That Woman
The Life of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor
Published on 19. January 2012
Book
Paperback/Softback
368 pages
978-0-7538-2739-0 (ISBN)
Description
Bestselling biography of the enduringly fascinating Wallis Simpson
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.
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.
Reviews / Votes
The publication of this intriguing reassessment of her [Simpson's] controversial life could not be more timely ... an illuminating and absorbing read * DAILY MAIL * Madonna's new film fictionalises the affair between Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, while this life tells the true story * DAILY TELEGRAPH * Commendably restrained ... Sebba's real coup is the discovery of letters between Wallis and Ernest, dated long after she had become involved with Edward * INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY * A well-rounded and often moving portrait * CAMBRIDGESHIRE JOURNAL * Madonna's new film fictionalises the affair between Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, while this life tells the true story * DAILY TELEGRAPH * The publication of this intriguing reassessment of her [Simpson's] controversial life could not be more timely ... an illuminating and absorbing read -- Katherine Whitbourn * DAILY MAIL * Commendably restrained ... Sebba's real coup is the discovery of letters between Wallis and Ernest, dated long after she had become involved with Edward * INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY * A well-rounded and often moving portrait * CAMBRIDGESHIRE JOURNAL *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Orion Publishing Co
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 201 mm
Width: 131 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
295 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7538-2739-0 (9780753827390)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
08/2011
1st Edition
Weidenfeld and Nicholson
€3.99
Available for download
Person
Anne Sebba is a historian and one of Britain's most distinguished biographers who began her career as a Reuters correspondent based in London and Rome. She has written eleven works of non-fiction, mostly about iconic twentieth-century women, which have been translated into several languages including French, Polish, Czech, Japanese and Chinese. She makes regular television and radio appearances and has presented two BBC radio documentaries about musicians. She is the author of the international bestseller That Woman, an acclaimed biography of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor, and the prize-winning Les Parisiennes: How the Women of Paris Lived, Loved and Died Under Nazi Occupation. Her most recent book, Ethel Rosenberg: The Short Life and Great Betrayal of an American Wife and Mother, was shortlisted for the Wingate Prize. Anne is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Historical Research and trustee of the National Archives Trust. She lives in London.