17 Carnations

The Royals, the Nazis and the Biggest Cover-Up in History

By: Andrew Morton

Narrated by: James Langton

For fans of the Netflix series The Crown, a meticulously researched historical tour de force about the secret ties among Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, the Duke of Windsor, and Adolf Hitler before, during, and after World War II. Andrew Morton tells the story of the feckless Edward VIII, later Duke of Windsor, his American wife, Wallis Simpson, the bizarre wartime Nazi plot to make him a puppet king after the invasion of Britain, and the attempted cover-up by Churchill, General Eisenhower, and King George VI of the duke's relations with Hitler. From the alleged affair between Simpson and the German foreign minister to the discovery of top secret correspondence about the man dubbed "the traitor king" and the Nazi high command, this is a saga of intrigue, betrayal, and deception suffused with a heady aroma of sex and suspicion.

For the first time, Morton reveals the full story behind the cover-up of those damning letters and diagrams: The daring heist ordered by King George VI, the smooth duplicity of a Soviet spy, as well as the bitter rows and recriminations among the British and American diplomats, politicians, and academics. Drawing on FBI documents, exclusive pictures, and material from the German, Russian, and British royal archives, as well as the personal correspondence of Churchill, Eisenhower, and the Windsors themselves, 17 Carnations is a dazzling historical drama, full of adventure, intrigue, and startling revelations, written by a master of the genre.

©2015 Andrew Morton (P)2015 Hachette Audio

things to know about a controversial couple

Would you listen to 17 Carnations again? Why?

yes, the narration is interesting and never bores the listener

What other book might you compare 17 Carnations to and why?

I haven't read any alike -

Which scene was your favorite?

The moment Wallis lived in London and how she manage to be with lovers and husband, how part of the society supported her.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The woman who played chess with power

Any additional comments?

A witty narration , elegant , without hurt anybody but telling the truth about a love story with treason , a thriller .

Captivating read essential for anyone interested in the role family of Great Britain

Andrew Morton’s done a masterful job with this book if you’re interested in the history of theBritish royal family
You’ll find this book Fascinating intriguing and engaging

17 Carnations

As always. Andrew Morton is great. Really thought Wallis bit off more than she could chew.

Dangerous fools

Any additional comments?

I have read several books about Edward VIII and can only think that the world has much to thank his unsuitable wife for. She saved us from having Edward as king at a time when Britain was in dire peril, and as a result we had George VI and then our present queen. Edward should have been tried for treason, whether his actions were the result of sheer stupidity or evil intent, for others who did less and had less influence were executed after the war. Wallis was a selfish, social-climbing hedonist who expected to be treated as royalty at a time when the British were near starving and being bombed daily. They were both used as patsies by Hitler, and seemed oblivious to the damage they did in fawning over him. I think a firing squad would have been too good for them and I applaud the royal family for consistently refusing to pander to them. Andrew Morton did a reasonable job with the book, but I certainly would have liked more information about how the Duke got away with it.

Treason

A well written review of known history, contemporary gossip, and a certain amount of creative filling-in of what will never be known. In comparison with other works, such as “Princes at War,” this volume covers the behavior of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor during the decade from the Abdication to the post-war period. The portrait of the couple conforms with that obtained from other contemporary sources. These are two truly vile people trapped in an empty maze of their own making. Their personal Hell is eclipsed only by the damage both wrought to the English cause before World War 2 and in its early stages. Treason is a kind term for what David, Duke of Windsor, did in 1940 through 1942. The idea that his brother, George VI and Churchill both protected him long after his betrayal became clear, is the supreme irony of the story. The latter chapters detailing the effort of the British to efface the historical record of Windsor’s courtship of the Nazis add a note of absurdity to an increasingly shabby tale. A very readable review of history for those watching “The Crown” on TV.

Another Churchill disaster

Amazing how Churchill wormed his way into everything Queen Mum comes out well. George is a little pathetic. So many reputations tarnished—Ike, Bedal Smith. Even Bevin—appearing as a royal …licker. All the sins of royalty and aristocracy on nauseating display. Why do people still revere them?

Great Book !

Very good . I liked this book very much and will definitely recommend it to a friend .

Rehashed Old Information

I was really disappointed. With all the hype that came prior to the release of yet another of Andrew Morton's highly researched books I was looking forward to being 'wowed '. I have been sorely disappointed.

Same old information 'rehashed'.

On the plus side the narrator's performance was superb making a 'silk purse out of a sow's ear'!

Of course if the subject matter is new to you, well you may be able to overlook it's never ending pages of unneeded rambling.

Not Mr. Morton's best work.

quite interesting

well written well narrated royals care more about face than morality made for good listening

Blah…

Interesting in parts; enjoyed learning some new information. However the pace is slow and the timeline is all over the place—difficult to follow.