Diana: Story of a Princess Book

Another book on Diana? In fact, Tim Clayton and Phil Craig's carefully researched biography Diana: Story of a Princess offers a more balanced and serious appraisal of the life and times of the Princess of Wales than most books published since her death in the summer of 1997. Having already collaborated on the award-winning book and TV series on the Battle of Britain, Finest Hour, Clayton and Craig's book tries "to weigh and get behind the rival versions of her story", which is, they argues, "long overdue". On the whole, they achieve a good balance between Diana and the Palace, despite being clear about who was more successful when it came to swaying the hearts and minds of the public: Whatever she did, Diana made an impact; but in no area more powerfully than in destabilising her husband's family. Effortlessly she outshone Guy Fawkes. Based on specially commissioned interviews with senior members of both Diana and Charles' households, Diana: Story of a Princess captures the realpolitik that led to Charles and Diana's marriage, the descent into infidelity, the absurdity of moments like "Squidgygate", and the remarkable impact on the nation of Diana's death. Clayton and Craig have written a lively, well-informed book that shows various sides of Diana's life. It will not be the last book on Diana, but it's one of the better attempts. --Jerry BrottonRead More