Diana, Princess of Wales: A Biography

Greenwood Biographies

by Martin "Marty" Gitlin

Long before her tragic death, Diana, Princess of Wales was a beloved modern icon, relatable to the general public in a way that transcended the barrier between royal and commoner. As a member of the royal family in an age of mass media, her fairy-tale wedding to, and painful divorce from, Prince Charles was played out on the world stage. Later, her humanitarian work for the Red Cross, her campaigns against landmines, and her work with the sick, especially AIDS victims, added a compassionate element to the royal family in the eyes of the world―and the world, ten years later, still hasn't gotten enough of Lady Di. This objective, accessible volume explores Diana's fascinating life, including her aristocratic upbringing, her whirlwind engagement to Prince Charles, her rocky marriage, her post-divorce status as global humanitarian icon, the media's frenzied treatment of her death, and her charitable legacy, including her sons' coming-of-age and their attempts to honor her memory.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published April 30, 2008

About the author

MARTIN (MARTY) GITLIN is a freelance book writer and journalist based in Cleveland, Ohio. In addition to Diana, Princess of Wales (Greenwood 2008), he has written several history books for students, including works on the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, Battle of The Little Bighorn, and Stock Market Crash of 1929. He has also written biographies of NASCAR drivers Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon.

Gitlin worked for two decades as a sportswriter, during which time he won more than 45 awards, including first place for general excellence from Associated Press. That organization also selected him as one of the top four feature writers in Ohio.

Reviews

[Riley Tucker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Diana, Princess of Wales
Non-fiction

I enjoyed this book, I got to learn more about Princess Diana than I have before and I love learning about her. It was interesting how there was so much I didn't know until I picked up this book.

I had a few problems with this book, mostly being how the author wrote Diana as a damsel in distress. It was unfitting for her to be written that way. Diana is known for being a strong and independent woman. She supported many charities and proceeded to make many differences in the world. She moved people in many ways and was known for supporting women empowerment and more. So having the author go and write this inspirational person in such a degrading manner is just rude.

Another thing was how he focused on her being this yearning person who couldn't find love and just begged for the attention. Yes Princess Diana might have been searching for love her whole life, but going and saying that she just was so desperate and basically needed a man is just beyond me. Diana has done so many amazing things, with and without a man and to overlook the great things she has done to twist it in a way that paints her in a vain character is disgusting.

Overall it was the worst book I have read but also not the best. I enjoyed reading about Diana and her life but not the authors writing.

[Ruds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second biography I've read about diana