A big 900 page biography of the Queen Mothers life. I asked my Mother a few years ago what she had thought of the book, she told me that she enjoyed it. Now that I have read it I must concur. You would think that it would get repetitive, but it maintains it's interest throughout. I was impressed that it covered so much ground while always keeping the focus on her. A great insight into an impressive life. ( )

Elizabeth Bowes Lyon lived a long life, but most importantly, she lived during fascinating historical times and knew all the people who shaped those times, including her own. She did not seek notariety, but when it was thrust upon her she rose to the occasion with such class and warmth that she was universally loved. She was the "people's Queen" long before Princess Diana ever considered being the "people's Princess." She saw her place as helping her husband be the best that he could be in all things and did just that until his death. His death left her bereft not only because she lost her best friend and guide, but because for awhile she lost herself because she didn't know what she was going to do after he was gone. She had not realized how much the British people had used her grace and strength as a guide to their own behavior all during the War years and the reconstruction after. She was a remarkable woman at an even more remarkable time. ( )

The Queen Mother On being pregnant with the future Queen Elizabeth II:
 
"'The sight of wine simply turns me up! Isn’t it extraordinary?’ she wrote to her husband in September. ‘It will be a tragedy if I never recover my drinking powers.’ She need not have worried."
LOL
 
Very tame, but then again it's an official biography. Still, The Queen Mother did write very entertaining letters. ( )

Extensive biography of the Queen Mum. It's well-written and thorough. My only concerns with the book are that foreign phrases are not translated for those who don't speak the language AND that the descriptions of her last years seem to be more impartial than the first 3/4 of the book. Still these items do not dull the depth and fullness of the book. It is an intimate look into the life of a respected and loved woman. ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, for the most part. Towards the end, it got a bit boring because there were just lists and lists of all the places the Queen Mother visited, represented, supported, etc. The first part of the book was by far the more interesting part. The author's epilogue sums up this remarkable woman nicely. I'm left with a good impression of someone who did a good job of representing the monarchy in a style that no longer exists, a time before the endless media pursuit and a time when the royal family was perhaps more respected. My amateur observation is that her daughter, the current Queen, has followed in her mother's footsteps, which I would think would be good for England. ( )