Prince Philip's Century: The Extraordinary Life of the Duke of Edinburgh

I really enjoyed many parts of this book and, particularly, getting to discover more about Prince Philip who was far more interesting and funny than I had imagined.It’s a comprehensive look at the Queen’s reign and his success as her consort and though, sometimes, I felt like Prince Philip stopped being the focus at all, I still enjoyed it.It did drag in parts and was rather in need of a proper editor. Words were absent in some sentences, repeated in others and several whole sections were weirdly repeated, too. It made it feel a bit rushed and writing is somehow lacklustre. It feels more that the most delightful stories told here are transcending the quality of the writing. Although I feel a bit harsh saying so.I’m glad I read it precisely because those stories are lovely, and sometimes very funny, and knowing about them and all that the duke has done has helped give me the context of a rather grand and important life.I have to give it three stars, instead of four, only because of the pedestrian way the story is offered. The Duke himself, I think, would deserve the full five stars.

I felt emotional reading about Prince Philip’s life and what a remarkable life it has been. From the day he was born, Prince Philip has been a talking point for not conforming (he was born on the kitchen table). He has always been the one to stand out. I had to smile at his antics, which brought my memories back of him in the news.I liked how the book was set out, and how it explained the family tree of Prince Philp. His life as a child was filled with tragic heart-breaking events that would later divide his family. He overcame so much and threw his life into the Navy, which he loved all of his life. He had ambitions, which, would never be fulfilled as he did his duty for Queen and Country.This book isn’t a one-sided account of a perfect Prince it bears all, a word spoken out of place, confidences broken and at times errors of judgement. He was human and was in the constant eye of the press. You can bet that not every good deed appeared in the papers, but every wrong foot was, it sells more. This book gives a perfect balance of both. I did feel sorry for Prince Philip as it must have been hard to know who he could talk to without his opinions appearing as front-page news.There are plenty of stories, about other members of the Royal family, he was quite a family man in his later years. It comes across that he was the healer in the family, trying to bring people back together or being there for them. Hurt was evident, he was not one to be crossed and would let it be known.I can’t recommend this book enough, as it has touched me hugely. I have laughed and cried while reading the book. We have lost a tremendous man as a nation, I can’t imagine the loss his family and the Queen must feel.I received a paperback edition of this book from the publisher but I also purchased the e-book.

Good biography, a fitting tribute and packed with interesting info.

Brilliant book.Must read.Five stars.

A fascinating insight into a century of events and Prince Philip’s role in them.

Unread as yet

I feel so privileged to have been given an ARC from Netgalley. It was so humbling to read about Prince Philip and his life if you love the royal family you will want to read this book

A famous life over a century.I confess I’m not usually a reader of biography and have only a moderate interest in the royal family, but I found Prince Philip’s Century not only a fascinating insight into the life of Prince Philip, but a revealing, sensitive and simultaneously honest observation of history and society too over the past century, so that I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. There were aspects of history I remember well such as Michael Fagan’s intrusion to the Queen’s bedroom and Princess Diana’s death, but also may aspects of Prince Philip’s life about which I was totally ignorant. As a result I feel I know the man better but also understand the world we live in now, and how we have come to this point in history, more clearly. I have no idea if that was the intention of Robert Jobson, but I thought it was a wonderful effect.Robert Jobson not only has meticulously researched his subject, but obviously has first hand experience of, and with, Prince Philip so that elements such as overheard conversations bring a lightness of touch that make for an interesting approach. Certainly there are footnotes for further reference and a middle section of photographs depicting Prince Philip from age 5 to 99 as one might expect in a biography such as Prince Philip’s Century, but alongside the weighty historical detail, there’s a real sense of a person – of a real life. Robert Jobson is unafraid to present the Prince at his most insulting and curmudgeonly as well as his most urbane and charming so that the whole book feels well balanced and nuanced and all the more fitting a tribute to a man who, for all his faults, lived his life supporting his wife and Queen. Indeed, I found the book quite an emotional read at times and have finished it with an increased admiration for a man whom I’d little considered before.Measured, meticulously researched and authoritative, Prince Philip’s Century is essential reading for those interested in the monarchy and is hugely interesting for those of us who are more interested in social history than in individuals. I thought it was engaging, enlightening and entertaining, and having read this book I think my new mantra will be ‘Just get on with it’!