Overview

"The House of Windsor: Is it a hangover from the past, an expensive anachronism, a relic of a bygone age of deference and hierarchy, or is it as important and relevant as ever? However you look at it, the royal family is a big business, though one with more ups and downs than the stock market. Prince Philip calls it ""The Firm,"" and all the royal executives and their powerful associates are supposed to make every effort to avoid even a hint of scandal that could diminish the reputation of the family business. Unfortunately for the royals, for the past twenty years scandal and controversy have deluged the Queen's family, putting everything at risk. Focusing primarily on the years after the death of Princess Diana and including the heir to the throne's marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles and Prince William's latest romance, acclaimed royal writer Penny Junor looks in depth at how the royal family has made itself the world's soap opera. The Firm reveals the answers to the questions that absorb the media around the world, disclosing how the family really behaves behind closed doors in this controversial and terrifically readable book."

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9780312377663

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Reviews

London journalist and longtime Windsor-watcher Junor ( Home Truths, Charles: Victim or Villian?, Charles and Diana: Portrait of a Marriage, etc.) considers the British royal family's continuation into the 21st century in this sympathetic account, covering Diana's death to the present day. The explanation, Junor believes, lies both in the magic of the monarchy and in the family's organization into the titular businesslike entity, a phrase coined by Prince Philip. She asserts that the value of the monarchy-during this era without hierarchy, deference and respect-is to act as a fixture in this morass of modern life. Junor has met nearly all the royals, as well as many of their associates, and her observations plus long excerpts from interviews give the book an insider feel. This is a favorable, respectful portrait: Junor tempers any criticisms with admiring descriptions of the royals' good deeds, especially their charity work. And despite the book's subtitle, she doesn't dwell on the royal scandals, focusing instead on the details of her subjects' lives and personalities. This approach generates some extraneous chapters, such as the passage exploring the minutia of the Queen's private interests (e.g. horses). However, this book's depth and gentle commentary on a subject usually dominated by tabloid expos??'s should gratify those with an affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. Color photos. (July) .. . a solid analysis of the monarchy. --Booklist A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. --Publishers Weekly Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended. --Library Journal a solid analysis of the monarchy. Booklist A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. Publishers Weekly Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended. Library Journal .. . a solid analysis of the monarchy. -- Booklist A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. --- Publishers Weekly Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended. --- Library Journal . .. a solid analysis of the monarchy. -- Booklist A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. --- Publishers Weekly Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended. --- Library Journal ... a solid analysis of the monarchy. -- Booklist A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. --- Publishers Weekly Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended. --- Library Journal .,. a solid analysis of the monarchy. -- Booklist A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. --- Publishers Weekly Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended. --- Library Journal JUNOR, PENNY. The Firm: The Troubled Life of the House of Windsor. Thomas Dunne Bks: St. Martin's. 2005. c.464p. photogs. bibliog. index. ISBN 0-312-35274-3. $25.95. HIST Readers of this interesting and occasionally jaw-dropping look at the world's most famous dysfunctional family will find plenty to engage them. Journalist and royal biographer Junor (Charles: Victim or Villain; Diana, Princess of Wales) tells the reader that the Queen...believes that with few exceptions everything that has gone wrong for the monarchy in the last twenty years has been attributable to Mrs. Parker Bowles. And the reason Prince Harry wore a Nazi uniform to a costume party? Today's young are blissfully unaware of history (some of them aren't even taught it in our schools). The reader comes away from the book feeling that had this family ever actually sat down and talked to one another a lot of their very public misfortunes might have been avoided. However, Junor doesn't just dish the dirt. She goes to a great deal of trouble to explain how The Firm works (and the queen, Princes Philip and Charles, and Princess Anne work very hardindeed) and at what actual cost to the nation. Given the Royal Family's frequent appearance in the headlines, this work is sure to be in demand. Highly recommended for all public libraries.-Elizabeth Mellett, Brookline P.L., MA ... a solid analysis of the monarchy. -- Booklist

&#8230; a solid analysis of the monarchy. -- Booklist <br><p>&#8220;A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain&#8217;s monarchy.&#8221; --- Publishers Weekly <p>&#8220;Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended.&#8221; --- Library Journal

.,. a solid analysis of the monarchy. -- Booklist <br><p> A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. --- Publishers Weekly <p> Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended. --- Library Journal

. .. a solid analysis of the monarchy. -- Booklist A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. --- Publishers Weekly Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended. --- Library Journal

London journalist and longtime Windsor-watcher Junor ( Home Truths, Charles: Victim or Villian?, Charles and Diana: Portrait of a Marriage, etc.) considers the British royal family's continuation into the 21st century in this sympathetic account, covering Diana's death to the present day. The explanation, Junor believes, lies both in the magic of the monarchy and in the family's organization into the titular businesslike entity, a phrase coined by Prince Philip. She asserts that the value of the monarchy-during this era without hierarchy, deference and respect-is to act as a fixture in this morass of modern life. Junor has met nearly all the royals, as well as many of their associates, and her observations plus long excerpts from interviews give the book an insider feel. This is a favorable, respectful portrait: Junor tempers any criticisms with admiring descriptions of the royals' good deeds, especially their charity work. And despite the book's subtitle, she doesn't dwell on the royal scandals, focusing instead on the details of her subjects' lives and personalities. This approach generates some extraneous chapters, such as the passage exploring the minutia of the Queen's private interests (e.g. horses). However, this book's depth and gentle commentary on a subject usually dominated by tabloid expos??'s should gratify those with an affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. Color photos. (July) ... a solid analysis of the monarchy. -- Booklist JUNOR, PENNY. The Firm: The Troubled Life of the House of Windsor. Thomas Dunne Bks: St. Martin's. 2005. c.464p. photogs. bibliog. index. ISBN 0-312-35274-3. $25.95. HIST Readers of this interesting and occasionally jaw-dropping look at the world's most famous dysfunctional family will find plenty to engage them. Journalist and royal biographer Junor (Charles: Victim or Villain; Diana, Princess of Wales) tells the reader that the Queen...believes that with few exceptions everything that has gone wrong for the monarchy in the last twenty years has been attributable to Mrs. Parker Bowles. And the reason Prince Harry wore a Nazi uniform to a costume party? Today's young are blissfully unaware of history (some of them aren't even taught it in our schools). The reader comes away from the book feeling that had this family ever actually sat down and talked to one another a lot of their very public misfortunes might have been avoided. However, Junor doesn't just dish the dirt. She goes to a great deal of trouble to explain how The Firm works (and the queen, Princes Philip and Charles, and Princess Anne work very hard indeed) and at what actual cost to the nation. Given the Royal Family's frequent appearance in the headlines, this work is sure to be in demand. Highly recommended for all public libraries.-Elizabeth Mellett, Brookline P.L., MA .,. a solid analysis of the monarchy. -- Booklist A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. --- Publishers Weekly Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended. --- Library Journal ... a solid analysis of the monarchy. -- Booklist A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. --- Publishers Weekly Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended. --- Library Journal . .. a solid analysis of the monarchy. -- Booklist A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. --- Publishers Weekly Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended. --- Library Journal .. . a solid analysis of the monarchy. -- Booklist A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. --- Publishers Weekly Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended. --- Library Journal a solid analysis of the monarchy. Booklist A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. Publishers Weekly Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended. Library Journal .. . a solid analysis of the monarchy. --Booklist A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. --Publishers Weekly Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended. --Library Journal

. .. a solid analysis of the monarchy. -- Booklist <br><p> A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. --- Publishers Weekly <p> Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended. --- Library Journal

a solid analysis of the monarchy. Booklist A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. Publishers Weekly Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended. Library Journal

London journalist and longtime Windsor-watcher Junor ( Home Truths, Charles: Victim or Villian?, Charles and Diana: Portrait of a Marriage, etc.) considers the British royal family's continuation into the 21st century in this sympathetic account, covering Diana's death to the present day. The explanation, Junor believes, lies both in the magic of the monarchy and in the family's organization into the titular businesslike entity, a phrase coined by Prince Philip. She asserts that the value of the monarchy-during this era without hierarchy, deference and respect-is to act as a fixture in this morass of modern life. Junor has met nearly all the royals, as well as many of their associates, and her observations plus long excerpts from interviews give the book an insider feel. This is a favorable, respectful portrait: Junor tempers any criticisms with admiring descriptions of the royals' good deeds, especially their charity work. And despite the book's subtitle, she doesn't dwell on the royal scandals, focusing instead on the details of her subjects' lives and personalities. This approach generates some extraneous chapters, such as the passage exploring the minutia of the Queen's private interests (e.g. horses). However, this book's depth and gentle commentary on a subject usually dominated by tabloid expos??'s should gratify those with an affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. Color photos. (July) .. . a solid analysis of the monarchy. --Booklist A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. --Publishers Weekly Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended. --Library Journal a solid analysis of the monarchy. Booklist A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. Publishers Weekly Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended. Library Journal .. . a solid analysis of the monarchy. -- Booklist A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. --- Publishers Weekly Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended. --- Library Journal . .. a solid analysis of the monarchy. -- Booklist A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. --- Publishers Weekly Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended. --- Library Journal ... a solid analysis of the monarchy. -- Booklist A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. --- Publishers Weekly Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended. --- Library Journal .,. a solid analysis of the monarchy. -- Booklist A favorable, respectful portrait . . . should gratify those with affectionate interest in Britain's monarchy. --- Publishers Weekly Interesting . . . jaw-dropping . . . highly recommended. --- Library Journal JUNOR, PENNY. The Firm: The Troubled Life of the House of Windsor. Thomas Dunne Bks: St. Martin's. 2005. c.464p. photogs. bibliog. index. ISBN 0-312-35274-3. $25.95. HIST Readers of this interesting and occasionally jaw-dropping look at the world's most famous dysfunctional family will find plenty to engage them. Journalist and royal biographer Junor (Charles: Victim or Villain; Diana, Princess of Wales) tells the reader that the Queen...believes that with few exceptions everything that has gone wrong for the monarchy in the last twenty years has been attributable to Mrs. Parker Bowles. And the reason Prince Harry wore a Nazi uniform to a costume party? Today's young are blissfully unaware of history (some of them aren't even taught it in our schools). The reader comes away from the book feeling that had this family ever actually sat down and talked to one another a lot of their very public misfortunes might have been avoided. However, Junor doesn't just dish the dirt. She goes to a great deal of trouble to explain how The Firm works (and the queen, Princes Philip and Charles, and Princess Anne work very hard indeed) and at what actual cost to the nation. Given the Royal Family's frequent appearance in the headlines, this work is sure to be in demand. Highly recommended for all public libraries.-Elizabeth Mellett, Brookline P.L., MA ... a solid analysis of the monarchy. -- Booklist

Author Information

Penny Junor is a top London journalist who has covered the royal family for over twenty-five years. She is the author of previous biographies of both the Prince and the Princess of Wales and two British prime ministers. She is married with four children and lives in Wiltshire, England.

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