.
January 10, 2019
I wanted to know more about Edward VIII so decided to read this biography. I found it hard reading, it took me a long time to get through. That is not to say it is a bad book, it is very informative and gives a rounded profile of the man. I would’ve liked to know more about his relationship with Wallis Simpson, as I’m sure a lot of people will. I persevered because I wanted to know the full story but it is not something I will revisit.
February 12, 2018
After 25 years and the title still says it all: THE official biography. Other works have followed focusing often on micro conspiracy theories surrounding the Windsors. This is a full and level headed telling of the unique and confounding Edward VIII/Duke of Windsor. Belongs up there with the earlier bio by Frances Donaldson.
November 20, 2018
Good read
Enjoyed tremendously, the history, the love affair and the royal family ties that edward was cut off from. It was a waste he could of achieved so much more in his lifetime, but if he didnt want the responsibility of being a rulin monarch then doubtful if he would have made a good one without wallis
Enjoyed tremendously, the history, the love affair and the royal family ties that edward was cut off from. It was a waste he could of achieved so much more in his lifetime, but if he didnt want the responsibility of being a rulin monarch then doubtful if he would have made a good one without wallis
July 26, 2021
I had read this book out of curiosity. I enjoyed reading this book because I learned more about King Edward VIII's childhood, his education, his military career, his short reign and abdication, and his relationship with Wallis Simpson. I loved that it was well researched and engaging. I thought the book was well written. It is a must read.
March 6, 2020
Quite a long book to read but a fascinating one. I’d not paid too much attention to this King before as I wasn’t aware of him growing up until the Duchess of Windsor died. Therefore it was enjoyable to read and fill in the gaps of my British history.
September 24, 2023
For an authorised biography, this is not at all sycophantic and pretty unflattering of Edward VIII. Ziegler suggests he could be Edward the Unready or Unworthy, I would suggest Edward the Bitter. Huge parallels to current situations within the House of Windsor.
April 10, 2024
Hard to separate the writing from the subject.
/Prince Edward/King Edward/Duke of Windsor /David whines a lot and this biography drags every single detail out.
A overly written book about a pretty shallow subject.
I admit I had to force myself to finish it.
/Prince Edward/King Edward/Duke of Windsor /David whines a lot and this biography drags every single detail out.
A overly written book about a pretty shallow subject.
I admit I had to force myself to finish it.
August 4, 2024
I didn't finish it - I have sat on it for a couple of years, and then decided I would never get back to it. 'Traitor King' by Andrew Lownie is a damn sight more entertaining than this dull as dishwasher drag through a boring little man's life.
January 6, 2018
Since watching The Crown I became interested in Edward and Churchill . This was very well written and you sort of fill sorry for the man.
February 19, 2018
King Edward V111
Truly remarkable book. I find it fascinating, couldn't stop until the wnd. I love reading history and always wanting to now more every time
Truly remarkable book. I find it fascinating, couldn't stop until the wnd. I love reading history and always wanting to now more every time
November 17, 2019
Much more detail than I had seen before, also debunks most of the other books I had read about WE (WallisEdward, as they referred to each other.)
February 2, 2020
Very detailed book but I enjoyed it. Somewhat of a long read.
November 28, 2023
For EPQ research
September 10, 2013
This is definitely a well researched book. It would be a good book to use as a source because it has lots of quotes from different people.
However, partially because of that, it's a rather difficult read. For example, to explain something the author might give quotes from half a dozen people and the reader may, or may not, know the people quoted. This makes it difficult to gauge the significance of the quotations or be able to look at them in the context of the personality of the person quoted. There are sometimes several paragraphs of this, when a summary would give the more casual reader (I've read a lot of royal history but I'm still a casual reader) a better idea of the thoughts of people at the time.
Along those lines, some fairly significant people in the history of the British royal family, such as Peter Townsend, are mentioned only in passing without giving any explanation of who they are.
This book also suffers from something that a lot of history books that cover royal history do - that of calling the same person by multiple different names! At least by this book I have learned enough to finally figure it out. Royalty can have several different titles during their lifetime. When a "historian" then writes up an account, they use the name that applies to the highest noble ranking that the person had *at the time that the event they are talking about occurred.*
For example, at the beginning of the book Queen Victoria was alive and so her oldest son was the Prince of Wales. He was just the first of four Princes of Wales in the book, including King Edward VIII (Duke of Windsor, his highest rank upon death.) This is especially confusing when a book is organized by subjects, rather than chronologically, as this one is. This book does mention this and give an explanation - at the end of the book, one page tucked between the narrative and the rather large index.
As mentioned, this book is organized by subject, which makes sense in a lot of ways. But in other ways it can make it difficult to see exactly how King Edward VIII's personal life affected his professional life, which in his case was of highest importance.
However, partially because of that, it's a rather difficult read. For example, to explain something the author might give quotes from half a dozen people and the reader may, or may not, know the people quoted. This makes it difficult to gauge the significance of the quotations or be able to look at them in the context of the personality of the person quoted. There are sometimes several paragraphs of this, when a summary would give the more casual reader (I've read a lot of royal history but I'm still a casual reader) a better idea of the thoughts of people at the time.
Along those lines, some fairly significant people in the history of the British royal family, such as Peter Townsend, are mentioned only in passing without giving any explanation of who they are.
This book also suffers from something that a lot of history books that cover royal history do - that of calling the same person by multiple different names! At least by this book I have learned enough to finally figure it out. Royalty can have several different titles during their lifetime. When a "historian" then writes up an account, they use the name that applies to the highest noble ranking that the person had *at the time that the event they are talking about occurred.*
For example, at the beginning of the book Queen Victoria was alive and so her oldest son was the Prince of Wales. He was just the first of four Princes of Wales in the book, including King Edward VIII (Duke of Windsor, his highest rank upon death.) This is especially confusing when a book is organized by subjects, rather than chronologically, as this one is. This book does mention this and give an explanation - at the end of the book, one page tucked between the narrative and the rather large index.
As mentioned, this book is organized by subject, which makes sense in a lot of ways. But in other ways it can make it difficult to see exactly how King Edward VIII's personal life affected his professional life, which in his case was of highest importance.
September 12, 2013
Ziegler has written an exhaustive biography of Edward the VIII, the British monarch who abdicated to marry an American divorcée. He works hard at giving a balanced view of his subject who has been vilified in the popular media. Ziegler plumbs archival material such as letters and memos of the king and his associates, as well as the press accounts of his life and actions. He also uses the original speeches and interviews, and private letters and memos of the politicians of the time and Edward's royal relatives. All this makes for a long read, but a fascinating one.
Edward VIII turns out to be a complex man, with more going for him than I expected, but nonetheless a man who had poor judgement. He was often in deep depression, something I didn't know. Ziegler doesn't spare him, but he does vanquish the popular notion that he was pro-Nazi and may have collaborated during WWII.
I would recommend the biography to all those who relish in-depth historical biography that is superbly researched and opens the window on the king's private challenges and dilemmas. It left me saddened for both Edward VIII and his brother, King George VII, who had to succeed him.
Edward VIII turns out to be a complex man, with more going for him than I expected, but nonetheless a man who had poor judgement. He was often in deep depression, something I didn't know. Ziegler doesn't spare him, but he does vanquish the popular notion that he was pro-Nazi and may have collaborated during WWII.
I would recommend the biography to all those who relish in-depth historical biography that is superbly researched and opens the window on the king's private challenges and dilemmas. It left me saddened for both Edward VIII and his brother, King George VII, who had to succeed him.
March 6, 2016
Interesting biography of the man who was England's King Edward VIII for approximately a year, in 1936, then abdicated to marry Mrs. Simpson and lived the rest of his life as HRH The Duke of Windsor. I've read quite a bit of material about the British royal family before, but there were interesting items here that I didn't know, and I think it gave a more "fair and balanced" assessment of the Duke's political views than those I've read elsewhere. Specifically, although the Duke made comments in 1938 regarding appeasement of Hitler's Germany, the author points out that virtually all the UK's leadership still thought the same thing in 1938. The author also concludes that had the Duke remained King, he would never have actually sided with the Germans when it came right down to it.
It seems to me that Britain was lucky that they ended up with George VI instead of Edward VIII, as the latter was certainly ill-suited to be King. I recommend this book if you are interested in the subject-- I guess it would be dumb to read it if you WEREN'T interested in the subject.
**#23 of 120 books pledged to read/review during 2016**
It seems to me that Britain was lucky that they ended up with George VI instead of Edward VIII, as the latter was certainly ill-suited to be King. I recommend this book if you are interested in the subject-- I guess it would be dumb to read it if you WEREN'T interested in the subject.
**#23 of 120 books pledged to read/review during 2016**
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