Name of Women's History Book
"That Woman"
Author(s)
Anne Sebba
Book or Author Website (optional)
Anne Sebba BooksDetails (ISBN #, date, publisher, # pages)
Orion Publishing Co., Aug. 18, 2011, 368 pages
What is the book about?
This is a biography of Wallis Simpson, the American woman who stole the heart of the King of England in the 1930s, and for whom he gave up the throne. Although women might find the book especially interesting, anyone with a fascination with modern history would enjoy this exhaustively researched book.
What makes this book unique?
This is the first book about Wallis Simpson written by a woman. Anne Sebba is a British biographer, lecturer and journalist who has authored eight books. She previously was a foreign correspondent for Reuters, and is a member of the Society of Authors Executive Committee.
Lessons Learned
- Why did a twice-divorced, middle-aged, androgynous plain Jane with no particular charm or notable achievements hold men in such thrall? The author also presents the possibility that Wallis (later to become the Duchess of Windsor) may have suffered from Disorder of Sexual Development (she may have been born without a uterus), and hints at her unique sexual prowess. The book also delves into the subject's naive flirtation with Nazism, her lifelong bout with anorexia, and her penchant for collecting fabulous jewels and couture, all enthusiastically bankrolled by her obsessively devoted husband.
