The Queen: Elizabeth II and the Monarchy

Description

An updated edition of Ben Pimlott's classic biography of the Queen: 'There is no better biography of Elizabeth II.' PETER HENNESSY, Independent on Sunday 'A magisterial biography and the only one that seriously deals with her constitutional and political role' Tim Shipman, Sunday Times The royal family have been through a tumultuous decade, but with the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton, Prince Philip's 90th birthday and the forthcoming Diamond Jubilee celebrations, there is renewed interest and appreciation of our monarchy. The Queen is an in-depth look at the woman at the centre of it all and is the only biography to take Elizabeth II seriously as the subject of historical biography, or to examine the influences that formed her and the ideas she represents. Ben Pimlott (described by Andrew Marr in the Independent as 'the best writer of political biography now writing') treats the Head of State to the rigorous and objective scrutiny he applied to major political personalities, using a wide range of sources, including interviews, diaries and letters, and papers in the Royal Archives. The Queen looks at the social, political and psychological aspects of his subject in detail, as well as at the changing role of Monarchy in the British Constitution. In the process, the book displays all the author's formidable analytic and narrative skills, and provides a gripping yet sensitive account of one of the most publicised - yet least known - figures of our time. It is vital reading for all those who care about public life in Britain - past, present and to come.

Ben Pimlott was the Professor of Politics and Contemporary History at Birkbeck College, University of London. In addition to Hugh Dalton, which won the 1985 Whitbread Biography Prize, his books included Labour and the Left in the 1930s (1977), the bestselling Harold Wilson (1992) and a collection of essays and journalism, Frustrate their Knavish Tricks (1994). He was a columnist for several newspapers, and wrote frequently for the Guardian and Independent on Sunday.

'This biography by Ben Pimlott is generally considered the best political life of Elizabeth II' GARETH RUSSELL, Times 'A strikingly impressive achievement. Professor Pimlott has shown what wit, scholarship and a wide-ranging historical imagination can do with a subject that must initially have seemed unpromising. There will not be a better royal biography for many years.' PHILIP ZIEGLER, Daily Telegraph 'This is an important and stimulating book which even literary republicans can read with pleasure.' ANTONIA FRASER, Guardian 'Pimlott brings wit and gravitas to the topic.' ANDREW ROBERTS, Sunday Telegraph 'No serious royal watcher who values accuracy and the perspective of history can afford to be without it.' Sunday Times