George V

Never a Dull Moment

By: Jane Ridley

Narrated by: Joanna David

From one of the most beloved and distinguished historians of the British monarchy, here is a lively, intimately detailed biography of a long-overlooked king who reimagined the Crown in the aftermath of World War I and whose marriage to the regal Queen Mary was an epic partnership

The grandfather of Queen Elizabeth II, King George V reigned over the British Empire from 1910 to 1936, a period of unprecedented international turbulence. Yet no one could deny that as a young man, George seemed uninspired. As his biographer Harold Nicolson famously put it, "he did nothing at all but kill animals and stick in stamps.” The contrast between him and his flamboyant, hedonistic, playboy father Edward VII could hardly have been greater.

However, though it lasted only a quarter-century, George’s reign was immensely consequential. He faced a constitutional crisis, the First World War, the fall of thirteen European monarchies and the rise of Bolshevism. The suffragette Emily Davison threw herself under his horse at the Derby, he refused asylum to his cousin the Tsar Nicholas II during the Russian Revolution, and he facilitated the first Labour government. And, as Jane Ridley shows, the modern British monarchy would not exist without George; he reinvented the institution, allowing it to survive and thrive when its very existence seemed doomed. The status of the British monarchy today, she argues, is due in large part to him.

How this supposedly limited man managed to steer the crown through so many perils and adapt an essentially Victorian institution to the twentieth century is a great story in itself. But this book is also a riveting portrait of a royal marriage and family life. Queen Mary played a pivotal role in the reign as well as being an important figure in her own right. Under the couple's stewardship, the crown emerged stronger than ever. George V founded the modern monarchy, and yet his disastrous quarrel with his eldest son, the Duke of Windsor, culminated in the existential crisis of the Abdication only months after his death.

Jane Ridley has had unprecedented access to the archives, and for the first time is able to reassess in full the many myths associated with this crucial and dramatic time. She brings us a royal family and world not long vanished, and not so far from our own.

©2022 Jane Ridley (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Superb

Brilliantly written story very well read. Jane Ridley is a terrific author. I recommend anything by her.

Superbly written and narrated

Thoroughly researched and unbiased account of a fascinating family history. A skillful blending of the Monarchy, British and world politicians and history.

Wonderful Biography

Fantastic book. The reading voice was excellent.

I love this author, and the way she breaks down the biography into two or three years at a time.

Learned a great deal about George the Fifth.

Dont't miss great history of the times

Loved it! Love history. I think you learn more about history of the times through biography. A perfect follow up To the life of Edward VII Titled Bertie. Narration was perfect. The book has great flow no dull spots.
P Jac

Very informative

Well constructed, well narrated with so much I had no knowledge of and a life of indentured service

Very enjoyable

I am, admittedly, a bit curious about the history of the English monarchy, so the subject matter already interested me. I was surprised to come to the end, knowing significantly more about George V and Queen Mary and having been thoroughly entertained along the way. I’ll certainly look for more Jane Ridley in the future.

great but long listen

if you like historical intrigue' this is a book for you..very interesting and as much a biography of Queen Mary as it was about George V... just very long. if you're willing to put in the time, the book is well worth it.

I couldn’t put this down

This is a must read! I couldn’t put it down & now have read all of Jane Ridley’s books. I didn’t want this to end & need more. She is wicked smart & I agree, King George V & his reign were far from dull. Queen Mary deserves a lot of credit & I love how the author used their diaries to reveal them. Inspiring

Great book narration ok

The subject is interesting and the book is very good. I found the narrator to be just ok. At times the narration is choppy.

He was rather dull, but...

Interesting take on the British royal family during a time of great change. As with many of these biographies, it seems the author has trouble sorting out the important from the trivial. Relying heavily on diaries and letters, inconsequential activities take on more importance than they should. The central figure is indeed dull. He liked to shoot birds and game, and he collected stamps. But he lived in interesting times and was at or near the center of significant events. Th narrator's performance was good.