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That Woman: The Life of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor Audiobook
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(3.01) - 1,243 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The first full scale biography of Wallis Simpson to be written by a woman, exploring the mind of one of the most glamorous and reviled figures of the Twentieth Century, a character who played prominently in the blockbuster film The King's Speech.
This is the story of the American divorcee notorious for allegedly seducing a British king off his throne. "That woman," so called by Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, was born Bessie Wallis Warfield in 1896 in Baltimore. Neither beautiful nor brilliant, she endured an impoverished childhood, which fostered in her a burning desire to rise above her circumstances.
Acclaimed biographer Anne Sebba offers an eye-opening account of one of the most talked about women of her generation. It explores the obsessive nature of Simpson's relationship with Prince Edward, the suggestion that she may have had a Disorder of Sexual Development, and new evidence showing she may never have wanted to marry Edward at all.
Since her death, Simpson has become a symbol of female empowerment as well as a style icon. But her psychology remains an enigma. Drawing from interviews and newly discovered letters, That Woman shines a light on this captivating and complex woman, an object of fascination that has only grown with the years.
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"It was so interesting to learn more about her and Edward. I don't doubt that their love was real but I think Edward's was the more genuine emotion. Two strange characters indeed and the impact on British and world history is remarkable."
— Georgann (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Brought to brilliant light in this responsible, respectful biography.
— Booklist on Jennie Churchill -
A rigorously objective book… Fascinating.
— Financial Times on Mother Teresa
That Woman Listener Reviews
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" Very interesting book ! Includes information from diaries and letters never before published. "
— Alice, 2/6/2014 -
" I've always wanted to read a book on Wallis Simpson and this was a very good one. Actually it's a very sad story of two totally broken people. "
— Lisa, 2/5/2014 -
" A lot to tell you about Wallis's early life and her early character. But nothing new toad about her marriage to David. I must admit towards the end I was bored. "
— Pauline, 1/20/2014 -
" This book makes lots of unfounded assumptions. It reads as if written by a name dropping gossip, whose facts are pulled out of thin air. Frequently cites the correspondence between Edward and Wallis as self-involved. Of course they were self involved it was private love letters to one another. In an effort to appear unbiased the author slings mud at Wallis, Edward, the English government, and the press, thus leaving the reader annoyed and still uneducated two of the most fascinating characters in history! "
— Alia, 12/29/2013 -
" Very interesting. Learned a lot about a very interesting time. "
— Cindy, 12/28/2013 -
" Surprising page turner! So interesting and well-written. "
— Kit, 12/28/2013 -
" Wallas Simpson was neither all bad nor all good. She did not know when she had a good thing (husband no. 1, Ernest Simpson). However she did save the British from a weak and lazy king. And for that reason only, we should be thankful. "
— Carol, 12/28/2013 -
" A total snore. The author surmises and then goes on to renege on her beliefs. Weird. "
— Sally, 12/21/2013 -
" I enjoyed reading about Wallis Simpson, but I also felt it was quite distanced from her as a person. "
— Jo, 12/21/2013 -
" More factual emphasis through Wallis's own letters on her state of mind during the courtship and abdication crisis. Less emotion and therefore less blame on her directly and more on the circumstances and mores of the times. "
— Deborah, 12/15/2013 -
" This book was poorly written and often skipped around with any explanation. The use of 130 names without any refresher on who the characters were was also disturbing. I would not recommend this book. "
— Stephanie, 12/10/2013
About Anne Sebba
Anne Sebba is a biographer, lecturer, and former Reuters foreign correspondent who has written eight books and is a member of the Society of Authors Executive Committee. She lives in London.
About Samantha Bond
Samantha Bond, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, is an actress best known for her role as Miss Moneypenny in several James Bond films, including Die Another Day, The World Is Not Enough, Tomorrow Never Dies, and GoldenEye. Her many television credits include Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Inspector Morse, Midsomer Murders, Rumpole of the Bailey, and Downton Abbey. She is a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and has appeared in multiple performances on Broadway and London’s West End. She starred opposite Dame Judi Dench in David Hare’s award-winning play Amy’s View at the Royal National Theatre.