That Woman

The Life of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor

By: Anne Sebba

Narrated by: Samantha Bond

One of Britain's most distinguished biographers turns her focus on one of the most vilified women of the twentieth century. Historian Anne Sebba has written the first full biography by a woman of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor.

'That woman', as she was referred to by the Queen Mother, became a hate figure for ensnaring a British king and destabilising the monarchy. Neither beautiful nor brilliant, she nevertheless became one of the most talked-about women of her generation, and she inspired such deep love and adoration in Edward VIII that he gave up a throne and an empire for her. Wallis lived by her wit and her wits, while both her apparent and alleged moral transgressions added to her aura and dazzle.

Based on new archives and material only recently made available, this scrupulously researched biography sheds new light on the character and motivations of a powerful, charismatic and complex woman.

Read by Samantha Bond

(p) 2011 Orion Publishing Group©2011 Anne Sebba

Critic reviews

The publication of this intriguing reassessment of her [Simpson's] controversial life could not be more timely ... an illuminating and absorbing read

Madonna's new film fictionalises the affair between Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, while this life tells the true story

Commendably restrained ... Sebba's real coup is the discovery of letters between Wallis and Ernest, dated long after she had become involved with Edward

A well-rounded and often moving portrait

Scandal of the Century

You have to wonder if Wallis Simpson had been more conventionally pretty would she have attracted such scorn. I found this book fascinating account of the Edward and Wallis Simpson saga. Very detailed and not judgemental. This story still fascinates today, you wonder how a man could have turned his back on all he was trained to be, to be with this woman. That they were self involved is unquestionable, sad that they were forever manacled together throughout their life, for how ridiculous would they have looked if they divorced. An interesting book which I will follow up with Behind Closed Doors, the untold story of the Duchess.