Do Let’s Have Another Drink: The Singular Wit and Double Measures of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother

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I would have been interested to read more anecdotes about the Queen Mother's tours outside Great Britain as there are interesting chapters about her time in Canada, the USA, South Africa, France and Northern Ireland. The book is a skimming-stone biography – the story of a life without the boring bits – and a travel guide to a world that no longer exists. The author also debunks the idea (put about by Lady Colin Campbell again) that Elizabeth was desperate to be a royal and a queen. Through the lens of her dry wit and charismatic personality, readers are treated to a deeper understanding of the woman behind the public figure. If you watch The Crown , none of this wit and fizz makes an appearance, which is a shame (if watch The Crown got should also listen to this, I beg of you).

With this snapshot, drink-infused biography, Gareth Russell has found an utterly compelling way to tell a life story - and what a life! The author states, at one point, that the stories that Queen Mary was cold, aloof --- often failed to pay her bills and pressured relatives and others to "give" her their heirlooms and expensive furniture --- are untrue, and nothing more than dinner party gossip.So, the cover of this book is somewhat misleading because this is actually a quality biography with fresh, interesting and yes- often comical anecdotes.

Whether The Queen Mother was wandering off from scheduled routes of royal visits or plying her guests with alcohol, these anecdotes are told with care and sensitivity. He is the author of "Young and Damned and Fair," "The Ship of Dreams" (A Daily Telegraph Best History Book, 2019), "Do Let's Have Another Drink" (A Times Book of the Year, 2022) and "The Palace" (A Waterstones Best Book of 2023). While some of the anecdotes are light and entertaining, others address popular myths and misconceptions about the Queen Mother, including the rumors about her parentage and family history.The WW1 years are sad with the losses her family experienced ; two brothers dead and the rest severely traumatised. Anyone who is interested in the royal family will enjoy reading about the long and mostly happy life of the woman referred to as Buffy (by her siblings) and Cake (by her enemies in society). William Shawcross’ biography is a time investment for sure…) However, Russell chose 101 different anecdotes from Elizabeth’s life to highlight her wit and levity. After her husband’s death, she continued to support the reigning Queen, Elizabeth II, faithfully until her death at age 101.