The Real Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II

Summary (from the publisher): A surprising and very personal biography of a woman who may be the world's last great queen, published to coincide with the sixtieth anniversary of her reign.

Elizabeth II, one of England's longest-reigning monarchs, is an enigma. In public, she confines herself to optimistic pieties and guarded smiles; in private, she is wry, funny, and an excellent mimic. Now, for the first time, one of Britain's leading journalists and historians gets behind the mask and tells us the fascinating story of the real Elizabeth.

Born shortly before the Depression, Elizabeth grew up during World War II and became queen because of the shocking abdication of her uncle and the early death of her father. Only twenty-five when she ascended to the throne, she has been at the apex of the British state for nearly six decades. She has entertained and known numerous world leaders, including every U.S. president since Harry Truman. Brought up to regard family values as sacred, she has seen all but one of her children divorce; her heir, Prince Charles, conduct an adulterous affair before Princess Diana's death; and a steady stream of family secrets poured into the open. Yet she has never failed to carry out her duties, and she has never said a word about any of the troubles she has endured.

Andrew Marr, who enjoys extraordinary access to senior figures at Buckingham Palace, has written a revealing and essential book about a woman who has managed to remain private to the point of mystery throughout her reign.

Review: I won an Advance Reader's Copy of this book as a giveaway on goodreads. This book is a behind the scenes look at Queen Elizabeth II's life and reign. While I was disappointed that this novel focused a great deal on her political significance and public role, it's impossible to separate her as a person from her role as queen. And, seeing as she is an incredibly private person, this book could only be personal to a certain degree. That being said, I did learn more about this intriguing character and feel even greater admiration for her strength and wisdom. She manages to achieve the impossible task of being an internationally known figure and shielding her private life and opinions. I was particularly impressed to learn that, in all the years that she has been in the spotlight, there has never been a single incidence of her saying anything untoward or out of place. The Queen is a master of self control and decorum, and I am in awe of her morals and her sense of duty to what she considers her life vocation.

Since the copy I received was an ARC copy, there were some typos, which I'm sure will be corrected before the final copy is published. Additionally, it lacked the photos inserts that will be in the final copy. I sorely missed those pictures, and kept googling pictures of the royal family, especially in the first half of the book when the reign of Elizabeth's grandfather and father are discussed. The book was intriguing enough to make me as a reader seek out additional information.

The author certainly does nor present an unbiased view of the British monarchy. In particular, Marr was rather severe in his portrait of Diana, and presented a dire picture of the future of the monarchy. Marr clearly believes the value (and expense) of the monarchy will continue to be questioned with time, which is, regretably, true. However, Marr clearly holds the Queen in high esteem, and it shows in the awe-inspiring image he has created of her in this book. A very enjoyable read, especially for fans of the British royal family.

Stars: 3.5