The Windsors are slowly becoming a more divisive couple in the Windsor family. For decades and decades, they were largely seen as selfish and petulant and Britain (and the Commonwealth) were lucky to have dodged them. While I think that the second part of that statement still stands, historians are now starting to dig further into their lives and take a more sympathetic approach.

Lownie presents a complex and oftentimes sad story of these two lives. He uses both government and archival sources, coupled with more informal, personal sources and stories and it paints a lonely picture. My view of the Windsors did not change after reading this- I still believe that their choices were selfish and that they overestimated what their life would look like post-abdication. However, Lownie has filled in so much of that missing story, and it was sadly fascinating. This is one of the most thoughtful biographies I’ve read/listened to in quite some time.

Lownie narrates the audiobook himself and does a fantastic job. I know that a lot of authors do not like narrating themselves. However, I think that it allows their emphasis and opinions to come through strongly. There are a lot of quotes in the book, and his reading brought them to life.

Thank you, NetGalley, for granting me a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Traitor King: The Scandalous Exile of the Duke & Duchess of Windsor exposes the many flaws and scandals of King Edward VIII, who abdicated after less than a year as king, including his gallivanting, womanizing, and ties to Nazi Germany. Beginning with his abdication, author Andrew Lownie shares every rumor and whisper against the duke, including not only his ideological leanings, but also his sexual proclivities (possibly homosexual, possibly impotent, possibly into BDSM) and frivolities (extravagant spending, strange friends, desperation for attention). It becomes abundantly clear early on that the smartest and least selfish thing Edward VIII ever did was abdicate in favor of his dutiful younger brother, but Lownie doesn't seem to agree, instead preferring the more idealistic option of Edward keeping his crown and changing every aspect of his personality to meet the task.

Then again, perhaps we're supposed to believe that the duke only behaved this way due to outside influences. Enter Wallis Simpson, the woman Edward forsake his crown to marry. Despite the title being Traitor King, the real villain of the story is clearly Simpson, who is vilified in a way that can only be described as misogynistic. She wasn't very pretty, you see, or very nice, or sophisticated, or particularly interesting. Her favorite activities were shopping, prowling for men, and bullying the servants. She cared too much about status and wealth and all the other things that benevolent royals certainly aren't associated with. If it weren't for her, the duke wouldn't have left England, or become estranged from his family, or taken up with Nazis, or spent most of his day golfing and gardening rather than contributing to the war effort. And have you heard that awful Yankee accent of hers?

Oh, yes, let's not forget the Yankee part. In addition to being a twice-divorced commoner, Simpson was also born on the wrong side of the pond, and the author is determined not to acknowledge the elephant in the room. Wallis Simpson was American, and xenophobia played a huge role in the duke's family's and people's disdain for her. She is characterized in the most stereotypical manner imaginable: brash, rude, unsophisticated, shallow, untrustworthy, obsessed with glamour and status. Al that's missing is a southern drawl and a Big Mac. The duke is not portrayed favorably either, but by beginning this story with his abdication, all of his faults are painted as the product of Simpson's corrupting influence, with the author even going as far as to suggest that perhaps the duke would not have cavorted with Nazis if not for her (despite his affinity with the party predating their relationship). The duke and duchess of Windsor were likely not very nice or respectable people, but Traitor King relies too heavily on rumors and prejudice to use as any kind of evidence.

I received this as an audiobook from NetGalley.

In a family tree full of really awful people- these two really stood out as the most clueless, anti-Semitic, and classist of the whole lot.

Also loved the subplot of the Windsors trying to get rid of all archival evidence of Edward and his wife clearly being Nazi sympathizers and/or accomplices.

This is the well documented true story of the abdication of Edward Viii,timely in the current times given the situation faced by Prince Harry who now experiences similar ostracism on the part of the British royal family.

There has been a lot written about the abdication and the impact that Wallis had on the British Royal family but this book points to some really fascinating documents related to the connection between Edward, Wallis, and the Nazi plan to influence them. The world would be a much different place if he had not had to abdicate. Thank goodness he did.

I am slightly obsessed with the royals especially Edward and Wallis. This books takes a deep dive into their relationship with Hitler and the Nazi party. It was fascinating and I highly recommend it for anyone that is curious about further insight into this duo including their deaths. I listened to the audiobook and the author narrated it, also excellent.

Yes, another book about the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. This one starts with the abdication and follows theim afterwards. Well researched and really points out how arrogant they both were. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook

2 Stars / DNF @ 35%

This is the audio version of the book, narrated by the British author. Normally I would love this (being an anglophile), but I found his delivery plodding and boring. I've read about various factions of The Windsors extensively over the years, so a lot of the history is already familiar to me. The book begins with the uncoronated King's abdication speech and the immediate aftermath of this cataclysmic event. A third into the book there was a heavy emphasis on Wallis and The Duke of Windsor's traitorous tendencies and approval of Hitler. They were strongly distrusted in England and The Duke couldn't ingratiate his scandalous wife into the Royal Family, nor could he acquire some sort of job with gravitas on behalf of the country to lend them status. They were rather ugly people, freeloading on others making them pick up the tab, living pointless lives trying to replicate his lost kingly status, high on the hog with decorating, entertaining, etc. I simply lost interest as the author kept dithering over the political crisis of the former king as England was about to go to war. I'm not sure if the written version would be more palatable, but I just couldn't listen to this author drone on any longer.

Thank you to Tantor Audio for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley

No doubt a fascinating story, but this book is written in a dull way and seems to uncritically use sources.


Review copy provided by publisher.

I loved this. I have always been curious about the King who was but then wasn't. I think Andrew Lownie did an excellent job.

Traitor King: The Scandalous Exile of the Duke & Duchess of Windsor by Andrew Lownie and audiobook Narrated by Andrew Lownie is a great nonfiction that gives a glimpse into the lives of the infamous King that abdicated and his wife. Fascinating.

I have read quite a bit about the Windsors, English history, and of the Duke and Duchesss of Windsor and the hot mess that encompassed the abdication, the subsequent events, and the fallout. This was interesting in that it gave us more insight into their lives post-abandonment and exile.

I have to say, the more I learn about Edward VIII, the more I am not a fan ( I wasn’t a fan anyways, and the more I realize how much England avoided by not having him on the throne. The country dodged a downer on that one. There aren’t too many redeeming qualities, and the author does an ex excellent job sourcing information from a multitude of avenues to give us the best picture of both the Duke and of Wallis Simpson.

I enjoyed the pacing, the subject matter, and the audiobook was narrated well by the author himself.

I enjoyed learning even more on the couple, even though they left little to be desired.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and RB Media/Tantor Audio for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 7/5/22.