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That Woman

The Life of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor

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That Woman

By: Anne Sebba
Narrated by: Samantha Bond
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One of Britain's most distinguished biographers turns her focus on one of the most vilified women of the twentieth century. Historian Anne Sebba has written the first full biography by a woman of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor.

'That woman', as she was referred to by the Queen Mother, became a hate figure for ensnaring a British king and destabilising the monarchy. Neither beautiful nor brilliant, she nevertheless became one of the most talked-about women of her generation, and she inspired such deep love and adoration in Edward VIII that he gave up a throne and an empire for her. Wallis lived by her wit and her wits, while both her apparent and alleged moral transgressions added to her aura and dazzle.

Based on new archives and material only recently made available, this scrupulously researched biography sheds new light on the character and motivations of a powerful, charismatic and complex woman.

Read by Samantha Bond

(p) 2011 Orion Publishing Group©2011 Anne Sebba Entertainment & Celebrities Europe Great Britain Politics & Activism Royalty Women Celebrity Inspiring England
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Critic reviews

The publication of this intriguing reassessment of her [Simpson's] controversial life could not be more timely ... an illuminating and absorbing read
Madonna's new film fictionalises the affair between Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, while this life tells the true story
Commendably restrained ... Sebba's real coup is the discovery of letters between Wallis and Ernest, dated long after she had become involved with Edward
A well-rounded and often moving portrait
All stars
Most relevant
Very interesting book of modern history, with shed loads of stuff we didn't know! Very good narrator too! Throughly recommend

Intriguing

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Insightful and I loved the performance.
An intriguing woman brought to life with detail and care

Loved it

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I was expecting either a whitewash situation or a full character assassination but happy found the author very even handed, which meant that I could enjoy the recount. Fascinating detail around their private lives whilst abroad and their personal, private life.

Very Even Handed

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A compelling download, well read and very interesting. The author doesn't champion WS, nor attack her, so the general neutrality makes it even more enjoyable. I was ready to dislike WS, I suppose - and at the end of the book I did dislike her quite a lot, but I certainly felt I understood more about what drove this extraordinary woman. I also felt great pity for her and Edward who seems to have been weak, deluded and baffled. The international turmoil that served as the backdrop to this bizarre story is very well woven. Living history.

One weak point (not weak enough to lose a star though) was a persistent theory advanced by the author about the sexuality of WS. The author believes - but presents no actual evidence for this - that WS was born with both male and female sexual characteristics. There is no proof, so it's nothing more than an interesting but probably flawed theory.

Compelling

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I found this book fascinating to listen to ….
Even so much I knew there were so many new things which suddenly made sense and give the whole story a new meaning…
Well written and well narrated-
Highly recommendable…

So many new insights…

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