The Mountbattens

The Lives and Loves of Dickie and Edwina Mountbatten

By: Andrew Lownie

Narrated by: Shaun Grindell

The intimate story of a unique marriage spanning the heights of British glamour and power that descends into infidelity, manipulation, and disaster through the heart of the 20th century.

Dickie Mountbatten: A major figure behind his nephew Philip's marriage to Queen Elizabeth II and instrumental in the royal family taking the Mountbatten name, he was Supreme Allied Commander of South East Asia during World War II and the last Viceroy of India.

Edwina Mountbatten: Once the richest woman in Britain - and a playgirl who enjoyed numerous affairs - she emerged from World War II as a magnetic and talented humanitarian worker who was loved throughout the­ world.

From British high society to the South of France, from the battlefields of Burma to the Viceroy's House, The Mountbattens is a rich and filmic story of a powerful partnership.

Was Mountbatten one of the outstanding leaders of his generation, or a man over-promoted because of his royal birth, high-level connections, film-star looks, and ruthless self-promotion? What is the true story behind controversies such as the Dieppe Raid and Indian Partition, the love affair between Edwina and Nehru, and Mountbatten's assassination in 1979?

©2021 Andrew Lownie (P)2021 Tantor

Dreadful narration

I'm not even halfway into this book, but I don't think I'm going to be able to finish it. The narrator speaks with an annoying lilt in his voice, which is annoying. His sing-song cadence is grating and completely unnecessary.

What an unusual lifestyle, everything for me, me, me,

I sincerely appreciated aura of self importance and the way he managed to make everyone think that he has succeeded on his own

Just amazing! Fully draws one into the Mountbatten’s lives

This biography was thoroughly researched and written honestly—- the great accomplishments are presented with respect and awe, tempered by a nonjudgmental recounting of the great flaws. I found myself so immersed in the narration that I wanted to give Lord Mountbatten a thump on the head for tolerating his wife’s infidelities (then, I got used to hearing about “another one” as, I suppose he did). Despite their flaws, I consider both of the Mountbattens heroes.

Read by a Robot?

Hard to listen to. Lacks human understanding of storytelling. Shame, because it ought to be a romp through a fascinating marriage but is rendered into an unending stream of porridge.

Unflattering Power Couple

The Mountbatten’s illustrate the idea that money and powerful relationships can be more important than good character and intelligence in acquiring power and prestige. Borderline Edwina is one the most vile women of the 20th century whose looks and personality were overrated. Lord Louis was hardworking and ambitious, but definitely incompetent when actually placed in a role when people’s lives were at stake. Definitely a couple not be emulated.