Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother 1900-2002
An Illustrated Biography of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother
by Arthur Bousfield & Garry Toffoli
Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother 1900 - 2002 presents the life of a remarkable woman. A Canadian perspective on a sovereign who created and cultivated a special relationship with Canada, it is the portrait of a queen who always evoked passionate reactions. Whether it was the anonymous soldier who vowed "to fight for that little lady," Adolf Hitler who described her as "the most dangerous woman in Europe," or the Canadian journalist who coined the expression "the Queen Mum," the Queen Mother seldom left people unmoved.
Opening with the royal tour of 1939, during which Canadians first felt her personal magnetism, Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother 1900 - 2002 describes Elizabeth's background and development, relating how she made a marriage that brought her to the centre stage of public life. It traces her tender support of her shy husband, a reluctant king, shows how she began her Commonwealth role, and recalls her shock at the sudden and unexpected call to wear the Crown.
Faced with the never-ending duties of a queen, Elizabeth proved capable of providing inspired leadership for a society faced with the stark prospect of destruction in a war to save the world. On the premature death of her beloved husband she became Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, a role that has shaped nearly half her life, and one in which Canada has always played an important part. The authors analyze Her Majesty's successes and failures, both public and private, against the background of a century of violent disruption, material achievement, and incredible change.
close this panelArthur Bousfield edited and published the periodical Monarchy Canada for many years. He is author and editor of books, articles, and reviews on the Crown. He lives in Toronto.
close this panelWhat distinguishes this biography of a much-documented woman is the strong Canadian focus...[Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother 1900 - 2002], supplemented by plentiful and eye-catching photographs, is a very readable tribute to a much-admired woman.
For anyone who has even the slightest interest in the British Royal Family or in history, this is a must-have biography of a fascinating life story of this much-loved Royal lady.
[Bousfield and Toffoli’s] analysis of how historical events shaped the Canadian monarchy and one of its star players that is the real strength of their book.
