Elizabeth the Queen

The Life of a Modern Monarch

By: Sally Bedell Smith

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 21 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-seller.

Perfect for fans of The Crown, this magisterial biography of Queen Elizabeth II is a close-up view of the woman we’ve known only from a distance - and a captivating window into the last great monarchy.

From the moment of her ascension to the throne in 1952 at the age of twenty-five, Queen Elizabeth II has been the object of unparalleled scrutiny. But through the fog of glamour and gossip, how well do we really know the world’s most famous monarch? Drawing on numerous interviews and never-before-revealed documents, acclaimed biographer Sally Bedell Smith pulls back the curtain to show in intimate detail the public and private lives of Queen Elizabeth II, who has led her country and Commonwealth through the wars and upheavals of the last sixty years with unparalleled composure, intelligence, and grace.

In Elizabeth the Queen, we meet the young girl who suddenly becomes “heiress presumptive” when her uncle abdicates the throne. We meet the thirteen-year-old Lilibet as she falls in love with a young navy cadet named Philip and becomes determined to marry him, even though her parents prefer wealthier English aristocrats. We see the teenage Lilibet repairing army trucks during World War II and standing with Winston Churchill on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on V-E Day. We see the young Queen struggling to balance the demands of her job with her role as the mother of two young children. Sally Bedell Smith brings us inside the palace doors and into the Queen’s daily routines - the “red boxes” of documents she reviews each day, the weekly meetings she has had with twelve prime ministers, her physically demanding tours abroad, and the constant scrutiny of the press - as well as her personal relationships: with Prince Philip, her husband of sixty-four years and the love of her life; her children and their often-disastrous marriages; her grandchildren and friends.

Praise for Elizabeth the Queen:

“An excellent, all-embracing new biography.” (The New York Times)

“[An] imposing, yet nimbly written, biography [that] dwarfs the field...a most satisfying and enjoyable read, one to be savored at length.” (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

“Fascinating.... After sixty years on the throne, the monarch of Britain is better known for her poker face than for sly wit or easy charm. Yet in biographer Sally Bedell Smith’s Elizabeth the Queen, Her Majesty sparkles with both.” (More)

“[A] smart and satisfying book.” (Los Angeles Times)

©2011 Sally Bedell Smith (P)2011 Random House Audio

A Personal Look at a Great Queen

Would you listen to Elizabeth the Queen again? Why?

I would absolutely listen to this book again. I felt like I came to know her as much more than a figure-head for the British people. I was continually intrigued by the story and I found myself admiring the queen for much more than just her role as a queen.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I have adored Queen Elizabeth II since I was 3 1/2. She continued to be my favorite queen as I listened to this book.

Any additional comments?

Overall, this book is both amazingly crafted and wonderfully narrated. The narrator did voices both consistently and believably. Sally Bedell Smith did her research for real and although it could have been easy to be biased, I felt the presentation was very fair. I would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting a closer look at Her Majesty, the Queen.

A role model for all women to emulate

Where does Elizabeth the Queen rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Queen Elizabeth is the only woman who many of us have watched for decades. She has hit her stride and more. A true leader, able to change and to be sensitive to the world around her. This book opened my eyes to this truly remarkable woman.
I highly recommend it to woman professionals.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no

Great story read beautifully

Well-written and beautifully read. However, a bit one-sided as it merely touches on the troubles of the Queen's children's marriages focusing mainly on Diana's negative image and not focusing on any of the other in-law members' images accolades or negatives. Princess Margaret's turmoils are barely mentioned and cease at age 21.

The Queen

I really enjoyed this account, I wasn't looking for a tell all, just a glimpse into the monarchy that we do not usually get in the United States. The Queen is even more impressive than I could have imagined.

Great New Information- comprehensive

I’ve read so many books about the queen and the royal family, this delicately weaves - in an expert fashion - the history and personalities that make up the house of Windsor. I would prefer an updated edition as it was published seven years ago, but it is still quite an extraordinary achievement

Perfect Narration

The story about Queen Elizabeth's life was very well researched, and it was an absolute pleasure to listen to because of Rosalyn Landor's narration.

Fantastic!

I can't praise this book enough. a must read for any Royal enthusiast. A dance through time, historical, fun and a true marvel.

A Fascinating Life, Well Lived

How tough is it to narrate a life that is lived so privately in public? Very tough. But that's what keeps us curious. Those who criticize William and Kate for guarding their privacy so jealously would do well to remember that they have opened themselves up in ways that the Queen never has and never will-- interviews, for example. And the appetite is more insatiable than ever. Her Majesty is something to behold, and I wonder what it would be like to have some sense of national pride that was timeless. Politicians come and go, but it would be lovely to have some traditions that were a point of pride in the US. A good, solid read on the hardest subject imaginable.

Interesting

This was well written and interesting to read. I enjoyed getting to know the historic influences on the monarchy and the way it has changed in just this one lifetime. This is a much better book than the one by Sarah Bradford, even though they deal with the same subject matter.

A bit over the top, but still enjoyable

Detailed, interesting, and in good historical context, this is not an unbiased biography. If it were a painting, the queen would wear white and have a giant halo. The author doesn't even try to demonstrate an impartial view of Elizabeth, Phillip, or Charles, glossing over controversies such as the royal (lack of) reaction to Diana's death and rocky times in the marriage of Phillip and Elizabeth. All that said, however, the story is still worth listening to and the narrator does a superb job. As long as you are a fan of the Windsor family, you should enjoy the listen!