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Isabel II: Vida de una reina, 1926-2022
Una obra monumental escrita por el biógrafo de referencia de la familia real inglesa.
Isabel II no nació para ser reina. Sin embargo, desde su llegada al trono en 1952 se convirtió en una de las principales figuras de la segunda mitad del siglo XX y principios del XXI. Su ingenio y determinación le han permitido dirigir a su familia y a su pueblo durante más de setenta años de cambios sociales sin precedentes. Vivió una Guerra Mundial, se enfrentó a crisis constitucionales y amenazas de muerte, salvó a la Commonwealth, fue testigo de las idas y venidas de sucesivos primeros ministros, conquistó a los líderes mundiales, fue criticada y alabada por los medios de comunicación y condujo a su familia a través de una serie de escándalos públicos que amenazaron la pervivencia de la Monarquía.
Con un acceso sin precedentes a la Familia Real, a su personal, a sus amigos y a los Archivos Reales, este libro ofrece una mirada novedosa y rigurosa a nuestra historia contemporánea a través de una de las figuras públicas que mejor la han definido. Robert Hardman, uno de los principales expertos en la Familia Real, ofrece el libro más completo y original sobre la inigualable Isabel II, tanto en calidad de monarca moderna como de mujer de Estado de talla internacional.
Se trata de una obra fascinante sobre la supervivencia y la renovación del sistema dinástico, que abarca la abdicación, la guerra, el romance, el desafío y la tragedia. Un retrato único de una líder que sigue siendo tan intrigante hoy como el día en que ascendió al trono a los veinticinco años de edad.
Isabel II no nació para ser reina. Sin embargo, desde su llegada al trono en 1952 se convirtió en una de las principales figuras de la segunda mitad del siglo XX y principios del XXI. Su ingenio y determinación le han permitido dirigir a su familia y a su pueblo durante más de setenta años de cambios sociales sin precedentes. Vivió una Guerra Mundial, se enfrentó a crisis constitucionales y amenazas de muerte, salvó a la Commonwealth, fue testigo de las idas y venidas de sucesivos primeros ministros, conquistó a los líderes mundiales, fue criticada y alabada por los medios de comunicación y condujo a su familia a través de una serie de escándalos públicos que amenazaron la pervivencia de la Monarquía.
Con un acceso sin precedentes a la Familia Real, a su personal, a sus amigos y a los Archivos Reales, este libro ofrece una mirada novedosa y rigurosa a nuestra historia contemporánea a través de una de las figuras públicas que mejor la han definido. Robert Hardman, uno de los principales expertos en la Familia Real, ofrece el libro más completo y original sobre la inigualable Isabel II, tanto en calidad de monarca moderna como de mujer de Estado de talla internacional.
Se trata de una obra fascinante sobre la supervivencia y la renovación del sistema dinástico, que abarca la abdicación, la guerra, el romance, el desafío y la tragedia. Un retrato único de una líder que sigue siendo tan intrigante hoy como el día en que ascendió al trono a los veinticinco años de edad.
856 pages, Hardcover
Published October 19, 2022
549 people are currently reading
3387 people want to read
About the author
Robert Hardman
22 books51 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Robert Hardman has covered aspects of royal life for more than twenty years and is the writer of both the film and the book Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work as well as Her Majesty: The Court of Elizabeth II, also available from Pegasus Books. He writes for the Daily Mail in London.
Robert Hardman has covered aspects of royal life for more than twenty years and is the writer of both the film and the book Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work as well as Her Majesty: The Court of Elizabeth II, also available from Pegasus Books. He writes for the Daily Mail in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 218 reviews
September 19, 2022
Queen Elizabeth's reign is the longest by any British monarch and the longest by any female head of the State. The world has changed a lot from 1952 when she became the Queen, and she will always be remembered for her sense of duty and dedication for more than 70 years when she was the Queen.
When I finished reading the book, The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe by Angela Kelly, I was interested to know more about Queen's life. After doing a little research, I narrowed it down to two books. One was Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch by Sally Bedell Smith, which is one of the most popular biographies about the Queen's life. But Sally Bedell Smith wrote this book in 2012, and I wanted to read the most recent biography. So I decided to pick this book written by Robert Hardman. It was published in April 2022 and covers her life elaborately, including the most recent events.
Robert has written this book in the best possible way without showing any bias, including all the controversies that the Queen had to face. Diana's funeral and controversies related to Prince Andrew and Prince Harry-Meghan Markle are all discussed in detail here.
The author also doesn't forget to give us some never before heard details about Queen's sense of duty and humor sense.
What I learned from this book
1) How did Queen take initiative for a better UK-Irish relationship?
Queen Elizabeth II was one of the main reasons for the recent changing relations between the UK and Ireland. Her historic visit to Ireland and her Gaelic (Irish) opening line in her speech all played a major role in it.
“A Uachtaráin agus a chairde.’ The sentence – meaning, President and friends' – was a short one, but she could not afford to mispronounce it. Her hosts were happily taken aback. 'Wow!' declared President McAleese. Republicans, royalists and the press were all equally stunned as the Queen went on to address the 'heartache, turbulence and loss' felt by both nations. Expressing her 'sincere thoughts and deep sympathy' to all who had suffered in the process, she declared: 'With the benefit of historical hindsight we can all see things we wish had been done differently or not at all.' This was a watershed moment in the UK–Irish relationship. Every word had been scrutinized and approved by her government (except for her Gaelic introduction, which had been a personal touch) yet her words were unquestionably from the heart. Even the godfather of Irish republicanism, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams, acknowledged afterwards: 'I believe that her expression of sincere sympathy for those who have suffered as a consequence of our troubled past is genuine."
2) Queen and the USA
The author is also telling us about the glorious relationship queen had with the American people in this book.
"She invited the US ambassador, Will Farish, to attend as her guest of honour. The gesture was not only profoundly comforting for expatriate Americans stranded in the UK, but resonated powerfully across the United States. So, too, did the Queen's message to the American people. To this day, her conclusion – 'Grief is the price we pay for love' – remains one of her most widely quoted statements."
3) Queen Elizabeth II's power to reassure her people during times of crisis.
Queen Elizabeth II will always be remembered for the impeccable dedication shown to her people until her last day. The message she gave during the COVID-19 pandemic was something unique. When some of the world leaders struggled to address their nation properly to give courage to their people, Queen Elizabeth II showed us how a world leader should be. She showed us how a leader should reassure their people during a crisis in a simple yet effective manner.
"Here she was again, eight decades later, with the same aim in mind: reassurance. True to form, she was dwelling on years gone by to make a point about the present. 'The pride in who we are is not a part of our past,' the Queen went on, 'it defines our present and our future.' And future generations, she insisted, 'will say the Britons of this generation were as strong as any'. To emphasize the point, she concluded with the wartime words of Vera Lynn: 'Better days will return; we will be with our friends again; we will meet again.' The newspapers had their front-page headline – and not a moment too soon. Here she was again, eight decades later, with the same aim in mind: reassurance. This was not mawkish reminiscence, however. True to form, she was dwelling on years gone by to make a point about the present. 'The pride in who we are is not a part of our past,' the Queen went on, 'it defines our present and our future.' And future generations, she insisted, 'will say the Britons of this generation were as strong as any'. To emphasize the point, she concluded with the wartime words of Vera Lynn: 'Better days will return; we will be with our friends again; we will meet again.' The newspapers had their front-page headline – and not a moment too soon."
My favorite lines from this book.
"When discussing current affairs or politics, particularly foreign affairs, she never seems bored by it, or tired by it. I think it's that sort of combination of knowing "I have to do this" and finding it interesting at the same time."
“Elizabeth was dutiful, reserved, reluctant to be the centre of attention, reticent with emotions and opinions.”
"The Duke had voiced similar love and affection the previous day during a wedding anniversary luncheon hosted by the City of London. After paying an unexpectedly tender tribute to their children, he turned to the Queen herself: 'I think the main lesson that we have learned is that tolerance is the one essential ingredient of any happy marriage. You can take it from me that the Queen has the quality of tolerance in abundance."
"Just before the Queen's ninetieth birthday, her cousin and lifelong confidante, Margaret Rhodes, reflected on her approach to the job. As an insight into what makes Queen Elizabeth II tick, it is surely as good as any: 'She did it with such dedication because she wanted to make her father proud of her."
What could have been better?
The only negative I can tell about this book is its size. It is a 690-page book, and it took around one week for me to finish reading it. But I can't blame the author for the sheer size of it, as a detailed biography about a Queen with such a long reign for more than seven decades filled with many historical world-changing moments will inevitably turn into such a big book.
Rating
4.5/5 This book will be a great choice if you want to know more about the life of Queen Elizabeth II.
October 24, 2025
Managing Decline
Robert Hardman’s Queen of Our Times: The Life of Elizabeth II is a comprehensive and deeply respectful biography that captures the remarkable life and reign of one of the most iconic figures of the 20th and 21st centuries. Hardman, an experienced royal correspondent and author, brings his expertise and insider knowledge to this authoritative account of Queen Elizabeth II, providing readers with both a detailed historical record and a nuanced understanding of the woman behind the crown.
As you’d expect Queen of Our Times is full of extensive and exhaustive research. Her Majesty had a long life at the forefront of world events so there is of course a lot to discuss. Drawing on a wealth of sources, including interviews with those who knew the Queen personally and newly released archival material, Hardman offers an in-depth look at Elizabeth II’s life from her childhood through her unprecedented 70-year reign. He skillfully weaves together the public and private aspects of her life, presenting a balanced portrait of a monarch who has been both a steadying presence on the world stage and a devoted family matriarch.
Hardman’s narrative is clear and engaging, making the book accessible to both avid royal watchers and general readers alike. He covers all the significant events of Elizabeth’s reign, from her unexpected accession to the throne at a young age, through the turbulent times of the 20th century, to the challenges and triumphs of the modern era. The book does not shy away from the controversies and crises that have marked her reign, such as the breakdown of the marriages of her children, the death of Princess Diana, and the more recent issues surrounding Prince Andrew and Prince Harry. Yet, Hardman’s tone remains respectful and even-handed, focusing on how the Queen has navigated these challenges with her characteristic sense of duty and calm resolve.
Hardman’s exploration of the Queen’s role in a rapidly changing world is where his work really stands out. He effectively highlights how Elizabeth II has managed to maintain the relevance and dignity of the monarchy in an era that has seen profound social, political, and cultural shifts. Hardman also emphasizes her diplomatic skills and her influence on the global stage, often acting as a unifying figure during times of uncertainty.
While Queen of Our Times is thorough, this does give a level of detail that may be overwhelming, especially in its coverage of the many diplomatic and ceremonial aspects of the Queen’s role. Additionally, those looking for a more intimate, personal portrait of Elizabeth II might find Hardman’s approach somewhat restrained, as the book maintains a certain distance from its subject, focusing more on her public life than on her private thoughts and feelings.
Nevertheless, Queen of Our Times stands out as one of the most comprehensive and well-researched biographies of Queen Elizabeth II to date. Hardman’s work is a fitting tribute to a monarch who has defined an era, offering readers a deeper understanding of her extraordinary life and enduring legacy. She defined an era and saw the United Kingdom change unrecognisably over the course of her reign. For anyone interested in the British monarchy, modern history, or the life of one of the world’s most respected leaders, Queen of Our Times is a must read. Better than I expected.
Robert Hardman’s Queen of Our Times: The Life of Elizabeth II is a comprehensive and deeply respectful biography that captures the remarkable life and reign of one of the most iconic figures of the 20th and 21st centuries. Hardman, an experienced royal correspondent and author, brings his expertise and insider knowledge to this authoritative account of Queen Elizabeth II, providing readers with both a detailed historical record and a nuanced understanding of the woman behind the crown.
As you’d expect Queen of Our Times is full of extensive and exhaustive research. Her Majesty had a long life at the forefront of world events so there is of course a lot to discuss. Drawing on a wealth of sources, including interviews with those who knew the Queen personally and newly released archival material, Hardman offers an in-depth look at Elizabeth II’s life from her childhood through her unprecedented 70-year reign. He skillfully weaves together the public and private aspects of her life, presenting a balanced portrait of a monarch who has been both a steadying presence on the world stage and a devoted family matriarch.
Hardman’s narrative is clear and engaging, making the book accessible to both avid royal watchers and general readers alike. He covers all the significant events of Elizabeth’s reign, from her unexpected accession to the throne at a young age, through the turbulent times of the 20th century, to the challenges and triumphs of the modern era. The book does not shy away from the controversies and crises that have marked her reign, such as the breakdown of the marriages of her children, the death of Princess Diana, and the more recent issues surrounding Prince Andrew and Prince Harry. Yet, Hardman’s tone remains respectful and even-handed, focusing on how the Queen has navigated these challenges with her characteristic sense of duty and calm resolve.
Hardman’s exploration of the Queen’s role in a rapidly changing world is where his work really stands out. He effectively highlights how Elizabeth II has managed to maintain the relevance and dignity of the monarchy in an era that has seen profound social, political, and cultural shifts. Hardman also emphasizes her diplomatic skills and her influence on the global stage, often acting as a unifying figure during times of uncertainty.
While Queen of Our Times is thorough, this does give a level of detail that may be overwhelming, especially in its coverage of the many diplomatic and ceremonial aspects of the Queen’s role. Additionally, those looking for a more intimate, personal portrait of Elizabeth II might find Hardman’s approach somewhat restrained, as the book maintains a certain distance from its subject, focusing more on her public life than on her private thoughts and feelings.
Nevertheless, Queen of Our Times stands out as one of the most comprehensive and well-researched biographies of Queen Elizabeth II to date. Hardman’s work is a fitting tribute to a monarch who has defined an era, offering readers a deeper understanding of her extraordinary life and enduring legacy. She defined an era and saw the United Kingdom change unrecognisably over the course of her reign. For anyone interested in the British monarchy, modern history, or the life of one of the world’s most respected leaders, Queen of Our Times is a must read. Better than I expected.
April 3, 2022
I found this audiobook very intresting and well narrated to read about. Feelt more fact based than others I've read that have felt a lot heavier on the gossip side. This one sounded a lot more grounded in facts and was easier taking seriously. But I cant know for sure as the English Royal family isn't something I know a ton about but love reading about
April 10, 2022
I need to start this review by saying that I have read numerous books about Queen Elizabeth, as well as about many other members of the English royal family. As an American, I have always enjoyed reading about Great Britain, its people and customs. This includes lots of books that take place there.
Many of the biographies of Queen Elizabeth and other royals have been written in a way that makes the author appear to have an axe to grind. In other words, they can be catty and written in manner that makes the royal look bad. However, this book is so refreshing in that I didn’t find that to be the case here. This book was written in a positive manner and included so many things that I have never learned before. Yes, there are some difficult times and some good times too.
Queen Elizabeth has had numerous Prime Ministers during her reign. Some, such as Winston Churchill and Martin Charteris are two men whom she worked with quite well. However, Edward Heath gave her a lot of problems and embarrassment. He invited some very questionable people to visit Buckingham Palace, such as Idi Amin and Nicolas Ceausescu. These men caused the Queen to be uneasy when they were in the Palace.
There have always been people for and against the monarchy. Here is a quote from the book that I found put the situation quite well: “Left Wing radicals couldn’t understand why ordinary workers view the monarchy as a source of patriotic pride rather than as a class thing."
The problems that have occurred with Queen Elizabeth’s children are discussed here, but not in a negative way. Everyone has problems with their children and even though the family is royal, we see how even they have to find a way to work through problems.
Queen Elizabeth has been a strong woman all of her life and I admire her immensely. It has been said that she “looks forward, not backward."
This is a delightful book that follows Queen Elizabeth from her birth to today. We see so much about the family here than in other books I have read. While the book is rather long, it is also filled with so many events I’ve not read about before so I enjoyed every bit of it.
Copy provided by Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Many of the biographies of Queen Elizabeth and other royals have been written in a way that makes the author appear to have an axe to grind. In other words, they can be catty and written in manner that makes the royal look bad. However, this book is so refreshing in that I didn’t find that to be the case here. This book was written in a positive manner and included so many things that I have never learned before. Yes, there are some difficult times and some good times too.
Queen Elizabeth has had numerous Prime Ministers during her reign. Some, such as Winston Churchill and Martin Charteris are two men whom she worked with quite well. However, Edward Heath gave her a lot of problems and embarrassment. He invited some very questionable people to visit Buckingham Palace, such as Idi Amin and Nicolas Ceausescu. These men caused the Queen to be uneasy when they were in the Palace.
There have always been people for and against the monarchy. Here is a quote from the book that I found put the situation quite well: “Left Wing radicals couldn’t understand why ordinary workers view the monarchy as a source of patriotic pride rather than as a class thing."
The problems that have occurred with Queen Elizabeth’s children are discussed here, but not in a negative way. Everyone has problems with their children and even though the family is royal, we see how even they have to find a way to work through problems.
Queen Elizabeth has been a strong woman all of her life and I admire her immensely. It has been said that she “looks forward, not backward."
This is a delightful book that follows Queen Elizabeth from her birth to today. We see so much about the family here than in other books I have read. While the book is rather long, it is also filled with so many events I’ve not read about before so I enjoyed every bit of it.
Copy provided by Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review.
August 14, 2022
A thoroughly well researched book about Her Majesty The Queen starting from her childhood and going right up to today with Harry and Meghan stepping away from royal duties, the Prince Andrew scandal and the incredibly sad passing of The Duke of Edinburgh. Clearly an author who isn’t biased and who doesn’t have an agenda, this book was an absolute joy to read.
November 29, 2022
I have read a lot of books about royalty, and can say that I think this will be the definitive biography of Queen Elizabth II. Originally written to honor her Platinum Jubilee, the edition I read has been updated to include her death and funeral, so it is a pretty complete look at her life. The author did a phenomenal job of researching this book, looking at original sources and interviewing many of those around the queen rather than just relying on news stories and previously written work. A big difference between this book and so many other royal biographies is that it never gets gossipy. The author does speculate at times when the truth is not known, but is always very clear that he is merely speculating. As a royal history buff, I find people often ask me if one thing or another that they have seen on "The Crown" is true. This is the perfect reference to direct them to in order to show that the popular Netflix series is mostly a gossipy load of crap.
February 27, 2023
This is my absolute favorite (so far) telling of Queen Elizabeth II.
It was fascinating and it was more truthful and in depth without boring the reader. Fantastic tribute to the Queen of the World (obviously an American girl through and through but we all knew her and respected her, never before has that happened for any monarch.)
It was fascinating and it was more truthful and in depth without boring the reader. Fantastic tribute to the Queen of the World (obviously an American girl through and through but we all knew her and respected her, never before has that happened for any monarch.)
May 2, 2022
This volume will be the definitive biography of Elizabeth II of our times." Well researched by a royal insider, and written without an agenda or a bias, here is an all inclusive and amazingly up to date record of The Queen's long life. We are taken from the royal nursery and her embrace by even the distant George V (Grandfather England she may have called him) through decades of service, politics and the inevitable scandal. Remarkably recent in detail, the death of her beloved Prince Phillip, the renunciation of royalty by Harry and Meghan, and the scandals of Andrew. Relationships with the many Prime Ministers who have served her are noted: from an aged Churchill through Labor's Harold Wilson, the dull Edward Heath and the complications with Margaret Thatcher, and beyond. For those in "the states" her involvement with our leaders and politics is interesting and amusing; she has met every President in office except for LBJ, and even met former President Hoover. The books opening with the state visit by the Obama's is human and humorous: There is an intruder. The boots wearing George W. Bush is a gem of an interviewee, having met the Queen first and memorably as Presidential son and later, as Presidential host. I was in D.C. for that first 1992 visit, and stood one day across form Blair House to cheer Elizabeth, and was on Capitol Hill early the next morning outside the Folger Library. There, I'm a fan, and I loved this all encompassing work.
May 8, 2022
The best biography of Queen Elizabeth II to be published during the Platinum Jubilee year. Hardman provides a thoughtful analysis of the Queen's cautious yet innovative approach to her role as sovereign and her important diplomatic role in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. Hardman also examines the future of the monarchy, discussing how Prince Charles and Prince William will build on the Queen's legacy. The biography examines events all the way up to 2022 and draws upon both familiar and newly available source material. Highly recommended.
September 17, 2022
A masterful narrative and some good writing is ruined by petty, biased commentary and a repeated unnecessary vendetta against the producers of 'The Crown'. We know you think it's terrible Robert, duly noted. Move on.
September 14, 2022
A thoroughly charming, if overly deferential, portrait of her late Majesty.
May 18, 2023
"Królowa naszych czasów" autorstwa Roberta Hardmana to wyjątkowa biografia, która ukazuje nie tylko życie królowej Elżbiety II, ale także jej nieodłączne związki z polityką. To książka, która rzetelnie przedstawia jej niesamowitą podróż przez ponad siedemdziesiąt lat panowania. Dzieło Hardmana stanowi fascynujący portret władczyni, ukazujący jej wpływ na politykę oraz społeczeństwo.
Jednym z najważniejszych aspektów tej biografii jest nacisk na politykę. Autorowi udaje się doskonale przedstawić złożone relacje między monarchią, a światem polityki. Czytelnik otrzymuje dogłębne spojrzenie na to, jak królowa Elżbieta II pełniła swoją rolę jako głowa państwa, zachowując neutralność polityczną, ale jednocześnie wpływając na kluczowe decyzje i rozwojowe momenty w historii Wielkiej Brytanii. Autor bacznie analizuje zarówno jej współpracę z premierami, jak i jej osobiste zdanie na temat różnych kwestii politycznych. Czytelnik otrzymuje wgląd w tajemnice dworu królewskiego i sposoby, w jakie monarchini wpływała na brytyjską politykę.
Podróż przez panowanie to kolejny aspekt, który wyróżnia tę biografię. Hardman nie tylko opisuje życie królowej w zamknięciu pałacu, ale również jej niezliczone podróże, które miały kluczowe znaczenie dla kształtowania jej roli jako władczyni. Czytelnik towarzyszy jej w licznych podróżach zagranicznych, obserwując, jak królowa reprezentuje Wielką Brytanię i nawiązuje więzi dyplomatyczne na całym świecie. Autor w swej książce ukazuje nam portret władczyni, jakiej nie znamy i pozwala nam lepiej zrozumieć globalny wpływ królowej Elżbiety II oraz jej znaczenie na arenie międzynarodowej. Hardman opisuje zarówno triumfy, jak i wyzwania, z którymi monarchini musiała się zmierzyć na przestrzeni lat. Od koronacji w 1952 roku, przez rozwój społeczeństwa, zmiany w obyczajach i rewolucję technologiczną, aż po Brexit i narastające napięcia w imperium brytyjskim, książka pokazuje, jak królowa stała na czele narodu w turbulentnych czasach.
Portret władczyni przedstawiony przez autora jest zarówno wierny, jak i pełen szacunku. Hardman ukazuje królową Elżbietę II jako silną, mądrą i poświęconą swojej roli osobę. Odkrywa jej osobiste sukcesy i wyzwania, a także ukazuje jej niezachwiane oddanie rodzinie i narodowi. Portretowany wizerunek królowej w tej biografii jest pełen empatii i zrozumienia dla jej wyjątkowej pozycji i roli, jednocześnie pokazując jej jako realną i ludzką postać. Autor położył nacisk na rządy królowej, a wszelkie dworskie niesnaski zostały sprowadzone na margines - cała uwaga jest skupiona na Elżbiecie i jej panowaniu, a dramaty z udziałem królewskiej rodziny stanowią jedynie tło.
Rzetelność tej biografii jest bezdyskusyjna. Robert Hardman słynie z solidnego researchu i dogłębnej wiedzy na temat brytyjskiej rodziny królewskiej. Jego praca oparta jest na wielu źródłach, w tym na rozmowach z osobami z bliskiego otoczenia królowej, członkami dworu oraz innymi ekspertami. W rezultacie otrzymujemy pełen obraz życia i panowania Elżbiety II, oparty na solidnych podstawach.
Książka idealna dla fanów brytyjskiej rodziny królewskiej i pasjonatów historii. Lepszego źródła wiedzy o panowania królowej Elżbiety II - kobiety, która za życia stałą się ikoną, nie znajdziecie. Polecam z całego serca!
Jednym z najważniejszych aspektów tej biografii jest nacisk na politykę. Autorowi udaje się doskonale przedstawić złożone relacje między monarchią, a światem polityki. Czytelnik otrzymuje dogłębne spojrzenie na to, jak królowa Elżbieta II pełniła swoją rolę jako głowa państwa, zachowując neutralność polityczną, ale jednocześnie wpływając na kluczowe decyzje i rozwojowe momenty w historii Wielkiej Brytanii. Autor bacznie analizuje zarówno jej współpracę z premierami, jak i jej osobiste zdanie na temat różnych kwestii politycznych. Czytelnik otrzymuje wgląd w tajemnice dworu królewskiego i sposoby, w jakie monarchini wpływała na brytyjską politykę.
Podróż przez panowanie to kolejny aspekt, który wyróżnia tę biografię. Hardman nie tylko opisuje życie królowej w zamknięciu pałacu, ale również jej niezliczone podróże, które miały kluczowe znaczenie dla kształtowania jej roli jako władczyni. Czytelnik towarzyszy jej w licznych podróżach zagranicznych, obserwując, jak królowa reprezentuje Wielką Brytanię i nawiązuje więzi dyplomatyczne na całym świecie. Autor w swej książce ukazuje nam portret władczyni, jakiej nie znamy i pozwala nam lepiej zrozumieć globalny wpływ królowej Elżbiety II oraz jej znaczenie na arenie międzynarodowej. Hardman opisuje zarówno triumfy, jak i wyzwania, z którymi monarchini musiała się zmierzyć na przestrzeni lat. Od koronacji w 1952 roku, przez rozwój społeczeństwa, zmiany w obyczajach i rewolucję technologiczną, aż po Brexit i narastające napięcia w imperium brytyjskim, książka pokazuje, jak królowa stała na czele narodu w turbulentnych czasach.
Portret władczyni przedstawiony przez autora jest zarówno wierny, jak i pełen szacunku. Hardman ukazuje królową Elżbietę II jako silną, mądrą i poświęconą swojej roli osobę. Odkrywa jej osobiste sukcesy i wyzwania, a także ukazuje jej niezachwiane oddanie rodzinie i narodowi. Portretowany wizerunek królowej w tej biografii jest pełen empatii i zrozumienia dla jej wyjątkowej pozycji i roli, jednocześnie pokazując jej jako realną i ludzką postać. Autor położył nacisk na rządy królowej, a wszelkie dworskie niesnaski zostały sprowadzone na margines - cała uwaga jest skupiona na Elżbiecie i jej panowaniu, a dramaty z udziałem królewskiej rodziny stanowią jedynie tło.
Rzetelność tej biografii jest bezdyskusyjna. Robert Hardman słynie z solidnego researchu i dogłębnej wiedzy na temat brytyjskiej rodziny królewskiej. Jego praca oparta jest na wielu źródłach, w tym na rozmowach z osobami z bliskiego otoczenia królowej, członkami dworu oraz innymi ekspertami. W rezultacie otrzymujemy pełen obraz życia i panowania Elżbiety II, oparty na solidnych podstawach.
Książka idealna dla fanów brytyjskiej rodziny królewskiej i pasjonatów historii. Lepszego źródła wiedzy o panowania królowej Elżbiety II - kobiety, która za życia stałą się ikoną, nie znajdziecie. Polecam z całego serca!
September 13, 2024
Von einer Biografie über Queen Elizabeth II erwarte ich vor allem Detailreichtum. Keine Monarchin ist weiter gereist, keine Monarchin hat mehr Menschen getroffen. Allein die sage und schreibe 15 (!) Premierminister*innen von Churchill bis Truss, die zu den wöchentlichen Zweiertreffen bei ihr waren. Die US-Präsidenten von Truman bis Biden, die sie kannte, dazu die ganzen Staatsoberhäupter des Commonwealth und so ziemlich jeden anderen Landes, dazu die zig anderen wichtigen, relevanten und/oder besonderen Menschen aus Politik, Gesellschaft und Kultur bis hin zu James Bond und Paddington Bear. Dazu der ganze Familienballast. Kurzum: In den 70 Jahren dieser Regentschaft ist super viel passiert und natürlich will ich alles darüber hören und wissen!
Dieses Bedürfnis hat das Buch hier voll und ganz erfüllt. Es ist wirklich sehr gründlich und detailliert, aber nicht langweilig, sondern recht unterhaltsam erzählt. Es beinhaltet einfach sehr viel Zeitgeschehen von den frühen 1950ern bis in die Gegenwart. Die Rechercheleistung verdient allerhöchsten Respekt, hier kommt fast jede*r zu Wort, der irgendwann mal irgendwas mit der Queen zu tun hatte oder sie getroffen hat (ich hoffe, die Biografien dieser vielen Menschen hatten gute Personensuchfunktionen).
Dinge, die man wissen sollte: Zwar gab es ab und an kleine Einblicke ins Private - etwa zum Humor der Queen (als Charles noch ein junge Bursche war und mal eine Freundin nach Hause in den Palast eingeladen hatte, begrüßte sie sie und fragte, ob sie "gut hergefunden habe" - genau mein Humor) oder ihrer Bodenständigkeit (naja, immer relativ gesehen, schon klar). Insgesamt bleibt es aber doch eher distanziert. Dabei kommt doch stark durch, dass der Autor sehr eingenommen von seinem Subjekt ist. Es geht nicht so weit, dass er zu krass schön redet oder kritische Momente ausgeblendet werden, aber es wird alles recht wohlwollend betrachtet. Hat beim Lesen aber nicht wirklich gestört.
Eine andere Sache dafür umso mehr: Der Autor ist alles andere als ein Freund der Serie The Crown. Zwar stellt er früh klar, dass ihm sehr bewusst sei, dass die Serie keine Doku, sondern Fiktion ist (aha!). Trotzdem kommt er wieder und wieder darauf zu sprechen, immer verbunden mit Rumgemeckere. Das war anfangs amüsant, dann anstrengend und irgendwann nervig. Ist halt auch irgendwie erbärmlich, wenn sich ein mittelalter Mann so obsessiv an einer TV-Serie abarbeitet. Was stimmt denn mit dem Robert nicht? Naja, ich hab' jetzt jedenfalls endlich mit der 1. Staffel angefangen, danke also für die Erinnerung.
Schließlich werden auch der ganze Familienzwist und die Ausreisedramatik rund um die Sussexes sehr durch die royalverehrende Brille betrachtet (e tu, Harry?) und anfangs noch bemüht ausgewogen, dann immer giftiger kommentiert, das fand ich auch unnötig. Trotz dieser Abzüge bleibt das Buch aber aufgrund der vielen Infos empfehlenswert für Interessierte.
Und während ich so vor mich hin tippe, fällt mir auf, dass ich die ersten 46 Jahre meines Lebens nur eine Queen of England kannte. Jetzt haben sie seit fast zwei Jahren einen King - und die nächste Queen werde ich angesichts der weiteren Thronfolge wohl nicht mehr erleben. Weird.
Dieses Bedürfnis hat das Buch hier voll und ganz erfüllt. Es ist wirklich sehr gründlich und detailliert, aber nicht langweilig, sondern recht unterhaltsam erzählt. Es beinhaltet einfach sehr viel Zeitgeschehen von den frühen 1950ern bis in die Gegenwart. Die Rechercheleistung verdient allerhöchsten Respekt, hier kommt fast jede*r zu Wort, der irgendwann mal irgendwas mit der Queen zu tun hatte oder sie getroffen hat (ich hoffe, die Biografien dieser vielen Menschen hatten gute Personensuchfunktionen).
Dinge, die man wissen sollte: Zwar gab es ab und an kleine Einblicke ins Private - etwa zum Humor der Queen (als Charles noch ein junge Bursche war und mal eine Freundin nach Hause in den Palast eingeladen hatte, begrüßte sie sie und fragte, ob sie "gut hergefunden habe" - genau mein Humor) oder ihrer Bodenständigkeit (naja, immer relativ gesehen, schon klar). Insgesamt bleibt es aber doch eher distanziert. Dabei kommt doch stark durch, dass der Autor sehr eingenommen von seinem Subjekt ist. Es geht nicht so weit, dass er zu krass schön redet oder kritische Momente ausgeblendet werden, aber es wird alles recht wohlwollend betrachtet. Hat beim Lesen aber nicht wirklich gestört.
Eine andere Sache dafür umso mehr: Der Autor ist alles andere als ein Freund der Serie The Crown. Zwar stellt er früh klar, dass ihm sehr bewusst sei, dass die Serie keine Doku, sondern Fiktion ist (aha!). Trotzdem kommt er wieder und wieder darauf zu sprechen, immer verbunden mit Rumgemeckere. Das war anfangs amüsant, dann anstrengend und irgendwann nervig. Ist halt auch irgendwie erbärmlich, wenn sich ein mittelalter Mann so obsessiv an einer TV-Serie abarbeitet. Was stimmt denn mit dem Robert nicht? Naja, ich hab' jetzt jedenfalls endlich mit der 1. Staffel angefangen, danke also für die Erinnerung.
Schließlich werden auch der ganze Familienzwist und die Ausreisedramatik rund um die Sussexes sehr durch die royalverehrende Brille betrachtet (e tu, Harry?) und anfangs noch bemüht ausgewogen, dann immer giftiger kommentiert, das fand ich auch unnötig. Trotz dieser Abzüge bleibt das Buch aber aufgrund der vielen Infos empfehlenswert für Interessierte.
Und während ich so vor mich hin tippe, fällt mir auf, dass ich die ersten 46 Jahre meines Lebens nur eine Queen of England kannte. Jetzt haben sie seit fast zwei Jahren einen King - und die nächste Queen werde ich angesichts der weiteren Thronfolge wohl nicht mehr erleben. Weird.
January 12, 2025
Die meisten Menschen, die in Großbritannien leben, haben keine andere Königin gekannt als Elizabeth II. Seit sie ihren Vater auf den Thron von England folgte, war sie eine der am meisten beobachteten Frauen der Welt. Über sie sind schon zahlreiche Bücher geschrieben worden, was also konnte mir Robert Hardman Neues erzählen? Die Ausgabe, die ich gelesen habe, wurde vor ihrem Tod geschrieben. Deshalb war es manchmal seltsam zu lesen, dass der Autor sich auf die Königin in der Gegenwart bezog. Aber für mich war sie lange Zeit auch die einzige Königin von Großbritannien, daher war es fast schon realer, als ihren Sohn auf dem Thron zu sehen.
Tatsächlich habe ich wenig Neues in dem Buch gelesen. Bei jedem Jubiläum, jedem runden Geburtstag wurde die Lebensgeschichte der Königin erzählt. So viel Bekanntes zu lesen, kann langweilig sein. Das war es aber nicht. Wo ich bis jetzt einen Blick nur von außen hatte, hat mir der Autor jetzt einen persönlicheren Blick gewährt. In dieser Biografie steht nicht die Königin im Vordergrund, sondern die Frau.
Trotzdem sind die Frau und das Amt untrennbar miteinander verbunden. Es gibt nur wenig Momente, in denen Elizabeth wirklich privat sein kann. Ein Rückzugsort war sicherlich Balmoral, wo einmal Margaret Thatcher zu einem Essen war, bei dem die First Lady definitiv nicht die Frau von ihrem Amt trennen konnte. Ein anderes Mittel waren die Corgies, die Elizabeth in Situationen gerne zu Hilfe holte, wo die Worte fehlten.
Die Lektüre für war eine Reise in die Vergangenheit. Hauptsächlich in die von Großbritannien, aber auch in die von Europa und auch in die der Familie. Dabei zeigt sich, dass sich Geschichte auch immer wiederholt. Aber die Zeiten haben sich geändert und mit ihnen auch die Königin. Gerade in den letzten Jahren wirkte sie viel nahbarer. Ihr Auftritt bei den olympischen Spielen in London zeigt eine neue Seite von ihr. Mit seiner Biografie erzählt Robert Hardman die Geschichte von Elizabeth II nicht neu. Aber er fügt ihrem Bild eine neue Facette dazu.
Tatsächlich habe ich wenig Neues in dem Buch gelesen. Bei jedem Jubiläum, jedem runden Geburtstag wurde die Lebensgeschichte der Königin erzählt. So viel Bekanntes zu lesen, kann langweilig sein. Das war es aber nicht. Wo ich bis jetzt einen Blick nur von außen hatte, hat mir der Autor jetzt einen persönlicheren Blick gewährt. In dieser Biografie steht nicht die Königin im Vordergrund, sondern die Frau.
Trotzdem sind die Frau und das Amt untrennbar miteinander verbunden. Es gibt nur wenig Momente, in denen Elizabeth wirklich privat sein kann. Ein Rückzugsort war sicherlich Balmoral, wo einmal Margaret Thatcher zu einem Essen war, bei dem die First Lady definitiv nicht die Frau von ihrem Amt trennen konnte. Ein anderes Mittel waren die Corgies, die Elizabeth in Situationen gerne zu Hilfe holte, wo die Worte fehlten.
Die Lektüre für war eine Reise in die Vergangenheit. Hauptsächlich in die von Großbritannien, aber auch in die von Europa und auch in die der Familie. Dabei zeigt sich, dass sich Geschichte auch immer wiederholt. Aber die Zeiten haben sich geändert und mit ihnen auch die Königin. Gerade in den letzten Jahren wirkte sie viel nahbarer. Ihr Auftritt bei den olympischen Spielen in London zeigt eine neue Seite von ihr. Mit seiner Biografie erzählt Robert Hardman die Geschichte von Elizabeth II nicht neu. Aber er fügt ihrem Bild eine neue Facette dazu.
February 23, 2025
Es una biografía muy interesante de leer porque en su vida le pasaron muchas cosas muy buenas a mi me a encantado
January 17, 2023
Das zweite Buch über eine englische Königin, dass ich gelesen habe. Nach der sehr guten Victoria Biografie nun also die kürzlich verstorbene Queen Elizabeth II. - Lilibet.
Eine chronologische Biographie die fast ihr gesamtes Leben abbildet, nur das relativ plötzliche Tod im September des vergangenen Jahres fehlt verständlicherweise.
6 Teile mit Unterkapiteln ab 1926, mit ca. 20-30 Seiten. Wir bekommen Zitate ihrer Wegbegleiter, wie Prinz Philip, Prinz Charles, Harry, William und jeder Menge Politiker und Politikerinnen, die sie kennenlernen durften. Vor allem das frühe Leben bis in die 1990er Jahre ist sehr interessant und vom Commonwealth sowie der immer mehr in den Hintergrund verwiesenen Monarchie.
Ab den 1980er kommen die Themen, die immer mehr von der Yellow Press ausgeschlachtet werden, wie das Leben, die Ehe und das Sterben von Prinzessin Diana, sowie das Wiederaufleben der Beziehung von Charles und Camilla.
In den letzten Jahren geht auch kurz um die Kontroverse um Harry und Meghan. Allerdings sind diese Nebenschauplätze nie der Hauptteil der Biographie auch wenn sie den Lesenden wie mich, natürlich interessiert hätten. Sie werden hier nur angeschnitten, da nun mal um das Leben der Queen geht.
Es wird ein klares und verständliches Bild einer Monarchin gezeichnet, die vieles ertragen musste, aber nie ihre Rolle und Verantwortung aus den Augen verlor. Dieses Buch sorgt bei mir dafür, dass der Mensch Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor einem näher kommt und sie eine sehr sympathische Rolle einnimt.
Zusätzlich wird immer wieder gegen die Macher der Serie "The Crown" geschossen, für ihre Darstellung des Königshauses.
Ein gutes Buch, aber etwas mehr Tiefgang bei den Kontroversen der vergangenen Jahrzehnte hätte vielleicht gut getan.
Von mir gibt es aber eine Leseempfehlung für alle die sich für königliche Biographien interessieren.
Eine chronologische Biographie die fast ihr gesamtes Leben abbildet, nur das relativ plötzliche Tod im September des vergangenen Jahres fehlt verständlicherweise.
6 Teile mit Unterkapiteln ab 1926, mit ca. 20-30 Seiten. Wir bekommen Zitate ihrer Wegbegleiter, wie Prinz Philip, Prinz Charles, Harry, William und jeder Menge Politiker und Politikerinnen, die sie kennenlernen durften. Vor allem das frühe Leben bis in die 1990er Jahre ist sehr interessant und vom Commonwealth sowie der immer mehr in den Hintergrund verwiesenen Monarchie.
Ab den 1980er kommen die Themen, die immer mehr von der Yellow Press ausgeschlachtet werden, wie das Leben, die Ehe und das Sterben von Prinzessin Diana, sowie das Wiederaufleben der Beziehung von Charles und Camilla.
In den letzten Jahren geht auch kurz um die Kontroverse um Harry und Meghan. Allerdings sind diese Nebenschauplätze nie der Hauptteil der Biographie auch wenn sie den Lesenden wie mich, natürlich interessiert hätten. Sie werden hier nur angeschnitten, da nun mal um das Leben der Queen geht.
Es wird ein klares und verständliches Bild einer Monarchin gezeichnet, die vieles ertragen musste, aber nie ihre Rolle und Verantwortung aus den Augen verlor. Dieses Buch sorgt bei mir dafür, dass der Mensch Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor einem näher kommt und sie eine sehr sympathische Rolle einnimt.
Zusätzlich wird immer wieder gegen die Macher der Serie "The Crown" geschossen, für ihre Darstellung des Königshauses.
Ein gutes Buch, aber etwas mehr Tiefgang bei den Kontroversen der vergangenen Jahrzehnte hätte vielleicht gut getan.
Von mir gibt es aber eine Leseempfehlung für alle die sich für königliche Biographien interessieren.
August 30, 2024
I have some conflicting thoughts about this book. First, the book was well written and very informative about British politics. I learned a great deal about how the British government is set up and the role that the royal family plays within it. The Queen plays such a crucial role in international relations, which I definitely underestimated. However, after reading the whole book I still do not feel as if I know Queen Elizabeth anymore. The book was definitely written from a “pro royal” perspective and never painted Queen Elizabeth in a negative light. This was disappointing to me because no person is perfect and I thought I would see that a little more in the way she was portrayed. Overall, the book was not exactly what I expected it to be and was long so I had to give it a 3!
February 20, 2023
I don't know why I was expecting neutral opinion. Don't get me wrong, this was interesting representation of facts and some recollections from close environment and I am not sorry I listened through it all. However, the general tone and position of author was very one sided. All the facts were spun in favor of the Queen or royal family and not once there was any doubt raised or any thought given about any other possibility. And I like the Queen, I am much inclined to follow facts in her benefit, but I did want some options to ponder about, some different accounts so I could choose whom to believe. None of that is here.
So yes, nice biography, but don't expect objectivity.
3/5
So yes, nice biography, but don't expect objectivity.
3/5
February 13, 2023
This reads as a love letter to the Queen, where she does no wrong and gets all the credit, yet she most often comes across as an after thought. What takes more attention than it should is the Crown (no one told Robert that it is actually a work of fiction, not an authority in documentaries) as well as many other irrelevant details (who even cares that the Princess Royal always has a kiwi with her?). Utterly biased book and sometimes plainly questionable.
October 30, 2022
First 3/4 of this book are a great read. Shame about the author’s biases showing very clearly in the last 1/4 – it’s then less about the Queen and more about the author’s opinions on the Sussexes. Also, the author’s denunciation of The Crown TV series became tedious quite quickly – yes, we get it, it’s a drama, not a documentary.
January 26, 2023
Robert Hardman really hates the Netflix series The Crown and he wrote a very thick book about it. The Queen is almost just an afterthought. No official biography would look critically at the subject, however this sycophantic hogwash ghostwritten by the Daily Mail makes for a tedious read.
The author fancies himself a knight in shining armour protecting the venerable monarch from the real world. He tries too hard to make the mundane activities of posh people sound important and exciting. He doesn’t forget to rub in what a great asset the Queen is to Britain as if he's on the stand arguing against abolition. Everyone everywhere seems to make it their mission to prove that the queen had a great sense of humour and then produce the most bland comebacks to back it up. However, this book is the prince of dryness.
Every page of the way he points out all the tiny details The Crown got wrong as if the person who has picked up this elephantine volume would confuse a TV drama with a documentary. Once the author had an opportunity to leave the shadow of The Crown behind (new series hadn’t come out yet) and tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, he underperformed disappointedly, as if up to now he had been borrowing someone else’s outline and found himself in the uncharted waters.
Two things are evident: the author hates the Netflix series The Crown and he blames the Sussexes for their own troubles with the media. He makes light of the press comparing two Duchesses, alleging there is no conspiracy, just that someone lacks a sense of humour. He doesn’t present the whole picture of harassment and actions taken to put the media on a more respectful path, however, he lists every tabloid story leaked against Meghan. At the end he accuses her of not fitting in. All the praise of fresh blood went out the window once it became apparent that you can’t suck it out to revitalise the moth-eaten colonial institution.
The book is written in a very chaotic style, not just going after The Crown and the Sussexes but also praising the mundane, downplaying the faults and using irrelevant information to make a point. Hardman plays fast and loose with facts that sound as if they came directly from the Daily Mail. He engages in mental gymnastics around controversial issues with a sole purpose of relieving the burden of accountability for the colonial past, uses citations to create an illusion of credibility, and generally distorts facts in order to whitewash the British Royal Family. It is a tabloid wrapped in a very beautiful cover with a wonderful picture of Her Majesty with a misleading title on top. I wish there were more Queen in the book about the Queen.
You'd be hard-pressed to find ten uninterrupted pages without mentioning of the Crown or the Sussexes, so if you hate both and have a subscription to Daily Mail, this gem should definitely be in your echo chamber.
The author fancies himself a knight in shining armour protecting the venerable monarch from the real world. He tries too hard to make the mundane activities of posh people sound important and exciting. He doesn’t forget to rub in what a great asset the Queen is to Britain as if he's on the stand arguing against abolition. Everyone everywhere seems to make it their mission to prove that the queen had a great sense of humour and then produce the most bland comebacks to back it up. However, this book is the prince of dryness.
Every page of the way he points out all the tiny details The Crown got wrong as if the person who has picked up this elephantine volume would confuse a TV drama with a documentary. Once the author had an opportunity to leave the shadow of The Crown behind (new series hadn’t come out yet) and tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, he underperformed disappointedly, as if up to now he had been borrowing someone else’s outline and found himself in the uncharted waters.
Two things are evident: the author hates the Netflix series The Crown and he blames the Sussexes for their own troubles with the media. He makes light of the press comparing two Duchesses, alleging there is no conspiracy, just that someone lacks a sense of humour. He doesn’t present the whole picture of harassment and actions taken to put the media on a more respectful path, however, he lists every tabloid story leaked against Meghan. At the end he accuses her of not fitting in. All the praise of fresh blood went out the window once it became apparent that you can’t suck it out to revitalise the moth-eaten colonial institution.
The book is written in a very chaotic style, not just going after The Crown and the Sussexes but also praising the mundane, downplaying the faults and using irrelevant information to make a point. Hardman plays fast and loose with facts that sound as if they came directly from the Daily Mail. He engages in mental gymnastics around controversial issues with a sole purpose of relieving the burden of accountability for the colonial past, uses citations to create an illusion of credibility, and generally distorts facts in order to whitewash the British Royal Family. It is a tabloid wrapped in a very beautiful cover with a wonderful picture of Her Majesty with a misleading title on top. I wish there were more Queen in the book about the Queen.
You'd be hard-pressed to find ten uninterrupted pages without mentioning of the Crown or the Sussexes, so if you hate both and have a subscription to Daily Mail, this gem should definitely be in your echo chamber.
November 5, 2022
This is as much a biography of the last 70 years as of the Queen herself, published only months before her death. It is rich in fascinating insights and revealing details from interviews with key players - from prime ministers and presidents to members of the royal staff, and paints a positive but believable picture of a committed monarch performing the delicate balancing act of maintaining the status quo whilst moving with the times.
My only complaint was that later chapters became very repetitive and defensive, with too much effort spent debunking the content made by the tv drama series The Crown.
My only complaint was that later chapters became very repetitive and defensive, with too much effort spent debunking the content made by the tv drama series The Crown.
Read
February 7, 2023Das Buch beleuchtet das im wahrsten Sinne das "Jahrhundert-Leben" von Elizabeth II. Zum Glück ist es niemals reißerisch und widmet sich eher Fakten als Schlagzeilen und rückt auch so manche etwas schräge Darstellungen gerade. Es macht einen authentischen und gut recherchierten Eindruck und es ist durchaus spannend sich mit einer Frau zu beschäftigen, deren Amtszeit der von 14 US Präsidenten umfasste.
February 1, 2023
I loved this book. Many LOL moments. I like the Queen’s motto — “never complain, never explain.” The author points out many inaccuracies with the Netflix series, “The Crown,” which is interesting. The takeaway — she was really good at her job.
November 21, 2022
Although I was initially disappointed in this book, by the end of its 600+ pages I couldn't help holding it in very high regard. It wasn't as impressive as two outstanding biographies I read this year (Linda Lear's of Beatrix Potter and Martin Gayford's of Van Gogh), largely because it's more of a synthesis of information than an original take on the historical record. I missed the analytical insights that Lear and Gayford brought to their subjects. But in Robert Hardman's defense, an elegant, readable, page-turning synthesis of 100 years of history is an impressive feat in its own right. He has a genius for succinct explanation of complex historical and political situations. Even though this was my first foray into postwar 20th century history, and even though I find politics confusing, I never felt lost in this book.
There were too many fascinating parts to recount. But one that particularly struck me was the extent to which Elizabeth II was involved in diplomatic negotiations, both at home and abroad, throughout her reign. The book gave me a whole different view of the role of monarchy than the one I'm used to entertaining and hearing espoused as an American. I think I have actually become, in ideology, a monarchist in the wake of the Queen's death.
My main purpose in reading this biography was to mourn the passing of its subject, while becoming better acquainted with someone so loved and admired amid the outpouring of grief following her death. I grieved as I read, and by the end of the book I felt I had gained something like "closure" in the conviction that someone who performed her duty so gladly and successfully for so long richly deserved to be relieved of it and to pass on to her reward.
There were too many fascinating parts to recount. But one that particularly struck me was the extent to which Elizabeth II was involved in diplomatic negotiations, both at home and abroad, throughout her reign. The book gave me a whole different view of the role of monarchy than the one I'm used to entertaining and hearing espoused as an American. I think I have actually become, in ideology, a monarchist in the wake of the Queen's death.
My main purpose in reading this biography was to mourn the passing of its subject, while becoming better acquainted with someone so loved and admired amid the outpouring of grief following her death. I grieved as I read, and by the end of the book I felt I had gained something like "closure" in the conviction that someone who performed her duty so gladly and successfully for so long richly deserved to be relieved of it and to pass on to her reward.
May 9, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author did his best to be even-handed when discussing various scandals and problems. His use of words was charming.... Jeffrey Epstein was mentioned several times as "the inexplicably wealthy businessman".
Hardman struck a good balance between devotion and clear-eyed assessment of the monarchy, I thought, and he made the Queen into a real, really likable person. Since the book was published quite recently, he mentioned contrasts to the way people and events were depicted in "The Crown", and I appreciated hearing the bigger picture.
Hardman struck a good balance between devotion and clear-eyed assessment of the monarchy, I thought, and he made the Queen into a real, really likable person. Since the book was published quite recently, he mentioned contrasts to the way people and events were depicted in "The Crown", and I appreciated hearing the bigger picture.
January 13, 2023
“On 6th February this year Her Majesty The Queen became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth.
To celebrate this unprecedented anniversary, events and initiatives will take place throughout the year, culminating in a four-day UK bank holiday weekend from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June.
The four days of celebrations will include public events and community activities, as well as national moments of reflection on The Queen’s 70 years of service.” (https://www.royal.uk/platinum-jubilee..., Retrieved 8/6/2022)
On April 5th of 2022, Robert Hardmann published the 690-page biographic overview of the reign as Queen of our Times: The Life of Queen Elizabeth II. An appropriate title, as QE2 *has* been the Queen of our times. My entire life she’s reigned, and for most of the life of anyone who is likely to read this review, even should she pass into eternity any day, she has been Queen of the United Kingdom and various realms for almost a century. This basic fact of longevity makes Hardman’s accounting of the QE2’s reign a summation of the history before a reader’s birth and a review of what has happened since, told from the perspective of the Queen.
Queen Elizabeth II’s service has had broad impact across the English-speaking world, both directly through the Commonwealth and indirectly through the European Union and former colonies that share the English Common Law legal system, English language, and English customs. What a skillful dance the once Empress of India has played in continuing the planned divestment of Empire begun by King George VI. Hardman walks through year by year the Queen’s dance of global leadership combined with freedom for democratic electorates to choose their own beat, while companionably dancing with those countries that wanted to stay ensembled through the Commonwealth. The passages explaining the complexities and hostilities of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the European Union are full of helpful commentary and quotation from people who navigated these diplomatic quandaries. Also insightful are sections on the many countries that vacated the Queen and the few that added her as Head of State, all of whose ceremonies were attended by the Queen or her representative (usually Prince Charles in her later years).
Yet Hardman has not limited himself to merely a state history. For the Queen’s story is also the story of a family. When she came to the throne, the family was recently in crises due to her father’s shocking untimely death at the age of 56. Hardman does a good job of illuminating how two men anchored QE2’s reign and family life: her father, King George VI and her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Both men were capable, diligent, and determined to serve in their role to the best of their God given ability.
It is, of course, here, among her family, that the Queen has made many public mistakes. While her sense of duty and service anchored her firmly in times of diplomatic or political storm, her struggles of motherhood are particularly plain in the salacious stories of her offspring. It is hard not to be absorbed Hardman’s stiff English accounting of the scandals that have rocked the family and impacted the Queen’s reign. Diana, Diana, Diana in the 1990s, followed by Charles & Diana and Charles & Camilla surely ranks high on the list of definitive points. The Diana storyline, which took place in the line of succession, was so strong that it overshadowed the profligate behavior of the Queen’s younger son, Prince Andrew. While Charles has gotten his personal life together through faithfulness to Camila, Prince Andrew ran wild for another two decades before being forcibly retired from public life in the early 2020s. But in the Platinum year of 2022, the headlines are dominated by the current Duke of Sussex and his wife, Meghan, as they attempt to monetize their royal standing without serving the crown directly. Meanwhile the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William and his wife Katherine have taken a steady approach to living as family in royal public life. With all the drama of these younger generations, it is easy to forget the propensity for scandal plagued generations before the Queen. The Duke of Windsor’s famous dalliances culminated in his choosing to marry the American, Wallis Simpson and abdicate to the throne to King George VI (Queen Elizabeth’s father), who was raised the spare, not the heir. These events are well covered in Queen of our Times. However, youngsters may not be aware that each generation going back through the previous House of Hanover and beyond has had trials for both the righteous and wicked, which has served to sort them respectively – as they do for all, little and great. It’s part of the job and leading this very public family can often be the most difficult part.
Along the way in telling the public and private story of Queen Elizabeth II, Hardman gently promotes the Royalist value from the monarchy argument – both explicitly and implicitly. The churn of Prime Ministers and governments through the decades of QE2’s reign illustrates the wisdom of a royal hand in long term diplomacy as a small group of people have a lifetime commitment to upholding the history, the confidentiality, and the service of the head of state. It’s a wonderful system. The flow of American Presidents – who fulfill *both* political leadership/ executive enforcement AND ceremonial roles (greeting World Series Winners, recognizing American public service & achievement, and coordinating State Visits by world leaders), also underlines the gravitas that the Queen’s permanence gives to the ceremonial functions she owns, which has allowed the trail of English influence to extend into the 21st century, far beyond the dissolution of Empire. It’s a good system, especially with a benevolent, long tenured, and ethical monarch intent on serving the people. It also allows the government to minimize the damage of a bad monarch, though whether the royal family could survive such mismanagement at any point is open for debate. It’s clear that the capability and faithfulness of QE2 has shut down that debate during the later part of her life. Whether Republican anti-royal attacks will emerge at her death and the ascension of the brazenly less capable Prince of Wales to the throne remains to be seen. Though Hardman attempts to be fair, measured and encouraging of the Prince of Wales, I found little to ease my opinion of Prince Charles’ abilities.
For a resent critical article declaring concerns about Prince Charles’ leadership ability, see
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...
There is of course, an ethical question at the center of the constitutional/ parliamentary monarchy. It is this: Recognizing all the benefits of this system, particularly those realized through a capable long reigning monarch, the great percentage of which cannot be realized by an appointed rather inherited royalty:
Should the United Kingdom be breeding people for this role?
Perhaps the Duke of Windsor (formerly King Edward VIII) and Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, have strengthened the monarchy by leaving. They have demonstrated that your fate is not completely sealed by birth into the State system because, whether already King or merely in the line of succession, you can step away from public service to the monarchy. Likewise, perhaps the expulsion of Prince Andrew for his long-documented abuses of status indicates the family can be self-monitoring to maintain their beneficent role? Meanwhile, the success of the Queen, her husband Prince Philip, her daughter Princess Anne and son Prince Edward (with his wife Sophie), and Prince William (and his wife, Katherine) highlight that the role can be fulfilled well.
After all this background, you may wonder: Who is Robert Hardman and is he worth listening to? His Goodreads Author page states (retrieved Jul 2022) “Robert Hardman has covered aspects of royal life for more than twenty years and is the writer of both the film and the book Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work as well as Her Majesty: The Court of Elizabeth II, also available from Pegasus Books. He writes for the Daily Mail in London.” I found him to be an reasonable guide in the typical understated manner of an Englishman entrusted to exercise a certain amount of discretion in his coverage of the family and it’s households. Obviously, he wants to preserve the sources he has cultivated over decades, and his Royalist accounting is not sensationalized in either it’s praise or reserved censure.
You can get a feel for Hardman’s style and content in this article, published by the Daily Mail on June 1, 2022, the eve of the Queens Jubilee Celebrations announced in the opening statement of this review:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...
While I’m not interested in the celebrity of monarchy, I am interested in the governance/ geopolitical precedent of the English system. Most of my reading of the Royal Family has taken place in context of history and biography. I also watch a few documentaries. Though I write more of my musings about the ethics of the system in my review, the only other book I have also read/ reviewed is the inferior:
Not in Front of the Corgis: Secrets of Life Behind Royal Curtains, Brian Hoey, 2011
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For the Jubilee, I also watched a few documentaries about Queen Elizabeth. My favorite was, The Unseen Queen, 2022.
Elizabeth: The Unseen Queen tells the story of the Queen's life through BBC exclusive access to never-before-seen home videos and footage of Elizabeth’s private moments, making it the most complete look at her life in existence to date.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20123174/
This article from Elite Daily contains a nice list of documentaries if you would like more in that genre...
https://www.elitedaily.com/entertainm...
To celebrate this unprecedented anniversary, events and initiatives will take place throughout the year, culminating in a four-day UK bank holiday weekend from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June.
The four days of celebrations will include public events and community activities, as well as national moments of reflection on The Queen’s 70 years of service.” (https://www.royal.uk/platinum-jubilee..., Retrieved 8/6/2022)
On April 5th of 2022, Robert Hardmann published the 690-page biographic overview of the reign as Queen of our Times: The Life of Queen Elizabeth II. An appropriate title, as QE2 *has* been the Queen of our times. My entire life she’s reigned, and for most of the life of anyone who is likely to read this review, even should she pass into eternity any day, she has been Queen of the United Kingdom and various realms for almost a century. This basic fact of longevity makes Hardman’s accounting of the QE2’s reign a summation of the history before a reader’s birth and a review of what has happened since, told from the perspective of the Queen.
Queen Elizabeth II’s service has had broad impact across the English-speaking world, both directly through the Commonwealth and indirectly through the European Union and former colonies that share the English Common Law legal system, English language, and English customs. What a skillful dance the once Empress of India has played in continuing the planned divestment of Empire begun by King George VI. Hardman walks through year by year the Queen’s dance of global leadership combined with freedom for democratic electorates to choose their own beat, while companionably dancing with those countries that wanted to stay ensembled through the Commonwealth. The passages explaining the complexities and hostilities of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and the European Union are full of helpful commentary and quotation from people who navigated these diplomatic quandaries. Also insightful are sections on the many countries that vacated the Queen and the few that added her as Head of State, all of whose ceremonies were attended by the Queen or her representative (usually Prince Charles in her later years).
Yet Hardman has not limited himself to merely a state history. For the Queen’s story is also the story of a family. When she came to the throne, the family was recently in crises due to her father’s shocking untimely death at the age of 56. Hardman does a good job of illuminating how two men anchored QE2’s reign and family life: her father, King George VI and her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Both men were capable, diligent, and determined to serve in their role to the best of their God given ability.
It is, of course, here, among her family, that the Queen has made many public mistakes. While her sense of duty and service anchored her firmly in times of diplomatic or political storm, her struggles of motherhood are particularly plain in the salacious stories of her offspring. It is hard not to be absorbed Hardman’s stiff English accounting of the scandals that have rocked the family and impacted the Queen’s reign. Diana, Diana, Diana in the 1990s, followed by Charles & Diana and Charles & Camilla surely ranks high on the list of definitive points. The Diana storyline, which took place in the line of succession, was so strong that it overshadowed the profligate behavior of the Queen’s younger son, Prince Andrew. While Charles has gotten his personal life together through faithfulness to Camila, Prince Andrew ran wild for another two decades before being forcibly retired from public life in the early 2020s. But in the Platinum year of 2022, the headlines are dominated by the current Duke of Sussex and his wife, Meghan, as they attempt to monetize their royal standing without serving the crown directly. Meanwhile the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William and his wife Katherine have taken a steady approach to living as family in royal public life. With all the drama of these younger generations, it is easy to forget the propensity for scandal plagued generations before the Queen. The Duke of Windsor’s famous dalliances culminated in his choosing to marry the American, Wallis Simpson and abdicate to the throne to King George VI (Queen Elizabeth’s father), who was raised the spare, not the heir. These events are well covered in Queen of our Times. However, youngsters may not be aware that each generation going back through the previous House of Hanover and beyond has had trials for both the righteous and wicked, which has served to sort them respectively – as they do for all, little and great. It’s part of the job and leading this very public family can often be the most difficult part.
Along the way in telling the public and private story of Queen Elizabeth II, Hardman gently promotes the Royalist value from the monarchy argument – both explicitly and implicitly. The churn of Prime Ministers and governments through the decades of QE2’s reign illustrates the wisdom of a royal hand in long term diplomacy as a small group of people have a lifetime commitment to upholding the history, the confidentiality, and the service of the head of state. It’s a wonderful system. The flow of American Presidents – who fulfill *both* political leadership/ executive enforcement AND ceremonial roles (greeting World Series Winners, recognizing American public service & achievement, and coordinating State Visits by world leaders), also underlines the gravitas that the Queen’s permanence gives to the ceremonial functions she owns, which has allowed the trail of English influence to extend into the 21st century, far beyond the dissolution of Empire. It’s a good system, especially with a benevolent, long tenured, and ethical monarch intent on serving the people. It also allows the government to minimize the damage of a bad monarch, though whether the royal family could survive such mismanagement at any point is open for debate. It’s clear that the capability and faithfulness of QE2 has shut down that debate during the later part of her life. Whether Republican anti-royal attacks will emerge at her death and the ascension of the brazenly less capable Prince of Wales to the throne remains to be seen. Though Hardman attempts to be fair, measured and encouraging of the Prince of Wales, I found little to ease my opinion of Prince Charles’ abilities.
For a resent critical article declaring concerns about Prince Charles’ leadership ability, see
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...
There is of course, an ethical question at the center of the constitutional/ parliamentary monarchy. It is this: Recognizing all the benefits of this system, particularly those realized through a capable long reigning monarch, the great percentage of which cannot be realized by an appointed rather inherited royalty:
Should the United Kingdom be breeding people for this role?
Perhaps the Duke of Windsor (formerly King Edward VIII) and Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, have strengthened the monarchy by leaving. They have demonstrated that your fate is not completely sealed by birth into the State system because, whether already King or merely in the line of succession, you can step away from public service to the monarchy. Likewise, perhaps the expulsion of Prince Andrew for his long-documented abuses of status indicates the family can be self-monitoring to maintain their beneficent role? Meanwhile, the success of the Queen, her husband Prince Philip, her daughter Princess Anne and son Prince Edward (with his wife Sophie), and Prince William (and his wife, Katherine) highlight that the role can be fulfilled well.
After all this background, you may wonder: Who is Robert Hardman and is he worth listening to? His Goodreads Author page states (retrieved Jul 2022) “Robert Hardman has covered aspects of royal life for more than twenty years and is the writer of both the film and the book Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work as well as Her Majesty: The Court of Elizabeth II, also available from Pegasus Books. He writes for the Daily Mail in London.” I found him to be an reasonable guide in the typical understated manner of an Englishman entrusted to exercise a certain amount of discretion in his coverage of the family and it’s households. Obviously, he wants to preserve the sources he has cultivated over decades, and his Royalist accounting is not sensationalized in either it’s praise or reserved censure.
You can get a feel for Hardman’s style and content in this article, published by the Daily Mail on June 1, 2022, the eve of the Queens Jubilee Celebrations announced in the opening statement of this review:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...
While I’m not interested in the celebrity of monarchy, I am interested in the governance/ geopolitical precedent of the English system. Most of my reading of the Royal Family has taken place in context of history and biography. I also watch a few documentaries. Though I write more of my musings about the ethics of the system in my review, the only other book I have also read/ reviewed is the inferior:
Not in Front of the Corgis: Secrets of Life Behind Royal Curtains, Brian Hoey, 2011
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
For the Jubilee, I also watched a few documentaries about Queen Elizabeth. My favorite was, The Unseen Queen, 2022.
Elizabeth: The Unseen Queen tells the story of the Queen's life through BBC exclusive access to never-before-seen home videos and footage of Elizabeth’s private moments, making it the most complete look at her life in existence to date.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20123174/
This article from Elite Daily contains a nice list of documentaries if you would like more in that genre...
https://www.elitedaily.com/entertainm...
October 2, 2022
A comprehensive, thoroughly researched, and compulsively readable biography of a truly special person. Elizabeth II met every American president from Harry Truman to Joseph Biden with the exception of Lyndon Johnson. She connects the generations like no one else. The book is full of new delightful anecdotes. One of my favorites is when she was on a state visit to the US she wanted to go to the Kentucky Derby and then asked that the winning jockey be invited to the state dinner. All the invitations had been sent so it was a bit of a scramble to fit the jockey in and no time to get him up to speed on protocol. When he waltzed into the state dinner he spied Elizabeth and shouted "Hey,Queen!" Elizabeth didn't blink an eye. Hardman has no love for "The Crown." In addition to his comments about some of the more malicious and untrue portrayals of the Royal Family. his biggest objection is to Olivia Coleman's depiction of the Queen as dour and constantly scowling. He says the Queen loves being Queen and has a wonderful, mischievous sense of humor. She thoroughly enjoys her role. I found the book absolutely compelling.
March 10, 2023
This is one of the best biographies I have ever read and after 25 hours of spending time in the Queen’s world, I was truly sad to reach the end. The author did a magnificent job of covering her reign and her character. The book was wonderfully paced with multiple interviews and primary sources that painted a full and clear picture for me. It was also a great reminder of how little the media gets right and how much is always going on behind the scenes. The care and detail to get things right almost always gets lost in our 24-7 news cycle. I ended the book with a deep appreciation for a woman who lived steadfastly and faithfully to her principles and left a beautiful legacy for us to emulate.
"It’s worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change."
“Over the years, those who have seemed to me to be the most happy, contented and fulfilled have always been the people who have lived the most outgoing and unselfish lives.”
"It’s worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change."
“Over the years, those who have seemed to me to be the most happy, contented and fulfilled have always been the people who have lived the most outgoing and unselfish lives.”
January 10, 2023
Overall this is a fascinating and detailed history, not only of the Queen and the royal family, but of the UK - both politics and society - in the 20th-early 21st centuries. Insights into the lives of the Queen and other royals, including early commentary on the family’s relationship with Edward 8th through to forecasts of how the monarchy might change under King Charles 3rd are fascinating. Although published before her death, what shines through the entire book is commentary on the outstanding commitment she made, over such an amazingly long reign, to public service. The statistics speak for themselves - no other person on Earth has met 14 US presidents and reigned over 15 UK prime ministers!
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