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Title: Behind Closed Doors

Author: Hugo Vickers

Narrator: John Telfer

Format: Unabridged

Length: 16 hrs and 22 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-21-11

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 82 votes

Genres: History, 20th Century

Publisher's Summary:

The life of the Duchess of Windsor came to an end in Paris on 24 April 1986. She was almost 90. Many people assumed that she had died years before, since she disappeared from public view for over a decade. Sebastian Faulks wrote in the Sunday Telegraph, She is seen as no more than the star of an old romantic film that most French have forgotten.

But the world did take note, describing her death as the final curtain on one of the greatest love stories of the twentieth century. The story of the Abdication was retold, embers of the feud between the British Royal Family and the Windsors in exile were fanned once more, and there was increasing speculation about the many historical treasures owned by the Duke and Duchess, in particular her jewels.

Hugo Vickers has followed the unfolding saga of this tragic couple since he was a young man. And, with the help of previously unpublished papers and personal testaments, he now brings a whole new perspective to the story. In particular, Vickers focuses on the last years of the Duchess of Windsor, revealing the cold truth about the ruthless exploitation of a vulnerable old woman by an unscrupulous French lawyer called Suzanne Blum.

Behind Closed Doors is a potent mixture of detective story and revelatory royal history. Hugo Vickers combines meticulous research with an intense fascination with his subject to tell a tale whose dramatic impact has only increased with time.

Members Reviews:

You Reap What You Sow

I just finished reading That Woman, and was curious to learn more about Wallis and Edward in exile. This couple never looked happy to me, and I suspect that he only used this woman to relieve himself of being King, a job he never enjoyed. No love there to make your wife the most hated woman in England.

I suspect that had they had inkling of how ostracised they would be in their new life he might not have abdicated. The most startling revelations in this book are the chapters dealing with the Duchess after Edward died. Poor of health and isolated from all her remaining friends, she is a virtual prisoner of her staff and lawyer. Who rob her blind.

Not a great love story at all, but a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions.

This is a thoroughly well researched book and dispels much of the nonsense and innuendo that have followed this couple.

The end of the Affair

This is a very accurate and sad account of the dishonest lawyer who overtook the life of the Duchess of Windsor and her money.

Interesting

I like the narrator. The book started out strong but I didn't feel that the life stories of some of the people surrounding the duchess were necessary. Intervening overall and well read.

Incredibly Boring

What didnt you like about John Telfers performance?

His voice is a bit monotone. Could put you to sleep.

Any additional comments?

The subject matter is what caught my attention because I love their story.