The Diana Chronicles

By: Tina Brown

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 21 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Ten years after her death, Princess Diana remains a mystery. Was she "the people's princess", who electrified the world with her beauty and humanitarian missions? Or was she a manipulative, media-savvy neurotic who nearly brought down the monarchy?

Only Tina Brown, former editor-in-chief of Tatler, England's glossiest gossip magazine, as well as Vanity Fair and The New Yorker, could possibly give us the truth. Tina knew Diana personally and has far-reaching insight into the royals and the Queen.

In The Diana Chronicles, you will meet a formidable female cast and understand as never before the society that shaped them. Among them are Diana's sexually charged mother, her bad-girl sister-in-law, Fergie, and, most formidable of them all, her mother-in-law, the Queen. Add Camilla Parker Bowles, the ultimate "other woman", into this combustible mix, and it's no wonder that Diana broke out of her royal cage into celebrity culture, where she found her own power and used it to devastating effect.

©2007 Tina Brown (P)2007 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

"Tina Brown has produced something that is, as well as absorbing and stirring, witty and penetrating." (Christopher Hitchens)
"A delightfully smart and insightful book that...weaves a compelling human drama into a rich social history." (Walter Isaacson, author of Einstein: His Life and Universe)
"This is not only first-rate biography, but a marvelous social history, and a bitingly accurate portrait of the English upper classes." (Michael Korda, author of Charmed Lives and Ike)

Interesting

The narrator did an excellent job, and the information was interesting. Some events were skipped over (Harry's birth), but overall it was easy to follow.

Overall, an engaging listen. I was sorry when it ended.

Well Worth “Reading”

Found the book very interesting and gave new insights to the trials and tribulations of all the Royals, but especially Diana.

Outstanding insight

Tina Brown has done an outstanding job here, taking us deep inside of Diana's world to get the full and complete picture of the world she lived in; the people surrounding her. Her betrayals, her flaws, her loves. I did not expect to gain such insight into not only Diana, but almost all of the other players surrounding her. Charles, Camilla, Diana's parents and siblings, close friends, etc.

At one point, when it got to the part about Diana's death and what was unfolding before and during and after those hours, I completely did not expect to, but I actually cried. A very powerfully written book that gives you a complete understanding of Diana, the people and the circumstances around her, but no matter all of their flaws (including Diana's) the tragic ending still breaks your heart.

Finally learned something new..best Diana book out there!

Such a thoroughly researched book, that actually offers up new details and insights I’ve never seen shared before, and I’ve read almost all of the books and biographies, and watched every documentary I could find on this subject..even the conspiracy ones that are nonsense, and I thought there was nothing left to learn or uncover, until I listened to this book! The author stays very neutral, not always just in favor of the Princess, so you get the real and raw truth of Diana, which I’ve never seen done before and greatly appreciated the research that was done, and the experiences that were shared. The narrator does an excellent job with her delivery as well. Buy the book, you definitely won’t regret it.

One of the best Diana's

Would you listen to The Diana Chronicles again? Why?

I will keep and treasure this. It is great insight to one of my most favorite women.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the look inside the cast of characters. Not only Diana's but other's important in her life. The Queen, Prince Phillip and Prince Charles changed my minds about them for the better, and others for worse..

What does Rosalyn Landor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her voice is wonderful, crisp and easy to listen to. I know I have heard her read before. Excellent!

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

Yes, and some sections I listened more than once.

Any additional comments?

One of the very best books on Diana.

Fascinating Account of Diana’s Life

I had just finished the new book "The Palace Papers" and enjoyed it greatly. I decided to get this book as well. A definitive biography of the late Princess of Wales, it explores her family, history and all the behind the scenes palace intrigue, good, bad and ugly. It was riveting and I couldn't stop listening. Narrator Roslyn Landor's beautiful British accent relates the events superbly. A must read/listen for royal watchers and Diana lovers.

Balanced, Humorous, And Tragic

This is one of the best books I have read that shows the strengths and weaknesses of all members of the royal family and the British upper class. If only they could have supported one another in their strengths, instead of destroying one another in their weaknesses.

Yes!

The narration of the book was outstanding. I enjoyed the impersonations she used when reading conversations, especially between Camilla and Charles. This was the most informative book on Diana I have found to date. Lengthy but worth every second!

Juicy and Sad

What did you love best about The Diana Chronicles?

The unvarnished truth about the 19 year old English girl that I idolized and envied. Be careful what you wish for, especially when you are in your teens.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Snarchasm

What does Rosalyn Landor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The spot on English accents.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Unhappily ever after.

Any additional comments?

It was an odd way to commemorate a 20th death anniversary.

Fair, detailed, and heartfelt.

This is by far the best book I have personally read about the late Princess of Wales. It takes the reader through the entire saga that captivated the world of the 80's and 90's. It is honest and quite balanced, and cuts Diana no more slack than any of the other players of this most talked about marriage of the 20th century. After completion, i am left with the comstant sadness that was Diana's lot in life, and a great deal of respect for the Pince of Wales I had never had. I truly believe after listening to this book, that this marriage may have actually had a chance were it not for the continually overbearing circumstances these two encountered. And on a deeper level, am left with the feeling that they both retained a genuine tenderness for each other. They were both loving, they were both spiteful, they were both human beings.