Ties the Tin Can On Them

Most Americans know very little of the inside scoop on the current royal family. This book was a real eye-opener for me. She really knows how to wipe the polish off them and show them with all their flaws -- and there are many.

About the only thing she did not say (maybe because it's obvious) is that their behavior has to be put into some kind of historical context. The nobility was never really expected to display exemplary character until the 20th century. Prior to that, they could be, and were, pretty beastly. The royal family and most of the noble families have not evolved because they've been swaddled in the cotton batting of privilege and wealth. You've got to cut them a little break for not changing their behavior and attitudes as rapidly as the rest of the world. But just a LITTLE break! It's high time for some changes.

Good book and difficult to stop listening, even though I know some of these stories --

13 people found this helpful

A titillating and delightful insight....

I love Kitty Kelley's work and this is about a far and truthful insight I believe you're going to get. Riveting from beginning to end, I found the only thing to irk me a bit was the narrator's occasional mispronunciation, (Al, as in the word pal, thorp. Diana Spencer's home of Althorp should have been pronounced All-throp). A slight oddity, I accept, but that's just how we pronounce it here. I found a few of these. Apart from a few of these little slip ups in the narration - which would never have bothered the reader, only the audiobook listener - I loved The Royals and couldn't stop listening to it. I think though the exploits of the Duke have been underplayed, but, at the risk of making the story too much about him, I suppose the finished product is well rounded and very entertaining.

16 people found this helpful

A Juicy listen! Long, but ICouldn't stop listening

If you love Real Housewives and celebrity gossip, you will love this. While I personally believe about 75% of this as fact, Kelley definitely didher research from other interviews and reports spanning decades.

7 people found this helpful

Very Informative!

What did you love best about The Royals?

The insiders information. I didn't know that Prince Philip had so many trysts.

What did you like best about this story?

The author's ability to bring history to life. I enjoyed hearing about Queen Elizabeth's family.

Have you listened to any of Jennifer Van Dyck’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

not applicable

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Prince William and Prince Harry's upbringing was rather sad although brought up with many things, nothing can take the place of a loving family. I was disgusted by Princess Fergie's shenanigans.

6 people found this helpful

Very interesting

I thought this biography to be well written and insightful. if you're interested in the British royal family, you'll find this paced nicely and informative without being plodding. It fills in a lot of gaps and explains the back story of the current royals and their foibles. of course, it was written before there was the Middleton family, so there's nothing more recent really than Prince Charles and Camila. the voice recording is good and pleasant to listen too. All in all a worthwhile story.

9 people found this helpful

Narrators voice unpleasant

I almost stopped listening to this book shortly after starting it, due to the voice of the narrator. She sounds irritated or angry all the time. The story was compelling enough for me to see it through until the end.
I was not aware of a lot of the royal family “affairs” before Diana’s time. That’s when I became interested, being intrigued with her, as so many others were. No real surprises.
They sure were a dysfunctional, pathetic group of people at times.
I’m not sure what the draw is. It’s kind of like coming across a bad accident; you don’t want to look but you can’t help yourself!

3 people found this helpful

Inside Buck House

Typical Kitty Kelley fare: lots of gossipy tidbits tucked into a description of the German Royals who rule Great Britain.

The narration would be ok if it weren't for Jennifer Van Dyck's mispronunciation of so many words and names. Many British names don't sound the way they look - Berkshire and Althorp being two prime examples - but competent professional narrators check these out before committing the text to audio. Worse still, Van Dyck displays an appalling ignorance of names that a reasonably well educated person should know: Pepys, (sounds like Peeps, not "Peppys") Maori, (sounds like Mowry, not "May-or- ee") and a whole string of other words that a professional should know, such as commandant, codicil, prescient. The list of her missteps is lengthy and embarrassing.

3 people found this helpful

Tragic story...

Their lives would've been different if it were not for modern technology, paparazzi, etc. I've read about this royal family's ancestors who behaved the same but got away with so much because of the times they lived in...no cameras, no tv news, no radio, no cell phones or wiretapping.

2 people found this helpful

The Royals

Fascinating read. Grew up in England at the same time as the Princesses. Buy it.

1 person found this helpful

An Excellent Introduction to the Royal Family

For fans of The Crown and other recent films and stories on the House of Windsor, Kitty Kelley’s book on the Royal Family is a good introduction to one of history’s most fascinating and controversial families. Beginning with George V and taking the reader through Edward IX, George VI and the current monarch, readers are treated to stories of the Royal Family and their deeds both good and bad. While some facts are now contradicted by new information, readers will be enthralled by tales only a Royal can spin. An excellent audiobook presentation and performance.

1 person found this helpful