Queen of Our Times by Robert Hardman

I have loved England and the history it holds for as long as I can remember. When Queen Elizabeth II passed away, I knew I wanted to learn more about her life. Everything I’d read online told me that Queen of Our Times by Robert Hardman was the premiere biography on her life, so I stopped by Barnes and Noble to pick up a copy. Let’s jump into the review of this behemoth of a book!

Shy but with a steely self-confidence; inscrutable despite ten decades in the public eye; unflappable; devout; indulgent; outwardly reserved, inwardly passionate; unsentimental; inquisitive; young at heart.

Even with her recent passing at age ninety-six, Queen Elizabeth II remains a twenty-first-century global phenomenon commanding unrivaled respect and affection. Sealed off during the greatest peacetime emergency of modern times, she has stuck to her own maxim: “I have to be seen to be believed.”

Robert Hardman, one of Britain’s most acclaimed royal biographers, now wraps up the full story of one of the undisputed greats in a thousand years of monarchy. Hardman distills Elizabeth’s complex life into a must-read study of dynastic survival and renewal. It is a portrait of a world leader who remains as intriguing today as the day she came to the throne at age twenty-five.

With peerless access to members of the Royal Family, staff, friends, and royal records, Queen of Our Times brings fresh insights and scholarship to the modern royal story. There will be no more thorough, more readable, more original book on Elizabeth II as we celebrate a life and reign that, surely, will never be equaled.

My Thoughts

Queen of Our Times is an all-encompassing book for sure. Hardman does an excellent job of providing historical and political context for every event in the Queen’s life so that the reader understands the significance of each choice. I loved reading the interviews with others regarding the Queen, especially the quotes from former U.S. presidents. The biography really does dive into every aspect of the Queen’s life, from tea parties to foreign banquets to national crises. I really enjoyed getting the full story of her life. Finishing the book leaves me with a new respect regarding Queen Elizabeth II and all that she accomplished.

It is clear to me that the author does have some bias regarding the royal family. He strives to justify any and all actions Queen Elizabeth II took, regardless of whether or not they were actually justifiable. However, this bias does not affect or change the facts, and the author does stick to the truth of the historical accounts, even if he adds his own opinion at the end.

I should also warn you; this book is LONG! It’s 720 pages and each page is full to the brim with facts, dates, names, and more. I was happy I read Queen of Our Times, but I was equally glad to be done with it. Ultimately, it’s worth pushing through all the information, but it did take me quite some time to get through it and I was ready to read something new!

Conclusion

Long biographies like Queen of Our Times are always difficult to get through. With the load of facts, dates, and names, they can be hard to follow and stay committed to. There is no doubt that this biography of Queen Elizabeth II covers every detail of her life. It is a slog at times, but by the time you finish it, you’ll be an expert on all things Elizabeth II. I enjoyed getting to learn all the stories and histories behind the royal family. Ultimately, it’s fascinating and detailed biography!

You can buy Queen of Our Times here.

Marie