George VI (Penguin Monarchs) cover art

George VI (Penguin Monarchs)

The Dutiful King

 Preview

Get 30 days of Premium Plus free

£8.99/month after 30-day free trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for £0.00
More purchase options
Buy Now for £7.99

Buy Now for £7.99

About this listen

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of George VI: The Dutiful King by Philip Ziegler, read by Charlie Anson.

If Ethelred was notoriously 'Unready' and Alfred 'Great', King George VI should bear the designation of 'George the Dutiful'. Throughout his life he dedicated himself to the pursuit of what he thought he ought to be doing rather than what he wanted to do. Inarticulate and loathing any sort of public appearances, he accepted that it was his destiny to figure regularly and conspicuously in the public eye, gritted his teeth, largely conquered his crippling stammer and got on with it. He was not born to be king, but he made an admirable one, and was the figurehead of the nation at the time of its greatest trial, during the Second World War. This is a sparklingly brilliant and enjoyable book about him.

 20th Century Europe Great Britain Historical Modern Politics & Activism Royalty Winston Churchill
All stars
Most relevant
Pithy and to the point, like all the books in this series. There is always a point of view in biography, this one an awkward combination of sympathy and contempt. No respect for the effort and a refusal to admit the intelligence behind the choices he made. An attitude not dissimilar from that of George's constant witty detractors of the late 30s and 40's. He can't quite bring himself to go the whole hog since to do so would mean supporting the repulsive Duke of Windsor. Just settles for quiet disparagement.

Pithy

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.