Edward VIII

by Frances Donaldson

EDWARD VIII was heralded as the definitive biography of the ex-King and awarded the prestigious Wolfson Prize when it was first published in 1974. Since then no book on the subject has come close to Frances Donaldson's in scholarship or detachment.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Royalty, World War II, World War I, British Literature

477 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

The daughter of the playwright Frederick Lonsdale, Frances Donaldson was a biographer of several modern literary and artistic figures.

Reviews

[MissJessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edward VIII, by Frances Donaldson, is an excruciatingly detailed biography of Edward VIII, more commonly known as the Duke of Windsor.

Much emphasis is placed upon his upbringing (not one one would envy, despite the wealth and title). The royal parents were actually quite crappy parents when you get down to it, and much of the later behaviour of the Duke can be laid at their feet.

However, in the end, the portrait painted of the Duke is one of a man, not too bright to put it mildly, badly educated, and surrounded with sycophants who told him what he wanted to hear, but with a great deal of physical charm and a practical sense of how to relate to the "common man."

The tragedy is of course that all this talent was completely wasted because he chose, early on, to marry another man's wife and spent the rest of his life a) making that happen and b) paying the consequences.

The concurrent description of Wallis Simpson was very interesting as well. She was described by many (in other books as well) as not loving him quite as much as he loved her. If she had truly wanted to prevent the "tragedy" of the life of the Duke, she would not have permitted his attentions, and would have absented herself from his presence permanently. She didn't, and much if not most of the blame for his aimless and sad later life is to be placed at her feet.

At the end of the book, and the end of his life, it's impossible not to make comparisons between the Duke and the current Prince of Wales. Consider: the Duke gave up the throne and lived a life, mainly pointless, with no real job or point to his life because he broke up a marriage and then married the divorcee. He spent the rest of his life hopelessly trying to get the Royal Family to recognize Wallis, and grant her the title of Her Royal Highness (they didn't).

The current Prince broke up a marriage, married the woman in question, lives a life without a real job or aim to his life, is surrounded by sycophants who tell him what he wants to hear, but lost nothing at all in status, money, title, etc. His wife will by all accounts become Queen of England one day. It is amazing what the passage of 80 years changed in the way of acceptance of what is identical behaviour.

What would the Royal Family be like now if Edward had not found it necessary to abdicate? He would have remained King. The Queen would have remained a Princess, Charles would not be the heir apparent. The entire Diana tragedy would not have occurred. Camilla would not be Queen in waiting.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

These hundred and hundreds of pages were arduous, thorough, and so filled with such scholarly and erudite research and information. Every detail was backed up with proof through so many sources that I don't see how something like this could be written today with the kind of trite studies one sees no. I did learn some things about the Duke of Windsor that I did not know before. I thought he was a very heavy drinker and a very depressed person, but those facts were disproven with examples and research, and I learned that what I thought before was possibly wrong. He was continually besotted with Wallis, and that is a fact that always seems amazing. She was not portrayed in the usual light of the obsessive manipulator trying to force her way into becoming Queen of England, and that was unusual from one who was a British author. The usual anti-American angst was not overtly present, and that was refreshing, considering that topic and events.

[Janine Urban · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly evenhanded and unbiased account of the Duke of Windsor; a.k.a King Edward VIII. I would have liked to have seen more discussion on his later life after WWII as it only comprises two chapters. A vast majority of the book seemed to focus on his relationship with Germany.

It's no secret that the Duke of Windsor was ill equipped to be king of England. He lacked a sense of self-sacrifice and of duty that would be required to rule. Heavy is the head that wears the crown and he wasn't prepared for the sacrifice that was asked of him. I do feel that there was more to the abdication than marriage to Wallis. One day we may know. Wallis also reminds me of a modern day Anne Boleyn. There, I said it. She had ample opportunity to remove herself from the situation and walk away. She was married after all. And she didn't. She lead him to exile and away from his duty and obligation. However, it is fair to concede that England got the better end of the deal when George VI ascended the throne.

One can't help but feel for the Duke of Windsor. When he abdicated he seemed to genuinely feel that he could step into his brothers shoes and become a royal Duke and fulfill the role his brother did while his brother took his place. But you can't have your cake and eat it too. Donaldson summed the whole situation up best "...the Duke came very near falling into the trap his father had warned him about so long ago and confusing person with his position. It was to the later that the loyalists of the Prime Minister and the government belonged. Once they despaired of saving the monarch, it was their duty to save the monarchy."

[Joseph J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

After over forty years this still is my favorite telling of the Edward VIII story. More documents and new conspiracy theories have come to light, but Donaldson is a beautiful writer in a classic, cultured British way. A shelf of harder edged tomes have followed this telling of Edward and Wallis but don't overlook this classic of royal biography.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biographers often are one of two important personae: either a robust, dedicated and detailed researcher or a competent writer with a flair for readability. Rarely do these two elements combine, but they do so in Donaldson's most excellent and thorough biography of the man who was ultimately the Duke of Windsor.

Set in three parts, the book explicates in detail his family and social relationships and misbehaviours from childhood to old age. Since this book's publication in 1974 so much more detail has been unsheathed and revealed, so much more re-analyzing has occurred about David, his behaviours and his relationship with Wallis. However, this biography remains the authorative starting point go-to. Donaldson's introduction sets up her strategies, her justifications and her attributions.

She gives us evidence of events from many primary source diaries, letters and telegrams. Often events are "triangulated", with a variety of sources (from confidantes, close friends, colleagues, politicians and others) consulted to buttress the evidence presented. Through these she shapes a portrait of David and Wallis as masters of their own misfortune; selfish, unpragmatic, self-centred and narcissistic to the end. My favourite chapters deal with the Duke's relationship with Germany and various personnel, both pre-war and during those early years of 1939-41.

Subsequent publications and info revealed about this stressful time bolster the power of Donaldson's observations. Out of print for many years, this book is a rare find; I highly recommend it to all interested in David. After all, in retrospect I believe he will be seen to be the 20th century's greatest gift to the monarchy. His abdication resulted in a retrenchment in which duty, obligation and fidelity became primary drivers of the monarchy's staying power.

[Helen Birkbeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a scrupulously researched account that tries hard to be fair to its subject. The language is a little dated and the detail can be a bit intense, but it does a very good job of describing the Duke's life. There is maybe a slight lack of the psychological insight one might expect nowadays, but that doesn't detract from its value.

[SHS/EC Learning Commons · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read - written after the knowledge there were inside factors to prompt the abdication of Edward VIII.

[Barbara Clifford · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book in my opinion is very boring they took a very interesting part of history and dragged it into boring.

[Lisa of Hopewell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read soon after it was published. Still the best book on him.

[Cliff Baechle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not surprising that someone who has everything can still want more, even that belonging to others. In this case another man's wife. Even as a king he's unable to understand why life can't be as only he wishes.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very readable and engaging, even when its subject is not. I found it very difficult to feel empathy for the Duke of Windsor. Also, this book was written in the early 1970s, shortly after the Duke of Windsor had died, so it is much closer to the subject, with all the advantages and disadvantages that implies.

There were some times when I think the culture clash (British author, American reader) as well as the passage of decades (written in 1974, read in 2013) meant that I missed some points she was trying to make. Also, it really annoyed me that she kept reiterating that the Prince of Wales/King Edward VII/Duke of Windsor had three brothers, when in fact he had four (despite the fact that she quotes the Prince of Wales as saying "I have four brothers" when he is arguing to be allowed to fight in WWI, and has a genealogical table in the back that has the youngest brother included).

I look forward to reading a more recent biography of the Duke of Windsor, as well as a revisionist biography of Wallis Warfield Simpson that appears to have access to the Duchess's private papers in a way that Frances Donaldson did not.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this the best of the biograhies I have read on the Duke of Windsor so far. I had the feeling Frances Donaldson started out with a great deal of sympathy for him and as she researched more and more, so her opinion changed.
She remained sympathtic, but not for a man wronged, but for a man who lacked the moral fibre and the backbone to forfill the promise of his youth and position.
Written with style and elegance, this is an excellent read.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A SUPER WELL RESEARCHED BIOGRAPHY, SOMETIMES TO THE POINT OF DISTRACTION WITH PLENTEOUS AND LONG FOOTNOTES. THE PICTURE OF THE ROYAL FAMILY WAS ONE OF COOLNESS AND DISTANCE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY EDWARD'S MARRIAGE TO WALLIS SIMPSON WOULD PROVOKE A CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS. INSIGHTFUL EXPLANATION OF THE IMPORTANCE AND CONTINUATION OF THE MONARCHY AND ITS MEANING TO THE POPULACE.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read up to divorce chapter. Need to take a break from it before reading the rest. Incredibly detailed.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything you ever wanted to know, and more, about the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. I think England was lucky he quit.