The Queen

Matthew Dennison's biography of Her late Majesty, updated following the death of Elizabeth II and the accession of King Charles III, provides a worthy and balanced overview of the Queen's life, highlighting her childhood, reign, and achievements as the champion of British values.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 560 pages
Publication date: 06 January 2022
Publisher: Head of Zeus

The Queen: A Life of Service, Duty, Steadfastness, Charity, and Stoicism

The death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, 2022, was a moment of profound sadness for millions of people around the world. Her long life, spanning nearly a century of national and global history, marked the end of an era and the final closing of the Elizabethan Age. Elizabeth II was the embodiment of monarchy, and her reign embraced all but seven years of Britain's postwar history, from the Great Depression to the era of Covid-19.

In this brand-new biography of the longest-reigning sovereign in British history, Matthew Dennison traces her life and reign across an era of unprecedented and often seismic social change. Stylish in its writing and nuanced in its judgements, The Queen charts the joys and triumphs as well as the disappointments and vicissitudes of a remarkable royal life. It also assesses the achievement of a woman regarded as the champion of a handful of British values endorsed – if no longer practised – by the bulk of the nation: service, duty, steadfastness, charity, and stoicism.

The Queen's Early Life

Matthew Dennison begins his biography by delving into the early life of Queen Elizabeth II. He describes her childhood as quiet, tactful, and tasteful, with a deep reverence for the monarchy. Dennison highlights her early education at home, where she was taught by her mother and governesses, and her later schooling at various boarding schools. He also discusses her early interests in music, art, and history, which would later shape her life and reign.

The Queen's Reign

The Queen's reign was marked by significant social and political changes. Dennison explores the various challenges and opportunities that she faced during her long life, from the Troubles in Northern Ireland to the global financial crisis of 2008. He also assesses the impact of her reign on British society, including the modernization of the monarchy, the expansion of the Commonwealth, and the promotion of British values abroad.

The Queen's Legacy

Matthew Dennison concludes his biography by examining the Queen's legacy. He discusses her role as a symbol of stability and continuity during times of change, her commitment to service and duty, and her enduring popularity among the British people. He also considers the impact of her death on the monarchy and the wider world, and the challenges that King Charles III will face in his new role as sovereign.

In conclusion, Matthew Dennison's elegant and magisterial biography of Her late Majesty, updated following the death of Elizabeth II and the accession of King Charles III, is a worthy and balanced overview of the Queen's life. Dennison is especially good on her childhood, quietly, tactfully, and tastefully reverent. The Queen: A Life of Service, Duty, Steadfastness, Charity, and Stoicism is a valuable contribution to our understanding of one of the most remarkable figures in British history.

Weight: 440g
Dimension: 192 x 127 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788545921