Books on British royalty (non-Tudor)

Well said Grace!

I agree Grace!! I flicked through Tina Browns hot pink book today and thought it appeared rather gossipy.

Incidently according to Brown, Diana was on speaking terms with her grandmother when she died and even asked for her grandmothers forgiveness. I know Lady Fermoy never put a foot wrong, but why would Diana feel the need to do that??

Diana disapointed the older woman's ambition and hopes to stay in good terms with "The Firm".

If you like Bradford's approach to the subject matter then you are probably not going to like Brown's.  The two are as different as chalk and cheese.

I get rather bored with Bradford's slightly languid explorations of her subjects and much prefer Brown's faster pace and harder analysis, but that is my personal preference.

Each has its place in the roll of works about Diana's life; I still think that Bradford should have kept her plummy trap shut and avoided the ridicule that is invited by such sour criticism of a fellow author.

Ultimately, the reader will decide which work they prefer.

I guess Bradford has the right to comment as she is a respected historian. I wonder what Brown is?

I guess Bradford has the right to comment as she is a respected historian. I wonder what Brown is?

A successful journalist who has written a successful book.

I would be more interested in what Bradford had to say if she abandoned her deeply ingrained snobbery............

I agree Martyn, Sarah Bradford is one walloping, huge SNOB.    To see her is bad enough to hear and see her is cringemaking.

Now, that doesn't preclude her undoubted ability as a biographer.   When I read her biography of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, I thought her work was much better than anything I had previously read about the life of Diana.   In fact it was eons ahead of anything else.   

Some months later Tina Brown - a journalist worthy of every bit as much respect as Sarah Bradford does as a biographer - publishes a book on the same subject.   Perhaps the clash of timings has been unfortunate, but there is a market for both styles.     It is possible to enjoy both books - for altogether different reasons... and for the same.

However, it is Sarah Bradford who has publicly berated and insulted Tina Brown's work.   What use being an excellent biographer and have no sense of judgement, no modesty or humility?   Is it sour grapes?   Is it green cheese?   Is it jealousy that Tina Brown's book has soared ahead of Sarah Bradford's in the best-selling book lists, with all the economic implications which accompany that?

Sarah Bradford's outburst has certainly coloured my previous high regard and respect for her work on the life of Diana - fact, for her work in general.

tsaria     

Not to get of topic but if anyone is not familiar with Sarah Bradfords "Americas Queen" a biography of Jackie O it's well worth it!

Chris Matthews is talking to Tina Brown right now on Hardball (on MSNBC) about the book. Chris should really stay away from royal topics though because he's making some bone-headed gaffes as I'm typing--thank God for DVRs--regarding their 'real' German name. He's talking about how only 'horse-faced Duchesses' should marry into the family (forgetting that most women only become Duchesses through marriage, there aren't a large-number who have the title in their own right ala the Duchess of Fife) rather than beautiful women like Diana and now, it seems, Kate Middleton. (He has her and William practically engaged.) This is because if you're beautiful, like Diana, you become a cover girl and the Windsors (who are historically chinless, which is why they needed to marry a beauty like Diana--Tina Brown concurred with this) start to hate them. Tina also said that she brought height, since the Windsors are rather 'dwarfish' according to Tina, which is true to a good extent but so did Prince Philip. None of Elizabeth's sons are as short as previous generations though William & Harry have a few inches on them. She did call al-Fayed's conspiracy story the 'great fairy tale' he keeps peddling though she thinks he's 'hypnotized himself' into believing it. She says it's absolutely false based on all the sloppiness surrounding it (the timeline, etc) to have been planned. Chris complimented her on the lack of photos as well and Tina said she tried to put the story in the context of the time.

I find this all pretty sick.  The Royals for the most part try and do their jobs.  Looks has nothing to do with it.  Camilla is an attractive woman in her 60's!  When she is in her 80's are they going to compare her to a 36 year old Diana?? End of Story.

I am surprise he did not bring up Sarah because commentators love to talk about her and dig up things she did 12 years ago. 

If I see one more reboardcast of the Diana interview with Martin what's his name, I think I may throw up.

I for one see value and merits of constitutional monarchy as a form of democratic government.  The Windsors are performing their constitutional roles to the best of their abilty and doing a fine job in my opinion.

TampaBay

Tampa, you are right, of course, but I'm afraid 'appearances' reflect the times in which we live and although I agree it is utterly shallow and shameful, how someone appears is at least as - in fact probably more - important than what they really are.   

Like it or not, certainly in public life, being good looking and well presented is paramount these days.   Hasn't Princess Anne, the Princess Royal frequently come in for some criticism around these parts - on both counts.

tsaria

I think you are right abot Sarah Bradford being jealous of the mass aqppeal aproach Tina Brown on Diana. She smartly knew a lot of people considered Diana in their own way and reached into the collective memory. Not for nothing that she turned failed magazines around. This work demonstated it perfectly. 

Regardless of one's opinion about the content of Sarah Bradford's book on the late Princess of Wales versus that of Tina Brown's book on the late Princess of Wales, they do differ markedly in one thing: Tina Brown in the forward of her own book says gracious words in regards to Sarah Bradford's book on Diana. She did not need to say anything at all, but she chose the high road.

Yes...That is what I call "a class act". 

... and you know the irony - its Sarah Bradford who believes she is the one with class!

Thank you NAAOTMA for highlighting Tina Brown's appreciation of Sarah Bradford's work.   You are right, she has taken the high road - a road which is reaping rewards.

tsaria