From the Publisher
"Morton offers a nuanced, intimate, and psychologically incisive understanding of a troubling royal, and arguably, his even more troubling wife. Sorting through myths and conspiracy theories with great skill, he explores their relationship to Hitler and the Nazis. Morton is fearless in his observations and convincing in his conclusions. He vividly illuminates a dark corner of royal history, exposing events which Churchill, Eisenhower, and others tried to conceal."—Jonathan Petropoulos, author of Royals and the Reich: The Princes von Hessen in Nazi Germany
"A vivid...racy narrative...moves breathlessly."
—The Wall Street Journal
"Filled with delicious tidbits...a fun book, filled with spice about a time that shocked the world."
—The Owen Sound Sun Times
"Explosive revelations...shocking."—Globe
"[17 CARNATIONS] provides plenty of fresh dope on the Windsors' cozy dealings with Adolf Hitler."—The Advocate
"A very readable sequel to his seeming ongoing series about the wars of the Windsors."—Toronto Star
Library Journal
02/01/2015
Edward VIII, son of George V and great-grandson of Queen Victoria, was perhaps the "first royal sex symbol of the modern age." His life and exploits were a source of fascination owing to his volatile emotions, relationships with seemingly unsavory characters, and unwillingness to become the royal that the public expected. Historian Morton (Diana: Her True Story) explores Prince Edward's most famous relationship: that with Wallis Simpson (later stylized Wallis, Duchess of Windsor), a twice-divorced American socialite whom he abdicated his throne to marry. Not only does the work look at this relationship, as well as others involving Wallis and Prince Edward it also examines their association with Germany in the years before and during World War II. Morton captures the interest (and scandals) of the era in a way that makes the book hard to put down. VERDICT This tale of British history, cover-ups, and surprising connections to the Nazi party truly intrigues. It provides a closer look into the world of royals during the first half of the 20th century when there was still so much being kept secret. [See Prepub Alert, 9/14/14.]—Rebecca Kluberdanz, GB65 Lib., New York
Kirkus Reviews
2014-12-15
Morton (William & Catherine: Their Story, 2011, etc.) takes a break from his unauthorized biographies of the rich and famous to dig into the archives regarding the incompetent King Edward VIII and his American wife, Wallis Simpson.The story is well-known: The Prince of Wales fell for a twice-married lady from Baltimore and eventually abdicated his throne for her. Edward was effectively banished by the new king, George VI, to avoid comparisons to his much more charismatic brother, and made the Duke of Windsor. This story is really about Edward and Simpson's close ties to the Nazis, including a visit with Hitler. While still in England, Joachim von Ribbentrop, Hitler's special deputy who was mad for Wallis, became a fixture in their set. He convinced the king of Germany's good intentions, strengthening Edward's support of Hitler's economic success. But Edward overstepped his position as king when he interfered in foreign relations, attempting to forestall war. The meat of the book doesn't arrive until halfway through, during the duke's stay in Spain and Portugal in 1940 on the way to his gubernatorial term in the Bahamas. Under Operation Willi, Germany planned to install Edward as a puppet dictator after England's defeat, which nearly occurred as the British were evacuating Dunkirk. Edward was surely aware of the plan. He was indiscreet, irresponsible, defeatist, childish and naïve. Days before the end of the war, copies of communications among the Germans, Spanish and the Windsors were discovered in the Russian zone and quickly spirited away by the British. This evidence of his clear knowledge of the plan would have done irreparable damage to the British monarchy. Morton insists that Edward never really wanted to be king and implies that Simpson never wanted to marry him. A better book would begin in Spain and focus on the damning papers, saving readers all the silly bits and innuendo of Simpson's affairs.
