The King Audiobook By Christopher Andersen cover art

The King

The Life of Charles III

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The King

By: Christopher Andersen
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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About this listen

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Christopher Andersen comes a vivid and unsparing yet sympathetic portrait of one of the most complex and enigmatic figures of our time: Charles, who has taken his place on the throne after being the oldest and longest-serving heir in British history.

Since the day Charles Philip Arthur George was born, he has been groomed to be King. After more than seventy years of waiting, he finally ascends the throne.

The King examines the private life of this historically important and controversial figure, set against the grand, thousand-year sweep of the British monarchy. This richly detailed biography covers it all, from his military training to his marriage to Lady Diana, through their separation and her tragic death to his marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles. In the process, it provides a balanced but fully honest look into the life of the new monarch. This book will tell you what the King—a man who has remained something of an enigma, shrouded in speculation and intrigue—is really like.

The King is the first biography of Charles since he has become monarch and serves as an authoritative chronicle of his life.

©2019 by Andersen Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. (P)2019 Simon & Schuster Audio
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Pleasing Narration • Informative Biography • Intriguing Storytelling • Thorough Research • Compelling Insights
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Well-written, as usual with Christopher Andersen. Not at all Nat. Enquirer mode-a professionally researched, thorough, compelling biography.

Excellent

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Good listen. Seemed a bit flattering rather than honest about Charles. Learned new facts. Recommend.

Very Interesting

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Interesting book about the monarchy. I enjoyed reading this story about Charles life, the good with the bad.

The King

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Nothing new for the most part. Narrator has a pleasant voice. Rehash of every story heard many times.

Rehash

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The story was well written but mostly old news. Not much new and somewhat convoluted

Not much new

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I enjoyed learning behind the scene details and how or why certain decisions were made. It also brought forth the human side of being a British Royal.

Learn what went in behind the scenes

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A fascinating look in the life of King Charles III from his birth to his ascendence to throne. Somewhat biased but balanced as well. Glad I listened to it. The narrator is amazing. Happiest reading and listening!

My Musings

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I never really liked Charles. Now that I’ve read this book I see what a self-centered and shallow, deceitful and scheming group this whole family has been. I’m disgusted.

Like him less now

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Nice new soft spin on the new King. Background interesting but nothing new. Gives you a great look at over privileged lifestyle. Oh, and many references to “the Spare” instead of calling Prince Harry by his name—crass and stupid. Stilted

Read something else

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Simon Vance is one of my favorite narrators (I know he butchered “Interview with the Vampire,” but really, someone should have told him he sounded like the Count from Sesame Street in a community theatre production of Dracula, rather than allowing that audiobook to be released into the world).
Here, though, Vance is the perfect choice of narrator. His voice is so pleasing and melodic, the book’s “plot holes” so to speak are almost easy to simply ignore.

It is very sympathetic to Diana and very unflattering to Charles and Camilla, though the author vacillates between this & seemingly trying to write as a neutral, objective observer.

And make no mistake—I’ve never been Team Charles. If you are an avid royal watcher (and no, watching The Crown on Netflix doesn’t count) there’s nothing new in this book. Except it almost seems to be more of a scathing tome about Camilla, rather than a book about Charles. It’s well-done and polished. I am neutral on it.

Great Narrator; Questionable Writing

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