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Traitor King

The Scandalous Exile of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor

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Traitor King

By: Andrew Lownie
Narrated by: Andrew Lownie
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About this listen

 FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF ENTITLED, 'THE MOST DEVASTATING ROYAL BIOGRAPHY EVER WRITTEN', DAILY MAIL
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

A Daily Mail Royal Book of the Year, 2021

'Darkly compelling...hundreds of eye-popping details...Gripping ... damning portrait of the Windsors' Daily Mail 'Book of the Week'

'Briskly written and compulsively readable...' - A.N. Wilson, TLS

'Meticulously researched' - Spectator

'Entertaining... convincing... timely. Urgent reading for royals' - Evening Standard


December 1936. The King of England, Edward VIII, has given up his Crown, foregoing his duty for the love of Wallis Simpson, an American divorcée. Their courtship has been dogged by controversy and scandal, but with Edward's abdication, they can live happily ever after. But do they?

In Traitor King, bestselling historian Andrew Lownie draws on hitherto unexplored archives to uncover the dramatic world of the Windsors post-abdication. Lownie reveals a couple obsessed with their status, financially exploiting their position and manipulating the media. Filled with treachery and betrayal, this is a story of an exiled Royal and the Nazi attempts to recruit him to their cause. And of why the Royal family never forgave the Duke for choosing love over duty.©2021 Andrew Lownie (P)2021 Bonnier Books UK Europe Great Britain Politics & Activism Royalty

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Critic reviews

"Darkly compelling...hundreds of eye-popping details.... Gripping...damning portrait of the Windsors." (Daily Mail, Book of the Week)

"Briskly written and compulsively readable...." (A.N. Wilson, TLS)

"Meticulously researched." (Spectator)

"Entertaining...convincing...timely. Urgent reading for royals." (Evening Standard)

All stars
Most relevant
Well written and a fascinating insight into the life of a very flawed man.
The narration was fine but it’s always preferable to have a professional rather than the author. He did pretty well but various stumbles distracted from the story.
I don’t know why authors are allowed to do this!

Interesting listen

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Bought this after listening to the BBC History Podcast and was not disappointed. It is a really well researched and thorough overview to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor AFTER the abdication.
Really well read by the author as well.

Engrossing

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Really enjoyed Lownie's very informative account of the empty and ultimately sad lives of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor although he should have had it recorded by a professional.

fascinating story

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Bought this in a BOGOF and I’m so glad I did. Over the years I’ve read/listened to many books on Edward and Mrs Simpson and I think this book has been the best. Some of the details contain therein were-new to me and my thoughts on the couple as selfish, deluded wasters were solidified. They both should have rode off into the sunset never to be heard from again instead they both developed a self entitlement which neither earned and treated everyone surrounding them with disdain except of course Herr Hitler and his crew….

Scandals and affairs abound plus constant whinging regarding ‘that woman’s’ HRH status and his gissa job and more money, make them even more unlikeable. However the one saving grace is I suppose he abdicated!

This book is well written and well read by the author.

Enjoyable and eye opening

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I loved the history that was covered, but I found the narration very boring. Could have been better performed.

The History Was Good, But The Performance Was Off

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