Deborah Cadbury

This book has some interesting material in it about relations between George V's four sons who had survived to the king's own death in 1935, and covers the period from then until the accession of Elizabeth II. That material is about what might be called the family relationships. But the book (c.400 pages) is badly afflicted by writer's bloat, with endless and unnecessary material about the course of WWII and also too much about Churchill. Some is needed for context of course, but not this much. And the author never misses an opportunity to add extra adjectives. The book also tails off a lot after 1946.
The author's heart is in the right place, showing up what a shirker and coward Edward VIII was. But the book, overall, is very disappointing compared with what might have been… (altro)

I was disappointed in the story, I have read Cadbury before and I expected more? The book was mistitled. It was, yes, it was about the German school who decamped without raising any alarums. But it was also about several young boys who eluded capture and being sent to concentration camps. Their stories were only marginally connected to the school in that after the war was over, they made it to England and were able to tell their stories. Obviously, the contrast between their tales and the war years of those children able to live semi-normal lives was a natural comparison, but it was done too abruptly and with little advance warning.… (altro)