The Queen Mother

The Official Biography

By: William Shawcross

Narrated by: William Shawcross

The official and definitive biography of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother: Consort of King George VI, mother of Queen Elizabeth II, grandmother of Prince Charles - and the most beloved British monarch of the 20th century.

Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon - the ninth of the Earl of Strathmore’s 10 children - was born on August 4, 1900, and, certainly, no one could have imagined that her long life (she died in 2002) would come to reflect a changing nation over the course of an entire century. Now, William Shawcross - given unrestricted access to the Queen Mother’s personal papers, letters, and diaries - gives us a portrait of unprecedented vividness and detail. Here is the girl who helped convalescing soldiers during the First World War...the young Duchess of York helping her reluctant husband assume the throne when his brother abdicated...the Queen refusing to take refuge from the bombing of London, risking her own life to instill courage and hope in others who were living through the Blitz...the dowager Queen - the last Edwardian, the charming survivor of a long-lost era - representing her nation at home and abroad...the matriarch of the Royal Family and “the nation’s best-loved grandmother".

A revelatory royal biography that is, as well, a singular history of Britain in the 20th century.

©2009 William Shawcross (P)2009 Random House

Wonderfully written biography of an amazing Roman.

Very fact based and respectful. Elizabeth Bowes Lyon was pulled into a life for which she had never prepared or sought. She excelled through steely commitment, courage and devotion as she inspired her countrymen through a changing world.

Wonderful book about a wonderful woman

I truly enjoyed this listen. It was easy to listen to, narrated by the author, and fast-paced. I found it especially interesting and contrast with certain members of today's Royal family who do not wish to do their duties, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's devotion to her country was even more outstanding.

Magnificent

I really enjoyed this. Having direct quotes by Queen Elizabeth read by a woman was a nice touch. The only reason I gave it an overall rating of 4 is that I wish it was unabridged. I’ve read the book and it’s all excellent. I hope someday it will be rereleased in its entirety; I will buy it again.

Excellent book!

After reading and listening to a number of historical books about many different members of the royal family through the centuries, this is the first book that moved me to tears regarding the death of a royal. The narration was also beautifully done. This is a remarkable book about a very human and yet very lovely, charming and admirable woman who was a true queen in every positive sense of the word.

Great bio of Queen Mother but too official

The good: detailed bio. Fills in some of the background missing from other books, films and videos. Clearly narrated with cute interjections of different actors playing the characters like the Queen Mother.

The bit strange: so little real detail about the relationship of the Queen Mother with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. It feels like a lot of this content was intentionally left out or cut.

The stultified: a bit condescending culturally to contemporary British popular culture.

More like homage than biography

Disappointed that the writer was so worshipful of the queen mother. We know now that the QM was a domineering woman who tried to have her way in everything, inserted herself in other people's business, was a spendthrift privileged person who cloaked herself in do-goodery. This is a good read, but it totally lacks any perceptive detail or analysis. More like an outline of her life than a discerning, penetrating biography.

Great bio

Just wish there was an unabridged version. Feel like I learned so much about her but wondering what was cut out?

The right woman at exactly the right time

I was actually looking for a biography of George VI on audible but couldn't find on so I got this one as it was the closest I could get. I'm beginning to think audible is prejudiced towards male monarchs.

She wasn't really all that special but she brought humanity to the Royal family at a time when they desperately needed it. And she did it with grace and an abundance of charm. She was the right woman at exactly the right place and time.

What a life!

Wonderful biography of the Queen Mother. Shawcross captures the essence of the times Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon lived through.
My only wish would be that it had been read unabridged;)

An uplifting story

This is a great book. The story is well written and leaves you feeling like you knew the Queen. I’m really glad I listened to it.