Listen free for 30 days
-
Bertie: A Life of Edward VII
- Narrated by: Carole Boyd
- Length: 22 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: History, Europe
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Listen with a free trial
Buy Now for £21.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
George V
- Never a Dull Moment
- By: Jane Ridley
- Narrated by: Joanna David
- Length: 22 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The lasting reputation of George V is for dullness. He was a crack shot and an outstanding stamp collector, but that's about it. The flamboyance and hedonism of his father, Edward VII, defined an era whose influence and magnetism is still felt today. The contrast between the two could hardly be greater.
-
-
Tough going..
- By rightlemon on 24-03-22
-
Princes at War
- The British Royal Family's Private Battle in the Second World War
- By: Deborah Cadbury
- Narrated by: Cameron Stewart
- Length: 13 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
King George V predicted that his son, Edward VIII, would destroy himself within a year of succeeding to the throne. In December 1936 he was proved right, and the world’s press revealed the king was abandoning his throne to marry Wallis Simpson. A life spent in the shadow of his charismatic elder brother left the new king, George VI, magnificently unprepared for the demands of ruling the kingdom and empire. Drawing on personal accounts from the royal archives, Deborah Cadbury uncovers the very private conflict.
-
-
Real people with public lives
- By Kl Love on 12-01-16
-
Prince Albert
- The Man Who Saved the Monarchy
- By: A. N. Wilson
- Narrated by: Gareth Armstrong
- Length: 13 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For over six decades, Queen Victoria ruled a great empire. Beside her for more than 20 of those years was her beloved husband and the father of their nine children, Prince Albert. A composer, engineer, soldier, politician, linguist and bibliophile, Albert was one of the architects of Victorian Britain's transformation as a centre of political, technological, scientific and intellectual advancement. Albert lived only 42 years but fathered four royal dynasties and helped pioneer the modern constitutional monarchy.
-
-
A perfect companion to the author's previous biography of Queen Victoria.
- By Campesque on 17-02-20
-
Queen Victoria's Matchmaking: The Royal Marriages That Shaped Europe
- By: Deborah Cadbury
- Narrated by: Charlotte Strevens
- Length: 13 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Queen Victoria had over 30 surviving grandchildren, and to maintain and increase power in Europe, she hoped to manoeuvre them into dynastic marriages. Yet they often had plans of their own, and her matchmaking was further complicated by tumultuous international upheavals. Queen Victoria's Matchmaking travels through the glittering, decadent palaces of Russia and Europe, weaving in scandals, political machinations and family tensions.
-
-
Fully of interesting information
- By Franklymydarling on 15-07-19
-
Revenge
- Meghan, Harry and the War Between the Windsors
- By: Tom Bower
- Narrated by: Andrew Wincott
- Length: 16 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The British Royal Family believed that the dizzy success of the Sussex wedding, watched and celebrated around the world, was the beginning of a new era for the Windsors. Yet, within one tumultuous year, the dream became a nightmare. In the aftermath of the infamous Megxit split and the Oprah Winfrey interview, the Royal Family's fate seems persistently threatened.
-
-
Better than most fiction
- By 451 on 21-07-22
-
Queen Mary
- By: James Pope-Hennessy
- Narrated by: Gareth Armstrong
- Length: 24 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Queen Mary died in 1953, James Pope-Hennessy was commissioned to write an official biography of her - unusual for a Queen Consort. Queen Mary's life, contrary to popular belief, was essentially dramatic, and she played a far more important and influential role in the affairs of the British monarchy than her public image might have otherwise suggested. Using material from the Royal Archives, private papers and Queen Mary's personal diaries and letters, Pope-Hennessy's biography was a remarkable portrait of a remarkable woman and received rave reviews across the press.
-
-
Top Notch - Fascinating and Entertaining
- By Debi J on 18-02-21
-
George V
- Never a Dull Moment
- By: Jane Ridley
- Narrated by: Joanna David
- Length: 22 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The lasting reputation of George V is for dullness. He was a crack shot and an outstanding stamp collector, but that's about it. The flamboyance and hedonism of his father, Edward VII, defined an era whose influence and magnetism is still felt today. The contrast between the two could hardly be greater.
-
-
Tough going..
- By rightlemon on 24-03-22
-
Princes at War
- The British Royal Family's Private Battle in the Second World War
- By: Deborah Cadbury
- Narrated by: Cameron Stewart
- Length: 13 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
King George V predicted that his son, Edward VIII, would destroy himself within a year of succeeding to the throne. In December 1936 he was proved right, and the world’s press revealed the king was abandoning his throne to marry Wallis Simpson. A life spent in the shadow of his charismatic elder brother left the new king, George VI, magnificently unprepared for the demands of ruling the kingdom and empire. Drawing on personal accounts from the royal archives, Deborah Cadbury uncovers the very private conflict.
-
-
Real people with public lives
- By Kl Love on 12-01-16
-
Prince Albert
- The Man Who Saved the Monarchy
- By: A. N. Wilson
- Narrated by: Gareth Armstrong
- Length: 13 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For over six decades, Queen Victoria ruled a great empire. Beside her for more than 20 of those years was her beloved husband and the father of their nine children, Prince Albert. A composer, engineer, soldier, politician, linguist and bibliophile, Albert was one of the architects of Victorian Britain's transformation as a centre of political, technological, scientific and intellectual advancement. Albert lived only 42 years but fathered four royal dynasties and helped pioneer the modern constitutional monarchy.
-
-
A perfect companion to the author's previous biography of Queen Victoria.
- By Campesque on 17-02-20
-
Queen Victoria's Matchmaking: The Royal Marriages That Shaped Europe
- By: Deborah Cadbury
- Narrated by: Charlotte Strevens
- Length: 13 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Queen Victoria had over 30 surviving grandchildren, and to maintain and increase power in Europe, she hoped to manoeuvre them into dynastic marriages. Yet they often had plans of their own, and her matchmaking was further complicated by tumultuous international upheavals. Queen Victoria's Matchmaking travels through the glittering, decadent palaces of Russia and Europe, weaving in scandals, political machinations and family tensions.
-
-
Fully of interesting information
- By Franklymydarling on 15-07-19
-
Revenge
- Meghan, Harry and the War Between the Windsors
- By: Tom Bower
- Narrated by: Andrew Wincott
- Length: 16 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The British Royal Family believed that the dizzy success of the Sussex wedding, watched and celebrated around the world, was the beginning of a new era for the Windsors. Yet, within one tumultuous year, the dream became a nightmare. In the aftermath of the infamous Megxit split and the Oprah Winfrey interview, the Royal Family's fate seems persistently threatened.
-
-
Better than most fiction
- By 451 on 21-07-22
-
Queen Mary
- By: James Pope-Hennessy
- Narrated by: Gareth Armstrong
- Length: 24 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Queen Mary died in 1953, James Pope-Hennessy was commissioned to write an official biography of her - unusual for a Queen Consort. Queen Mary's life, contrary to popular belief, was essentially dramatic, and she played a far more important and influential role in the affairs of the British monarchy than her public image might have otherwise suggested. Using material from the Royal Archives, private papers and Queen Mary's personal diaries and letters, Pope-Hennessy's biography was a remarkable portrait of a remarkable woman and received rave reviews across the press.
-
-
Top Notch - Fascinating and Entertaining
- By Debi J on 18-02-21
-
Victoria
- A Life
- By: A. N. Wilson
- Narrated by: Gareth Armstrong
- Length: 19 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
To many Queen Victoria was a ruler shrouded in myth and mystique, portrayed as an aging, stiff widow. But in truth Britain’s longest-reigning monarch was passionate, expressive, humorous, and unconventional. A. N. Wilson’s exhaustively researched and definitive biography includes a wealth of new material from previously unseen sources, showing us Queen Victoria as she’s never been seen before.
-
-
Riveting and entertaining?
- By Ali H on 27-06-19
-
Queen Victoria's Mysterious Daughter
- A Biography of Princess Louise
- By: Lucinda Hawksley
- Narrated by: Jennifer M. Dixon
- Length: 16 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The secrets of Queen Victoria's sixth child, Princess Louise, may be destined to remain hidden forever. What was so dangerous about this artistic, tempestuous royal that her life has been documented more by rumor and gossip than hard facts? When Lucinda Hawksley started to investigate, often thwarted by inexplicable secrecy, she discovered a fascinating woman, modern before her time, whose story has been shielded for years from public view.
-
-
Intriguing study but odd narrator
- By MB on 10-03-19
-
First Lady
- The Life and Wars of Clementine Churchill
- By: Sonia Purnell
- Narrated by: Charlotte Strevens
- Length: 15 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Without Churchill's inspiring leadership, Britain could not have survived its darkest hour and repelled the Nazi menace. Without his wife, Clementine, however, he might never have become Prime Minister. By his own admission, the Second World War would have been 'impossible without her'. Clementine was Winston's emotional rock and his most trusted confidante. Yet her ability to charm Britain's allies and her humanitarian efforts on the home front earned her deep respect.
-
-
A good read (listen)
- By Edward on 11-09-16
-
William Pitt The Younger
- By: William Hague
- Narrated by: Richard Burnip
- Length: 23 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
William Pitt the Younger is an illuminating biography of one of the great iconic figures in British history: the man who in 1784 at the age of twenty-four became (and so remains) the youngest Prime Minister in the history of England. In this lively and authoritative study, William Hague himself the youngest political party leader in recent history explains the dramatic events and exceptional abilities that allowed extreme youth to be combined with great power.
-
-
History brought to life
- By Kirstine on 10-02-10
-
The Mistresses of Cliveden
- By: Natalie Livingstone
- Narrated by: Carole Boyd
- Length: 15 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From its dawn in the 1660s to its twilight in the 1960s, Cliveden was an emblem of elite misbehaviour and intrigue. Conceived by the Duke of Buckingham as a retreat for his scandalous affair with Anna-Maria, Countess of Shrewsbury, the house later served as the backdrop for the Profumo affair. In the 300 years between, the house was occupied by a dynasty of remarkable women each of whom left their mark on this great house.
-
-
Much More Than A Book About A House
- By Alison on 28-02-17
-
Victoria: The Queen
- An Intimate Biography of the Woman Who Ruled an Empire
- By: Julia Baird
- Narrated by: Clare Fraenkel
- Length: 18 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A magnificent biography of Queen Victoria by International New York Times columnist Julia Baird. Drawing on previously unpublished papers, Victoria: The Queen is a stunning new portrait of the real woman behind the myth - a story of love and heartbreak, of devotion and grief, of strength and resilience.
-
-
This is a fantasy disguised as biography.
- By MorganScorpion on 12-02-21
-
Traitor King
- The Scandalous Exile of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor
- By: Andrew Lownie
- Narrated by: Andrew Lownie
- Length: 8 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
December 1936. The king of England, Edward VIII, has given up his crown, foregoing his duty for the love of Wallis Simpson, an American divorcée. Their courtship has been dogged by controversy and scandal, but with Edward's abdication, they can live happily ever after. But do they?
-
-
Fascinating story.
- By m. webster on 22-08-21
-
Marie Antoinette
- By: Antonia Fraser
- Narrated by: Eleanor Bron
- Length: 20 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Marie Antoinette's dramatic life-story continues to arouse mixed emotions. To many people, she is still 'la reine mechante', whose extravagance and frivolity helped to bring down the French monarchy; her indifference to popular suffering epitomised by the (apocryphal) words: 'let them eat cake'. Others are equally passionate in her defence: to them, she is a victim of misogyny.
-
-
Spectacular.
- By B on 17-12-14
-
The Aviator's Wife
- A Novel
- By: Melanie Benjamin
- Narrated by: Lorna Raver
- Length: 16 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For much of her life, Anne Morrow, the shy daughter of the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, has stood in the shadows of those around her, including her millionaire father and vibrant older sister, who often steals the spotlight. Then Anne, a college senior with hidden literary aspirations, travels to Mexico City to spend Christmas with her family. There she meets Colonel Charles Lindbergh, fresh off his celebrated 1927 solo flight across the Atlantic. Enthralled by Charles’s assurance and fame, Anne is certain the celebrated aviator has scarcely noticed her. But she is wrong.
-
-
Enjoyable, but not uplifting
- By Emma on 09-11-15
-
The Plantagenets
- The Kings Who Made England
- By: Dan Jones
- Narrated by: Dan Jones
- Length: 22 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
England’s greatest royal dynasty, the Plantagenets, ruled over England through eight generations of kings. Their remarkable reign saw England emerge from the Dark Ages to become a highly organised kingdom that spanned a vast expanse of Europe. Plantagenet rule saw the establishment of laws and creation of artworks, monuments and tombs which survive to this day, and continue to speak of their sophistication, brutality and secrets. Dan Jones brings you a new vision of this battle-scarred history.
-
-
Entertaining and scholarly
- By Kirstine on 23-08-19
-
King's Counsellor
- Abdication and War: The Diaries of Sir Alan Lascelles
- By: Sir Alan Lascelles, Duff Hart-Davis
- Narrated by: Pip Torrens
- Length: 14 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As Assistant Private Secretary to four monarchs, 'Tommy' Lascelles had a ringside seat from which to observe the workings of the royal household and Downing Street during the first half of the 20th century. These fascinating diaries begin with Edward VIII's abdication and end with George VI's death and his daughter Elizabeth's Coronation. In between we see George VI at work and play, a portrait more intimate than any other previously published.
-
-
Sir Tommy Lascelles
- By Anonymous User on 10-07-21
-
Innocent Traitor
- By: Alison Weir
- Narrated by: Patience Tomlinson
- Length: 17 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lady Jane Grey was born into the most dangerous of times. Child of a scheming father and a ruthless mother for whom she was a pawn in a dynastic game with the highest stakes, she lived a life in thrall to political machinations and lethal religious fervour. Growing up with the future Queen Elizabeth and her reluctant nemesis, Mary, she soon learned the truth of the values imparted to her by Henry VIII's last Queen, Katherine Parr.
-
-
Truly an outstanding performance
- By Lisa on 01-09-17
Summary
Entertaining and different, this is an enjoyable study of a flawed yet characterful Prince of Wales seen through the eyes of the women in his life. Edward Vll, who gave his name to the Edwardian Age and died in 1911, was King of England for the final 10 years of his life. He was 59 when at last he came to the throne. Known as Bertie, the eldest son of Victoria and Albert, he was bullied by both his parents. Although Bertie was heir to the throne, Victoria refused to give him any proper responsibilities, as a result of which he spent his time eating, betting, and womanising.
Bertie's numerous mistresses included the society hostess Daisy Brook ('Babbling Brook'), Lillie Langtry and Alice Keppel. When Bertie finally became king, he did a good job, especially in foreign policy. This colourful book gives Bertie due credit, while painting a vivid portrait of the age in all its excess and eccentricity, hypocrisy and heartbreak.
More from the same
Narrator
What listeners say about Bertie: A Life of Edward VII
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
- Katherien Watt
- 24-12-12
Bertie - the untold story
I found this book both fasinating and informative, well written and easy to listen to. History has made Bertie a poor follow up act to Queen Victoria and much has been made of his affairs, which this book covers in some detail. But it also enlightened me to what a true statesman he was in his knowledge of European foreign policy ( well he was related to most of the royal families by blood or marriage after all) and could forsee the First World War, although he died four years before it began.
Couple of interesting facts: he was reluctant to see his mother on her deathbed as he had never seen her in bed before and his passion for wearing military uniforms something he shared with his nephew the Kaiser.
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kirstine
- 07-09-19
Entertaining warts and all biography
Bertie and Queen VIctoria were both deeply flawed individuals in their different ways, but biographies of well-behaved and diligent people makes dull reading. The author certainly doesn't pull any punches in detailing the philandering and extravagance of the prince, Victoria's spitefulness towards him and her 40 years of morbid avoidance of her duties after Albert's death. It's surprising, that the uprising of republicanism that surfaced in the mid-19th century didn't come to fruition. I finished the book feeling repelled by the extravagant and dissolute life-style of the aristocrats, who made up Bertie's set, and the nepotism and cronyism that pervaded both court and government for appointments and honours. History certainly demonstrates that monarchy, as a way of choosing the head of state, is certainly a lottery as to whether one gets a a diligent person, a philandering fool or a vicious despot. An interesting parallel story in this book is that of Kaiser William, Bertie's nephew, whose paranoia and inferiority complex was a factor in causing the First World War.
The author has certainly complied a comprehensive account of the prince's life and not flinched from showing his many faults, particularly before he became King and then took his duties more seriously. However, it seems to me that during his reign his contributions to the good of the nation don't really justify the expense of his lavish life-style and the financing of a large retinue of staff and hangers on.
A really annoying error repeated many times through he book are the references to the Queen or King of England or the term England when referring to the country as a whole. The crowns of England and Scotland were united over 400 years ago! Yet many authors, and even historians, who should know better, refer to the whole country as England. No wonder we Scots (and Welsh) feel like second class citizens.
An entertaining book, even if it made me feel more republican! Excellently narrated.
8 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- VersaillesThree
- 19-11-20
Very Disappointing
I was anticipating a biography akin to the excellent ones I had recently listened to of Victoria and then Albert, by A N Wilson, which were so enlightening as regards background, social and historical events during their lifetimes.
Although at first I sympathised with Bertie due to his austere upbringing, I very early on grew tired of this very long and very detailed account of his self indulgence and generally unedifying lifestyle. And this detail overshadowed the good things he achieved, so that well before the end of his life, I just didn’t care anymore.
Half the length with just a flavour of his philandering would have sufficed. Actually, I found the final chapter the most useful as it gave a succinct summary and overview that was quite enough for me.
On a separate note, although I have enjoyed Carole Boyd’s narration on several audiobooks, there were times here when she spoke so softly and quietly for the right effect that I had difficulty hearing her.
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- Knucklebones
- 17-02-13
Excellent narration
Carole Boyd is one of my favourite narrators, and she does another brilliant job here in bringing this detailed biography to life. She's particularly good at conveying the rather cloying love of Alexandra, Bertie's long-suffering wife, and all the numerous relations. I never felt lost about who was speaking or being discussed.
As for Edward, I felt very sorry for him. Not particularly clever, he was nonetheless a man of great charm with an innate understanding of others, and it's a pity that he had to wait until he was 60 before he was permitted to do a job. Filling the empty void with house parties, shooting and mistresses must have palled, as it certainly did for me by the end of the book. "Too late", he said when he was finally hailed as King, and I heartily agreed with him. One criticism I have of the book is that I thought his children were hardly mentioned at all - quite an achievement given that he had six of them! Altogether, though, a very interesting and engaging listen and one that's rounded out my understanding of an intriguing man.
11 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Denise
- 29-05-13
Informative and interesting
Wonderfully absorbing account of the life of a complex man. Once I'd got over the fact it's read by The Archer's Linda Snell I was totally captivated by the story of a Prince and King I went from pitying to disliking and back again... several times.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Deborah
- 03-06-17
Massive and methodical
An immense book which chronicles the life of Bertie, King Edward VII from cradle to death. This book includes details of his life and experiences of being queen Victoria's child and the relationship he had with her until her death in 1901.
This is a massive listen of over 22hrs and demanded a lot of time to listen. I was more interested in the latter period of his life of which is named after him, the Edwardian era. While I feel much of the information within the book I already felt that I knew, particularly in regarding his often fractious relationship with Queen Victoria. There was also parts that I was more unaware about such as the period when he eventually ascended to the throne. I feel the common remembrances regarding Bertie are around his early life when he had little to no responsibility. However it appears that when Bertie was given the responsibility as King he became a workaholic and began shaping the crown and monarchy into what we would recognise and understand today. In addition it was interesting to discover the amount of public grief displayed by the general public following his death which felt reminiscent of the grief displayed following the death of Princess Diana.
Overall this was an interesting read, however it felt at times overally long and ponderous.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- iris
- 13-03-15
Biography at its best! Wonderful book.
Considering that Queen Victoria and Edward V11 kept voluminous diaries spanning over half a century I just don't know how the author of this book managed to construct a highly readable and enjoyable work. It must have taken years of work to plough through the wealth of material. This is a stunning achievement and through this story of one man you learn about the historical events of the time, the social mores, the mind set of the time and how the society evolved throughout the latter half of the nineteenth century.
The first part of the book which deals with Bertie's childhood is really chilling and one wonders how he survived such ill treatment and emotional deprivation. If Charles Dickens had known of it he would have written a marvellous novel - full of melodrama. Victoria comes across in many ways as a monster but she also had a rather grim childhood. When poor Bertie can 'only' speak two languages by the age of six he is of course considered a 'slow learner' as his older sister is by that age begging for Latin lessons and of course is a brilliant student. I'm sure she was the pride and joy of Albert but I expect other people would have hated this little paragon!
Had Victoria been more trusting towards Bertie he might have been able to contribute far more in a worthwhile sense but all his life Victoria is interfering and dominating both in his public and private life. Edward was almost driven to a life of constant partying and pleasure seeking activities. His wife Alexandra is an adorable character and her early problem with deafness must have been such an isolating and terrible handicap. It sounds as if she did have a wonderful sense of humour and some of the quotes in the book are very amusing.
Another character is Bertie's nephew the Kaiser Wilhelm who is wonderfully portrayed by Carol Boyd in her narration. His sanity is questionable and it must have been hard for the extremely intelligent Vicky to produce this ghastly son!
This is a stunning book and I will be reading and re-reading it as the story is so rich and covers so many political and personal crises of this large family that it would be hard to take it all in on just one read. Carol Boyd does an excellent job and her narrating skills are peerless.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Simon
- 29-09-15
Excellent
A well written book , very interesting, and excellently narrated.How the playboy Prince with all his indiscretions became a much revered King...so whilst historical in context also has relevance today!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Rachel OK
- 23-07-15
Totally Absorbing
Why do we have this love affair with the royals or at least are so keen to know more of their lives? Well my interest is mostly in historic royals and you can't get better than this biography. I had seen Jane Ridley interviewed on TV on a couple of royal bio programmes. She was so interesting & her enthusiasm infectious, so I just had to have this book. I have not been disappointed. Carol Boyd is an excellent narrator who makes the characters live.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
- NORTH OF WATFORD YOKEL
- 23-12-12
Bertie
As a republican l found more than enough evidence in this audio book to confirm my prejudices m sure royalists will claim the same, therefore a balanced view and a good listen
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Silvershirt
- 22-04-14
I cried when I finished
This is one of those books I couldn't bear to put down. The writing is brilliant, the performance perfection itself, and the story mesmerizing. Gossip, history, fun, and enlightenment are all here, and Carole Boyd is absolutely dazzling in her rendition, mastering flawless pronunciation in several languages and acting worthy of an award. I recommend this book to all who enjoy history, biography, and the theatre of the ear.
34 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Robyn
- 01-06-13
cannot fault this audiobook
I hesitate to use the word 'perfect', but I really can't fault this audiobook. This biography is as good as any I have read: informative and entertaining from start to finish, painstakingly researched, and beautifully written. At the end, I almost felt I had known Bertie and experienced some of the claustrophobia of the court, counter-balanced by the freedom which came with money and position at the top of the social ladder. It is expertly read by Carole Boyd who has just the right voice for this genre. Her voices for the various characters, her facility with accents, and correct pronunciation of foreign words and names are very impressive. Bertie, Ridley and Boyd - perfect combination.
23 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Simone
- 13-12-12
Impressive!
Great book! It really leaves no unanswered questions about his life; it was so EXTREMELY thorough and well researched! Very impressive work.
I would love to read a biography of George V written by the same author, it would feel like a natural continuation.
13 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- cathy colby
- 31-03-13
Jolly Good Historical Read!
Where does Bertie: A Life of Edward VII rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
I love the historical bits from the UK; their history totally out-swags the USA. I enjoy being able to relate to the modern fact that Bertie was Elizabeth II's Great Granddaddy. Though it is non-fiction the listening was among the best ever from Audible.
What did you like best about this story?
I liked that one views Victoria's reign from an altogether different perspective when focused on her son's point of view.
Which character – as performed by Carole Boyd – was your favorite?
I enjoyed the character of Bertie's wife Alexandra the best, but all the voices were wonderful - I guess I did not realized one person did all the parts. Nice!
9 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Flatbroke
- 10-05-13
A charming pleasure-seeker who did the job his way
The reign of King Edward VII ("Bertie" to his family) was expected to be a disappointment by most. But he would have not have been shocked by this verdict, it was one he had been hearing for most of his life. A gambler and a philanderer, his bad behavior was not only whispered among the upper class, but also ended up as fodder for the unwashed masses when he ended up in court a few times. His most horrible crime was that he was not the carbon copy of his late father Prince Consort Albert, an offense that Queen Victoria could not forgive.
This is an excellent, thorough book on the life of future King Edward VII. It is also very even-handed on the good and bad aspects of the man himself.
In some ways, it's extraordinary that he did as well as he did. Prince Albert had high expectations for his children, especially Bertie, the heir. He devised a rigorous education for them. His oldest child, the Princess Royal Victoria, excelled while Bertie did not. Of course, this must have been the fault of poor strange Bertie, not the teachers and certainly not Prince Albert's program. In response to this failure, his education became more difficult, not less. and leaving him little free time, not that he would have been allowed to socialize with boys his own age if he did have free time.
As a young man away from home, his male friends introduced him to a "loose woman" who became his mistress. An aghast Prince Albert hurried to confront his son about his behavior. Prince Albert's health declined soon afterwards, leading to his death.
The fractious attitude of widowed Queen Victoria towards Bertie became a constant problem. Heartbroken by the loss of her beloved husband, Queen Victoria always blamed Bertie's dissolute behavior for Albert's death. Her punishment of him was of the most unproductive kind. For years, she forbade him any involvement in governmental affairs even after he expressed an interest, essentially making sure her heir was unprepared for his eventual responsibilities. It also gave him lots of free time to engage in the type of profligate lifestyle that his father had been determined to curtail. Bertie knew his mother was disappointed in his present behavior, but also knew that no penance he could do would have earned her forgiveness and healed the relationship. Queen Victoria even had Bertie and his new wife, beautiful, sweet Alexandra of Denmark spied on by the staff, to try to make sure both followed her directions. Not a perfect husband to Alexandra, he nonetheless backed her over the Queen during the war between her home country of Denmark and Germany (favored by the Queen) and the diplomatic problems that it caused.
Though not officially allowed in governmental affairs, Bertie stepped into the royal role that his reclusive mother refused to fill after Albert's death: the social role. Always impeccably dressed Bertie and Alexandra performed almost all of the public functions as representatives of the royal family. They were a glamorous pair, probably a big contrast to the stiff and stolid Victoria and Albert. Infidelity in an upper class man was still acceptable as long as there was discretion and a devoted wife at the side. Bertie's letters to mistresses are surprisingly mundane - no husband would read these lines and grab a pisol. His unwelcome court appearances were the result of getting dragged into the limelight by the indiscreet misdeeds of others in his circle. He was open-minded for his time: he welcomed successful Jewish financiers into his social circle and he did not discriminate among race (though he opposed women's rights).
His accession to the throne happened late in life. By then, he was aware of his own strengths and weaknesses. His interest in foreign relations, convivial manner and good relationships with the royalty of other contries (many of them relatives) were put to the good use on behalf of England. Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm's forceful, intrusive manner was annoying to the quiet Russian Tzar Nicholas II. King Edward VII told the Tzar that he had no wish to offer unsolicited advice like Wilhem. He had been a help to the young Tzar years earlier at the death of Tzar Alexander II (Alexandra's sister was the Tzarina). He and Alexandra comforted the grieving family, and performed all of the traditional Russian mourning rituals as members of the late Tzar's family (even kissing the lips of the rapidly decaying body), gaining the respect of the Russian public. King Edward VII's personality, his ability to put people at ease, and his shrewdness of the public impact of social behavior were his biggest assets and he made use of them in his reign.
28 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Lulu
- 05-04-15
An Important End to a Dissipated Life
What struck me the most about this book was the inequality of time spent on Bertie's turn as a dissipated Prince of Wales and the time spent detailing what was by most accounts a successful and important reign as King. I realize this is largely because he spent the majority of his life as the Prince of Wales and only the last decade as King. And I understood the author's intent - to show how the huge blunders and small catastrophes of his early wasted years, shaped him into the king he became. But it still seems to me that the reader walks away with a far better understanding of what made him a terrible husband, questionable friend and embarrassing representative of the royal family, than what made him a successful monarch.
All of that said, this was an informative, well researched biography of a man at the center of a stage, but more importantly of the time period in which he served and many of the secondary characters who surrounded him that we know little about. The characterizations of the prime ministers and senior governmental officials that served Victoria and then Edward was fascinating. She also gave a very balanced account of his wife Alexandra and his many mistresses, I thought. And even when Bertie was shown at his worst, the author used other key people in his life to show that no matter how poorly Bertie was behaving, his mother, his nephew, every member of the Churchill family and a few of his mistresses were worse.
Near the end of the book the author that King Edward's parenting skills definitely gave credence to the generally held belief that the British royal family makes terrible parents. And I know we are often doomed to repeat the mistakes of our parents, but I thought that the saddest aspect of the book was how uninvolved he was in the lives of his children. After the example of his parents, one would think he might have tried to compensate. But the only child the book spends any time on was his heir who Edward obviously disliked and who he believed was as wasted a human being as his parents thought Edward was. His obvious grief at his sons death made his treatment of him when he was alive all the more pitiable.
If you are interested in the prelude to and the reasoning behind World War I, this biography of the central figure of the Edwardian age, the uncle of Europe, this book is definitely worth reading. If you are more interested in the gossip and torrid behind the scene details of court life, this book is worth reading. In the end, the most interesting aspect of the book is that it manages to be two books in one. A tell-tell biography full of salacious gossip, rumors and fact, and a fascinating look at Europe before the war that shaped the 20th Century.
14 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Nora
- 29-07-14
Good listening, gossipy, relaxing
What did you love best about Bertie: A Life of Edward VII?
Sound research, hgighly entertaining
What other book might you compare Bertie: A Life of Edward VII to and why?
Autobiography of Henry V111 by Margaret George
Have you listened to any of Carole Boyd’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
No
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
I would if I had 50 hours! But I could listen to it more than once
Any additional comments?
A good satisfactory "read"
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Redding Reader
- 02-04-15
What? There's more?
What disappointed you about Bertie: A Life of Edward VII?
Repetitive, minute details
Has Bertie: A Life of Edward VII turned you off from other books in this genre?
Not at all...this is one of my favorites!
What do you think the narrator could have done better?
Nothing--She handles the material well.
Any additional comments?
You will be amazed at how slowly the telling of Bertie's life unfolds...and the lack of variety in it. Same circumstances over and over....just vary the names.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Fictionwriter
- 28-02-15
Bertie the Dissolute
After listening to the life of Queen Victoria by A. N. Wilson, I decided to see how Bertie, her son who became King Edward upon her death in 1901, had fared. His mother and father, Prince Albert, treated their eldest son with such contempt and disapproval that his life of whoring, gambling and partying is understandable. In the end, the author avows that he did become a monarch more accessible to the English people than his mother, the widow forever draped in black bombazine, ever was. But the book moves chronologically in a way that I found dull and uninspired in the end.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Catarina
- 14-01-13
Complete and detailed story of a remarkable king
Where does Bertie: A Life of Edward VII rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
One of the best.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Bertie: A Life of Edward VII?
His relationship with his parents.
What about Carole Boyd’s performance did you like?
She accurately portrayed the various voices.
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
Waiting to be king
5 people found this helpful