Status
Available
Publication
New York : St. Martin's Press, 2012.
Description
"One of Britain's most distinguished biographers turns her focus on one of the most vilified women of the last century. Historian Anne Sebba has written the first full biography by a woman of Wallis Simpson, Duches of Windsor, which sheds light on the fascinating and enigmatic American divorcee who nearly became Queen of England."--Provided by publisher.
Similar in this library
User reviews
LibraryThing member briandrewz
This book about the life of a woman, which has been so well documented, is probably one of the most dinfinitive about its subject. The story is well-known. The book guides the reader through the twists and turmoils of the romance of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, dramatically climaxing with the
Show More
Abdication in 1936. Afterwards, the book sort of rambles aimlessly through the life of the Duchess, just as the the Duchess's life rambled until it's end in 1986. Show Less
LibraryThing member PennyBrainerd
Perhaps Wallis just thought she'd have a fling with the soon to be King of England and that would be it, but he had other ideas. Long before he became King Edward, he talked of abdicating, according to this book. It seems like he used Wallis as an excuse to abdicate. What seems puzzling is that for
Show More
the rest of his life he tried to have the Her Royal Highness title given back to her. It had never been hers in the first place, but it made not a bit of difference to him. I felt sorry for these two people. He seemed to be totally infantile in his behavior, and she was portrayed as caught in a trap never wanting to be the most hated woman in the world. Whether all that was written is totally true is up for conjecture. Show Less
LibraryThing member tututhefirst
Wallis Warfield (better known as the Duchess of Windsor) hailed from Baltimore, my home town. World famous as the twice divorced woman who captured the heart of the King of England, she is a person whose life has never made much sense to me, and who is often held up to much scorn and criticism.
In this latest biography of the Duchess, Anne Sebba tries to present both The Duke (ex-king Edward ) and his Duchess as two persons whose personality disorders (nowhere documented) drove them to act as they did and meant that they were perfect for each other. The author's positing of strange sexual dysfunctions for both of them adds nothing to the already well-known tale, and serves only to make the story more unbelievable. She succeeds only in reinforcing my perception that they were each selfish, infantile, and insecure to a degree that they could never have functioned as adults in the tumultuous world in which they lived.
A total waste of time, and a sad, sad, story.
Show More
Of course every young girl who hears the story about a King giving up his throne to marry "the woman I love" at first must think this is a romantic fairy tale. It isn't. It's a tragedy.In this latest biography of the Duchess, Anne Sebba tries to present both The Duke (ex-king Edward ) and his Duchess as two persons whose personality disorders (nowhere documented) drove them to act as they did and meant that they were perfect for each other. The author's positing of strange sexual dysfunctions for both of them adds nothing to the already well-known tale, and serves only to make the story more unbelievable. She succeeds only in reinforcing my perception that they were each selfish, infantile, and insecure to a degree that they could never have functioned as adults in the tumultuous world in which they lived.
A total waste of time, and a sad, sad, story.
Show Less
LibraryThing member SigmundFraud
I find the speculation on variations of sexual dysfunctions a waste of time. We won't ever know so why bother. She and the King each had a terrible dilemma. I don't think it would be such a problem today.
LibraryThing member librarianbryan
Really how could I give this anything else? Wallis has been vilified? Sure. But considering her and the Duke of Windsor were two of the most evil people who ever lived maybe THEY deserved it? Or perhaps the fact this book was so poorly written I couldn't help but laugh. Maybe what really sealed the
Perhaps it deserves five stars because they really were the PERFECT COUPLE even if they were IMPS FROM HELL.
Show More
deal for me was the fact the author suggests Wallis was intersexed without providing any substantial evidence. Real classy.Perhaps it deserves five stars because they really were the PERFECT COUPLE even if they were IMPS FROM HELL.
Show Less
LibraryThing member pennsylady
I gave this read 3.5 and rounded it to 3* for my rating.
The round down is because I was getting tired and a bit bogged down with elements of daily living.
Sebba has pages of notes, bibliography and an extensive index.
It is a well researched topic and I now understand "a bit better" the
powerful character of Wallis Simpson.
The key here is a bit better because I've not before encountered a couple quite like Wallis and the Duke.
I do realize that I was a bit naive in previously considering this a romantic love story.
This was based on 1937 photo of the couple and no details except the surrender of the throne.
My knowledge was sketchy to say the least.
I now see tormented characters and an indiscriminate grasp on life.
I'm also not sure I would consider Edward VIII obsessions as a deep love and adoration.
Wallis and the duke (or whatever title you choose to use) were and "ran with" colorful characters who pushed moral and political boundaries to the limits.
I had several "Oh My" moments.
There was reference to an ethical impotence and EP's failure to understand
basics like decency, honesty duty, dignity.
His extremes of behavior were unsettling.
If you're interested in the intricacies of this "love affair" the read should satisfy.
Will you regard it as madness?....
Are there characteristics from the umbrella of autism?
and what did the term "best friends" really mean?
(considering Mary Kirk) and
What do you understand of disorders of sexual development?
I could go on....
but my suggestion is...you read on and form your own opinions.
The round down is because I was getting tired and a bit bogged down with elements of daily living.
Sebba has pages of notes, bibliography and an extensive index.
It is a well researched topic and I now understand "a bit better" the
Show More
complex,powerful character of Wallis Simpson.
The key here is a bit better because I've not before encountered a couple quite like Wallis and the Duke.
I do realize that I was a bit naive in previously considering this a romantic love story.
This was based on 1937 photo of the couple and no details except the surrender of the throne.
My knowledge was sketchy to say the least.
I now see tormented characters and an indiscriminate grasp on life.
I'm also not sure I would consider Edward VIII obsessions as a deep love and adoration.
Wallis and the duke (or whatever title you choose to use) were and "ran with" colorful characters who pushed moral and political boundaries to the limits.
I had several "Oh My" moments.
There was reference to an ethical impotence and EP's failure to understand
basics like decency, honesty duty, dignity.
His extremes of behavior were unsettling.
If you're interested in the intricacies of this "love affair" the read should satisfy.
Will you regard it as madness?....
Are there characteristics from the umbrella of autism?
and what did the term "best friends" really mean?
(considering Mary Kirk) and
What do you understand of disorders of sexual development?
I could go on....
but my suggestion is...you read on and form your own opinions.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Suzanne_Mitchell
Terrible book.
LibraryThing member Whisper1
recommended for those who are interested in the topic of Wallis Simpson, the woman blamed for causing King Edward VIII to abdicate the throne of England. A commoner, twice divorced, she was married to husband number two when she and her husband became part of the inner circle of those in the bright
Truly, Edward (David) was a boy. In this book the author notes the possibility of autisium. Lacking the rudimentary knowledge of what it took to run a country, still Edward was popular in the short time between when his father died and he ascended to the throne and then gave it to his brother Bertie. He lacked the ability to concentrate and follow through with a task.
His intelligence was questioned, as well as his maturity. He had torrid relationships with other married women, including when he first met Wallis.
Whether there was love or obsession with Wallis is up for speculation. He was indeed obsessed, and like a little boy, he wanted what he couldn't have. Until, he placed her in a position where her husband no longer loved her and moved on to marry Wallis' "best" friend. Then, save for a life with The Duke of Windsor, she had nothing.
It is a fascinating story. But, in the end, I felt sorry for everyone involved. While they married and lived in France, they had a small group of friends. But, mainly, they were hermit like. In the end, she died the way she feared she would, ie all alone.
Show More
sunshine of the playboy who was known for his prowess with women, and his love of traveling. Truly, Edward (David) was a boy. In this book the author notes the possibility of autisium. Lacking the rudimentary knowledge of what it took to run a country, still Edward was popular in the short time between when his father died and he ascended to the throne and then gave it to his brother Bertie. He lacked the ability to concentrate and follow through with a task.
His intelligence was questioned, as well as his maturity. He had torrid relationships with other married women, including when he first met Wallis.
Whether there was love or obsession with Wallis is up for speculation. He was indeed obsessed, and like a little boy, he wanted what he couldn't have. Until, he placed her in a position where her husband no longer loved her and moved on to marry Wallis' "best" friend. Then, save for a life with The Duke of Windsor, she had nothing.
It is a fascinating story. But, in the end, I felt sorry for everyone involved. While they married and lived in France, they had a small group of friends. But, mainly, they were hermit like. In the end, she died the way she feared she would, ie all alone.
Show Less
LibraryThing member CatherineBurkeHines
It's fitting that the jacket blurb describing this as well-researched is from Penny Junor. This book carried speculation to new heights; Wallis possibly was a little masculine, and that was because she was - maybe - a hermaphrodite (a term Sebba at least acknowledges is offensive). Edward VIII
Sebba did make some interesting points about the vilification they endured, and that was interesting, but also detailed their obnoxious and all-pervasive self-centered and empty lives.
Show More
wasn't the most masculine guy. Maybe they were a little off-center in the bedroom. Big whoop.Sebba did make some interesting points about the vilification they endured, and that was interesting, but also detailed their obnoxious and all-pervasive self-centered and empty lives.
Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original publication date
2012-02-14
Physical description
xvi, 344 p.; 24 cm
ISBN
1250002966 / 9781250002969