Best Selling Books by Sally Bedell Smith

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • This “excellent, all-embracing” (The New York Times) biography of Queen Elizabeth II is a magisterial study of the woman known only from a distance—and a captivating window into her decades-long reign. From the moment of her ascension to the throne in 1952 at the age of twenty-five, Queen Elizabeth II was the object of unparalleled scrutiny. But through the fog of glamour and gossip, how well did we really know the world’s most famous monarch? Drawing on numerous interviews and never-before-revealed documents, acclaimed biographer Sally Bedell Smith pulls back the curtain to show in intimate detail the public and private lives of Queen Elizabeth II, who led her country and Commonwealth through the wars and upheavals of the last twentieth and twenty-first centuries with unparalleled composure, intelligence, and grace. In Elizabeth the Queen, we meet the young girl who suddenly becomes “heiress presumptive” when her uncle abdicates the throne. We meet the thirteen-year-old Lilibet as she falls in love with a young navy cadet named Philip and becomes determined to marry him, even though her parents prefer wealthier English aristocrats. We see the teenage Lilibet repairing army trucks during World War II and standing with Winston Churchill on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on V-E Day. We see the young Queen struggling to balance the demands of her job with her role as the mother of two young children. Sally Bedell Smith brings us inside the palace doors and into the Queen’s daily routines—the “red boxes” of documents she reviewed each day, the weekly meetings she had with twelve prime ministers, her physically demanding tours abroad, and the constant scrutiny of the press—as well as her personal relationships: with her husband, Prince Philip, the love of her life; her children and their often-disastrous marriages; her grandchildren and friends.

This "New York Times" bestseller draws on interviews with scores of Kennedy intimates and letters and personal papers to paint a detailed picture of the personal relationships behind the high purpose and political drama of the 20th century''s most storied presidency.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A “masterly account” (The Wall Street Journal) of the life and loves of King Charles III, Britain’s first king since 1952, shedding light on the death of Diana, his marriage to Camilla, and his preparations to take the throne Sally Bedell Smith returns once again to the British royal family to give us a new look at the man who was the oldest heir to the throne in more than three hundred years. This vivid, eye-opening biography—the product of four years of research and hundreds of interviews with palace officials, former girlfriends, spiritual gurus, and more, some speaking on the record for the first time—is the first authoritative treatment of Charles’s life. Prince Charles brings to life the real man, with all of his ambitions, insecurities, and convictions. It begins with his lonely childhood, in which he struggled to live up to his father’s expectations and sought companionship from the Queen Mother and his great-uncle Lord Mountbatten. It follows him through difficult years at school, his early love affairs, his intellectual quests, his entrepreneurial pursuits, and his intense search for spiritual meaning. It tells of the tragedy of his marriage to Diana; his eventual reunion with his true love, Camilla; and his relationships with William, Kate, Harry, and his grandchildren. Ranging from his glamorous palaces to his country homes, from his globe-trotting travels to his local initiatives, Smith shows how Prince Charles possesses a fiercely independent spirit and yet spent more than six decades waiting for his destined role, living a life dictated by protocols he often struggles to obey. With keen insight and the discovery of unexpected new details, Smith lays bare the contradictions of a man who is more complicated, tragic, and compelling than we knew, until now.

The first authoritative biography of one of the most fabled women of the twentieth century—Princess Diana—that paints an insightful and haunting portrait, a “chilling vision of loneliness, need, and untreated mental illness” (USA Today). “[Sally Bedell] Smith has done a remarkable job extracting what’s genuinely pertinent and interesting about Diana. . . . If you’re going to read one Diana book, this should be it.”—Newsweek For all that has been written about Diana—the books, the commemorative magazines, the thousands of newspaper articles—we have lacked a sophisticated understanding of the woman, her motivations, and her extreme needs. Most books have been exercises in hagiography or character assassination, sometimes both in the same volume. With Diana in Search of Herself, acclaimed biographer Sally Bedell Smith has written the first truly balanced and nuanced portrait of the Princess of Wales, in all her emotional complexity. Drawing on scores of exclusive interviews with Diana’s friends and associates, Smith explores the events and relationships that shaped the Princess, the flashpoints that sent her careening through life, her deep feelings of unworthiness, her view of men, and her perpetual journey toward a better sense of self. By making connections not previously explored, Diana in Search of Herself allows readers to see Diana as she really was, from her birth to her tragic death. Original in its reporting and surprising in its conclusions about the severity of Diana’s mental health problems, Diana in Search of Herself is the smartest and most substantive biography ever written about this mesmerizing woman. NOTE: This edition does not include photographs.

During their eight years in the White House, Bill and Hillary Clinton worked together more closely than the public ever knew. Their intertwined personal and professional lives had far-reaching consequences–for politics, domestic policy, and international affairs–and their marital troubles became a national soap opera. Based on unparalleled access to scores of Clinton insiders–cabinet officers, top administration officials, close personal friends–and skilled analysis of a vast written record, including previously unavailable private papers, For Love of Politics is the first book to explain the dynamics of Bill and Hillary’s relationship, showing that they are two halves of a unique whole and that it is impossible to understand one Clinton without factoring in the other. Sally Bedell Smith, acclaimed author of Grace and Power: The Private World of the Kennedy White House, offers intimate scenes from the Clinton marriage, with new details and insights into how a passion for politics sustained Bill and Hillary through one crisis after another. With clarity and depth, Smith examines the origins of an unconventional copresidency, explains the impact of the Clintons’ tensions as well as their talents, and reveals how Hillary shifted from openly exercising power in the first two years to acting as a “hidden hand,” advising her husband on a range of foreign and domestic issues as well as decisions on hiring and firing. Smith describes for the first time the inner workings of a White House with an unprecedented “three forces to be reckoned with”–Bill, Hillary, and Al Gore–and shows how the First Lady’s rivalry with the Vice President played out in the West Wing and even more profoundly during the 2000 campaign. As Hillary seeks to follow in her husband’s footsteps, this riveting book will leave readers marveling at what they never knew about Bill’s intensely covered presidency–and wondering what it would be like to have two presidents, both named Clinton, living in the White House.

In a major biography of epic proportions, Smith delves into the life of William S. Paley, the founder of CBS and a key figure in the rise of radio and television--a man who would let nothing interfere with his success. "An impressive, meticulously researched work of broadcast history".--Time. Photographs.

A revelatory account of how the loving marriage of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth saved the monarchy during World War II, and how they raised their daughter to become Queen Elizabeth II, based on exclusive access to the Royal Archives—from the bestselling author of Elizabeth the Queen and Prince Charles “An intimate and gripping portrait of a royal marriage that survived betrayal, tragedy, and war.”—Amanda Foreman, bestselling author of Georgiana: Duchess of Devonshire Granted special access by Queen Elizabeth II to her parents’ letters and diaries and to the papers of their close friends and family, Sally Bedell Smith brings the love story of this iconic royal couple to vibrant life. This deeply researched and revealing book shows how a loving and devoted marriage helped the King and Queen meet the challenges of World War II, lead a nation, solidify the public’s faith in the monarchy, and raise their daughters, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret. When King Edward VIII abdicated the throne in 1936, shattering the Crown’s reputation, his younger brother, known as Bertie, assumed his father’s name and became King George VI. Shy, sensitive, and afflicted with a stutter, George VI had never imagined that he would become King. His wife, Elizabeth, a pretty, confident, and outgoing woman who became known later in life as “the Queen Mum,” strengthened and advised her husband. With his wife’s support, guidance, and love, George VI was able to overcome his insecurities and become an exceptional leader, navigating the country through World War II, establishing a relationship with Winston Churchill, visiting Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt in Washington and in Hyde Park, and inspiring the British people with his courage and compassion during the Blitz. Simultaneously, George VI and Elizabeth trained their daughter Princess Elizabeth from an early age to be a highly successful monarch, and she would reign for an unprecedented seventy years. Sally Bedell Smith gives us an inside view of the lives, struggles, hopes, and triumphs of King George VI and Elizabeth during a pivotal time in history.

A biography of Pamela Churchill Harriman, based on over 800 interviews and archival research, charting her life from marriage to Churchill’s son, Randolph, through two further marriages to her eventual appointment as US Ambassador to France.

An inside look at the television industry discusses the networks, the corporate executives, the high-stakes battles for profits and prestige, the ratings war, and the meteoric career of Fred Silverman.

1936-ban a brit monarchia ezeréves története egyik legnagyobb válságát élte át. VIII. Eduárd király botrányos uralkodása és példátlan lemondása után az egész addigi életét bátyja árnyékában töltő öccsére, a dadogása miatt a nyilvánosságot kerülő Bertie-re hárult a feladat, hogy helyreállítsa a korona hírnevét. VI. György néven ő lett az, aki átvezette népét a második világháború megpróbáltatásain, visszaadta az emberek hitét a monarchiában, és felkészítette a trónra minden idők legkedveltebb brit uralkodóját, II. Erzsébetet. Mindez azonban nem lett volna lehetséges felesége, Erzsébet királyné nélkül. Sally Bedell Smith, a brit monarchia avatott ismerője, az Erzsébet, a királynő és a Károly sikerkönyvek szerzője ezt a rendkívüli házasságot tárja elénk exkluzív dokumentumok révén. Könyvéből kiderül, hogyan vészelt át tragédiákat és árulásokat a korban szinte páratlan szerelmi házasságuk, hogyan vált a félénk hercegből Erzsébetnek köszönhetően magabiztos, népének a háború legsötétebb időszakában is példát mutató király, és hogyan őrizték meg közös erővel a brit monarchiát. Az óriási kutatómunkán alapuló, személyes hangvételű VI. György és Erzsébet megmutatja a sorsfordító történelmi események mögött rejtőző emberi kapcsolatokat és érzelmeket. Sally Bedell Smith könyve kihagyhatatlan olvasmány a brit monarchia rajongóinak, és azoknak, akik új szempontból szeretnék megismerni a 20. század legkritikusabb évtizedeit.

Amióta 1952-ben, alig huszonöt esztendősen elfoglalta a trónt, II. Erzsébet királynő példátlan közfigyelem tárgya, de a csillogás és a szóbeszéd ködén át vajon mennyire alkothatunk pontos képet a világ leghíresebb uralkodójáról? A neves életrajzíró, Sally Bedell Smith számtalan interjúra és korábban sosem idézett dokumentumra támaszkodik, amikor egy ritka pillanatra félrelebbenti a fátylat, hogy megismertessen annak a királynőnek nyilvános és magánéletével, aki páratlan tekintéllyel, tapintattal és eleganciával vezette át hazáját és a Nemzetközösséget az elmúlt hatvan év minden háborúján és zűrzavarán. Az Erzsébet, a királynő minden részletében hiteles, mégis olvasmányos és szórakoztató közelkép egy olyan asszonyról, akit eddig csak távolról, a tévé képernyőjéről ismerhettünk - egy kivételes személyiségről, aki eleven humorérzékkel és mérhetetlen józansággal végzi kötelességét, bármit rójon is rá a munkája és a családja. Az Erzsébet, a királynő figyelemre méltó és rokonszenves portré, emellett lenyűgöző beszámoló arról a kivételes modern kori vállalkozásról, amivé az uralkodás vált. A könyvben megismerünk egy fiatal lányt, aki nagybátyja trónfosztása után hirtelen a trónörökös szerepében találja magát. Találkozunk a tizenhárom éves Lilibettel, amint beleszeret egy Fülöp nevű fiatal tengerészkadétba, és eltökéli, hogy feleségül megy hozzá, még ha szülei a vagyonosabb angol arisztokratákat részesítenék is előnyben. Látjuk a tizenéves lányt, ahogy a második világháború idején katonai teherautókat szerel, majd a győzelem napján ott áll Winston Churchill mellett a Buckingham-palota erkélyén. Majd fiatal királynőként lép elénk, aki igyekszik egyensúlyt találni kettős szerepkörében, mint uralkodó és mint kétgyermekes fiatalasszony. Sally Bedell Smith átcsempész minket a palota kapuin, hogy nyomon követhessük a királynő mindennapos rutinjait - a "vörös dobozokat", bennük a kötelezően áttekintendő aktuális dokumentumokkal; a heti audienciákat, amelyeken az idők során tizenkét miniszterelnök vett részt; a fizikailag is megerőltető külföldi körutazásokat; a sajtó szüntelen figyelmét - s persze személyes kapcsolatát Fülöp herceggel, élete szerelmével és hatvannégy esztendeje hű férjével; a gyermekeivel s olykor zűrös házastársaikkal; az unokáival és a barátaival. Olvasson bele: Részlet a könyvből A Könyvjelző magazin 2013. júniusi számában megjelent cikk: A királynő retikülje

Sally Bedell Smith, die van koningin Elizabeth II speciale toegang kreeg tot de brieven en dagboeken van haar ouders en tot de papieren van hun naaste vrienden en familie, brengt het ware liefdesverhaal van dit iconische koninklijke echtpaar tot leven. Hun liefdevolle en toegewijde huwelijk, dat van 1923 tot 1952 duurde, stelde de koning en koningin in staat om hun land door de Tweede Wereldoorlog te loodsen, het vertrouwen van het publiek in de monarchie te versterken en hun dochters, prinses Elizabeth en prinses Margaret, groot te brengen. Dit onthullende boek biedt een nieuwe blik op het leven, de strijd, de hoop en de triomfen van koning George VI en Elizabeth op een keerpunt in de twintigste-eeuw in Europa. Over Koningin Elizabeth II. De biografie: ''Sally Bedell Smith doet aan ''high biography'': degelijk onderzoek en prachtig geschreven.'' Het Parool ''Een excellente, alomvattende biografie.'' The New York Times **** de Volkskrant

Lees nu bij seizoen 5: Het ware verhaal achter The Crown Koningin Elizabeth II (1926-2022) regeerde meer dan zeventig jaar over Groot-Brittannië en het Gemenebest. Sinds ze in 1952 koningin werd van het Verenigd Koninkrijk, ontmoette ze koningen, wereldleiders en beroemdheden. Ze zag haar land en de wereld veranderen. Hoe slaagde Elizabeth erin de Britse monarchie toekomstbestendig te maken? Hoe wist ze haar mysterieuze uitstraling en populariteit in te zetten ten faveure van haar land? Op basis van talloze privédocumenten en niet eerder gepubliceerde interviews, schetst Sally Bedell Smith een intiem portret. Elizabeth wordt alom geroemd als een hardwerkende, deskundige vrouw. Ze balanceerde voortdurend tussen traditie en moderniteit, tussen werk en familie. Niet eerder kwamen we zo dicht bij de langst regerende vorstin ter wereld, de mater familias van de Windsor-dynastie: Koningin Elizabeth II. ''Een excellente, alomvattende biografie.'' The New York Times ''Fantastisch geschreven, vol inlevingsvermogen - een onthullende blik op het hof.'' Walter Isaacson, biograaf van o.a. Albert Einstein en Steve Jobs **** de Volkskrant