The Mountbattens

The Lives and Loves of Dickie and Edwina Mountbatten

De: Andrew Lownie

Narrado por: Shaun Grindell

The intimate story of a unique marriage spanning the heights of British glamour and power that descends into infidelity, manipulation, and disaster through the heart of the 20th century.

Dickie Mountbatten: A major figure behind his nephew Philip's marriage to Queen Elizabeth II and instrumental in the royal family taking the Mountbatten name, he was Supreme Allied Commander of South East Asia during World War II and the last Viceroy of India.

Edwina Mountbatten: Once the richest woman in Britain - and a playgirl who enjoyed numerous affairs - she emerged from World War II as a magnetic and talented humanitarian worker who was loved throughout the­ world.

From British high society to the South of France, from the battlefields of Burma to the Viceroy's House, The Mountbattens is a rich and filmic story of a powerful partnership.

Was Mountbatten one of the outstanding leaders of his generation, or a man over-promoted because of his royal birth, high-level connections, film-star looks, and ruthless self-promotion? What is the true story behind controversies such as the Dieppe Raid and Indian Partition, the love affair between Edwina and Nehru, and Mountbatten's assassination in 1979?

©2021 Andrew Lownie (P)2021 Tantor

What an unusual lifestyle, everything for me, me, me,

I sincerely appreciated aura of self importance and the way he managed to make everyone think that he has succeeded on his own

Just amazing! Fully draws one into the Mountbatten’s lives

This biography was thoroughly researched and written honestly—- the great accomplishments are presented with respect and awe, tempered by a nonjudgmental recounting of the great flaws. I found myself so immersed in the narration that I wanted to give Lord Mountbatten a thump on the head for tolerating his wife’s infidelities (then, I got used to hearing about “another one” as, I suppose he did). Despite their flaws, I consider both of the Mountbattens heroes.

repeatedly told the same story

after two hours we knew they had an open marriage. it just kept going on and on mixed with their achievement but the open marriage was brought at every point of the book.

At the Center of Empire--But What Pervs!

If you love history and drama, especially historical drama, you will love this. To imagine a couple which were both born to be at the upper echelon of the world, and who then show their country their mettle during the tough times as well as the plush--this couple had interesting lives! How fascinating that they knew practically every single person of consequence on three continents over their lifetimes! And then to discover they each had peculiar sexual perversions to the norm--certainly to the norms of the times. Their relationship was indeed a weird one. Even their deaths were fascinating--her dropping dead of heart ailments in her fifties, and him being blown up by the IRA. It's quite worth listening to, especially with the lovely English accent of the narrator.

Read by a Robot?

Hard to listen to. Lacks human understanding of storytelling. Shame, because it ought to be a romp through a fascinating marriage but is rendered into an unending stream of porridge.

Unflattering Power Couple

The Mountbatten’s illustrate the idea that money and powerful relationships can be more important than good character and intelligence in acquiring power and prestige. Borderline Edwina is one the most vile women of the 20th century whose looks and personality were overrated. Lord Louis was hardworking and ambitious, but definitely incompetent when actually placed in a role when people’s lives were at stake. Definitely a couple not be emulated.

the reality behind the public view. we really hold the defective rich in high regard .

lots and lots of affairs can become boring after awhile. If not for the war his accomplishments were few with many serious mistakes. She was more accomplished.

Strange ending undermined the whole story of the book

I agree with the author that the Mountbatten story is in many ways is the story of the 20th century. It’s a traditional biography and sometimes the names and events run together without meaning or consequence. But the strangest thing about the book is how the second to last chapter provides compelling evidence for his lifelong homosexuality or, at the least, bisexuality. Why he withheld this until nearly the last chapter makes no sense and completely undermines the biographical story told in the first 27 chapters.

interesting except....

The IRA targeted him for his attacking children. Royal family conundrums now finally coming out.

Excellent

Very interesting and the narrator was enjoyable! I shared with many people with interest in the Mountbatten. .