2008-11-05 Dear Bertie

I found this an absolutely enthralling book. So well written and set out. As a frequent visitor to Sandringham House, it was wonderful to get to know it's principal inhabitants, Edward and Alexandra. Much critised for his extravagant life style, I believe that Bertie would have been an excellent statesman given half the chance. Which of course was the one thing that his mother tried to prevent. Hence the filandering, partying life style. Plenty of money and no job to do!! Wouldn't we all be the same? The author really enables the reader to understand Edwards character make-up, which his own parents were largely responsible for building. I'm sad that Bertie didn't have a long time on the throne, as I feel he would have been a very sucessful and highly popular monarch. I found him an irresistably charming and highly educated man who, sadly, was not allowed to achieve his full potential. With his death, it seems that truly the Victorian years came to an end. Highly recommended.