Elizabeth the Queen, by Sally Bedell Smith

Elizabeth the Queen:The Life of a Modern Monarch
Sally Bedell Smith
Original Publication Date: 2011
Edition 2012,
ISBN 1400067898
Random House 688 pages






Sally Bedell Smith presents a comprehensive picture of Queen Elizabeth II. What makes this such a compelling read is the information and candid picture the reader will visualize from this biography. As an American, the image of Queen Elizabeth is often vague and remote. Perhaps that is how our president appears to other countries, but without experiencing Parliament and the British Monarchy first hand, one can’t help but feel unconnected and distanced. Yet, after reading Smith’s book for the Early Reviewer program at Library Thing, a clearer more human and genuinely warm image of the Queen is more likely probable. This biography depicts the Queen as a mother, who believes in the sacrifice of her role as the monarch above all. The love for her family is no less important, but her dedication to the British people will often cause limitations and conflict. The reader will identify with her positive inspirational spirit. This biography is a kind and gentle history of the Queen up to this current Diamond Jubilee Year. It is not just about the Queen, but about it encompasses her life, her extended family and her long and steady reign. I can’t judge how candid this biography really is. For example, does the author paint a pellucid portrait of the Queen? As with any popular public figure, the paparazzi, the press and the world will try and judge her. Draw your own conclusion by reading this enchanting biography, Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch. Did you know she has a Facebook page? How special would it be to actually friend this mighty yet petite techno savvy sovereign. Sally Bedell Smith’s biography is a noteworthy addition to the existing archives about the House of Windsor. Happy Diamond Jubilee : “Long Live the Queen!”

Disclosure: Early Reviewers(Library Thing)sent a free ARC for review.


© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2012].

Teaser Tuesdays-June 29, 2010

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read. Open to a random page.
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I am reading a special book right now, a memoir about the relationship between an eagle named Freedom and the volunteer who helps to rehabilitate her. The bond formed became a journey of healing for both of them. The book is: An Eagle Named Freedom, My True Story of a Remarkable Friendship, by Jeff Guidry

Disclosure: I received this book as an Early Reviewer choice from Library Thing.

"She looked at me and wrapped both her wings around me to where I could feel them pressing in on my back(I was engulfed in eagle wings), and she touched my nose with her beak and stared into my eyes, and we just stood there like that for I don't know how long. That was a magic moment.(page 5)"

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Sunday Salon-Library Thing

Don't you just love Library Thing? How did I ever survive without this wonderful website? I don't know about you, but I refer to this site over and over again throughout the week. Not only does it contain all my cataloged books, but nearly any other book I want to find out about. I have record of many of my reviews and can compare them to other reviewer's opinions. I get recommendations based on my reading preferences and search for books to read based on others opinions.

Last week I was able to chat with Dara Horn on Library Author Chat. She wrote All Other Nights, one of the early reviewer books. Dara answered many readers questions but then took it a step farther with elaborate detailed explanations of her rationale in characterization and plot. Without her insight I would have missed her brilliant metaphorical symbolism.

I have been fortunate to receive many Advance Reader Copies through the Early Reviewer program. I can't thank Abby and her team enough for this opportunity. I have read books that are sometimes not in my comfort zone with surprising pleasure. Most important to me in this program is that they want an honest opinion. Future books are not awarded based on submitting favorable reviews. The success and integrity of the program, is the honesty of the reviewer.

Lastly, I have direct access to my library through my iPhone, so that when I am shopping, my library is always with me. How cool is that. Especially since my new 3G arrived yesterday. Woo Hoo!!!

If you have a Library Thing account and want to be my friend and share libraries, you can visit my library under my name WisteriaLeigh. How about you? What do you love about Library Thing?

Hope you have a super Sunday. It is another beautiful day in Connecticut...suitable for frogs and ducks, temperatures in the 50-60s. A great day to be reading the rest of After You've Gone by Jeffrey Lent and an Early Reviewer book, The Indifferent Stars Above. The Indifferent Stars Above, about the Donner Party has been so much more than I expected. I can't wait to finish it.