
The American Duchess: The Real Wallis Simpson (Paperback)
Anna Pasternak (author)- 5+ in stock
Life has always been made difficult for those marrying into England's royal family. In 1936, just months into his reign, King Edward VIII proposed to Wallis Simpson, a divorced American woman. Gossip ran wild, and that cacophony of speculation and distrust both hid the real Wallis, and forced Edward into abdicating so that he might marry the woman he adored.
In this intimate biography Anna Pasternak seeks to understand Wallis - and her relationship with Edward and The Crown. Using testimony from her closest friends, she shows the warm, loyal, intelligent woman who was written off and undermined by the powerful, often manipulative men of the Establishment. This is Wallis Simpson's story as it has never been told before.
Previously published as Untitled.
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN: 9780008297305
Number of pages: 368
Weight: 290 g
Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 24 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
'Pasternak interviews fresh people ... These people bring fresh observations ... What makes the book unputdownable is Pasternak's lively and detailed retelling of this ever-fascinating, ridiculously poignant love story.' The Times
'A sympathetic biography ... Pasternak's empathetic study of Wallis attempts to redress the balance and emphasises her intelligence, independence and unwillingness to ruin the life of the man she loved ... With such aggressive press coverage of Meghan Markle, it is useful to be reminded that perceived royal interlopers have always been treated harshly.' Observer
'Puts Wallis Simpson in a new light and draws startling parallels with Meghan ... Both were 34 when they met their princes, both are adored children of strong, single mothers, both have a pared-down style and an electric presence and both are evidently worshipped by their Royal partners.' S Magazine
'Rather like a romantic novel ... Occasional bursts of Mills & Boon style ... One reads the letters from her to her besotted King - as he then still was - begging him not to give up his throne; she certainly was no social mountaineer.' Daily Telegraph
'Explains why colourful, excitable characters have struggled to fit into the Royal family' Daily Telegraph
'The best book about the Windsors for decades - because it's true.' Petronella Wyatt
'An enchanting love story, wonderfully told' Sir Ronald Harwood
'Anna Pasternak does not spare an ounce of drama nor detail .... a profoundly moving meditation on love, loyalty, and, ultimately, forgiveness' Amanda Foreman
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“Real Wallis Simpson...”
This very well researched and written biography brings a new perspective and light into the most notorious woman in English history, Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor.
Anna Paternak’s intimate and frank biography...
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“Villain, victim or simply misunderstood!”
After reading this gripping biography of Wallis Simpson I have completely changed my opinion. Anna Pasternak shows her to be a warm, loyal, intelligent woman who was adored by her friends. I have always been... More
“Fascinating Reading”
Reading a book about a woman who has been vilified for most of her adult life is quite hard going but Anna Pasternak manages to tell Wallis's story in an extremely moving way.Told through letters and people... More
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