Matriarch

Queen Mary and the House of Windsor

By: Anne Edwards

Narrated by: Corrie James

Length: 16 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

The life of Princess May of Teck is one of the great Cinderella stories in history. From a family of impoverished nobility, she was chosen by Queen Victoria as the bride for her eldest grandson, the scandalous Duke of Clarence, heir to the throne, who died mysteriously before their marriage. Despite this setback, she became queen, mother of two kings, grandmother of the current queen, and a lasting symbol of the majesty of the British throne. Her pivotal role in the abdication of her eldest son, the Duke of Windsor, is just one of the events that provide the backdrop for both thrilling biography and for narrating the splendors and tragedies of the entire house of Windsor.

©1984 Anne Edwards (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A magnificent portrayal of majesty...Edwards depicts the whole panorama, from pageantry and protocol to small private detail, with superb narrative finesse, psychological insight, and impressively far-ranging and scrupulous research." ( Chicago Tribune)

Wow! Did not want this to end!

Excellent narrator who brings the wonderful writing of this amazing woman's life directly to the reader in a very entertaining manner. There are not any negatives only incredible positives. You will also be enthralled!!

Interesting, informative, and insightful

What made the experience of listening to Matriarch the most enjoyable?

The narrator is engaging, not overdone, The historical facts are written in a way that is enticing, bringing the historical figuress to life.Very educational without being dry.

What did you like best about this story?

The depiction of the events written in a way that stuck to the facts, while being entertaing.

What about Corrie James’s performance did you like?

Excellent. Articulate, perfection diction and pleasing voice.

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

no

Any additional comments?

very well written and narrated.

Very interesting read

I really enjoy this book. Queen Mary led an exceptional life. She was glue holding the Royal family together at crucial times. She was so devoted to her country and people and put that above nearly everything else. since new discoveries and declassified documents we know that the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were actually not very nice people who admired Hitler and in fact did aid the enemy. Thank God he abdicated. I did sort of 2ish I could have told Queen Mary to have a little fun. My one source of criticism is the view of her original intended Prince Eddy. He was not the horrible person he was portrayed to be. He was not terribly mature but he was not an idiot who just had sex with everybody including boys. There is no real proof be was involved in the Cleavland street scandal. He was thrown under the bus by a man he had the misfortune to have known. Overall I really enjoyed the book and the narrator was excellent.

Wonderful

Matriarch is one of the most enjoyable nonfiction works I have read in years. Such a magnificent story of people who are truly interesting and who have played a prominent role in the world for centuries. The author neither glamorizes royalty nor spend time in criticism of the institution but rather tells the story of an amazing person and her family. Highly recommended.

Misleading title

This book has very little about Queen Mary. It’s more about history of England which I’ve already listened to many times. If you’re new to British History this would be good although there are better ones. If you skip the first eight hours you’ll hear about Mary otherwise don’t bother.

Beautifully read aloud

Queen Mary led an un-examined, stuffy life, remote, ornate and full of endless ceremony, yet the book is fascinating because of the ever moving history and characters around her. Skip over the overlong descriptions of funerals, royal weddings and coronation details.
I recommend this book to all fans of British royalty.

Accurate

Matriarch made this queen come alive through quotes from letters, diaries, and 3rd person accounts. Sounds boring, but it wasn't. I particularly enjoyed the accounts of the king who abdicated.

Amazing window into a changing world

An amazing book!! An easy read and very informative, Queen Mary is a fascinating person who got a biography she deserves. The book is clearly spun in her favor but, it inspires a great feeling of nostalgia for Queen Mary’s world which does not exist today. It might be easy to over look her in the history of the British monarchy but the book makes a compelling argument for her significance in shaping and protecting the monarchy we know today. She seems to have been everything a great royal can be.

I will want to read it again!!!

I’m two thirds of the way in, and I can already say I will want to read this book again someday… so much new information!

I have read and seen and listened to many many biographies and documentaries about the British Royal Family, the Windsor’s in particular, yet there was surprisingly little on George V and Queen Mary.

This was a great find.

Easier,cheaper and as interesting on Wikipedia

Very dry and rather dull account of this amazing woman. Very disappointed at how little she was 'fleshed' out. The reader mispronounced quite a lot.