In the recent past I have enjoyed many books and movies dedicated to this subject.  I closed each book wondering if anything new had been written.  "The Crown In Crisis" had that something new that I was looking for.  This rendition of the facts seems more factual and less "finger pointing" than most.  I believe the people of Great Britain dodged the bullet when Edward the VIII abdicated.  I would ike to read more by this author and hope he might fill in some more gaps in this amazing time in history.  

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the published, Netgalley.  I was not required to give a positive review.  This opinion is my own and I stand by it.  Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR

Much has been written, in fiction and non-fiction, about Wallis and Edward VIII of late. I have read many books on the subject because I've always been fascinated by the British monarchy. Admittedly, Wallis and David are not my most favorite topics, but I do find interest in their story as to how it changed the course of history. The Crown in Crisis dutifully runs through the story and remarks on the scandalous nature of Wallis and her background. Larman introduced other main characters who were involved in the drama. I just found the approach dry and a tad bit stale. There were many side stories, almost to the point of submerging the main story. I'm sure this book contributes to the canon of information on this subject, but I found it lacking.

Drawing from newly released archival sources, interviews, letters, and diaries, here is the full story of Edward VIII whose love for American divorcee' Wallis Simpson caused him to give up the throne, threatening the stability of the British government and the monarchy.

Edward was charming and beloved by the common people, but he preferred pleasure to work and freedom to upholding the narrow conventions expected from a monarch. He had no intellectual interests, no Christian faith (although head of the state church), and hated the drudgery of being a monarch.

Readers learn about Edward's personality and weaknesses, his gay life and affairs, and how Wallis came to be his obsession.

The British newspapers would not publish stories about Edward's affair with the married Wallis. The couple took a pleasure cruise across the world with friends, the foreign press filled with photographs and stories about them.

Wallis found herself trapped by Edward's compulsive addiction, trying valiantly to talk him out of his determination to marry her if her divorce was granted. He was too powerful, and he would not listen to her pleas, and the divorce and the abdication went through.

The once-king lost his homeland, his property, his power, and his family to gain the woman he loved. Wallis was imprisoned in a marriage she had hoped to avoid.

This is more than a love story, more than a history of a deeply flawed man. It tells the story of a government in crisis, struggling to deal with the most unexpected challenge. It is riveting as history, and disturbing as a portrait of a self-centered leader who put the personal above their duty to nation.  

I received a free egalley from the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.

I have always been interested in the Royal Family. This book give a much more detailed and in-depth story that helps readers to see more of the actions of the people surrounding the Duke of Windsor. It is well written and easily read. In many ways it is from the Duke's point of view. I would have like to see a little bit more of the then Duke of York's actions and words. But it really was about the "King" and Mrs. Simpson.

This was a wonderfully intensively researched book on a topic which still today mesmerizes many. The abdication of King Edward made many a headline of its day, bu it was the background to all of this that made for a most fascinating read. 

Many found it hard to understand how a king could give up so much for a twice divorced American woman Wallis Simpson, and yet he did. He became a man without his country and Wallis became a woman who stole a man away from what was supposedly his destiny.

Written with many new facts and details about both the main players in the tale, and those who were in the background desperately trying to find a solution when the tradition of the land didn't provide one that Edward wanted. 

The book presents a plethora of details and those who enjoy reading about the scenes behind the scene will definitely find this book to their liking. 

Thanksyou to Alexander Lamen, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, and NetGalley for a copy of this book due out January 19, 2021

352 pages

5 stars

This very detailed look into the abdication of King Edward VIII in 1936 is both instructive and eye-opening. 

Whatever you think about the whole affair of the “playboy prince” and the “grasping divorcee,” the reader will get an inside look to the politics and opinions of not only the then king, but also of politicians, religious leaders, the general public and Wallis herself. On the other hand, Edward did have his supporters such as Winston Churchill and Lord Beaverbrook. 

I remain somewhat puzzled over Edward and Wallis' relationship. Did she manipulate him? Was he that weak? Perhaps it was best that he did not remain king, especially given his attraction to the Nazi cause. He might have made Mr. Churchill's direction of the British response in the war a nightmare. 

The whole question of how closely Edward and Wallis' relationships were to the Nazis is discussed as well. The specter of Wallis' “affair” with von Ribbentrop is covered in the book as well, as is Wallis' husband at the time, Ernest's, reaction – or lack thereof. 

I didn't know much about von Ribbentrop's personality and this book was absolutely great for fleshing him out. What a smarmy dude! I really appreciated the information Mr. Larman imparted about the man. 

This book was well written and easy to read. It was not just a dry recitation of facts. Mr. Larman has a real talent for telling a story – even a real story. 

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for forwarding to me a copy of this informative and interesting book for me to read, enjoy and review.

This was a super in-depth looking into the abdication of Edward VIII. It has some amazing insights, as well as some things that haven't previously been released from the archives. If you want to know more about the Edward-Wallis saga, this is your book. The book also has a list of people and what they did or how they're involved and I found that extremely helpful.

I’ve read many books on this topic but this gave a fresh take on the subject.
Well researched and very informative.
I highly recommend this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Date reviewed: October 21, 2020

When life for the entire universe and planet turns on its end and like everyone else you "have nothing to do" while your place of work is once again closed and you are continuing to be in #COVID19 #socialisolation as the #secondwave is upon us,  superspeed readers like me can read 300+ pages/hour, so yes, I have read the book … and many more today.

I requested and received a temporary digital Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley, the publisher and the author in exchange for an honest review.  

From the publisher, as I do not repeat the contents or story of books in reviews, I let them do it as they do it better than I do 😸.

The thrilling and definitive account of the Abdication Crisis of 1936

On December 10, 1936, King Edward VIII brought a great international drama to a close when he abdicated, renouncing the throne of the United Kingdom for himself and his heirs. The reason he gave when addressing his subjects was that he could not fulfill his duties without the woman he loved—the notorious American divorcee Wallis Simpson—by his side. His actions scandalized the establishment, who were desperate to avoid an international embarrassment at a time when war seemed imminent. That the King was rumoured to have Nazi sympathies only strengthened their determination that he should be forced off the throne, by any means necessary.

Alexander Larman’s The Crown in Crisis will treat readers to a new, thrilling view of this legendary story. Informed by revelatory archival material never-before-seen, as well as by interviews with many of Edward’s and Wallis’s close friends, Larman creates an hour-by-hour, day-by-day suspenseful narrative that brings readers up to the point where the microphone is turned on and the king speaks to his subjects. As well as focusing on King Edward and Mrs. Simpson, Larman looks closely at the roles played by those that stood against him: Prime minister Stanley Baldwin, his private secretary Alec Hardinge, and the Archbishop of Canterbury Cosmo Lang. Larman also takes the full measure of those who supported him: the great politician Winston Churchill, Machiavellian newspaper owner Lord Beaverbrook, and the brilliant lawyer Walter Monckton.

For the first time in a book about the abdication, readers will read an in-depth account of the assassination attempt on Edward’s life and its consequences, a first-person chronicle of Wallis Simpson’s scandalous divorce proceedings, information from the Royal Archives about the government’s worries about Edward’s relationship with Nazi high-command Ribbentrop and a boots-on-the-ground view of how the British people saw Edward as they watched the drama unfold. You won’t be able to put down The Crown in Crisis, a full panorama of the people and the times surrounding Edward and the woman he loved.

This is an utterly engrossing read - there is so much information here that my mother told me to 'STOP TELLING HER ABOUT IT AND LET HER READ IT" which she is right now. The book is full of information but utterly readable - anyone who loves history will love this book and I am sure that much will be made in future days about Harry and Meghan (There is a tonne of books about them out right now, but only time will tell how juicy it gets!) It is never dry and it is often salacious and gossipy, which is what I adored!

I wish that Netflix's "The Crown"could work backwards and cover this time with their show...or that the sublime Jiuan Fellowes would make it his next show.  This is an invitation to a tv-series and book club reading: what a fabulous book. 

As always, I try to find a reason to not rate with stars as I simply adore emojis (outside of their incessant use by "🙏-ed Social Influencer Millennials/#BachelorNation survivors/Tik-Tok and YouTube  Millionaires/snowflakes etc. " on Instagram and Twitter... Get a real job, people!) so let's give it ♔♔♔♔♔

The story of Edward VIIII’s abdication for the woman he loved has been the subject of various movies, novels and biographies over the years and I have read many. Alexander Larman’s The Crown in Crisis stands apart from all the others. This is a richly detailed and fascinating perspective on the events leading to the abdication. The personalities and emotional rollercoaster of all those involved jump from the pages thanks to Mr. Larman’s  well researched archival material and interviews. The angst, the humiliation, the desire, the carelessness and the indiscretion of adultery are carefully layered to paint this picture of Edward VIII obsessive love for Wallis which changed the course of history. His writing style allows this book to read as a novel and it opens an intriguing door to this controversial story. The Crown in Crisis is enlightening and should be the ‘go to’ book on the abdication. I can not recommend it enough!
My thanks to NetGalley, Weidenfeld & Nicolson and Alexander Larman for an ARC in exchange for an honest book review.

An engaging, rigorous and insightful study of the Abdication Crisis.  Larman tells the story with verve, and draws on a range of illuminating sources to provide a comprehensive account of the parliamentary politics and social debate surrounding the relationship between Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson.

Insightful, thoughtfully written and meticulously researched, Alexander Larman sparked my undivided attention from the first paragraph.  This biography is unlike any I've read on the subject, very engaging and enlightening and difficult to put down.  I am so glad to have made this discovery!

Charismatic and glamorous yet bordering hedonistic King Edward VIII inherited the throne when his father died.  His pro-German stance just before the war was concerning.  He was reckless and oblivious and fell in love with American divorcee, Mrs. Wallis Simpson (married to her second husband at the time).  Though England tolerated indiscretions, adultery crossed the line.  Not only that but Mrs. Simpson wasn't exactly adored by many people.  Her ambition was boundless.  She impetuously disregarded royal mores and protocols.  Combined with Edward's carelessness and refusal to exercise discretion, their relationship caused much angst and embarrassment and led to his unprecedented abdication.  Rather than take counsel from those he trusted, he did what he liked regardless of the outcome.  

Staunch supporters such as Churchill remained loyal and supportive.  Edward had enemies as well (death threats to him and Wallis).  Press was both invited and dodged.

Monarchy...and England...suffered as a result before and after Edward left for good.  His intense obsession with Wallis drove him to make rash choices and said he would follow her no matter where she went.  In desperation Wallis tried to break off their relationship so he could remain king but he wouldn't hear of it.  His younger brother was horrified to be thrust into the position of king.  

In terms of readability this book reads like a compelling suspense, though this depicts real people with emotions, real life, real events.  I feel as though I just finished taking an interesting course and learned so much from a completely new perspective!  Questions were answered which led to further questions I had not entertained before.  The assassination attempt was new to me.  

The staggering number of quotes and made personalities come alive.  Though both Edward and Wallis aren't readily likable to me (though they had good qualities, too) I do feel their torment and stress must have been intolerable so felt for them at times.

Anyone remotely interested in this controversial story, whether knowledgeable or not, should read this epic book.  You will learn a lot!

My sincere thank you to St. Martin's Press and. NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this remarkable book in exchange for an honest review.  Much appreciated.

A fascinating look at a little remembered piece of British history from before World War II which shows how far the world has come in the years since then, when a British king had to give up his throne in order to marry a divorced woman. Recently the wedding of a British prince and a divorced woman was widely celebrated, making the world a more compassionate place.

The Crown in Crisis by Alexander Larman is a fascinating nonfiction that looks further into the events leading up to, and during the abdication of King Edward VIII.
 
This book broke down all of the "players" during these events, how each figure contributed/influenced the process, and what factors helped fall into place to allow for what happened...to happen.
 
It is clear that the author did his research in regards to this book. The detail, the knowledge, was beyond impressive. I know quite a bit about this time in history, however there was still material that was included that gave me additional knowledge and context.
 
I really enjoyed reading this book and anyone that enjoys history, the modern English monarchy, political events in England in the 20th century, or really any history buff, would properly enjoy this well-written and informative book.
 
5/5 stars
 
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
 
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.