Review of "Queen Mary 1867-1953" by James Pope-Hennessy

This is by far the best way to learn about British history. It is through the eyes of an astute biographer who can tell us about the times and the person. Together the reader can travel back and learn while reading a true tale about, in this case, an historic figure.

She was Princess May and engaged to one heir to the English Throne. Her fiancee's early death was devastating but she survived to become the "Consort" to another heir. This was George V and became Queen Mary. Her life was long and filled with many losses, including three sons. In her later life she became much admired as the Dowager Queen. She died in 1953 which is not all that long ago.

The author was officially requested to write this biography. He was given all of Queen Mary's private diaries and papers and many related pieces of information that allowed Henessy to write the full and realistic story of a Queen's life.