This book has some interesting material in it about relations between George V's four sons who had survived to the king's own death in 1935, and covers the period from then until the accession of Elizabeth II. That material is about what might be called the family relationships. But the book (c.400 pages) is badly afflicted by writer's bloat, with endless and unnecessary material about the course of WWII and also too much about Churchill. Some is needed for context of course, but not this much. And the author never misses an opportunity to add extra adjectives. The book also tails off a lot after 1946.
The author's heart is in the right place, showing up what a shirker and coward Edward VIII was. But the book, overall, is very disappointing compared with what might have been ( )

World War II is on its way to England, a trying time for a man who did not plan on becoming king. This book is largely a history of WWII in England and as England saw it, with an emphasis on the royal family and the Duke of Windsor. Much of what I read I'd heard before, but there were some things I didn't know, particularly about the Duke, the abdicated king, and his role with Germany. The other royal brothers, Dukes of Kent and Gloucester, were also mentioned in their roles in the war. I found this book to be interesting and informative. I always appreciate a good book that teaches me something. ( )

Finished the book on March 5, 2018. Excellent

A good overview of King George VI and his brothers the Duke of Windsor (formerly King Edward VIII), the Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent. Mostly dawn from the king's war diary, it concentrates on the king's rise to fill his role during WWII, and the increasing petiness of Windsor and his wife, Wallis Simpson. I hadn't known much about the two younger brothers nor the circumstances of Kent's tragic death, so I found the book most interesting. ( )

At times this book is very well researched with excellent notes about events then it will descent into speculation that the book says is speculation but wants to control what the reader thinks about an event. It is well written and I was moved at points of the narrative but it was the occasional mean spirited aside that stopped me from truly enjoying this book. Of all the people in this book only the king and Churchill are spared it. The parts that are pure history, which is most of the book, are very enjoyable. Going from the very beginning of George VI’s reign to his death, the fact-based material is interesting, well written, and moving. I had tears in my eyes at some of the speeches that were reproduced. Seeing what the war did to the royal family from an inside perspective was refreshing break from the horrors of most of the World War II books I have been reading lately. The horrors are still there but the hopefulness and the bond of the family helped. Take this book with a grain of salt and it should be very enjoyable.

I give this book a Four out of Five stars. ( )