The Diana Chronicles by Tina Brown (2007, Hardcover)

Tina Brown, former editor-in-chief of the Tatler-England’s most famous gossip magazine, Vanity Fair and the New Yorker has written a fresh and interesting biography of Diana Spencer/Princess Diana. This is an authoritative, engrossing, and revealing factual and psychological study of the events in Diana’s life that shaped her, and the women around her. We are given unprecedented access of the nice country girl who becomes the popular and famous woman on the planet. We are provided with colorful and rich details of Diana’s character from many insiders, giving the reader a detailed portrait of this remarkable woman. Brown’s comprehensive information and detailed research make this book rich with previously unknown information, which traces her barely marked birth, housekeeping/nanny positions, to her marriage and finally her rise to the world stage. Brown’s detailing of emotional intelligence and ability to connect with people is particularly striking. Diana’s ability to recognize and create memorable moments, and her ability to inspire the common man, gives us a case study of a Cinderella that became a humanitarian, ambassador and global celebrity. Diana is portrayed as intuitive, intense, compassionate, and yet flawed as she was unable to keep the man that she loved.

Brown is an excellent writer, with lots of amusing stories and anecdotes that make this book interesting. Her study of the psychological underpinnings of not only Diana, but many of the other figures in her life, make this a must read. Engrossing and revealing, this is good dish for the summer. I recommend this book.