The final book in the Windsor trilogy.Well written full of historical facts and data about this family. .For all history buffs this is well worth the read.I found it entertaining and informative.#netgalley #st.Martins

Power and Glory is the third and final chapter in the story of Windsor Brothers up to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

Mr. Larman has thoroughly researched the topic at length. This last saga reveals more about the dwindling health of George VI and his spoiled and wayward brother the Duke of Windsor,

It is a fascinating read even if you have read other books, there is much that was revealed that was new but not a surprise. One of the things that I found incredulous to believe. Wallis believed them to be homeless. I wonder if she would have the same opinion today. The idea of being homeless is vastly different in today's standards. It is hard to find any sympathy at all for the displaced Windsor's. It hard to decide if their self-entitlement was due to being raised that way or from greed, possibly both.

If you love to read about the Royals, this is worth the time to read.

I initially didn’t realize there were two books written previously to this one, so I will be going back to cover those as well. This book is well researched and very well written. I typically read any book I can find on the modern British Royals and this one had some great information.

A great look into the reign of Queen Elizabeth and her father King George. The family dynamics between the King and his brother (Who abdicated the throne) was especially interesting. The story is straightforward without any political prejudice. Overall, a great read.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Book 3 in his carefully researched trilogy, "Power and Glory" is Alexander Larman's conclusion to the saga of King Edward VIII and King George VI of England. The first two books followed the death of their father, King George V and the abdication crisis as Edward (David to the family) abdicated his responsibilities to the throne, meaning his younger brother (Bertie in the family) had to become king. It ended up being the best thing that could happen for England, even if the stress and strain of the job probably helped kill him. Book two follows World War 2 and Bertie leading England while David flits around being thoughtless at best, a Nazi sympathizer and possibly quite a bit more.

Book 3, "Power and Glory" is the immediate aftermath of the war. England is dealing with economic crisis and a shrinking empire, George VI is trying to deal with local crisis as well as the rise of Communist Russia and his own failing health. Elizabeth is growing up, falling in love with Phillip, and marrying him despite some push back. I was saddened by reading exactly how ill George VI was and how much he suffered, but the rest of that part of the story didn't hold my attention too much. What I very much enjoyed was when the story would switch to David and Wallis.

Trying desperately to hold on to some level of power or relevance in the world, David and Wallis try to get the crown to have the former king made a kind of ambassador so he can have social parties and get the government to pay for them (and not pay taxes). Surprisingly, the government declines this offer. So they start trying to see what kind of trouble they can cause.

Probably a tragic-comedy if they weren't so thoroughly dislikable, the detailed research into David and Wallis' actions and how the British government and the Royal family had to deal with them were by far my favorite parts of this book, and I'd recommend it for that alone. If you're interested in Britain post WW2, this is a good place to start.

As always, thoroughly researched and generally well written, if occasionally given to more "if they only knew then"type of chapter endings than I prefer, Larman's "Power and Glory" is a solid conclusion to his trilogy on the Windsor family and Great Britain and their combined experiences in World War II.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for my free book for review.

The book "Glory and Power: Elizabeth and the Rebirth of Royalty" by Alexander Larman is truly exceptional. The storytelling-like narration drew me in, making it a remarkable read. Two aspects that particularly stood out were the relationship between King George VI and his brother, the Duke of Windsor, and the special bond between King George VI and his daughter, Princess Elizabeth. The book provides a comprehensive insight into the customs, politics, and crisis during the post-war era. It highlights the profound impact on the family and the country following the loss of the King. However, the book ends on a positive note, shedding light on the marriage of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, as well as the ascension of the princess to the throne. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the royal family and English history.

525 Pages

5 Stars

This is a wonderful conclusion to the trilogy by Alexander Larman.

The story picks up at the conclusion of WWII in Europe. There is a wild celebration in the streets. King George VI was kind enough to allow Elizabeth and Margaret to go out amongst the ordinary citizens as part of their celebration. But, of course, the King and his family and council knows that the war with Japan is very much real.

We follow the remainder of the king’s reign, short though it was. Sadly, his health problems finally overcame him. Elizabeth and Phillip were touring Africa at the time of King George VI’s death. They hurried home to a devastated family and citizenry.

The book also follows the shenanigans of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Honestly, those two did all they could to make others miserable for their own gain. I felt like I was reading the local gossip column. Not that I didn’t find it salacious or delicious. They were so very irritating.

We also travel to the lead up to Elizabeth II’s coronation.

This is a wonderfully informative book. It is very well written and flows along as one event follows another. Mr. Larman is able to draw complete pictures of the characters. This reader felt like I was there, witnessing all that occurred. I loved it!

There is also an extensive bibliography for those who would like to further explore the situations as described in this book. We can also gather more information through the copious footnotes scattered throughout.

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for forwarding to me a copy of this wonderful book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

For this and other book reviews, visit www.bargain-sleuth.com

I received a digital ARC of this book from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is the final book in Alexander Larman’s trilogy about the Royal Family. He protests that he’s a republican and not a monarchist, but the unabashed admiration for Queen Elizabeth II comes through as the book unfolds. This is a solid entry into the trilogy, and I found it the most interesting of the books, although I enjoyed all of the books.

The book centers on several people: George VI, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth, and the Duke of Windsor. Other players include Prince Philip and the Duchess of Windsor. If you haven’t read the other books in the series, this book picks up post WWII, after Churchill was voted out of office and Princess Elizabeth is in the early stages of a serious relationship with Philip. Included in this book are many previously unpublished letters involving the major and minor players in the royal family, which was very revealing of their character.

The more I read about George VI and all his health problems, I am amazed at how long he lasted on the throne. The man had some serious health problems even prior to becoming king and developed many more after. He managed to survive the war years, but the strain of that, as well as developing a serious problem with smoking just shattered his physical and mental health. He really was a fragile man.

Queen Elizabeth comes across just like most people think of her: a woman who did everything to help her husband succeed as king, a role for which he was ill-prepared, yet grew in the role. She had a stainless-steel backbone but projected herself as a sweet and docile woman. She often worried about Bertie’s health and admitted as much to certain people like Queen Mary, his mother, but to others, she outright covered up the king’s health issues and put on a happy face.

The Duke of Windsor is still lurking about, badgering his brother for the elusive HRH designation he so desperately wanted for Wallis. He also pestered George VI to let him live part of the year in England. One thing that this book makes clear that many other books about Edward VIII’s abdication and subsequent life abroad always implied he couldn’t return to Great Britain, but he made many trips to the country to visit his mother, Queen Mary, and to meet with major players to beg for an official job from the crown.

Also included is Edward VIII’s journey to write an autobiography, not to just tell his side of the abdication story, but to make a lot of money. His ghostwriter grew more and more frustrated with the former king, who grew less and less interested in doing any actual work on the book, so the ghostwriter, Charles Murphy, cobbled something together that tried not to offend the living members of the royal family. The book was a huge success, and the duke had a sudden influx of cashflow.

Princess Elizabeth is shown in a good light at all times. Prince Philip and she grew more and more serious in their relationship, and she longed to get married. Her mother and father insisted she slow down and took her and Princess Margaret to South Africa for months to get her away from Philip. When they returned to England, she was still mad about the prince, and her parents grudgingly agreed to a marriage.

Prince Philip does not come off very well, but to be fair, the attitudes and comments attributed to him in the book should be no surprise to anyone that has followed the royal family for any length of time. He was hoping for a long naval career but realized that would not be happening early on because of the king’s failing health. He tried to make the best of the time he and Elizabeth had together, before that fateful day in 1952 when she became queen upon the death of her father.

Power and Glory is a well-rounded conclusion to the trilogy. For people like me who consume anything related to the royal family, good or bad, this is a solid entry into the pantheon of literature about the House of Windsor.

Power and Glory: Elizabeth II and the Rebirth of Royalty by Alexander Larman is a shining example of modern royal history. Larman's writing is clear, authoritative, and captivating, offering a compelling look at the struggles faced by the post-war monarchy and the dawn of Elizabeth II's reign. Larman strikes the perfect balance between detail and storytelling, making this book a must-read for anyone interested in the British royal family.

Power and Glory by Alexander Larman is the third in a trilogy about the royal family. The first book is the ‘Crown in Crisis’ which covers the abdication of Edward VIII. The second book is ‘The Windsors at War’ which is set during World War II and ends on VE day. The ‘Power and Glory’ picks up at VE day and continues through the coronation of Elizabeth II.

Mr. Larman’s research is incredible. The amount of facts that are in this triology is mind blowing. This portion of the trilogy covers the economic crisis after the war, the King’s failing health and Princess Elizabeth growing up, falling in love with Philip Mountbatten and her assent to the throne. There is also the untidy business of the Duke of Windsor. His continual whining, his need to feel relevant and recognized and the unrelenting push to have his wife receive the title of HRH.

I think the average person knows the basic facts from newspapers, television and books. However, Mr. Larman’s writing and research is very compelling. I had some trouble getting bogged down in some of minute details but overall the story of the Windsors is fascinating. The intrigue is so interesting. I was thoroughly pleased with all three books. Mr. Larman’s hard work definitely shows.

I would like to thank Mr. Larman, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For absolutely all the gossip in one easy-to-read novel, this is your book!

Larman did extensive research into the diaries and journals of those who interacted with the royals as well as gossip rags, newspapers and magazine exposes! Oh MY!

Edward, VIII, known as David to his family and his wife, Wallis, featured strongly in these journalistic and caustic comments about the royals.

And then there's Philip, who later became the consort of Queen E II, who was shown in the worst light.

If gossip is your thing, you'll love it!!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In his introduction, Larman seems to find it necessary to protest that he's a republican, not a monarchist, but from time to time I wondered how deep that republicanism really ran as I read this absorbing follow-on to his previous book about the UK's royal family just before and during WW II. In the beginning he repeats rather often that the king had health problems due to overwork, leading me to wonder what health problems, and what overwork does a parliamentary king really have? He's rich as sin and he's a king. He can do pretty much what he wants save issue actual laws or launch wars, while all political power rests in the hands of Parliament.

We do get to the health issues, and also the overwork, as a gradual picture emerges of a natural recluse who was forced into the public stage when his brother abdicated, and who admirably did his duty, though he became a chain smoker in order to do it. Larman, using formidable research, paints a picture of a complex but admirable man.

Meanwhile, his daughter Elizabeth comes to age, falls in love, and then becomes queen, and here is where the unstinting admiration really comes into play. Though the book is chock-full of interesting characters, well and succinctly described, there is no really getting past the carefully groomed public persona of Elizabeth. Prince Philip fares slightly better.

Best of all are Larman's catchups with the the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, as they inexorably descend into utter banality, with jets of spite and greed. Apparently they were obsessed with the notion that they were owed a luxurious life because Edward had once been a king, and they ought not be required to (shudder) pay income tax.

Though I retain a sliver of sympathy for Wallis Simpson shut out of the inner circles of royalty simply because she was a divorcee (and my sympathy might have been stronger if there had been presented evidence that she had fallen in love with Edward duke rather than the title to which she felt she was owed) I did have to laugh at a protest from this American-born girl who whines that she cannot run a "correct" house that upholds what she feels the duke's prestige requires if they aren't handed a wad of cash in order to buy a giant house and all the minions to do the work of running it. Why didn't she cash in some of those crushingly expensive jewels she was flaunting everywhere? In fact, might have pretended were stolen so she could collect the insurance, and which turned up in her effects after she died?

Anyway, their dealings with Nazis and Nazi sympathizers doused cold any remainder of sympathy. They deserved to dwindle to obscurity, and did.

Altogether it was an absorbing and stylishly written read, even if Elizabeth remained the perfect princess-turned-queen that royal publicity spent so long refining; I expect some of that might be due to the fact that she is so recently deceased, and evidence of her as a human being lies in the future to be discovered.

Power and Glory is the third book in Alexander Larman’s Windsor trilogy that began with The Crown In Crisis. This volume picks up the story where The Windsors at War ended on VE Day and continues through the coronation of Elizabeth II. Mr. Larman continues his study on The Duke of Windsor’s continued quest for relevance and formal family recognition of his wife. He also details the challenges faced after the war by the change of government from conservative to liberal, and, of course, the courtship and eventual marriage of Elizabeth and Phillip. Detailed in its researched events, the book is educational, entertaining and immensely readable. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

This is an absolutely wonderful book about Queen Elizabeth II and how she and her family has helped breathe new life into the Royal Family. Alexander Larman has been helping us to see the Royals as human for a while now, and this end to his trilogy about the House of Windsor is the perfect ending to that series. I enjoyed this book about the humans that make up the Royal family.

The amazing continuation of the story of the royal family from the end of WWII to Elizabeth II’s coronation. As with the last book, the emphasis is on the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and not Elizabeth and Philip.

“I am not a monarchist,” Larman writes in his Introduction to Power and Glory. Yet at their best, the royal family exhibited virtues such that when he finished writing this book, Larman wanted to leap onto a table and shout, “God Save the Queen!”

I have been riveted by all three volumes of Larman’s trilogy, beginning with The Crown in Crisis, about the turmoil created with the abdication of Edward VIII, and continuing with The Windsors at War, set during WWII with the new king juggling the threat of Nazi Germany and keeping his ex-king Nazi sympathizer brother out of trouble. Power and Glory finishes the series with the end of the war, England in economic crisis and the king in failing health and Princess Elizabeth coming into adulthood and assuming the throne.

Sure, I knew the basic facts from other books and television series and such. Yet Larman’s narrative is so compelling and accessible, with some snarky humor tossed in, and the political intrigues so interesting, I couldn’t stop reading. In fact, I would love to spend a week and reread the entire trilogy nonstop.

Throughout this time in history, the Duke of Windsor continued to bemoan and complain about the loss of the perks of being royalty, the lack of funds necessary to keep up the lifestyle to which he had been accustomed, and the lack of a permanent home, preferably where he didn’t need to pay taxes. And, he continued to press for Wallis’ reception by the royal family and given the title Her Royal Highness. He claimed she had made him deliriously happy, without either ever seeming happy with their lot in life. Apparently, love isn’t everything. So, the Duke and Duchess got creative with what was apparently insurance fraud. Then the Duke decided to write his biography for easy money, except he was unable to concentrate on getting it done.

Meanwhile, King George VI had exhausted his health during the war, with additional harm from taking up smoking as self-medication for stress. He was dealing with the end of US financial support and rebuilding the British economy and repairing all the war damage. Churchill was out; Atlee and the Labor party were in and the king’s role in government was diminished. There was some question as to the point of a royal family. The king was pretty cranky, even mistreating a corgi. Meantime, the Duke of Windsor fantasized about assuming the role of regent at the King’s death, for obviously Elizabeth was too young for the job.

His daughter Elizabeth was the king’s main support, but she had fallen for her distant cousin Phillip Mountbatten. Philip was handsome, but was not quite up to standards–brusk, informal, shabby, poor, and a Greek citizen to boot. The family whisked the princess away on a tour which did nothing for the king’s health but showed Elizabeth was firm in her love choice.

Elizabeth got her man. In fact, she ‘got’ several other notable men, including President Truman and Winston Churchill, both love-struck. What a gal! And, she not only took on the mantle of queen with aplomb, she showed herself to be serious and informed and ready.

And so the book ends with the beginning of the reign of Elizabeth II, just six months before I was born, and which ended while the author was writing.

Thanks to the publisher for a free book.

“I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.”
Queen Elizabeth II in her twenty-first birthday speech

Mr Larman has delivered the final title in his trilogy about the British royal family and it’s as highly readable as the previous books. The research that must have been undertaken… it comes across that it must have been exhaustive, and the result has been a very informative, intriguing, and enjoyable series.

Recommended to BRF fans as well as those interested in history.



Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the DRC

An incredibly interesting and well-written non-fiction book about the House of Windsor and all of its characters. I had NOT read the first two books in the series and although this one can stand alone I do feel it would benefit readers to read all three books.

The author's research was thorough and well executed, and the book was easy to follow and enjoyable to read. It's always fascinating o read about a family that is so very different from most of our own and the author has done a great job bringing us inside the mystery and intrigue of the British royal family.

Synopsis (From Netgalley, the provider of the book to review)
*******************************************************
All This I Elizabeth II and the Rebirth of Royalty will be the new book from Alexander Larman, author of The Crown in Crisis and The Windsors at War, and the conclusion of Larman's ' Windsor's trilogy' .

It will begin with the fallout from the revelation of the Duke of Windsor's wartime treachery, and will end with the Coronation of Elizabeth II on 2 June 1953. In between, it will depict a monarchy - and a country - struggling to cope with the aftermath of World War Two, in an era where old certainties have been replaced by the rise of a new, uncertain world, and where love, tragedy and modernity battle for supremacy.

All This I Promise will use the same previously unseen and rare sources as Larman's previous books , including the Royal Archives at Windsor Castle, the Churchill College Archives and the Balliol Archives, as well as the Clement Attlee Archives at the Bodleian in Oxford and the Parliamentary Archives in London.

New material will include extensive unpublished correspondence between major members of the Royal Family including George VI, Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Windsor, the Prime Ministers Clement Attlee and Winston Churchill, and previously unseen diaries and memoranda from courtiers, personal secretaries and leading politicians, exploring everything from the King's declining health to the (often negative) reactions to Elizabeth's marriage to Prince Philip and Coronation.

All This I Promise will offer the same intricately researched and incisively written account of Britain's most famous family as Larman's previous books but with a panoramic and epic international scale. It will explore everything from the end of British rule in India to the foundation of the United Nations and the crucial role that monarchy played in the ever-shifting era - as well, naturally, as the way in which the Duke and Duchess of Windsor attempted to return to relevance, whatever the cost might be to the wider Royal Family.

I loved The Crown and love books about the Royal Family and this one did not disappoint – lots of new information that an individual reader or a book club will want to share and discuss with others. ERII will undoubtedly be known as the greatest ruler of Great Britain and this book does not argue the point – fabulous read. #shortbutsweetrevews

(I don't think I have read the previous two books in the trilogy - this book works as a stand-alone.)

Power and Glory: Elizabeth II and the Rebirth of Royalty by Alexander Larman is a great nonfiction that is the third book covering the House of Windsor.

I have now read all three books, and while one does not have to read the previous books, or any of them in chronological order, they are so interesting and informative…so why not?

This book roughly starts and covers 1945 onward. I liked that the author pulled from a lot of different types of sources and media to create this layout of a history. It helps keep things interesting and moving along.

This is for anyone that is interested in British history as well as history of the Royal family.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and St Martins Press for this wonderful 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, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 4/30/24.