Earl Spencer: Saint or Sinner? - Softcover

Barber, Richard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0233993819 ISBN 13: 9780233993812

Publisher: Andre Deutsch Ltd, 1999

Synopsis

This book chronicles the life and times of Earl Spencer, Princess Diana''s brother. The result is an insightful and sympathetic portrait of an aristocrat brought closer in touch with the people than any Earl has ever been before.'

About this title

Review:

When Charles, the ninth Earl Spencer, made that speech at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales on September 6, 1997, the world cheered and put him on a pedestal. But in the five minutes it took to deliver just 1,200 words, he set himself up as a target for the same hacks he openly accused of hounding his more famous sister to death and found himself thrust perhaps a little too far into the spotlight.

In Earl Spencer: Saint or Sinner? Richard Barber, an accomplished women's magazine editor, attempts to uncover "the truth" about a man who was previously famous by association, but has now taken on the very public role of Protector of Diana's memory. This first-ever biography of Earl Spencer is compiled mainly from newspaper and magazine cuttings and previous television and radio programmes, with the addition of a number of new interviews and original anecdotes from people once close to the Earl. Barber also calls on a panel of "expert witnesses" including--bizarrely--an agony aunt and an astrologer as well as seasoned royal- watchers for their opinions of Earl Spencer's behaviour before, during and after he captured the mood of millions in his speech at Westminster Abbey.

The result is a light, entertaining read that doesn't really answer the question of "Saint or Sinner?", but does skim the surface of the history of a man, undoubtedly scarred by the break-up of his parents' marriage, but who has managed to live an eventful and somewhat glamourous life despite, or because of, the emotional contradictions that privilege can bring. --Susan Harrison

About this edition

• Publisher: Andre Deutsch Ltd
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0233993819
• ISBN 13: 9780233993812
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224