Charles III Paperback – 18 January 2024

Book was supposed to be new. It appeared dirty, page corners bent, and appeared used. Disappointed however after reading I will donate.

A portrait of a King, not only as the new head of perhaps the most famous current monarchy today, but as an ordinary man, much like the rest of us. A man who is no raw recruit, but who has already lived a whole, full lifetime in the public eye, from toddler to grandfather, and well knows from actual experience, what the role is about.Hardman vividly captures how King Charles stepped through his first year, through the ancient rites of accession following his mother's death, to the grand state funeral, the initial events as Head of State, to the ancient rites and sacred oaths of the coronation.The book focuses on only those months, and those who were actually present, which gives this portrait a simplicity, a clarity that allows the man himself to be seen as he is. An intelligent thoughtful, creative, educated man. An activist on several fronts long before the rest of the world caught up with him, a man who endured mockery all his life for his "kooky" ideas, and is still not well understood, not even by those who consider themselves the vanguard.But he kept his own counsel and continued. He held true to his convictions.Hardman's portrait shows Charles as gentleman, in the true sense of that word. In many ways, very much his father's son. Like Prince Philip, cultured, respectful and well mannered, erudite and blessed with a keen sense of humour. Sometimes impatient, with a quick but short fuse that never festers into a grudge. And perhaps the qualities most important to his new role, this King's inner compass seems to have four main points: Faith, Duty, Integrity, and Compassion.Hardman's pages reassure us that King Charles III will use his time wisely and will reign well. This lovely book is well worth reading, because the delicious details he weaves into his portrait reveal far more than this short review can possibly tell you.

this book is ingenious. it takes you on a journey through HM king charles' life and when i had finished reading it i felt like i had been on a journey in my mind like no other biography ever has done before. it's a fairly long book, about 400 pages but i enjoyed it just the same.i particularly liked the description robert hardman makes of their majesties' state visit to germany. i didn't know that the germans share the british collective unconscious love of monty python, or that you can get pickled carp. you learn something new every day.this book was recommended by amazon, and worth the ten quid this cost, showing how warm and charitable members of the royal family are and always have been and many other amazing and heart warming things about "the firm" or "the force" as the british royals are also known, such as their sense of humour.also recommended by amazon is "my mother and i". you can probably tell by the photo of the late queen and the king on the cover sharing a joke that that biography is going to be a laugh and on my wishlist.long live the king, and a speedy recovery to you, and thank you for your help when i was young too, your majesty.

Excellent book, very well written.

An excellent behind the scenes account.Don't miss the opportunity to be so we'll informed.