The Firm: The Troubled Life of the House of Windsor - Tapa blanda

..." a solid analysis of the monarchy." --"Booklist"
JUNOR, PENNY. The Firm: The Troubled Life of the House of Windsor. Thomas Dunne Bks: St. Martin's. 2005. c.464p. photogs. bibliog. index. ISBN 0-312-35274-3. $25.95. HIST Readers of this interesting and occasionally jaw-dropping look at the world's most famous dysfunctional family will find plenty to engage them. Journalist and royal biographer Junor (Charles: Victim or Villain; Diana, Princess of Wales) tells the reader that "the Queen...believes that with few exceptions everything that has gone wrong for the monarchy in the last twenty years has been attributable to Mrs. Parker Bowles." And the reason Prince Harry wore a Nazi uniform to a costume party? "Today's young are blissfully unaware of history (some of them aren't even taught it in our schools)." The reader comes away from the book feeling that had this family ever actually sat down and talked to one another a lot of their very public misfortunes might have been avoided. However, Junor doesn't just dish the dirt. She goes to a great deal of trouble to explain how "The Firm" works (and the queen, Princes Philip and Charles, and Princess Anne work very hard
indeed) and at what actual cost to the nation. Given the Royal Family's frequent appearance in the headlines, this work is sure to be in demand. Highly recommended for all public libraries.-Elizabeth Mellett, Brookline P.L., MA
London journalist and longtime Windsor-watcher Junor ("Home Truths,"" Charles: Victim or Villian?, Charles and Diana: Portrait of a Marriage," etc.) considers the British royal family's continuation into the 21st century in this sympathetic account, covering Diana's death to the present day. The explanation, Junor believes, lies both in the "magic" of the monarchy and in the family's organization into the titular businesslike entity, a phrase coined by Prince Philip. She asserts that the value of the monarchy-during this era without hierarchy, deference and respect-is to act as "a fixture in this morass" of modern life. Junor has met nearly all the royals, as well as many of their associates, and her observations plus long excerpts from interviews give the book an insider feel. This is a favorable, respectful portrait: Junor tempers any criticisms with admiring descriptions of the royals' good deeds, especially their charity work. And despite the book's subtitle, she doesn't dwell on the royal scandals, focusing instead on the details of her subjects' lives and personalities. This approach generates some extraneous chapters, such as the passage exploring the minutia of the Queen's private interests (e.g. horses). However, this book's depth and gentle commentary on a subject usually dominated by tabloid expos??'s should gratify those with an affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. "Color photos."" (July)"

.,." a solid analysis of the monarchy." --"Booklist"

"A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy." ---"Publishers Weekly"

"Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended." ---"Library Journal"

"... a solid analysis of the monarchy." --"Booklist"

“A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain’s monarchy.” ---"Publishers Weekly"

“Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended.” ---"Library Journal"

.".. a solid analysis of the monarchy." --"Booklist"

"A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy." ---"Publishers Weekly"

"Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended." ---"Library Journal"

..". a solid analysis of the monarchy." --"Booklist"

"A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy." ---"Publishers Weekly"

"Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended." ---"Library Journal"

a solid analysis of the monarchy. "Booklist"

A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. "Publishers Weekly"

Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended. "Library Journal""

..". a solid analysis of the monarchy." --Booklist

"A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy." --Publishers Weekly

"Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended." --Library Journal

A full-scale, intimate biography presents a candid look at the members of the British royal family, focusing on the years following the death of Princess Diana to the present day. Reprint. 25,000 first printing.