Although I cover a lot of women’s history here on An Historian About Town, tomorrow officially sees the end of Women’s History Month (in the UK and the US at least; in Canada, it is in October!). So, I wanted to feature a female-centric book for my book bite this week, and a timely one it is. This week we turn to Her Majesty herself, with Queen of Our Times by Robert Hardman!
Queen of Our Times: The Life of Queen Elizabeth II, Robert Hardman
Shy but with a steely self-confidence; inscrutable despite ten decades in the public eye; unflappable; devout; indulgent; outwardly reserved, inwardly passionate; unsentimental; inquisitive; young at heart.
All of these describe Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who has reigned through more seismic social change than any monarch in British history. From the Abdication to the Sussexes, from World War II to the loss of her life-long partner, she has witnessed family crises on a scale not seen since the days of George III.
She is a 21st Century global phenomenon commanding unrivalled respect and affection. Sealed off during the greatest peacetime emergency of modern times, she has stuck to her own maxim: ‘I have to be seen to be believed.’ And now she is preparing for an event without parallel in Europe since the reign of Louis XIV: her Platinum Jubilee, celebrating seventy years on the Throne.
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With peerless access to members of the Royal Family, staff, friends and royal records, Queen of Our Times brings fresh insights and scholarship to the modern royal story. There will be no more thorough, more readable, more original book on the record-breaking Elizabeth II as she reaches a landmark which, surely, can never be equaled.
Why You Should Read This…
There is no better year to read a biography of Queen Elizabeth II than in her Platinum Jubilee year, and there is no better biographer to read than Robert Hardman. In terms of QEII biographies, his are some of the strongest. It is very apparent that he has decades of experience reporting on the Royal Family, and lends a weight that we don’t often get in royal biographies.
While I was slightly concerned that it would feel repetitive after having read (and loved) his earlier QEII biography, Queen of the World, I can firmly say that this is its own book. Hardman balances her personal life, politics and global events of the day, and the royal households. It is as complete a picture as we have, and it offers real insight into her reign and her life. And because this is the only biography to cover the pandemic, it doesn’t feel out of date like so many pre-pandemic things do. (He handles the Sussexes exit from royal life with a strong neutrality.) I will say that this was probably edited just before publication, as it includes references to The Queen’s statement on Camilla becoming Queen in the future.
I chose to do the audiobook with this one. Hardman reads it himself and does a fantastic job of it; however, be forewarned that at 25 hours you have a literal day of listening ahead of you! This is a strong biography and is a must-read for any royal watcher.
Have you read Queen of Our Times by Robert Hardman?
Cheers,
The Historian
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