History
is not something I am particularly good at, never have been. I love to read about events and people but if
you asked me what year this or that happened in – I have not got a clue. While reading ABDICATION by Juliet Nicolson the sense that I was standing in a
room overhearing conversations and watching the then King of England make a
decision based on love was riveting. Yes,
I do know some of their story but the details have always been a bit sketchy
where Wallis Simpson was involved but now my thoughts on the situation are
completely altered in both good and bad direction.
I
have read and reviewed ABDICATION by
Juliet Nicolson that I received from Atria
Books. Now it is time to let someone
else enjoy it and I am going to provide my copy to one lucky winner. To be eligible to win please leave a comment on “a life altering event you were witness to?”. The winner for this book will be posted on
Sunday – June 24th and you will have two weeks to email me and claim
your book. My contest rules stipulate
that you must come back to see if you have won and email me with your address. 
Being
a fan of the positive and celebrating my every day Little Victories I have
often times drawn from Claude Monet’s attitude.
He was moved by what he saw, and painted what he loved never letting the
critics deter him from his innovative style.
Life may knock you around but look for the one shining moment in the day
and celebrate that Little Victory.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
REVIEW from Mary Gramlich "The Reading Reviewer"
ABDICATION
by
Juliet Nicolson
When
does what I know stop being a secret and turn into an unreleased issue?
In
1936, May Thomas finds herself traveling to England in search of work, and
inadvertently becomes tangled in history as it is happening. She becomes a chauffeur to a family closely
associated with King Edward and Wallis Simpson, a woman determined to have
whatever she wants regardless of the consequences. May knows and accepts her position to keep a
low profile, and whatever she happens to see to herself. Yet watching the action from the sidelines as
it unfolds is riveting and at times a secret greater than May feels she should
have to keep. The actions of the few are
going to alter the lives of so many, and May wonders whom if anyone has the
power to control this.
The
other earth shattering eruption coming to England is from Germany and affects
May’s Jewish cousins. The horror that is
about to be unleashed upon an entire nationality is rearing its ugly head and
May is doing everything to stay true to her core beliefs regardless of what
others may say. She is not going to allow
the evil that appears to be bent on destruction take away her family’s
structure.
Reading
Abdication by Juliet Nicolson you feel the effect of looking through a window
into someone else’s life. This is a well
written, and prolific story that is being told from an insider’s perspective
and dives right into the heart of the happenings and readers watch the drama
play out.
I don't know that I have personally been a witness to any life altering events. Looking at ABDICATION by Juliet Nicolson, which is now on my wish list, I'd have to say events relating to the British Royal family. As an Australian the Queen is our Head of State. Charles will take the throne & then William.
ReplyDeleteI had gone to see JFK's burial site when all of sudden there was a flurry of activity and Jackie and bobby Kennedy came to visit the site.
ReplyDeleteI think we all wondered about the Wallis Simpson story and this book look great. I am old enough to remember allot of things but none as game chaning as Kennedy.
ReplyDeleteDJ in Denver
Audrey...I would have to think about this because it seems like I have had too many experiences if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteMy family was in the funeral home bsusiness so I have witnessed allot of gross things.
ReplyDeleteCricket - fit & fabulous as always
Having my two children - very life altering and I was there lol.
ReplyDeleteI really can't think of anything right now but I would love to read this story!
ReplyDeleteMy life altering event was when my children and grandchildren were born. Everything changed!!! I'd no idea just how strong a Mother's love and Grandmother's love could be.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that if King Edward had not abdicated the throne, then my country today would have a totally different Royal Family. He must have loved Wallis Simpson very, very much.
I think it's just being immersed in my family's love. I see evidence of it everyday in small and big ways and it has always impacted me. There's not one particular memory that stands out but a bit of everything.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of anything now. Sounds like an interesting book.
ReplyDeleteCan't think of a personal experience but I have lived for 69 yrs so I have seen and read about many life altering events from JFK's assassination to current economic disaster and 9/11.
ReplyDeletemisskallie2000 at yahoo dot com