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The Real Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor

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About this listen

‘A profoundly moving meditation on love, loyalty, and, ultimately, forgiveness’ AMANDA FOREMAN

'Attempts to redress the balance and emphasises Simpson's intelligence, independence and unwillingness to ruin the life of the man she loved’ OBSERVER

The intimate biography of one of the most misunderstood women in British royal history. Now 40 years since her death and the 90 year anniversary of the abdication, there is no better time to look back on this brilliant woman's life.

Life has always been made difficult for those marrying into England’s royal family. In 1936, just months into his reign, King Edward VIII proposed to Wallis Simpson, a divorced American woman. Gossip ran wild, and that cacophony of speculation and distrust both hid the real Wallis, and forced Edward into abdicating so that he might marry the woman he adored.

In this intimate biography Anna Pasternak seeks to understand Wallis – and her relationship with Edward and The Crown. Using testimony from her closest friends, she shows the warm, loyal, intelligent woman who was written off and undermined by the powerful, often manipulative men of the Establishment. This is Wallis Simpson’s story as it has never been told before.

Previously published as Untitled.

Entertainment & Celebrities Europe Politics & Activism Politics & Government Royalty World Celebrity Imperialism British Empire

Critic reviews

Praise for Anna Pasternak:

#1 January book on Ophrah.com

‘Riveting, tragic tale’ New Yorker

‘A gripping and well-researched book’ Express

‘What makes the book unputdownable is Pasternak’s lively and detailed retelling of this ever-fascinating, ridiculously poignant love story.’ The Times

‘Anna Pasternak’s empathetic study of Wallis emphasises her intelligence, independence and unwillingness to ruin the life of the man she loved.’ Guardian

‘Pasternak’s mission here, accomplished with style and discernment, is to give appropriate balance to how history has proffered Mrs. Simpson’s character and motives (many have viewed her as a gold-digger) and recorded her role in the abdication crisis. What Pasternak poignantly reveals is that both the king and Mrs. Simpson demonstrated incredible naivete about the consequences of their marriage.’ Booklist

‘[A] gripping if sad chapter in history and she tells it well’ Evening Standard

‘Meticulously researched’ Sunday Times

‘Anna Pasternak has produced an irresistible account of joy, suffering and passion’ Financial Times

‘A story with enough romance and suffering to make a moving novel or film in its own right’ Observer

‘Anna Pasternak does not spare an ounce of drama nor detail …. a profoundly moving meditation on love, loyalty, and, ultimately, forgiveness’ Amanda Foreman

‘A … marvellously interesting book …fascinating’ Spectator

‘Passionate and intriguing … this is a brave and necessary rebuttal to much of the historical record’ Country & Town House

‘A fascinating story’ Country Life

‘An enchanting love story, wonderfully told’ Sir Ronald Harwood

‘Pasternak offers a variety of thought-provoking arguments to counter the accepted wisdom about Simpson … Those who have read other accounts will want to look at this other side.’ Kirkus

‘Accomplished with style and discernment’ Booklist

All stars
Most relevant
I have always been fascinated with the story of Wallis Simpson; and like many people really could not understand what made a king give up his throne. This book gives depth to the characters and the complex background that surrounds this. I was left liking Wallis and felt such sadness for how history has demonised her. This book is so well written and also beautifully read that it both captivates and informs.

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I thought I knew all there was to know about this story, completely wrong about our supposed Royal history! What an insight, this wronged woman who has been cast as a monster was nothing of the sort & tried to keep 'David', on the throne. All luminaries that contributed to the book, none had a bad word to say against her. I'd love to have been invited to one of 'The Windsor's' legendry parties. Excellent book, well worth the listen & highly recommend

Wow, what an insight!

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I really enjoyed listening to this well researched and well delivered book. Much of the story I knew, but new light was shed on the appalling and callous behaviour of the Royal family et al towards the couple. A sad tale indeed, which left a tear in my eye during the final chapter and epilogue.

Excellent

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Excellent book and well worth listening to. A new way of looking at this woman who has been cast as a she devil when in fact she was caught up with a very weak man who became infatuated with her. She really had no way to turn. Would recommend it

Wallis

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Anna Pasternak has written a fascinating tale of Wallis Simpson.
However, the reading was most annoying with wayward pronunciations and many g's sounding heavily at the end of kinG.

Fascinating story

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