Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch Paperback – October 30, 2012

Queen Elizabeth II must be one of the most instantly recognizable personalities in the world. Since her birth in 1926, and especially since her accession in 1952 she has been in the publicity spotlight almost without a break. Incredibly, she has rarely put a foot wrong, only occasionally being caught scowling or agitated and never being seen as anything other than coolly polite and interested in whoever she's meeting or whatever she's being shown. Despite the unceasing attention, however, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor has managed to keep much of her life and personality private.This excellent new biography by Sally Bedell Smith is an apt example of this conundrum. Smith, an American journalist and biographer, has chronicled the Queen's public life extensively and almost exhaustively. Her early years as Princess, when she was less often in the public eye, are covered in the first couple of chapters, while her reign as Queen is described in great but not overwhelming detail from then on. Much of the book deals with the political issues the Queen has had to deal with. We learn of her dealings with each of her twelve Prime Ministers, her relationships with the other Commonwealth countries, the controversies in which she has at times become embroiled, and her meetings and sometimes friendships with the leaders of other nations, particularly the successive US Presidents since Harry Truman. Her ceaseless rounds of visits, audiences, and ceremonies are covered, and we are given a good idea of what she does on a typical day. Interspersed with this more public history are glimpses into her private life. We learn much about her interests in dogs and horses and hear from friends and cousins about her sense of humor.While Smith's biography contains an enormous mass of fascinating and revealing material, there is still much that many would like to know more about that is not covered. While the Queen's own relationships with her husband and children are discussed in great detail, her purely personal reactions to issues like her children's marital problems are not revealed. That is not Smith's fault, its due to the Queen's understandable desire to keep some things private. Nevertheless we get a good idea of the Queen's personality and of what it might be like to spend time with her. The book covers the Queen's life through the wedding of her grandson Prince William and finishes up with a preview of the planned Diamond Jubilee celebrations for 2012.As an American Anglophile and monarchist of many years' standing I thoroughly enjoyed Smith's biography. It left me with an even deeper appreciation of a lady who has been conscientiously going about her duties for more years than I've been alive. I've seen the Queen a few times, always in her ceremonial public role, when its impossible to see her as more than a public icon. But once I did see something of her private self break through, when I was watching the Order of the Garter procession at Windsor Castle in 1983. I was near the front of a large crowd which broke into cheers as the Queen passed by. An elderly gentleman near me cried out "God Bless Your Majesty!" She heard him, smiled, and mouthed "Thank you!" to him as she passed. A small moment, but one that gave me a little bit of insight into her as a person. I felt some of the same insights as I read this biography.

Reading Elizabeth the Queen was my first exposure to the writing talents of Sally Bedell Smith, but it definitely will not be my last.This was one of the better biographies I have read. It was emotional, informational, personal, human, real, insightful and moving. It keeps the mystery of the monarchy, while also letting the reader into the humanness of the monarchy. Every time I had to put the book down, usually around midnight, I could not wait for my next opportunity to read on.Elizabeth the Queen is a journey through the life of our current monarch in the UK. She is highly loved by her people, and we all connect with her in many ways, but her reign has had its ups and downs in that regard. I thought I was familiar with our sovereign, but this book took me into places I had never seen. The stories of the Queen's numerous personal trips to the US, where I currently live, were insightful and revelatory. Her personal connection with her guests at gatherings and overnights was moving, as was her care in connecting with each and every one of them. Her ability to work a room was inspirational, and her willingness to change for the good of her people was an example many should emulate.And I loved the way Sally Bedell Smith took me on a journey through history, stopping at key points along the way, huge events that I was very familiar with, and then took me behind the scenes to show me the pivotal role the Queen played in these huge events.I deeply admired the Queen before I read this book. My respect and admiration for her has been exponentially increased by Bedell Smith's work.I highly recommend this book for anyone with interest in history, royalty, public relations, diplomacy, international affairs, government, and humanity. You will be a better person for reading and learning from this book.Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch