Do Let's Have Another Drink!: The Dry Wit and Fizzy Life of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother by Gareth Russell
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Web ID: 152558335 reviews
Good Reading
A woman made of steel wearing a crown and holding her own. I didn’t know much about the Queen Mother when I picked up this book. I saw the title and thought it’d be a rollicking good time kind of book. It’s so much more, just like the Queen Mother. Sure, she had her faults, but she went through a lot in a long lifetime. The writing flows along well and kept me entertained. Honestly, the fascination of the woman was plenty. She lived through two wars, bombings, the death of her husband, his rise to the throne and seeing her daughter do the same. She had a lot to handle and seemed to do it with grace. She might have spent a lot of cash along the way and loved her racehorses, but honestly, she was very much of her time. This book showed me that in so many ways. If you’re looking for a book about the Queen Mother that’s not a run-of-the-mill biography, give this one a try. It’s worth the read. originally posted at long and short reviews
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Absolutely Delightful!
This book is a totally delightful, humorous, and compelling collection of 101 vignettes about the Queen Mother during her lifetime. One each for the number of years she lived. I have read lots of books about this fascinating woman and have found them all to show a woman, as it’s been said, as soft as a marshmallow but as strong as iron. She saw her husband as he had to take on the mantle of King of England when his brother abdicated to marry Wallace Simpson. Elizabeth supported her husband through his stammer that made it difficult for him to give public speeches. His ill health also made it necessary for her to be close by his side. She was unfailing during World War I refusing to leave London to be safe in the countryside. She and their children stayed put to brave the war just as the other people of England did. She believed in solidarity with the people. Her humor was well-known. She loved meeting people and always showed a genuine interest in them. Singing and dining with friends was such a pleasure for her. Even after losing her husband when she was just 50-years-old, she maintained her steel strength for the rest of her life. She certainly enjoyed imbibing in cocktails many of which were strong enough to knock over the average person. I have long admired this wonderful woman and wish I could have met her before she passed away. Along with her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, the world has lost two beautiful icons. May God rest their souls. Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Not your typical biography
“Do Let’s Have Another Drink” is not your normal biography filled with minute details and sometimes tedious filler. This biography of The Queen Mother is told in 101 anecdotes, one fir each year of her life. Mostly humorous, each anecdote gives us a look at The Queen Mother that was usually reserved for her family and friends. Queen Elizabeth was very popular from the moment she married her husband, then the Duke of York. After the infamous abdication in 1936, she was made Queen and her popularity soared. She was known for her wit, sense of humor, her ability to make people feel comfortable, but also able to quickly put someone in their place. The stories are well researched and often came from her staff or friends who witnessed the events. This is must read for fans of the Royal Family. An easy read and just as informative as a biography twice as thick. Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Exceptionally good biography of the Queen Mother
4.5 Stars I've read many books about the Windsors over the decades, but never a biography solely covering Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, known in her unmarried beginnings as Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. When I drank in the cover of this book and its title, I surmised I was getting truly a new spin on the topic in the form of humorous anecdotes about The Queen Mother. But when I first delved into the book my expectations were upended, for this was an actual biography...and a very good one! So at first I was a little disappointed because I was waiting for the punchlines that weren't coming. However, once I switched gears and realized what a wonderful biography I was reading about this historic royal icon, I ploughed through it with delight! The whimsical stories started coming once The Queen Mother was a widow, freed from the responsibilities and limitations her former role of Queen Consort demanded. Well, she did love to drink! Apparently, she was partial to gin and Dubonnet, but open to other alcoholic concoctions...and she insisted her guests keep getting refills as well! There was one story where a priest came to dine who had to perform a Baptism in a short while, and politely tried to decline a drink refill-but was overruled. He later claimed that he couldn't quite remember doing the Baptism and whether he cited the baby's name correctly during the ceremony. The Queen Mother was very witty, a master at the art of conversation, and loved to eat. One close friend dubbed her "Cake" as a nickname. Aside from the funny incidents referred to later in the book, the overall biography was top notch and I learned new kernels of information. For instance, in 1966 she had cancer resulting in a temporary colostomy. I never heard this anywhere before! So, the cover of this book is somewhat misleading because this is actually a quality biography with fresh, interesting and yes- often comical anecdotes. So if you're thinking this is some quirky take on The Queen Mother, know that you're in for an exceptionally good biography of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. Thank you to the publisher Atria Books for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Great Book
Do Let's Have Another Drink!: The Dry Wit and Fizzy Life of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother by Gareth Russell is a wonderful nonfiction that commemorates the amazing Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mother of Queen Elizabeth II. I just loved this. I have been a huge fan of Elizabeth Bowes- Lyon, aka Queen Elizabeth II’s mother, and Queen Consort of King George VI 1936 until his death in 1952. She lived to be 101, and this book commemorates and remembers her life and personality by this collection of stories, anecdotes, quotes, and remembrances. There are references and footnotes added to help give backdrop by the author as well. She was far more witty, sassy, hilarious, feisty, and courageous then most give her credit for. I really enjoyed reading this and getting another peak into her fascinating and wonderful life. 5/5 stars
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com