Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #324966 in Books
• Published on: 2007-01-31
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 764 pages

Synopsis
Much has been written about Charles, Prince of Wales and the widely mourned Diana, Princess of Wales. This is the groundbreaking, complete and timely revision of the history of the royal couple and their times. For the first time, the myths and inaccuracies that have hitherto been accepted as incontrovertible fact are exploded to reveal a dramatically different tale to the one most people think they know. "Prince Charles - The Man Who Will Be King" examines the evidence that already exists, as well as providing startling new insights from royal insiders who have not deemed it appropriate to speak out until now, to make the first verifiable account of what actually happened to turn the fairytale into a nightmare. From Charles' difficult school days as the Duke of Cornwall to his military career, his experiences of fatherhood and the romance with Camilla Parker Bowles, Howard presents the true gripping story of Charles and Diana. A daring and exclusive insight into the thoughts and feelings of the Royal Family, "Prince Charles - The Man Who Will Be King" - restoration of the monarchy and a serious critique of current British values.

Customer Reviews

I thought it might be useful .....
... if this page included at least one review not written by the author or by one of his friends.

This book is written by the biggest bore in Malta. I wouldn't bother if I were you.

At last - the real inside story of Charles and Diana
At last a real insight into a world we previously thought we knew something about. Howard Hodgson fearlessly exposes many of the myths behind the Charles and Diana phenomenon and introduces new material from hitherto untapped sources.

We start to understand the emotions behind many of Charles' actions and see for the first time how misunderstood he has been over the years and in some cases how ahead of his time many of his ideas were.

Compellingly written, incisive and refreshingly honest, Hodgson sets the record straight.

I am not a fan of books about royalty in general but this read is simply unmissable!

'the most tragic love story ever told'
I could not put this book down!

Forget `Antony and Cleopatra` and `Ann of a Thousand Days' - this has got to be the most tragic love story ever told. If this was fiction - the plot would never work - too fantastic to be plausible! But it is fact and author Howard Hodgson backs up every action, every comment, with detailed research and impressive `insider knowledge'. If you want to read the true story about Charles and Diana - you must read this book.

Howard pulls no punches, there are `no sacred cows' no `hidden agendas' every scene in this tragic account is presented through the eyes of a cast of bystanders and insiders who had one thing in common; they could all claim: "I was there!".

This is a detective story with Howard playing the role of Mickey Spillane's hard-boiled 'private investigator', Mike Hammer. Like Hammer, Howard cuts through double-standards like a sharp axe. As he says "it is only when one can understand the motives of some of the major players that one can start to pick out the truth from the half-truths, the fanciful, the spin and the lies!"

We are presented with a true life mystery; What really did happen in Paris on that day of 13 August 1997 which culminated in the tragedy of the Pont d'Alma tunnel? Was it a government plot or a tragic accident? Was it true that `the Princess's orchestrated media circus was getting out of hand and the conductor had by now lost control.'? Or was it a `masterful assassination'?

Working with a cast of witnesses - friends, relatives, lovers, rues and hangers-on; some good, some self-serving, some simply casual observers - many giving contradictory accounts of events, the author guides us through the hype, the press fiction, the `far-fetched conspiracy theories', the biased commentary and using good common sense and incisive logic takes us to a compelling conclusion with an unlikely hero.

Just like the the Hammer novels, `Charles The Man Who Will Be King' is written as `spoken' monologue and is stylistically direct. Although full of enough forensic detail to satisfy the most ardent fan of the historical novel, this book is very fast paced, keeping readers on the edge of their seats; it will be enjoyed by everyone who wants to know the true Charles and Diana Love Story.

But a word of warning: pick up this book and you will be hooked. The author will skilfully involve you personally in the tale. As Howard says in his parting shot: "This was the real story of the Prince and Princess of Wales. If you are British it was also yours!"

Highly recommended! Looking forward to the Hollywood version!