'Totally absorbing and highly readable account of a remarkable life . . . genuinely revelatory' The Times
'A colossal book about a colossal life, a spectacular journey across the entire twentieth century' Daily Mail

Written with complete access to the Queen Mother's personal letters and diaries, William Shawcross's riveting biography is the truly definitive account of this remarkable woman, whose life spanned the twentieth century. Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes Lyon, the youngest daughter of the Earl of Strathmore, was born on 4 August 1900. Drawing on her private correspondence and other unpublished material from the Royal Archives, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother vividly reveals the witty girl who endeared herself to soldiers convalescing at Glamis in the First World War; the assured young Duchess of York; the Queen, at last feeling able to look the East End in the face at the height of the Blitz; the Queen Mother, representing the nation at home and abroad throughout her long widowhood.

'This splendid biograpy captures something of the warm glow that she brought to every event and encounter. It also reveals a deeper and more interesting character, forged by good sense, love of country, duty, humour and an instinct for what is right. This is a wonderful book, authoritative, frank and entertaining' - Daily Telegraph

About the Author
William Shawcross became a writer after leaving University College, Oxford in 1968. Since then he has written and travelled widely. His many books include Queen and Country, which celebrated the Queen's Golden Jubilee and was also a BBC television series. He lives in London.

Reviews
This splendid biograpy captures something of the warm glow that she brought to every event and encounter. It also reveals a deeper and more interesting character, forged by good sense, love of country, duty, humour and an instinct for what is right. This is a wonderful book, authoritative, frank and entertaining * Daily Telegraph *
A totally absorbing and highly readable account of a remarkable life . . . Shawcross's book is genuinely revelatory -- The Times
A colossal book about a colossal life, a spectacular journey across the entire twentieth century through the eyes of a thoughtful woman who took the hand of a shy royal understudy and was propelled through modern history -- Daily Mail
Lively and elegantly written . . . A rich portrait -- The Economist
Impressively researched . . . Shawcross avoids the traps [of] hagiography . . . He succeeds in the difficult task of keeping his subject resolutely centre-stage in an elegant account -- Independent



Book Information
ISBN 9780330434300
Author William Shawcross
Format Paperback
Page Count 1120
Imprint Pan Books
Publisher Pan Macmillan
Weight(grams) 908g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 130mm * 50mm