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Philip: The Final Portrait

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Member Reviews

Gyles Brandreth gave me a whole new look at Philip. I am addicted to learning more about the royals and I had never read a book based just on Philip. It was a beautiful life to get to know, as all are. I trust most lives need understanding, and he is one of them, I am grateful for this book.
I received a copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
#GylesBrandreth #PhilipTheFinalPortrait

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I have read many biographies of the British Royal Family, both fawning and notorious. But I have liked only one or two otherss as much as I liked Brandrethg's update of his biolgraphy of Prince Philip. it's engagingly written, throughly researched, and sympathetic but not fawning.

The author benefits greatly from his knowledge of Philip based on decades of working with him in various capacities.

Its one of the best biographies I have ever read.

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Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton Publishers for the gifted digital copy from NetGalley.

This was a wonderful sympathetic account of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. The author was also a personal friend of the Duke.

The author mentioned that the Duke had a conversation about his mother, the Princess Alice of Battenberg, who was born Deaf.

It is unusual for a Royal biography to mention that a member of the Royal family is Deaf. I already knew that Prince Philip had conversations with his children in Sign Language.

This is a book that I will want to give to friends who admire the Royal family.

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Philip: The Final Portrait is about as authorized a biography as you can get with the royal family. The author knew the Duke of Edinburgh for decades and worked with him on one of his charities, and even interviewed him from time to time to clarify facts and refute rumors.

Much of the first part of the book is the history of Philip’s family as well as that of Queen Elizabeth and how their families intertwined through the years. Indeed, it was about 40% in to the book that Philip and Elizabeth were married, so yes, we’re talking deep background. It was all very interesting, and even though I knew most of the information, it was presented in a way that helped explain Philip the man instead just the figurehead.

The history is interspersed with conversations with Prince Philip, where he corrects facts or just plain tells the author he is wrong. Knowing this was going to be a book, the Duke of Edinburgh does not offer any revelations or say anything unexpected. He’s simply there to make sure the author gets it right.

Much time is spent, rightfully so, on the many charities the Duke supported in his decades of work. There’s a long list at the back of the book that lists them, and it’s simply amazing how busy he was, for more than fifty years. I highly recommend this book if you want to know more about the Duke. Even if you think you’ve read it all, you haven’t. There are some nuggets in here that I won’t spoil for you.

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Four Stars

As a British monarchy buff of sorts, I jumped at the chance to read this biography of Prince Philip, especially in the wake of his recent death at the age of 99. This is a voluminous effort of over 500 pages, and took a long time to get through. I've read so many Windsor- related biographies over the years, but this one offered a particular focus on Philip. While you're reading about Philip, of course the writing expands to include his family so you're getting kernels of information about his wife Queen Elizabeth II, his children and their spouses, etc. The author was close to Philip so his account rings true. Indeed, Prince Philip proofread the majority of this book and corrected fine points where necessary. Apparently, Philip was big on writing personal letters on his typewriter, and so commented on anything he felt needed clarification. I found these moments quite interesting. Prince Philip was truly a very intelligent and introspective man, and I never realized just how much so until reading this book. He had a huge library at Buckingham Palace and was a voracious reader.

Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II were actually distant cousins who both descended from Queen Victoria. In fact, his mother Princess Alice of Battenberg was born in Windsor Castle. His childhood was very disrupted when the Greek royal family had to go into exile. His parents separated and he spent his later childhood essentially without a permanent home, either boarding at schools or staying with various royal family relatives. However, Philip brushed off any idea that he suffered from this chaotic home life, sporting the "getting on with it" attitude towards life. He had no permanent home until he married Princess Elizabeth in 1947. And as Queen Elizabeth herself has said, Philip was her "strength and stay" supporting her and the British Crown in all the decades since. His list of patronages and awards of recognition is huge.

When he and Princess Elizabeth married and she became Queen of England much earlier than expected, it put an end to Philip's very enjoyable and successful naval career, and he spent the rest of his days supporting the Queen any way he could. He felt a bit out of sorts at first trying to find relevance in his own existence, but carved out productive roles for himself. One famous (and a favorite of mine) quote of his is, "What am I? A bloody amoeba!" This was in response to his discovery that his issue with the Queen would be titled with the House of Windsor and not his style of Mountbatten.

Philip was very wary and disdainful of the press. Also, as a conversationalist he loved to be contrary almost in a debate-like form, which made things very interesting but sometimes challenging for the person speaking with him. He also believed that one should not talk about themselves much, but focus on the other person. As mentioned before, he was a great letter writer and would often try to help anyone in the family with careful advice, such as when he wrote to Princess Diana about her marriage troubles with Prince Charles. He didn't like to judge or interfere in his children's marriages, but if he felt he could help in some small way, he would take to his typewriter and offer his perspective and encouragement.

This was a very well-written book that had the "royal seal of approval", but the author didn't pull any punches when speculating on Philip's supposed affairs. He discussed these rumors in-depth, naming names and scenarios- but ultimately came to the conclusion that they were much ado about nothing. His rational for the aura of sexuality around the very handsome Philip was being the only son amongst several sisters, was celebrated and doted upon. He carried this confidence around women forward into his adult life, and was devastatingly handsome.

My only complaint with this book occurred just beyond the 90% mark in the wake of Prince Philip's death. The author had one sentence with a political bent that I found very stupid and unnecessary, and was tempted to take a point off it ticked me off so. But I let off some steam and with a clear head gave this book its due as a fine biography of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

Thank you to the publisher Mobius Books for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley

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I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. This is a informative book at the late Prince Phillip, easy to read I recommend for anyone interested in the subject

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Philip: The Final Portrait is a wonderful tribute to the life he lived so fully. I enjoy reading books such as this, because there is always something new to discover.

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Philip: The Final Portrait gives a detailed history starting with his long lineage, his childhood, his marriage and his very public life as the longest-serving consort in British history. Gyles Brandreth’s combined history, genealogy, correspondences and his own personal knowledge from his over forty year relationship with Prince Philip to create a well written account of Prince Philip’s life and a look at both his public and private life. Brandreth’s portrait of Prince Philp provides insight into his intelligence, strength and humor while giving background to events that formed Prince Philip’s beliefs, values and reactions to the world around him. Philip: The Final Portrait describes an extraordinary public figure and shows the human side of him as well. Thank you to the Gyles Brandreth, Mobius Publishing and NetGalley for opportunity to preview the book.

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Prince Philip is one of the most interesting figures of the royal family in modern history. I feel like the way I view him is a rollercoaster because there are things I love about him but also things that make me cringe. This was very well researched.

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Philip: The Final Portrait by Gyles Brandreth Well written, respectful and detailed account of the Duke of Edinburgh, both his private life and as his role as a public figure. The background information on the extended royal families and their historical impact is quite informative and interesting. Told with insight and gentle humour, this book documents the life and times of a truly remarkable man.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for opportunity to preview the book.

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This is an in-depth look at the intricacies and complexities of the late Duke of Edinburgh .Gyles Brandreth knew Prince Philip over four decades and peels back the layers of his remarkable life.
From a turbulent and conflicted childhood to the longest serving consort to his wife the Queen, Prince Philip was a man of dignity and of strength. This a beautifully crafted, multi-dimensional portrait of a son, husband, father and grandfather. Inquisitive in nature, witty in humor, devoted in service and very human, Brandreth tackles the relationships he established with his wife, his children and the swirling rumors of his extramarital affairs. Filled with photos, anecdotes and correspondence, this is a personal journey and a heartfelt tribute to Prince Philip’s legacy. He was a man of our times and one I realize that may not have received the credit due for his achievements. This gift from Gyles Brandreth and the Queen describing him as her 'constant strength and guide’ will forever speak volumes about the man.
My thanks to NetGalley, the author and Mobius Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest book review.

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Philip the Final Portrait, the author’s attempt to tell the truth about the intelligent, inquisitive, commanding man who stood at the side of Queen Elizabeth for over 70 years is, of course, Her Majesty’s story as well. It’s informative, gossipy, filled with much background history on European royalty as well as many anecdotes about all the players who have surrounded the couple…and those who certainly wanted to. The portrait is mostly sympathetic, but doesn’t shy away from Philip’s relationships with his children or the rumors about infidelity that swirled around the Prince…even as the author presents evidence to counteract them. The author had a decades long friendship with his subject, and this reader of books on the British Royal Family found the well documented book fascinating. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book. Most highly recommend.

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