TIARAS, TANTRUMS, TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS! (Charles: A Biography - Anthony Holden)

Member Name: Ann J Sec

Product:	Charles: A Biography - Anthony Holden
Date:	15/05/01 (106 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: well researched, Author knew individuals, Well written

Disadvantages: Slightly biased towards Diana, Lots of details already known

I've always been a history addict and I am of course riveted by books on the subject. The story of our present day history particularly intrigues me and future generations will, I am sure, be hungry for accounts of the love triangle between Charles, Diana, and Camilla with its tragic outcome.

Anthony Holden's account certainly, to my mind, is one of the best and most truthful. From page one onwards he holds the reader's attention with his easy to read style and colourful descriptions.

Having been close to both Charles and Diana at one point or another in their lives, Holden gives an impartial account of both sides of the marital discord between the two and indeed he was able to forecast that the marriage was in trouble long before the book Diana her True Story was ever written - thus incurring the wrath of the Royal Household thereafter and being snubbed from future press events by Prince Charles (Holden is or was a columnist for the Daily Express).

Anthony Holden has written two previous books on Charles, the first one detailing his life up to the age of 30 and the second going on to cover his marriage and his changing lifestyle until the age of 40. This third book therefore merely outlines Charles childhood and school years and his early loves (including Camilla) and goes into more detail of his life after his 40th birthday.

The book is a unique insight into the events leading up to Diana's death, including Charles ever declining popularity and the resulting fears for the future of the monarchy at the time, but it also goes on to show how sympathy for the two young princes has "washed off" onto Charles himself with the result that opinion polls now put him at near the top of the list in popularity within the Royal family.

Having read most of the popular books about the period, including Diana Her True Story and the Anna Pasternack drivel covering the love affair with James Hewitt, I have to
say Charles - A Biography is one of the best I have come across. It is extremely well written and researched and gives an insight into the dramatic events of that period.
Holden criticises Charles cold unemotional upbringing which he blames on his loveless marriage, but also points out Diana's manipulative and often theatrical ways.

Charles is portrayed as wellmeaning, but selfish and petulant - nothing new here then!! whilst again, Diana comes across as being nothing like the Fairytale princess we all loved so well, although I am sure most of us knew deep down that nobody could be so saintly.This theme appears to be constant throughout the many books I have read on the subject,although I have to say I feel Holden is slightly biased towards Diana in his writing.

The overall story will, of course, never change, however, this particular book contains material which I personally haven't come across before.....did you know for example that Lady Dale Tyron (nicknamed Kanga) was a former lover of Charles and there are apparently old love letters somewhere which may surface in the near future! Similarly, if this book is to be believed, the whole Charles/Diana press war began when Charles leaked Diana's refusal for him to host a 30th birthday party for her.

If like me, you want to read everything you can about today's Royal history, this is a book not to be missed and I most certainly would recommend it.

Published by Bantem Press - Price £17.99 which is a bit steep, although I am sure it could be purchased for less through the internet. Why not do as I did though and order it from your local library.

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