Excellent Sequel to the Crown in Crisis

 

In 1937 the Duke of Windsor was married to his great love, Wallis Simpson, and his brother, Bertie, was George VI. Bertie was shy and unlike his brother, Edward VIII, had not been trained to be king. However, the war was on and wanting to do his duty, he stepped up to rally the English people, and he and Queen Elizabeth became an example for his subjects.

This book is a sequel to “The Crown in Crisis.” It continues the story of the friction between the brothers. The Duke of Windsor remained self-centered wanting privileges, but not interested in performing the arduous duties required of a king at war. He went so far as to makes friends with Hitler. The book looks how far he went in possibly betraying his country.

This is a well researched book that has the pace of good fiction. It is occasionally heavy on facts, but facts are necessary to understand the world situation at the time. The book is history, but we also get a good look at the people who made the history. In addition to the Windsors, Winston Churchill played a major role in helping Bertie steer the country. There are many other players who had no major role, but the description of their activities helps flesh out the picture of the war years in England.

I highly recommend this book is you’re interested in the history of WWII, particularly the part played the Windsor brothers.

I received this book from St. Martin’s Press for this review.