The House of Windsor

A Royal History of England #6

by Andrew Roberts, Antonia Fraser (Editor)

The House of Windsor has undergone profound changes since its inception in 1917. Their tenure has seen two world wars, an abdication, and undreamed-of social change, but still the monarchy prevails. Andrew Roberts traces their history to the tragic death of the Princess of Wales and its aftermath.

About the series A Royal History of England :

From the beginning of monarchical power in Norman times to the present queen, the British royal family has experienced many scandals, triumphs, and changes in public image, but few of their reigns can be described as uneventful. With contributions by specialist authors and contemporary illustrations of royal heraldry and coats of arms, Antonia Fraser has edited a definitive and entertaining history of one of the most powerful monarchies in the world.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, European History

112 pages, Paperback

First published November 6, 2000

About the author

Dr Andrew Roberts, who was born in 1963, took a first class honours degree in Modern History at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, from where he is an honorary senior scholar and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). He has written or edited twelve books, and appears regularly on radio and television around the world. Based in New York, he is an accomplished public speaker, and is represented by HarperCollins Speakers’ Bureau (See Speaking Engagements and Speaking Testimonials). He has recently lectured at Yale, Princeton and Stanford Universities and at the US Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to Goodreads having the column of page count on its list, I've been trying to get the smaller books off my to-read list. It has helped find books that were youth or coffee table type books. Most are surprises, as I don't remember why certain books have made it to my to-read lists. I have no idea how this ended up on the to-read list. I think it got added with the Hanover's book as it is the same series. A fact I did not know until I went to write this review and found the series in the parenthesis. This issue is a brief history of the Windsor chapter of the monarchy. It's almost 20 years old at this point. So, Queen Elizabeth's legacy has greatly changed. However, the rest is told very much in a Wikipedia condensed fashion. A quick read in a coffee table book way.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned so much about the Royal House of Windsor. There's much that I didn't know. The author does a captivating job telling the story of the different characters. I highly recommend this book.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good discussion of the Kings and Queen of the House of Windsor from 1910 through 2010. Due to England's desire to disassociate itself from Germany in 1917 at the end of WWI (Hanover being of Germanic origin), the Royal Family (King George V) changed the family line from Hanover to Windsor. George V succeeded as King in 1910 and was followed by his son Edward VIII (who abdicated due to his marriage to Mrs. Simpson - she being an American twice divorced), then by his son George VI who died in 1952. George VI's daughter Queen Elizabeth II succeeded him and continues to being England's reigning monarch. If Queen Elizabeth II lives until 2015, she will eclipse Queen Victoria (who reigned from 1837 to 1901) as England's monarch who reigned for the longest period.

[Mary Ronan Drew · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the publisher: The House of Windsor has undergone profound changes since its inception in 1917. Their tenure has seen two world wars, an abdication, and undreamed-of social change, but still the monarchy prevails. Andrew Roberts traces their history to the tragic death of the Princess of Wales and its aftermath.

2011 No 190

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the book I was hoping to read about the Windsor family. It has its value as it provides more information that Wikipedia, just for that is worth reading. However, I wanted more historical facts and less cheering about the family. The author took its time to show his admiration for the individuals which, from my point of view, took away some objectivity.

[Beth Bedee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very short overview of the Windsors. It's good if you're interested in the Royal family and want a more in-depth story than Wikipedia provides or as a launch pad for further, more in-depth research.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief overview. Not what I'm looking for right now.