Queen Mary
- 704 pages
- 25 hours of reading
The official biography of Queen Mary, grandmother of the current Queen, originally commissioned in 1959 - and subject of the critically acclaimed The Quest for Queen Mary
Hugo Vickers Books
Hugo Vickers is a writer and broadcaster with a keen focus on literary portraits of prominent 20th-century figures. His work is distinguished by its insightful exploration of his subjects' psychologies and social contexts, revealing their inner lives and impact on their eras. Vickers's prose is meticulous and deeply researched, offering readers a rich and captivating experience. His skill in rendering complex individuals makes his writing a compelling read for anyone interested in history and human nature.
Private World of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor
- 240 pages
- 9 hours of reading
The narrative explores the romance between King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, highlighting their decision to abdicate the throne in 1936. Newly uncovered private photographs from their Paris residence provide an intimate glimpse into their lives, showcasing their contrasting backgrounds and the evolution of their relationship. The discovery of around ten thousand hidden photographs, along with scrapbooks and memorabilia, offers a fresh perspective on their thirty-five years of marriage in exile, featuring both candid moments and formal portraits by renowned photographers.
Cecil Beaton
- 688 pages
- 25 hours of reading
The definitive biography of Cecil Beaton, the celebrated British photographer and designer who enjoyed immense international fame and lived a glittering life.
The witty and perceptive diaries kept by Cecil Beaton's authorised biographer during his many fascinating encounters with extraordinary - often legendary - characters in his search for the real Cecil Beaton.
Hugo Vickers has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Royal Family, and has had a fascination with the story of the Duchess of Windsor since he was a young man. There have been a number of books about this doomed couple, but this book brings a new perspective on the story by focussing on the later years of exile.
The Sphinx
- 400 pages
- 14 hours of reading
The fiercely intelligent beauty who married the 9th Duke of Marlborough and both dazzled and puzzled the glittering social circles of the Belle Epoque in which she moved.
Elizabeth, The Queen Mother
- 400 pages
- 14 hours of reading
This was partly due to her long life, and the difficulty that always exists when a biography of a living person is attempted, partly because she was a queen - and the real person gets hidden behind the perceived image - and partly because she is hard to pin down.
An episode-by-episode analysis of season 3 of The Crown TV series, explaining what really happened and what didn't.
Greta Garbo's enduring legend derives from her incandescent performances as a woman in love in such classics as Camille, Queen Christina and Grand Hotel.
Alice
- 512 pages
- 18 hours of reading
Spanning two ages, the turbulent and tragic life of one princess is irrevocably linked with the history of 20th century Europe. "Alice" is the story of Great Britain's Princess Alice, who married Prince Andrew of Greece in 1903, and led a life overshadowed by wars, revolutions, and periods of exile. Two 8-page photo inserts.
