Author: Philip Eade
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Publish Date: November 8, 2011
Source: Library
Why You're Reading This Book:
- You're a biography fan.
- You like reading about the Royals.
From Goodreads.com: "Before he met the young girl who became Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip had a tumultuous upbringing in Greece, France, Nazi Germany, and Britain. His mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, was born deaf; she was committed to a psychiatric clinic when Philip was eight. His father, Prince Andrew of Greece, already traumatized by his exile from his home country, promptly shut up the family home and went off to live with his mistress, effectively leaving his young son an orphan.Remarkably, Philip emerged from his difficult childhood a character of singular vitality and dash—self-confident, opinionated, and devastatingly handsome. Girls fell at his feet, and the princess who would become his wife was smitten from the age of thirteen. Yet alongside his considerable charm and intelligence, the young prince was also prone to volcanic outbursts, which would have profound consequences for his family and the future of the monarchy.In this authoritative and wonderfully compelling book, acclaimed biographer Philip Eade brings to vivid life the storm-tossed early years of one of the most fascinating and mysterious members of the royal family."
My Two Cents:
Prince Philip is probably the member of the British royal family that I know the least about, which is why I picked up this book. The book only covers his childhood up until the point where he married Elizabeth, the woman who would become Queen. I felt really bad for him. He had a pretty terrible childhood with being exiled and then having parents that were sort of absent during his formative years.
The book mostly focuses on interviews with people who knew the Prince during those years. I liked this book but it's very much a "just the facts, ma'am" kind of book. What I mean by that is that there isn't much expounding on the Prince or his character. It's really more of so-and-so said this about the Prince in this scenario and so-and-so said that about the Prince in this scenario. It did get a little repetitive.
It was interesting to learn more about the Prince. He definitely went through a lot before he became probably the most well-known Queen Consort in the world.
Bottom line: Royal watchers will be interested in this story.
I really don't know much (if anything!) about Prince Philip myself, so I have a feeling I would be interested in this one! Too bad it gets repetitive, though; that could be an attention-killer for me.
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