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Untitled
- The Real Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor
- Narrated by: Laura Kirman
- Length: 11 hrs and 40 mins
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Untitled
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Summary
Who was the real Wallis: an opportunistic American social climber, a master manipulator or the true love of Edward’s life? Amid the cacophony of condemnation her story has become obfuscated. Untitled is an intimate biography of one of the most misunderstood women in British royal history.
His charisma and glamour ensured him the status of a rock star prince. Yet Edward gave up the British throne, the British Empire and his position as Emperor of India to marry his true love, American divorcee Wallis Simpson.
So much gossip and innuendo has been levelled at Wallis Simpson that it has become nearly impossible to discern the real woman. Many have wondered why, when Edward could have had anyone he desired, he was smitten with this unusual American woman. As her friend Herman Rogers said to her in 1936 when news of her affair with Edward broke, ‘Much of what is being said concerns a woman who does not exist and never did exist’.
History is mostly perceived from the perspective of his-story. But what about her story? Anna Pasternak’s new book is the first ever to give Wallis a chance and a voice to show that she was a warm, loyal, intelligent woman adored by her friends, who was written off by cunning, influential Establishment men seeking to diminish her and destroy her reputation. As the author argues, far from being the villain of the abdication, she was the victim.
Anna Pasternak seeks to understand an unusual, deeply misunderstood woman and the untenable situation she became embroiled in. Using testimony from their inner circle of friends, she presents a very different Wallis Simpson. With empathy, intimacy and thorough research, this audiobook will make listeners view her story as it has never been told before.
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What listeners say about Untitled
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- pumbaesque
- 08-08-19
well written - worthwhile read
I did enjoy this book, and it does present a different side of Wallace as someone trapped by circumstances and not the evil witch she is often portrayed as. She was certainly unwise, but she was no more wicked than many many other people. I felt Anna tried to give a balanced view although I could feel, almost from the start, that she was sympathetic to Wallace. I guess that's ok - Wallace has been much maligned and it was good to see someone giving her the benefit of the doubt.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 24-11-22
Exceptional
Looking at the life of Wallis, Duchess of Windsor in a new light, this book shows her in a completely different role. Far from being a temptress who lured a king from his throne and caused the greatest royal crisis of the modern age, Wallis is seen as a victim of obsessive love who suffered lifelong humiliation from both the royal family and the British public. Blamed for everything from the abdication to the premature death of George VI she withstood everything with dignity and supported her husband until his death. Drawing on recollections of people who knew her well, mainly from the British aristocracy she comes across as a kind and generous woman who has long been portrayed as villainous and manipulative.
Beautifully written and performed, a must read for anyone interested in the history of the British Royal Family or 20th century.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Julie Artist
- 06-05-19
Review
I have always been fascinated with the story of Wallis Simpson; and like many people really could not understand what made a king give up his throne. This book gives depth to the characters and the complex background that surrounds this. I was left liking Wallis and felt such sadness for how history has demonised her. This book is so well written and also beautifully read that it both captivates and informs.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nina
- 12-05-19
Wallis
Excellent book and well worth listening to. A new way of looking at this woman who has been cast as a she devil when in fact she was caught up with a very weak man who became infatuated with her. She really had no way to turn. Would recommend it
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jayne Chughtai
- 06-09-23
Excellent
I really enjoyed listening to this well researched and well delivered book. Much of the story I knew, but new light was shed on the appalling and callous behaviour of the Royal family et al towards the couple. A sad tale indeed, which left a tear in my eye during the final chapter and epilogue.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Greenfly
- 26-08-20
Wow, what an insight!
I thought I knew all there was to know about this story, completely wrong about our supposed Royal history! What an insight, this wronged woman who has been cast as a monster was nothing of the sort & tried to keep 'David', on the throne. All luminaries that contributed to the book, none had a bad word to say against her. I'd love to have been invited to one of 'The Windsor's' legendry parties. Excellent book, well worth the listen & highly recommend
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Emma Sobieski
- 16-12-22
such bad pronunciation and internation appalling
The narrator is shocking, pronunciation of so many words is a huge frustration and inconsistent additionally, her internation is a disgrace you hear full stops when it's really the middle of a sentence! Otherwise a comprehensive if a little over-sympathetic account of the life of the subject.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 15-05-20
Fascinating
I am grateful to Anna for such a vivid deep honest yet respectful display of the true story. Amazed. In love
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Hotfooter
- 19-04-22
A riveting story
Anna Pasternak has succeeded in bringing to life one of the most extraordinary stories of the 20th century, with a tenderness befitting the protagonists. They are brought to life well by the reader, who uses accents to distinguish the aristocratic personages in a lively manner.
It is true that the emphases on words and phrases is sometimes clumsy but this does not really detract from the listener’s enjoyment.
The book has been expertly and forensically researched by the author and written in the well paced manner of a romantic thriller.
Thank you Anna.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 30-04-19
Wonderful book-dreadful narrator....
An excellent book in terms of research and approach to a story we think we all know. Clearly in depth research here and written well. But the narrator was stilted and awkward, often stopping mid sentence as she appeared to reach the end of a line. I battled not to return it because it's so interesting but I personally wouldn't listen to another book read by this narrator again
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7 people found this helpful