The King's Speech

How One Man Saved the British Monarchy

By: Mark Logue, Peter Conradi

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award, Solo Narration, Male, 2012

The King's Speech was written by London Sunday Times journalist Peter Conradi and Mark Logue - grandson of Lionel Logue, whose recently discovered diaries and correspondence contain fascinating details about these true events.

At the urging of his wife, Elizabeth, the Duke of York (known to the royal family as "Bertie") began to see speech therapist Lionel Logue in a desperate bid to cure his lifelong stammer. Little did the two men know that this unlikely friendship - between a future monarch and a commoner born in Australia - would ultimately save the House of Windsor from collapse.

Through intense locution and breathing lessons, the amiable Logue gave the shy young Duke the skills and the confidence to stand and deliver before a crowd. And when his elder brother, Edward VIII, abdicated the throne to marry for love, Bertie was able to assume the reins of power as King George VI - just in time to help steer the nation through the dark waters of the Second World War.

Bonus Audio: This special edition includes a recording of George VI's historic speech announcing to the British people the United Kingdom's 1939 declaration of war with Germany.

©2010 Mark Logue and Peter Conradi (P)2011 Tantor

Not The Movie - Better

When I downloaded this book the cover art led me to believe it would be a novelized version of the movie and I was very pleasantly surprised to find that it was a far more detailed (and interesting) account of the story of Lionel Logue and his relationship with the King, both before he rose to the throne and after. Well written and well told - so don't pass it by even if you fell asleep during the movie, as I did.

Good book

Good book; well narrated. I really enjoyed it. Thanks to Audible for having this in store.

Remarkable!!

A moving recounting of an intense episode of the British Monarchy.
Simon Vance’s narration is impeccable and touching.

I highly recommend this book.

Movie is enough

Any additional comments?

A biography of Lionel Logue, the King's speech therapist, it started off slow but got better. Obvioulsy, there's a lot more story to his life than in the fantastic movie by the same name could tell. However, the interesting parts made it in the script. One of the few instances when the movie is better than the book.

Illuminating

I found myself immersed in the pre- and war years as told through the lost art of letter writing. It was fortunate that Lionel Logue's family had kept all his memorabilia allowing for the creation of this novel. I particularly enjoyed the day-to-day details of the lives of both Lionel and the King's families.

Good stuff for an ol' Anglophile

Would you listen to The King's Speech again? Why?

I would listen to this audio book again. However, I must say that since I have admired all things English/British for close to six decades, I might be found to be too disposed toward this subject to be objective. Needless to say, I liked what I heard in both content and performance. I also find a passion for history whether it be deeply researched, clear-cut non-fiction, or historical novels that do not stray too far from the basic truth. Since Mr. Logue was taking much of his story from actual first person writings, I would only be accusing Lionel of complete falsehoods and I don't believe he would or could have done such a thing. The compassion that came through to me of Lionel toward a man who was born in a fishbowl was palpable. Yet that very same compassion was equally fused with discipline -- never punishment. For anyone who enjoys reading and learning about, in depth, an individual who has since departed this mortal coil, it is always such an adventure.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lionel.

What about Simon Vance’s performance did you like?

He read with clarity, but I have a good ear for understanding some British speakers who would be otherwise unintelligible. To reiterate, Mr. Vance's reading was very well done.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did not have an

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this book to anyone.

A TOUCHING STORY OF A RELATIONSHIP WITH A KING.

Lionel Louge was a master of speech, but also of psychotherapy and loving friendship. Marvelous!

Not my cup of tea

Would you try another book from Mark Logue and Peter Conradi and/or Simon Vance?

probably not

Would you recommend The King's Speech to your friends? Why or why not?

I wouldn't steer them away

Which character – as performed by Simon Vance – was your favorite?

No particular favorite

Did The King's Speech inspire you to do anything?

Not really

Any additional comments?

Interesting and informative but not very stimulating

outstanding KIng's Speech

Would you consider the audio edition of The King's Speech to be better than the print version?

Since I haven't read the print version, I really can't give an opinion at this time. All I know is that it was remarkably good.

What did you like best about this story?

I like history, so it really provided me with some real good facts about that time in the English history

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

a unique inside of the relationship between the King and his Doctor.....

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me laugh , but it also made me cry, even at that period of time people didnt understand the horrible helplessness people had with stuttering, and made fun of it.

Any additional comments?

no

Good historical story.

Where does The King's Speech rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I love historical novels and this one ranks good.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I am not a writer so I wouldn't presume to change a thing.

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

Simon Vance has a good voice and he brought life to the characters.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was moved by the detached life of the royal children from the King and Queen.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend the book to my friends.