Snowdon

The Biography

De: Anne deCourcy

Narrado por: Theo Solomon

"The most sensational book on the Royal Family in recent times." (Sunday Telegraph)

"Offers a fascinating insight into not just his life but the social mores of the day." (Evening Standard)

How did a photographer who was a relentless playboy, an unashamed womanizer, and a leather-clad motorcyclist marry the Queen's sister and become the Establishment figure Lord Snowdon? The brilliantly talented Antony Armstrong-Jones often humiliated Princess Margaret, yet he was compassionate to the causes he cared about. Since his death in 2017, Snowdon still hasn't escaped the limelight, as more and more is revealed about his wild and intriguing life.

Written with exclusive access to Snowdon and the people closest to him, this book uncovers the real man and his times. Addressing the facts behind the myths - the secret courtship of Margaret, the love child born just weeks after the royal marriage, the affairs on both sides, the suicide of one mistress, and the birth of an illegitimate son to another - this balanced yet no-holds-barred account of Snowdon's life is essential for fans of The Crown and Ma'am Darling.

©2008 Anne de Courcy (P)2021 Tantor

Narrator

Part of the enjoyment of this book was lessened for me due to the strange cadence of the narration. In addition to the "speed" of the reading sounding unnaturally slow, I found myself struggling to determine if one sentence had ended and a nother had begun. Was punctuation just thrown to the wind?

I have no doubt this book would have been much more enjoyable if a more natural sounding narration had been employed.

A True Original

Anthony Armstrong Jones ( Snowdon) was a memorable, talented and complex individual who really was his first wife’s equal. ( Princess Margaret)
He was witty and wicked but also could be kind and generous. This book does a very comprehensive study of his considerable artistic talents as well as his excessive search for constant and ever changing female companionship.
The story ends while Jones was still alive and kicking - though not as high as he once did. I found the reader a bit arch but his inflections gradually grew on me as the chapters quickly flew by.

Superb narration

Stuffed full of incredible details. It’s a balanced portrait of a gifted man with some familiar interpersonal flaws. His mother was a selfish, rapacious social climber.
I love all of Anne de Courcy’s books. Cannot wait to see what she writes next.

Fascinating story. very interesting and complicated man

Very interesting story. I learned a lot about the historical events. Fascinating man- both good and bad. He was clearly a flawed person and cruel in some ways, but also incredibly hard working, charming, creative, and a fierce advocate for the disabled at a time when few were. Would recommend if you are interested in that period in history, royalty, or the history of disability rights in England. I listened at 1.2x speed and it was perfect.

Fascinating

If you like British royal stories you'll enjoy this. Top-notch writing, Narration good enough, could have benefited from variation in tone and pacing. Excellent overall.

Zzzzzzz

Who decided Theo Solomon was the best man for this job? I was so excited to get this as a listen since I enthusiastically read anything and everything that has to do with Princess Margaret. This narration bored me to tears. I have to admit I marked this audiobook as “Finished” because I’d rather read it myself. I am truly upset I wasted a credit on such a poorly narrated book. I strongly suggest Anne deCourcy have this audio re-narrated by someone else who at least has inflection, importance and even a bit of excitement in their voice.

Watched "The Crown"? That's only part of the story

The Queen's sister, Margaret, married Tony Snowdon after "they" broke her heart about Peter Townsend and sent the love of her life away. Margaret was a party girl and yet an iconoclast as she also wanted her due as a Royal to be paid. If you watched Helena Bonham Carter play Margaret on "The Crown" you get a sense of what Tony and his set had to deal with. BUT - this is a story about HIM - maverick, photographer, favorite of The Queen Mum even after the divorce - Tony was still required to walk 3 paces behind and he didn't much like it after a time.

Interesting story of a mercurial man

This biography was well researched and balanced portrait of a difficult man. He was a study in contrasts, admirable and despicable in turn. Apparently charming but a monster with women. An interesting, enjoyable read.

Truly terrible reader

Some interesting information, but the reader conveys it so badly. He seems to not know the sense of what he is reading. He seems bored and irritated.
Hard to know if it is his reading or the writing that makes one feel that the book doesn’t flow.