The Queen: A Biography of Elizabeth II [Englisch] [Gebundene Ausgabe]

Elizabeth II has quietly become one of the longest-reigning monarchs in English history. Future historians will sort out her impact on British life and politics, but until then Ben Pimlott offers a good summation of her first seven decades. He succeeds in making the monarch seem like a living, breathing person, as opposed to the emotionless figure that she is sometimes made out to be in the media. And her long-lasting public life is much more eventful and interesting than it might seem at first glance. Intrusions into royal privacy, for example, are hardly an invention of the paparazzi. In addition to an interesting biography, The Queen provides a useful introduction to British politics in the second half of the 20th century.

This popular, but certainly not depthless, treatment of the life of the present British sovereign joins the ranks of several biographies of the subject already in print. But if any library collection is still in need of a well-rounded and approachable one, this is the ticket. Although never to be considered the definitive biography, Pimlott's presentation is no cut-and-paste job, not a simple rehash of tired facts and attitudes. The author, a professor at the University of London, takes his job seriously as he delves freshly into archival material, going to great lengths to separate image--often fostered by palace public relations--from reality, particularly in terms of the queen's personality. The job she has is not an easy one; her task, as the monarchy seeks a workable niche in a rapidly changing society, has been "to be ordinary and extraordinary at the same time." The author casts meaningful light on the queen's private side, especially her relationship with her husband, Prince Philip, and with her prime ministers. Brad Hooper

An intelligent, understanding, critical, if ultimately admiring study of Elizabeth II and her age, by a Whitbread Prizewinning British historian (Hugh Dalton, not reviewed). When Elizabeth was born, in 1926, there was little expectation that she would be monarch. She was the daughter of the duke of York, George V's second son. The prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) was the clear successor. The turbulent, unsettling sequence of events that led to her accession--the abdication of Edward, the heroic role played by her father (then George VI) in WW II, the storybook quality of her romance with Philip, and her coronation- -contributed to her being subject to ``adulation unparalleled since the days of Louis XIV.'' The underlying theme of this book is how this all changed, despite the remarkable job she herself has done. Pimlott carefully argues that Elizabth, who at first relied heavily on her courtiers, gradually assumed more and more control of the monarchy, becoming at last a cool, confident professional, deeply interested in politics and in her people, legendary for her energy and patience. As to the decline of interest in royalty, Pimlott suggests a number of factors having relatively little to do with the queen herself, including the antics of the younger generation of royals, the intrusiveness of the press, the decline in respect for institutions, the transfer of British interests to Europe rather than the Commonwealth. Reflecting the greater openness that now characterizes discussion of the royals, Pimlott tartly notes, for instance, that the union of Charles and Diana was ``a marriage of convenience that was disguised to everybody, including themselves, as a lovematch.'' He concludes with a paradox: ``a pilloried family, a much criticized institution, even a widely questioned role--and yet, a valued incumbent.'' He is, perhaps, exaggerating the institution's difficulties. But no one has analyzed these problems with greater acuteness or more sense. (69 b&w photos, not seen) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

There are a number of good biographies of Elizabeth II, but this one is different. Pimlott is primarily a political biographer, and while other works have focused on Elizabeth the woman, he goes further, exploring the role of the queen and how the events of the past few decades have changed it. Is the monarch just a figurehead, or are there specific governmental actions she can take? How did the royal family lose its privacy, along with much public respect? Pimlott tackles these questions and other historical, psychological, and sociological issues surrounding the queen and her family. This well-documented, compelling look at the British monarchy will be appreciated by readers seriously interested in Britain's heritage and future.?Katharine Garstka, Intergraph Corp., Huntsville, Ala.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

"There will be no better biography of Elizabeth II as a figure of state until her official one appears--and perhaps not even then."--The Independent. "One of the many merits of Ben Pimlott's superbly judicious biography of Elizabeth II is that it understands this connection between monarchy and masses, and carefully evokes its political importance."--The New York Times Book Review. "The best all-around study of the Queen so far, showing understanding as well as amused irony."--Sunday Telegraph. Written by Ben Pimlott, considered Britain's most respected political biographer, The Queen brings us the most authentic life yet of the reigning monarch. For the first time, Buckingham Place opened its doors and those closest to the queen provided compelling new information into Elizabeth's life and reign. New sources include the unpublished diaries of Jock Colville, public secretary to both Churchill and Elizabeth, as well as interviews with Princess Margaret, Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Runcie, and longtime private secretary Lord Charteris. Ben Pimlott (London, England) is a professor of politics and contemporary history at Birkbeck College, University of London. He is also the author of Hugh Dalton and Harold Wilson.

The Queen A Biography of Elizabeth II She is the fifth longest reigning monarch in British history, and one of the most famous people in the world. Yet, despite a life lived at the center of the international stage, Elizabeth II remains an enigma. What kind of person is she? What does she stand for? How has she adapted to her role—if at all? How does she cope with problems that threaten the survival of the monarchy itself? Now, in the most authoritative and probing biography of Queen Elizabeth to date, one of Britain’s most distinguished biographers and political historians reveals the sometimes surprising answers. In The Queen, Ben Pimlott creates a richly detailed, compelling portrayal of Elizabeth II—the individual, the institution, and the icon. Written with the cooperation of Buckingham Palace, this distinguished biography is enriched by unprecedented access to government and palace archives, as well as interviews with dozens of persons close to the queen, including Princess Margaret; the archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Runcie; Lord Charteris, the queen’s longtime private secretary; and Hardy Amies, the royal dressmaker, and by access to the private diaries of Jock Colville, who served as private secretary to both the queen and Winston Churchill. The result is a penetrating examination that goes far beyond the typical royal biography. With the same sharp historical focus he brought to his acclaimed portrait of Harold Wilson, Pimlott reveals how Elizabeth’s image has been manufactured and manipulated from her earliest childhood to suit the need of government. He explores the social, political, and psychological influences that shaped the queen’s personality and the ideas she represents. Pimlott brings an illuminating perspective to the queen’s relationship with her prime ministers, and he offers an intriguing view of the phenomenon of the monarchy itself—and of its future. Beginning in 1926, the year of Elizabeth’s birth—and Britain’s infamous General Strike—and continuing all the way into the era of Di and Fergie, this masterfully written account of the very public life of a very private woman is a fascinating, at times provocative, and vastly entertaining book. It is candid, respectful, intelligent, and certain to win admiration for both the author and his royal subject.

A Biography of Elizabeth II

She is the fifth longest reigning monarch in British history, and one of the most famous people in the world. Yet, despite a life lived at the center of the international stage, Elizabeth II remains an enigma. What kind of person is she? What does she stand for? How has she adapted to her role--if at all? How does she cope with problems that threaten the survival of the monarchy itself? Now, in the most authoritative and probing biography of Queen Elizabeth to date, one of Britain's most distinguished biographers and political historians reveals the sometimes surprising answers.

In The Queen, Ben Pimlott creates a richly detailed, compelling portrayal of Elizabeth II--the individual, the institution, and the icon. Written with the cooperation of Buckingham Palace, this distinguished biography is enriched by unprecedented access to government and palace archives, as well as interviews with dozens of persons close to the queen, including Princess Margaret; the archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Runcie; Lord Charteris, the queen's longtime private secretary; and Hardy Amies, the royal dressmaker, and by access to the private diaries of Jock Colville, who served as private secretary to both the queen and Winston Churchill. The result is a penetrating examination that goes far beyond the typical royal biography.

With the same sharp historical focus he brought to his acclaimed portrait of Harold Wilson, Pimlott reveals how Elizabeth's image has been manufactured and manipulated from her earliest childhood to suit the need of government. He explores the social, political, and psychological influences that shaped the queen's personality and the ideas she represents. Pimlott brings an illuminating perspective to the queen's relationship with her prime ministers, and he offers an intriguing view of the phenomenon of the monarchy itself--and of its future.

Beginning in 1926, the year of Elizabeth's birth--and Britain's infamous General Strike--and continuing all the way into the era of Di and Fergie, this masterfully written account of the very public life of a very private woman is a fascinating, at times provocative, and vastly entertaining book. It is candid, respectful, intelligent, and certain to win admiration for both the author and his royal subject.

"There will not be a better royal biography for many years."-- The Daily Telegraph (London).

"[Pimlott] has succeeded triumphantly. . . . He has written a book that can be enjoyed and admired by people who would never have imagined reading any previous royal biography." --The Independent (London).

"An important and stimulating book." --Antonia Fraser author of Mary, Queen of Scots in The Guardian (London).

BEN PIMLOTT is Professor of Politics and Contemporary History at Birkbeck College, University of London, and one of Britain's most respected biographers and political historians. His books include Harold Wilson and Hugh Dalton, winner of the prestigious Whitbread Prize. A fellow of the British Academy, he is its youngest member.