Diana: An Extraordinary Life (Diana Princess of Wales)

Customer Reviews:

amazing.......2001-01-30

This is truly a wonderful book about the late Princess of Wales. I was amazed by the sheer volume and substance it contains. The pages are filled with beautiful color photos, illustrations and stories about Diana - from her childhood, her marriage to Charles and her final but brief happiness which ended in tragedy.

The book has a remarkable slide show of Diana's fashion style, secrets of the designers who inspired her gowns, day wear, casual wear, hats, hairstyles - even jewelries.

You would also find in each chapter sidebars about Royal facts, historical events and headlines happening around the world during certain periods of time.

A fascinating read.

Average customer rating:

Good Book and glad that I read it

great book!

LOVES IT!!

Readable Despite Its Extreme Faults

I can't believe all the negatives on this book

The First Princess of Wales: A Novel
Karen Harper
Manufacturer: Three Rivers Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0307237915
Release Date: 2006-12-26

Book Description

The daughter of a disgraced earl, she matched wits with a prince.

It is the fourteenth century, the height of the Medieval Age, and at the court of King Edward III of England, chivalry is loudly praised while treachery runs rampant. When the lovely and high-spirited Joan of Kent is sent to this politically charged court, she is woefully unprepared for the underhanded maneuverings of her peers.

Determined to increase the breadth of his rule, the king will use any means necessary to gain control of France—including manipulating his own son, Edward, Prince of Wales. Joan plots to become involved with the prince to scandalize the royal family, for she has learned they engineered her father’s downfall and death. But what begins as a calculated strategy soon—to Joan’s surprise—grows into love. When Joan learns that Edward returns her feelings, she is soon fighting her own, for how can she love the man that ruined her family? And, if she does, what will be the cost?

Filled with scandal, court intrigue, and prominent figures of the Medieval Age, The First Princess of Wales has at its center a wonderful love story, which is all the more remarkable because it is true. Karen Harper’s compelling, fast-paced novel tells the riveting tale of an innocent girl who marries a prince and gives birth to a king.

Customer Reviews:

Good Book and glad that I read it.......2007-08-15

I picked this up not knowing what to expect and found that I liked it a lot. In fact, it only me a day and a half to get through the whole thing.

I found it to be informative and fun. It has inspired me to find out more about Joan of Kent and that whole time period. I hope that others read it and give it a chance. I think that you'll like what you find.

Now to find her other books and hope that they are as good.

great book!.......2007-06-23

I recieved this book as a birthday gift, and was quite amazed that it turned out to be a book I would have picked myself! Aside from one war scene that was a bit boring for me, the rest of the book was really intruiging, and kept me reading on. There are some parts in the book, that as a women makes you cringe...but unlike the previous reviews, I don't think that it was all intended to be romantic. I had no idea it was even listed under romance. It more came across to me as being a historical fiction, and along with that also comes how women were treated during that time..which wasn't always the best. I would definitely recommend this book, but be prepared for some harsh parts.

LOVES IT!!.......2007-03-29

Harper has an incredible nac for writing and her words flow smoothly throughout the book. She is well researched, her plot is well planned and put together, her characters are well made and dynamic, the sexual tension is off the charts, and she manages to grab hold of the reader's emotions. I literally could not put the book down, so wonderful it was. It is definitely among my top five books of all time, and I have absolutely NO bad thing to say about the writing. Many times I felt like crying for the heroine or hero and the action never stops, moving the reader from page after page to see what happens next. I am sure that I will enjoy this book many, many times more. Absolutely GREAT reading... not your regular run-of-the-mill, sappy love story... the sweetness of their love is made more sweet by the bitterness of the trials and tribulations they must endure for years before they are finally united in holy matrimony. READ IT!

Readable Despite Its Extreme Faults.......2007-03-11

Aside from the shallow, fatuous characterizations, the gratuitous borderline-rape sex scenes, the anachronistic dialogue, and the utter lack of historical verity it was not a bad read. If you are looking for a realistic depiction of Joan of Kent or fourteenth century England, you will be sorely disapointed.

Ms. Harper was unable to even accurately portray Joan's honours and dignities, refering to her as the "Duchess of Kent" and stating that her husband, Thomas Holland, did not assume the titles by her right. The Holland-Salisbury case and the consequeseces of the death of Edmund of Woodstock are grossly distorted. The historical continuity is preposterously inaccurate, as are the names and relative ages of Joan's siblings and children.

As for the unwarranted copulation and the vapid, desultory female characters, anyone who has previously read Ms. Harper's work will not be surprised. Despite all of these severe flaws, I found this book easy to read and not unenjoyable. Consider it as a beach read or on a commute.

I can't believe all the negatives on this book.......2007-02-14

So what that some of the ages of the major characters don't add up. The love story is true and the author's creation of Joan's and Prince Edward's characters and relationship with each other is very believable. Prince Edward was arrogant and self assured just as a prince in his time should be. What woman wouldn't enjoy the attention, desire, and eventually, the love of a most beloved prince. I have to warn those fans of true historical novels, such as those of Sharon Kay Penman, that this is more of a romance novel. But, it is still a fun read.

Average customer rating:

Absolutely the best
Once Again, From Paul Burrell With Love & Remembrance
Boring Royal BETRAYAL of a Friend
Prince Burrell
Beautiful book of friendship

The Way We Were: Remembering Diana
Paul Burrell
Manufacturer: William Morrow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0061138959
Release Date: 2006-09-12

Book Description

Paul Burrell served Diana, Princess of Wales, as her faithful butler from 1987 until her death in 1997. He was much more than an employee: he was her right-hand man, confidant and friend. She described him as 'the only man she ever trusted.'

As the world prepares for the official inquest into her death, The Way We Were marks an intense period of reflection by ensuring the spirit, warmth and character of the person at the centre of proceedings is not lost or obscured.

In this remarkable and intimate book, Paul Burrell opens the door to Kensington Palace to provide a unique, visual tour. With previously unseen interior photographs, the reader is led inside the world of Princess Diana—room-by-room, memory-by-memory.

He paints a faithful and poignant tribute in remembrance of 'the boss' as the person who shared her private world and knew her best. In this fascinating new account, he allows the reader to feel 'at home with Diana', sharing her inner-most feelings, hopes and philosophies that teach us more about her mind and the way she thought.

We learn of her amusing Hollywood relationships, the true depth of her happiness with 'The One'; the amazing story that illustrates her compassion; her sisterhood with Sarah Ferguson—and the desperate attempts to heal their rift; and a never-before-told account that provides new evidence about the real nature of her relationship with Dodi Al Fayed.

There are also rare photographs of the jewels Diana wore and treasured as Paul Burrell celebrates her style and fashion.

The Way We Were reflects, remembers and celebrates the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and captures her vivacity and love of life as we move towards the tenth anniversary of her death in 2007.

In his twenty-one years of royal duty, Paul Burrell first served Her Majesty the Queen as personal footman from 1976 to 1987 when he moved to Highgrove to become butler to the Prince and Princess of Wales. It was in 1992, following the couple's separation, that he moved to Kensington palace at the personal request of Princess Diana.

Following her death, he was honoured by the Queen with the Royal Victorian Medal for his loyalty and service to Diana, Princess of Wales. He then spearheaded a fundraising campaign for her official memorial fund that raised £100 million.

Since then, Paul has become a bestselling author and television personality. His earlier book, A Royal Duty, sold two million copies worldwide and was a number one New York Times bestseller.

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely the best.......2007-09-07

The author deserves to be knighted for his contribution to the public in writing this book.
He is the only person who can be trusted to write truthfully and respectfully about Princess Diana. The book is poignant and I cried buckets of tears through every chapter. However, I found it to be emotionally healing and therapeutic too. If you loved Princess Diana and want to find some closure after the tragedy of her death, this book is a must.

Once Again, From Paul Burrell With Love & Remembrance.......2007-08-07

No one knew the multi-faceted Diana, Princess of Wales like Paul Burrell did. Once again he evokes her memory and captures the majesty of the delicate chameleon we knew, simply and lovingly, as Diana. In a lifetime that was all too brief she accomplished what no other "Royal" has. Until the reign of Elizabeth II, no one really bothered about the monarchy. We came into the age of television and reached toward the age of technology as Elizabeth II was crowned and reached toward her reign as Queen in an age of enlightenment. I am quite certain she could never foresee the likelihood of a modern day Princess reaching out to the people in the way H.R.H. Diana extended herself and touched those she would never know or may never see again. The Monarchy seemed to be hidden behind palace doors, but not Diana...never Diana. The Queen has possession and guardianship of the crown jewels during her reign. The brightest of those was one she could never possess or pass on. The most brilliant and brightest star was Diana, the "Queen of Hearts" and the "People's Princess" who served her people by being out among them and giving of herself to them whenever and wherever she could. The charity in her heart was endless as she was tireless in her contribution to those who suffered. The Queen always thought she knew her people well. The death of Diana proved that to be a total misconception. It is my belief that since the British people had been exposed to another way of being and another way of doing things, they weren't going back to a time when things happened around them. It is also my belief that the next reign will take a lesson from Diana's ways and rule with true spirit, openess and generosity of heart. Thank you Paul, for another glimpse into your world with Diana!

Boring Royal BETRAYAL of a Friend.......2007-06-05

It's quite one thing to write a book about someone you have worked for, stood by, witnessed emotional sorrow and struggles, and quite another matter to spew out yet more "trusted confidences" about someone when you KNOW this book NEVER would have been written if Diana were still alive.

Why write about PRIVATE matters and reveal them? It is so glaringly obvious that this book represents a strong and eroding character of someone Diana confided in. And now speaking events to tell us either more of what we already know or what deserves to remain private - if anything out of dignity.

I HIGHLY recommend the DVD "NBC News Presents: Diana Revealed, The Princess No One Knew" INSTEAD of this meaningless mess of text. The DVD will let you know how DIANA felt from DIANA'S MOUTH - and she shares so humbly and honestly.

I feel sorry most for William and Harry. If you want to pay tribute to DIANA - a rare and precious soul, do so at least in a manner that SHE would want her sons to see.
NBC News Presents: Diana Revealed, The Princess No One Knew

Prince Burrell.......2007-06-03

I came to this book with an open mind as i was in the States or abroad while all the Diana intrigue was going on and i don't read magazines.I'm from London.Facinating-so it says the Queen had a nanny who later behaved like an imperious queen because she had so many confidences from thee Queen and the royal house-hold tip-toed around her or it was 'off with their heads'and she drank champagne ONLY of it was served on a platter.Then,in another book on Diana,it says Charles's butler used to have his music blaring from the floor below the Queen mother's at Balmoral.My point is when servants get all the close confidences of their royal masters/mistresses it makes them feel personally royal too.A huge promotion considering they started off their careers as brown-nosers.So reading this book i couldn't help feeling the same thing had happened to Mr Burrell and it would count as a drop in prestige to mention anything untoward about Diana.The ego shining through this book was my constant companion so i read it like an article in a woman's magazine...

Beautiful book of friendship.......2007-05-12

This book tells of a beautiful friendship, loyalty, caring and trust.
Paul couldn't of told it any better.

To bad this is his last book, but truly understand why.

The Bodyguard's Story: Diana, the Crash, and the Sole Survivor

Average customer rating:

A book to end the conspiracy theories?
A true account of what happened
From the source
An Indepth View of a Royal Tragedy
Basically a waste of time..................

The Bodyguard's Story: Diana, the Crash, and the Sole Survivor
Trevor Rees-Jones , and Moira Johnston
Manufacturer: Grand Central Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0446527750

Book Description

"Where were you when Diana died?For Trevor Rees-Jones, the answer is simple: he was in the same hospital as Diana, fighting for his own life a few rooms away.As bodyguard to her companion Dodi Fayed, he was with the couple when, hounded by paparazzi, and with a driver who turned out to be drunk, their Mercedes crashed into the thirteenth pillar of the tunnel under the Place de l'Alma in Paris.Dodi and the Driver, Henri Paul, died instantaneously, medics say; Diana was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors worked feverishly to resuscitate her before giving up in the early hours of Sunday morning.Miraculously, Trevor survived.But his condition was critical--internal chest injuries and a broken wrist were the least of it.His head had taken the brunt of the impact and suffered catastrophic damage; his face was crushed beyond recognition.In a stunning medical drama, however, a facial surgeon performed a miracle of reconstruction, and--along with Trevor's own indomitable will and the support of his family and friends--the bodyguard was able to leave the hospital after just over a month.His goal then was straightforward: to return to a normal life as soon as possible, go back to work for his employer, Mohamed Al Fayed, and to the simple pleasures of rugby and his mates at home in Shropshire.But the crash that nearly killed him had killed Diana, Princess of Wales, one of the most famous women of the late twentieth century.A normal life was no longer an option.An as Mohamed Al Fayed's grief at the loss of his son quickly turned into a desperate hunt for reasons, for culprits and conspiracy, Trevor found his unswerving loyalty to the Boss at first questioned and then, ultimately, destroyed, as Fayed pointed the finger of blame at him.The Bodyguard's Story grippingly describes, for the first time, Trevor Rees-Jones's part in these astonishing events.From the prelude to Paris, when Trevor found himself minding the Princess and her two sons in the south of France, to the crash itself and its causes and consequences, this book reveals the true, first-hand account of one of the most sensational news stories of the last century.Compelling, alarming and yet deeply moving, it is a remarkable story of courage under fire, and of how ordinary people can react to extraordinary circumstances and survive, scarred, but with their souls and values intact."

Customer Reviews:

A book to end the conspiracy theories?.......2007-04-22

'The Bodyguard's Story' is ghost written and very readable. It has the intimacy if a biography, a pace befitting the events, and the readable style of novel. Recommended to anyone for a good read, 'The Bodyguard's Story' essential reading for those interested in the events of Diana's death.

As the sole survivor of the crash, the bodyguard's story should be the book to end the conspiracy theories. Its doesn't. First because of the inevitable pre-shock amnesia endured by all crash victims, especially a victim who injuries were so horrific as to bring him close to death. The Bodyguard's Story leaves gaps. Gaps left by the investigation, such as the existence of the Fiat Panda. However 'The Bodyguard's Story' does cover the exhaustive French investigation and accounts for the long period between crash and arrival at hospital for both Diana and 'her' bodyguard.

The book does reveal one fact that is not commonly perceived. The Body guard was not Diana's but for Dodi Al Fayed as employed by his father Mohamed Al Fayed. Diana had no body guard that day.

'The Bodyguard's Story' paints a picture of incompetent security and security officers as worried about instant dismissal by a dictatorial boss, Al Fayed, as they were for the security of their charges. The bodyguard's enduring loyalty to his 'Boss', Al Fayed, leaves a open the possibility, may even appear to suggest, that there were other reasons for the employee's amnesia. The book begs the question as to why Diana put herself at such risk, in the hands of a person known to be at odds with the British government and in a relationship which was bound to be of concern to all.

An intriguing and well written read.

A true account of what happened.......2004-08-08

There is only one person that knows what actually happened before, during and after the horrific accident that left most of the world in shock and disbelief and that is Trevor Rees-Jones.

This was a fascinating look "behind the scenes" of a royal and much beloved figure and a very foolish "commoner". The fault of this accident seems to rest with Dodi making a bunch of unwise decisions that ultimately led to 3 people losing their lives.

A fascinating read, albeit a bit slow in some chapters, but fascinating none the less!

From the source.......2004-01-14

I have always wondered what kind of a person Trevor Rees-Jones was and his book gave an in-depth view of him, personally and professionally . . . in his own words.

The saying goes that "truth is stranger than fiction." The truth is also less sensational and colorful than the portrait painted by tabloid hacks and unethical "journalists" the world over.

From the start, I didn't think Trevor was trying to cash in on his time with Diana, Princess of Wales. In the foreward, he stated that writing the book (author Moira Johnston helped him write it) was his way of dealing with the situation and moving on with his life.

Trevor is an ordinary guy who had a very high profile job. It was because of circumstances on the job (that lead to what Trevor called "an industrial accident") and the fact that he was in a car with the world's most famous woman that has put him center stage for the rest of his life.

I felt sorry for the entire Rees-Jones family as diary entry after another explained the turmoil going on inside each of them: His mother and stepfather's struggle to getting Trevor on the road to recovery, the whole family having to deal with the intense media pressure, having Trevor's professionalism called into question by so-called experts (that, in his own words, were not at the Ritz nor in the car), Trevor's having to cope with the fact that he was the only survivor, the family's having to deal with the first overprotective and subsequently vicious hand of Mohammed Al Fayed. The list goes on.

I did get mad at, but then later understood, Trevor's wanting to keep his job with Al Fayed. He was the textbook case example of a loyal employee. Unfortunately, Mohammed Al Fayed was (and still is) so hung up on his conspiracy theories that he thought Trevor was lying to him about how much he remembered of the accident. It was only when he (Al Fayed) was more forthright in wanting to take complete control of the investigation that Trevor had finally had enough and quit (his good friend, Kez, would also quit about two years after the crash for the same reason: He told Al Fayed to his face that he thought his theories were rubbish).

I give Trevor and his family (his real last name is just Rees but he changed HIS name to Rees-Jones because he was so in love with his now ex-wife Sue Jones) MUCH credit for coming through such a trying time in their lives not only intact but stronger than ever. They did not let any of the media attention go to their heads (even as Trevor's so-called friends and even Sue were selling themselves to the highest bidder in the media). They remained true small town folks to the end (and Trevor was even able to play his beloved rugby not a year after the crash).

Some folks may find this book boring as Trevor is a very down-to-earth chap who just shoots straight from the hip. He doesn't trump up the facts (or make things up entirely as the media decided to do time and again while Trevor refused to give interviews). He presents Diana in a very positive light and tells the unexciting truth about the goings on of the case and behind the scenes shananigans of one Mohammed Al Fayed.

Highly recommended (if you can still get it) for a first hand account of wha it's like on the other side of the camera and news reports.

An Indepth View of a Royal Tragedy.......2003-08-11

Although somewhat hard to follow ; this is a book definitely worth reading.An indepth look , from the only survivor of a car crash that changed history!What could be more exciting.Somewhat rough around the edges;but ,nevertheless honest and telling Never knowing how these fateful events would unfold as they left the Ritz with Dodi Fayed and Princess Diana , Trevor
and Kez only knew that they were between a rock and a hard place.You don't disrespect the Boss's son when he's entertaining a Princess .It wouldn't be the first time Dodi's last minute change of plans surprised the bodyguards .At the recent screening of "Air Force One" Dodi had seated Diana in Trevors' usual seat by the door.Trevor nearly landed in Diana's lap.That same evening on route to the theatre with the Princess,Trevor had shown professionalism in eluding the paparazzi - so why the change in plans at the Ritz? Dodi's former girlfriend ,Kelly Fisher testified that Dodi was a "real dictator to Trevor".It was apparent that Dodi began to mistrust those around him ; and he just may have tried to impress the Princess with Henri Paul ; someone he knew he could trust. Trevor should have been compensated handsomely for his injuries.Money and justice just don't seem to mix .

Basically a waste of time.........................2003-01-23

For those that were truly fans of Diana, this book does nothing. I am not, but still can respect a well written story which this book is definitely not. All it does do, is give some slight info to the curious of what took place a few months prior to her death. As far as any real insight into her life, personality, accident and all the miscellanoeus issues surrounding it, this book just touches the surface. Nothing gained or lost here except a little bit of time in the reading.

Average customer rating:

Soap Dish in bounded form?
Wonderful Diana Analysis
The Diana Chronicles
Somewhat trashy, but fun to read
a huge disappointment

The Diana Chronicles
Tina Brown
Manufacturer: Doubleday
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0385517084
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Book Description

"Intensely well researched and an un-put-down-able read, Tina Brown's extraordinary book parts the brocaded velvet and allows us an unprecedented look at the world and mind of the most famous person on the planet. A social commentary, a historical document and a psychological examination, written by a superb investigative journalist."

–Academy Award® Winning Actress Helen Mirren

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; 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 herself.

In The Diana Chronicles, you will meet a formidable female cast and understand as never before the society that shaped them: Diana's sexually charged mother, her scheming grandmother, the stepmother she hated but finally came to terms with, and bad-girl Fergie, her sister-in-law, who concealed wounds of her own. Most formidable of them all was her mother-in-law, the Queen, whose admiration Diana sought till the day she died. 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.

Customer Reviews:

Soap Dish in bounded form?.......2007-10-15

Tina Brown certainly researched her subjects which I commend but intertwined it with petty gossip. She minimizes her credibility, the strength of the facts while it seems garnering the future HRH's favors when she uses most opportunities to "dish" Diana. Ms. Brown often ignores the impact of Diana the child bride and her not having an opportunity to mature as a women. Diana was outwitted and outmatched by much older adults. Unfortunately Ms. Brown has fallen into the common trap so many authors do--the inability to leave ther personal biases out of the work. I couldn't finish reading this book, but then again I don't read the National Enquirer in America or Tattler when in London either.

Wonderful Diana Analysis.......2007-10-15

I found this book to be extremely well-researched and written. The author presented some facts from unusual sources that I had not known before, and I am a well versed "student" of Princess Diana. Tina Brown could have been an analyst was she not an author. Her dissecting of the facts and the conclusions she forms are spot on. This book takes a while to get through, simply because of its length. It was quite an undertaking on the author's part, and I believe she deserves credit for presenting an in-depth look at Diana's personality and life in general. A highly recommended read.

The Diana Chronicles.......2007-10-05

It was a very informative book. I learned so much of what the Royals were truly like.

Somewhat trashy, but fun to read.......2007-10-04

When Princess Diana was alive, I never followed her activities
that closely . . . so listening to THE DIANA CHRONICLES, written
and read by Tina Brown, shed much new light on her life that may
well have been familiar to others.

A lot of this information might be considered trashy, though that's no
surprise since Brown had been a former editor-in-chief of TATTLER,
England's glossiest gossip magazine . . . for instance, I learned
such things as the following:

* On his engagement, when asked if he was in love, Prince Charles
replied, "Yes . . . whatever love means."

* Diana had seen Charles only 17 times before they were married.

* Charles was calling Camilia Parker Bowles, his former girlfriend,
on the second day of his honeymoon.

I also learned much about the clothing worn by Princess Diana,
and though that subject might not typically interest me, I found
myself caught up in it because of Brown's descriptive writing style.

a huge disappointment.......2007-10-04

I was really excited to get this book and learn more about Princess Di. I hated this book. It was more of a gossip of Diana and her family. This was very poorly written, and a horrible read. DO NOT BUY IT!!! If you are dying to buy and read, buy mine. I'm selling it on amazon.

Average customer rating:

The best biography of Diana I've read!
Bradford's Diana Too Long Without Being Vital
Very truthful of both sides of the Princess / Prince of Wales
Much, much better than expected!
She Won't Go Quietly

Diana
Sarah Bradford
Manufacturer: Viking Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0670038075

Book Description

From The New York Times bestselling author of America's Queen—the definitive biography of Diana, Princess of Wales

Diana, Princess of Wales, is nothing less than an icon, remembered in death as vividly as she appeared in life. Yet throughout her brief life, Diana was plagued by rumor, innuendo, and scandal. With exclusive access to those closest to Diana, Sarah Bradford now casts aside the gossip and lies and takes us to the very heart of the royal family to separate the myth from the truth of the Diana years.

Diana follows the old-fashioned courtship that saw her captivate the Prince of Wales; the transformation of an unworldly teenager into an emotionally demanding, but adoring, wife and mother; the damage caused by the ever-present specter of Camilla Parker Bowles; and the eventual collapse of a doomed marriage once hailed as the ultimate fairy tale. Bradford examines Diana's lovers and her relationships with her staff, friends, and family, as well as her children, husband, and the royal family. She also charts Diana's profound commitment to her charities and her rare connection to and empathy with all those she met; the struggle to find an identity after the separation from Charles; and the final, complicated year as a single woman.

With the authority missing from all previous accounts, as well as remarkable new sources and firsthand accounts, acclaimed royal biographer Sarah Bradford delivers a complex and explosive study of one of the most popular figures of the twentieth century.

Customer Reviews:

The best biography of Diana I've read!.......2007-09-22

I've read many biographies of Diana written by the usual suspects and wasn't going to read this one. It was recommended to me by a friend and I'm so glad I bought it.

It is a very well written biography by an author who obviously knows her craft. She touches on some events that are well known, but treats them in a different way---crisply and to the point. I'm learning some new things, too.

I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a good book about a subject that seems will never be over.

Bradford's Diana Too Long Without Being Vital .......2007-08-28

Ms. Bradford is a celebrity biographer! She certainly did not bring anything memorable to the enigmatical Princess but she dragged it out forever. As Americans, we know little of the British system of royalty or those priveleged to be titled. I'm not certain that dragging every name and title connected with the late Princess brought anything at all interesting to this writing but it certainly filled pages with useless information. The only fact that was of any interest to me was that Diana Spencer's English lineage is absolute while that of Prince Charles is notably flawed! Diana's ideas concerning Prince William's elevation to King in place of Prince Charles has much value to the British people if the sequence of events reveal themselves to be in the best interests of the Monarchy. Diana would have liked William to be 'a very English King' who brings the Monarchy into the 21st century with she taking on the role of Queen Mother and aiding him in this huge endeavor. The Princess wished William and Harry to be a part of comtemporary English life by knowing his people and not reigning from afar in isolation. She wished him to be a democratic King to the people he would rule and to the extent that she was able, already had William and Harry on the road to that end. After reading almost 400 pages of information, this was the only enlightenment I came away with. I much preferred the biogaphy written by Paul Burrell to this one although the comparison is, more or less, one of apples to oranges.

Very truthful of both sides of the Princess / Prince of Wales.......2007-06-03

I received this as a Christmas present from a co-worker who knew I was a Diana fan. The book is a very truthful look at Diana - her growing up years, meeting Prince Charles, the engagement, marriage, her growing up years in the marriage, her pettiness & Charles' pettiness, her various loves --- the book not only interviewed people who knew her well, it also uses information obtained from the other author's books involving Princess Diana. I'm a die hard fan and still am even after reading the book - but I can now see how much energy was wasted on revenge, schemes, etc. between Diana, Charles, other men Diana was involved with. I know what it's like to be in a marriage where the love no longer exists -- but I don't know if the love was ever there concerning Charles with Diana. His energy, mind, and focus were not on Diana. She went from being the naive girl to the mature woman - and she realized more and more how she had been used by not only the Royal family but by those people who surround and support the Royal family (some even members of her own family). Everyone seemed to gain something from the union ---- more than Diana ever could. Once she fulfilled the goal of an heir - the relationship's importance lost its glow in Charles' case. It's a read in reality but didn't make me love her any less. I do recommend the book to Diana fans. She was human, she felt the same feeling all women feel, she loved her boys, she loved people, she did her damnedest to achieve her best in the world, she attempted to put a spot light on those much less fortunate then herself and made sure her boys were aware of those realities too. I greatly admire her efforts, her beauty, her love of life, and her love of her children. I will never forget her.

Much, much better than expected!.......2006-12-03

To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to reading this book. I thought it might be a too-glowing portrait, "poor beautiful doomed Diana that everyone had it in for", but to my great surprise and pleasure, this biography is insightful; sympathetic without being too overly favorable toward Diana's faults (her dark side is explored in detail) and really spot-on as regards the characters of all the people who surrounded Diana:
Prince Charles; her parents, sisters, brother; Sarah Ferguson, Paul Burrell, et al. Very full, rich portrait, very enjoyable reading (despite some odd turns of phrase that the editor should have caught)...This biography of Diana, and the one by Sally Bedell-Smith, are THE ones to read for a full portrait of the late, lamented Princess of Wales. Well done!

She Won't Go Quietly.......2006-12-01

This may be the best, most comprehensive book on Diana yet. I've read many biographies about the late Princess and this is the first to project a balanced portrait. There's plenty of blame to go around in the failed marriage of the Prince and Princess - his selfishness, her neediness, and of course the Camilla problem.
The sections on her early childhood give an insight into her damaged psyche. It may be the first book to fully discuss the Oliver Hoare affair and those dreadful prank phone calls.
I agree with other reviewers that there are a few errors - including the assertion that Prince William fractured his skull by being hit with a golf ball - I believe it was a golf club.
All in all I'm very pleased with this book and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in Diana's life.

Diana Princess of Wales by Mario Testino at Kensington Palace: Princess of Wales

Average customer rating:

Don't waste your $$
The way Diana was never seen before
A must have for Diana book collectors
Absolutely a must for a Diana fan.
Okay.

Diana Princess of Wales by Mario Testino at Kensington Palace: Princess of Wales

Manufacturer: Taschen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 3822849308

Book Description

Diana, Princess of Wales at her most beautiful: the last portrait session by Mario Testino. Just five months before her tragic death in August 1997, Princess Diana was photographed by Mario Testino for Vanity Fair. Diana, Princess of Wales by Mario Testino at Kensington Palace brings together the most beautiful images from this last portrait sitting, displaying Diana in a state of relaxation and intimacy unlike any other. The selection of about seventy photographs includes many unseen images which, alongside previously published images, fill in the untold story of the shoot. Features include * Foreword by Graydon Carter, editor of Vanity Fair * Introduction by Meredith Etherington-Smith, who played a major role in arranging the sitting in 1997 * Interview with Mario Testino conducted by Hamish Bowles

Customer Reviews:

Don't waste your $$.......2007-08-20

AWFUL! Only a few photos, repeated several times, most were out of focus. Would never have purchased if I could have looked inside. I guess that's why it was wrapped in plastic in a local bookstore.

The way Diana was never seen before.......2007-07-06

Although you can buy plenty of other books with photos of Diana, Testino photographed her like no one else. She looks casual, relaxed and happy in these photos. Diana does not look at all "glammed" up with excessive makeup and hair styling. The way you would see her at home, inspite of the gowns she wears in these photos. Testino captured a Diana that was probably only seen by family and friends, and in these shots he shared that Diana with the rest of the world.

A must have for Diana book collectors.......2007-02-24

I absolutely love the pictures of Diana in this book. I have been collecting Diana books for years and this is one of my all-time favorites.

Absolutely a must for a Diana fan. .......2007-01-16

This book is simply beautiful. It follows the photo shoot of Mario Testino's famous black and white photos of Diana. There is not a whole lot of text, simply beautiful photos. In fact, I wish they had lithographs of photos to purchase. Great book, a must have for the serious Diana fan.

Okay........2007-01-04

Though the pictures were beautiful and different from any other pictures we've seen of Diana, I didn't care for the style. Some were a little fuzzy and almost too casual. It seems like everyone was trying just a little hard to do something "different." It would be almost impossible to take a bad picture of her and I've read that she was pleased with the pictures. I wish there had been more text. This book just didn't click for me.

Debrett's Illustrated Fashion Guide: The Princess of Wales

Average customer rating:

Great timeline photos

Debrett's Illustrated Fashion Guide: The Princess of Wales
Jayne Fincher , and Terry Fincher
Manufacturer: Viking Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Textile & Costume | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0863502350

Customer Reviews:

Great timeline photos.......1998-01-24

I have this book, and at the time of its publication was very timely in its documentary of the Princesses' dress. Of course, since its publication, Princess Diana's fashion look changed even more. However, for great color photos and wonderful reminders of the Princess, it makes for great memoriabilia.

Average customer rating:

Canonization Effort Falls Short
Some new, some old.
A tasteful and riveting account...
An engrossing account
Enjoyable Book

The Day Diana Died
Christopher Andersen
Manufacturer: William Morrow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0688160824
Release Date: 1998-08-12

Amazon.com

A year after Princess Diana's tragic death in 1997, shocking revelations about her passing have surfaced via eyewitness testimony. From the nurse who covered her naked, lifeless body and who answered the queen's immediate query of "where are the jewels?" to the off-duty paramedic who held Diana's head in his hands, The Day Diana Died leaves no sacred rock unturned. What was the expression on Prince Charles's face when he saw Diana's mutilated body? How did Prince William and Harry react when they first heard the devastating news? Was there cocaine in the Mercedes? Inquiring minds want to know, and Christopher Andersen serves up a hefty portion of hearsay for those with an insatiable Diana appetite. Not meant for individuals with delicate sensibilities, this collage of reliable, low-profile sources covers everything from the measurements of Diana and Dodi's wounds to Camilla Parker-Bowles's two cents on her rival's death. In other words, if People magazine were to offer a class about the late princess, The Day Diana Died would be required reading. --Rebekah Warren

Book Description

Where were you the day Diana died? Like the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the tragic death of the Princess of Wales on August 31, 1997 is one of those defining benchmarks in history -- an event that touched each of us so profoundly, we will never forget the moment we heard the news. A full year after the Paris car crash that ended Diana's life at age thirty-six, millions around the world remain in shock. Over the sixteen years since her storybook wedding to Prince Charles, she had evolved from "Shy Di" into the planet's most photographed, written about, and talked about woman -- indeed, the most famous person in the world.

For all Diana's global fame, much of the human drama that swirled around her death remains veiled in mystery and intrigue. Now, in the manner of his headline-making Kennedy biographies Jack and Jackie and Jackie After Jack, Christopher Andersen draws on important sources -- many of whom have agreed to speak here for the first time -- to re-create in vivid and often startling detail the events leading up to that fateful night in Paris. Diana was, in every sense of the word, larger than life -- a force of nature that, as the Royal Family learned, could be neither dismissed nor ignored. A bittersweet saga of triumph, love, and loss, The Day Diana Died captures those last days when Diana's star never shone brighter -- and evokes the beauty, grace, heartache, and compassion that made Diana one of the most compelling figures of our time.

Customer Reviews:

Canonization Effort Falls Short.......2005-02-26

The book has a gossipy tone, and it portrays Queen Elizabeth II in an extremely poor light. For example, the author makes a big deal over the flagpole at Buckingham Palace and the Queen's alleged initial refusal to fly the flag at half mast. That flagpole is for the Royal Standard. When the Queen is home, the Royal Standard (not the Union Jack) flies full. When the Queen is not home, the flagpole has nothing on it. Merely following that tradition is not a sign of disrespect, except in the minds of people who are not knowledgeable.

The book describes Diana and Mother Theresa as "two humanitarians." Give me a break. Mother Theresa did far more for the poor in a day than Diana did in her whole life. Shaking hands with an AIDS patient (as a lawyer meeting clients, I have done that lots of time) or spouting the liberal view on land mines does not qualify a person as "humanitarian." It is a genuine shame that Mother Theresa, after a lifetime of dedicated service to the poor, had the misfortune to die in the same week as Diana, and, as a result, be virtually ignored.

Some new, some old........2004-12-08

"No single event in history had ever been witnessed by so many people at one time. Across the globe, an audience of more than 2.5 billion watched the solemn progress of Diana's cortege through the silent streets of London and the funeral service at Westminster Abbey."

This aspect gives the book a little gravitas -- the sheer impact of her fame and her death's interplay with her influence worldwide. This book was a fast read (2 days). The real value of the book comes, I think, from Andersen's reportage of the details in the opening of the book of what happened in the hospital in Paris right after she died: how Prince Charles reacted to viewing her body, how no one could find any clothes to put on her (since her pants and top had been cut off her in the ambulance and Mohammad Al Fayed had had all of her things immediately removed from Dodi's Paris apartment) so in the coffin on the way back to England she wore a dress from the British Ambassador's wife's closet, how the hospital had taken privacy precautions against the press, etc. The second part of the book that is interesting here distinctly is the last section, which dissects the events leading up to the crash (the driver Henri Paul's drinking problem and psychological state), the explication of exactly how the crash happened, who came on the scene first, how Diana was treated at the scene, her injuries, what she may have said (according to Andersen, her last intelligible words were, "Oh, God, what's happened?"), and how a variety of interplaying factors led to the deaths of Paul, Fayed and Diana. For example, if she had been wearing her seatbelt, which she almost always did, she probably would have walked away from the accident, and how, ironically, of all the people who got in the car that night, she was probably best qualified to drive it. This section and the first seem to contain the real reportage of the book.

The middle section about her life appears to have a lot of recycled material in it, that if you've followed Diana stories and books, you've probably read this before (and to be fair, this may be just because I've read this six years after its publication). Morton's earlier Diana: Her True Story is quoted along with other somewhat accepted sources on the subject of her life. There are some tidbits, such as the assertion that Diana was set to star in a second Bodyguard movie with Kevin Costner, and that whilst Dodi was preparing to propose to her, no one who knew her well believed she would have accepted. While Andersen seems pretty objective in not portraying the princess as a saint, noting that she cut people out of her life when they said something to her she didn't want to hear, he does leave out of his book some well-traveled stories that paint her in a bad light (such as the comment she made to princes William and Harry's nanny post divorce that hinted that the nanny had had an abortion), or he glosses the negative trends in her life, living too much by (bad) instinct, her immaturity, etc.

I thought that this book was going to be more serious reportage on the accident. While it did contain that element, it was really a book about her life, with all the usual suspects included. Really, the stuff that's new here is about the day Diana died. The rest seems somewhat tired.

A tasteful and riveting account..........2003-11-04

When I first heard about this book coming out, I was afraid it would be a tasteless and exploitative piece of paparazzi trash exploiting the death of a beautiful woman. However, I was more than impressed and pleased with the way the author combines hour by hour events on the day Diana died with background on her life and relationships. Diana was one of my favorite celebrities ever, not just for her beauty and elegance but for what she survived through and the fact she was such a good mother. This book combines all of those elements and also gives us a window into what happened on the day she died. One of the only tasteful and well-written books to come out after her death...

An engrossing account.......2002-10-15

I found this book to be incredibly informative and a fascinating read, which I read almost in one sitting. Instead of the usual tawdry gossip of most Diana biographies, it describes exactly, and in fascinating detail, about the events that led up to her death, the day she died, and the ensuing mourning that followed. We are made privy to details we never knew, and they are very essential details, in my opinion.

To me, the most interesting and ironic part of this entire tragedy is that Diana lay in the hospital in Paris, dead, with nothing to wear. Prince Charles and Diana's two sisters were on their way from London, and the world's most famous and well-dressed woman literally had nothing to wear. The clothes she had been wearing when she died had been torn from her body by doctors who were attempting to revive her. Her luggage had been whisked back to London by a paranoid Mohammad Feyed. And, here was the world's most glamourous woman, at death, being forced to wear a dress donated by the wife of the English Ambassador to France. This irony is just one of many sad ironies and twists of fate in this account.

We learn of the behind-the-scenes machinations leading up to Diana's funeral, the conflict between Prince Charles and his mother, the Queen, and how Diana's boys reacted. Prince Charles is definitely painted in a much brighter light than ever before. I was absolutely fascinated by this book, and I think it is well worth reading.

Enjoyable Book.......2002-04-07

My wife first picked up this book and was giving me bits of info as she read it. Well I got interested in the details so I read it after she completed it. I would never have bought this book on my own but I must say that I really enjoyed it. I think because there was so much news coverage that I really liked learning more of the details that did not always come out in the coverage. My wife said that there was not too much new in this book, but for me there really was, as I have not followed the story as closely as my wife. What you have here is all the facts put together in one book that is an easy to read review. I would recommend it if you are interested in the topic.

Average customer rating:

Nice Bio for kids
Pictures of Diana
EXCELLENT DIANA BOOK FOR EVERYONE
History will long tell the tale of Diana

Princess Diana (DK Biography)
DK Publishing
Manufacturer: DK CHILDREN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0756616131

Book Description

Perfect for book reports or summer reading, DK's acclaimed Biography series tackles two of history's most inspiring and colorful figures: Princess Diana and Eleanor Roosevelt.

Customer Reviews:

Nice Bio for kids.......2007-01-16

This book was smaller than I expected because DK Publishing tend to have oversized books with wonderful pictures and information. The book itself is okay,but I was hoping for a lot more considering it was from DK Publishing. I expected a nice glossy book with photos and specific descriptions for each. I got a nice little bio with very few photos, and great vocabulary. Nice but expected more.

Pictures of Diana.......2006-11-03

Geared to a youthful audience, intresting, great pictures. I enjoyed it a great deal!

EXCELLENT DIANA BOOK FOR EVERYONE .......2006-07-25

THIS BOOK IS AN EXCELLENT ONE FOR DIANA-PHILES OR ONE JUST WANTING TO READ AN OVERVIEW OF HER LIFE. I NOTICED IT WAS GEARED TOWARDS YOUNG ADULTS, BUT I ORDERED IT ANYWAY BECAUSE DK ALWAYS HAS THE BEST BOOKS WITH TEXT MIXED WITH EXCELLENT PHOTOS & GRAPHICS. IT DIDN'T DISAPPOINT AND FEATURED AN EARLY PHOTO I HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE. THIS BOOK IS WELL WORTH THE PRICE.

History will long tell the tale of Diana.......2006-05-11

This is a book written for young adults, but as such, it's a pretty factual tale of Diana's life. Most pages are attractively written with text intertwined with great photos. No mention of the controversary over her death is brought up but the facts, as best they were known at printing, are all included. For anyone trying to get a quick overview of this very complex woman and her extraordinary life this is the place to begin. For a serious Dianaphile it is still a good reference book.

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