Traitor King: The Scandalous Exile of the Duke & Duchess of Windsor Hardcover – 5 July 2022

A fascinating insight into the character of a deeply unpleasant person. The photo I've attached is the take home quote.

A really fascinating book, filling in so much previously unknown detail. The thing which struck me most is that Edward betrayed the French defences to the Germans at the beginning of WW2, yet in later years the French government made him and Wallis welcome and allowed them to live in France tax-free. One wonders how they would have reacted had they known how he had betrayed them. A despicable man, we owe Mrs Simpson a great debt of gratitude for removing him!

I have read many books on the subject of Edward and Wallis Simpson, covering all aspects of their lives, the events leading up to 1936 and their drifting existence after the abdication. Yet, still I found new information and different perspectives on a subject which has been the focus of countless books, articles, documentaries, etc, down the years. Whatever your perspective on the love v duty debate, there is much to contemplate here in a thoroughly researched and well written volume.

Enjoyed this book immensely A great read about the Duke of Windsor Fascinating historical memoir A very interesting read Highly recommend

I've read a dozen books on Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson (later the Duke and Duchess of Windsor) but this is by far the best one ever!The author is a Cambridge scholar and owner of a publishing house that specializes in history. He is held in very high regard by historians everywhere. ... deservedly!Traitor King was well written, very solidly and thoroughly researched, and no stone was left unturned to bring an honest and fair appraisal of the Windsors' involvement with the Germans before, during, and after WWII, along with their subsequent spiritually-empty celebrity life. There's much new information in this book from private diaries of the people surrounding the Windsors, apart from the other historical sources. I think this author chased down every possible source, no matter how hard that was. And I must say, the author left NO stone unturned to get at the truth of these two people -- who spent their lives stage managing their images and their presentation of themselves to the public. Privately, their lives were empty -- a human vacuum. Throughout their lives, people remarked what a waste they made of their lives. It seems to be the consensus human theme by everyone who knew them or dealt with them. Unlike other authors who seem to have an ax of some kind to grind with the Windsors (either sympathetic or damning), the tone and thoroughness of the book is objective throughout, giving all points of view. The result is an utterly fair and honest viewpoint. So refreshing among historical books these days, which often lapse into sensationalism, fiction, and speculation.I was glad to get the book the moment it was released. I seldom do that, but this book was certainly worth it.I highly recommend this excellent work for anyone interested in the Windsors or that time in history.I can hardly wait for Mr. Lownie's next book!

This well-researched and eminently readable account of Wallis and the Duke’s behaviour before and during the War puts to rest any residual assumptions about the couple’s naïveté vis-à-vis the Nazis. Their relations with a mind-boggling cast of characters (appeasers, bankers, fascist leaders, Nazi ministers and assorted fellow travellers) in the U.K., France and Spain demonstrate beyond a shadow of a doubt that they knew exactly what they were doing, and why. A fascinating read!

I knew little about the Duke and Wallis. The abdication seems to be incredibly fortuitous. An undereducated king of ruler can be extremely dangerous. His grand nephew seems to have the same traits, and chose the wrong spouse. Luckily he is far down in the line of succession!Overall, I would recommend this book.

I read this entire book. Very interesting. A lot of things I didn't know about Edward. A good read.