Endgame: 2023’s new biography from the bestselling author telling the true story of the royal family and looking to the future for King Charles III after the death of Elizabeth II
£6.60
The explosive new book from longtime royal journalist Omid Scobie and author of the international blockbuster Finding Freedom, Endgame a penetrating investigation into the current state of the British monarchy.
An unpopular king, a power-hungry heir to the throne, a queen willing to go to great lengths to preserve her image, and a prince forced to start a new life after being betrayed by his own family.
Queen Elizabeth II’s death ruptured the already-fractured foundations of the House of Windsor – and dismantled the protective shield around it. With an institution long plagued by incidents involving antiquated ideas around race, class and money, the monarchy and those who prop it up are now exposed and at odds with a rapidly modernizing world.
Relying on his vast experience as a royal reporter and over a decade of conversations and interviews with current and former Palace staff, trusted friends of the royals and even the family members themselves, Scobie pulls back the curtain on an institution in turmoil to show what the monarchy must change in order to survive.
This is the monarchy’s endgame. Do they have what it takes to save it?
Read more
Additional information
| Publisher | HQ (28 Nov. 2023) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| File size | 38175 KB |
| Text-to-Speech | Enabled |
| Screen Reader | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled |
| X-Ray | Enabled |
| Word Wise | Enabled |
| Sticky notes | On Kindle Scribe |
| Print length | 416 pages |
| Page numbers source ISBN | 0008534713 |
by Ray Wiltshire
Firstly, do not believe the UK press reporting on this book – it’s badly skewed. Most of the book analyses the senior working royals and the institution itself – both good and bad – with the author using his own first-hand knowledge as well as detailed quotes from palace staff both past and present who have seen the goings-on for themselves. Despite the press proclaiming it’s a ruthless attack on the royal family it’s actually sometimes very kind about them. The book draws together many things that are common knowledge, puts them all in one place in context and offers unbiased critique. The author is unafraid to be honest which is so refreshing as he’s not part of the royal rota pack who are obliged to report favourably about the royals. Harry and Meghan do feature in the book but mainly as a way of illustrating the way the royal family operates and there’s a nice section where the author has spoken to sources at Archewell to find out how things are going there. The author writes in a clear, balanced, non-sensational way and it’s so nice to read a book on the royals written without fear or favour. Highly recommend it.
by Mrs Paula Newnham
This arrived yesterday – so I settled down after the housework with a cuppa and ginger nuts to enjoy a ‘me time’ read ! I made it to page 88 and the urge to throw it in the bin overwhelmed me – I think this is the worst book I have ever read – and I made it to the end of 50 shades of grey !!!! So my recommendation is that instead of buying this piece of tosh you buy your mum something she’ll really like for Christmas- like a hoover or a pair of socks !! Far better choices – she really won’t thank you if this lands under the tree. It’s abysmal- really badly written and the content is just filled with the author self aggrandising and telling the reader what a fantastic journalist he is . No idea what his credentials are but clearly he needs to go back to history lessons and do some actual library research before putting pen to paper – don’t expect anything remotely accurate – I’ve didn’t even get as far into it as to the real reason anyone would want to read this – the pages where he names anybody !! It’s too painful a read to even want to know ! it’s just so bad, not researched – not even gossip but lots of ‘ palace sources’ – hmmmm – could be the cleaner is always my thinking when I see ‘ palace sources ‘ – the recollections of the cleaners is probably more accurate than this guy ! ! save yourselves!!!!!!! If you must read it mine will be in barnardos charity shop on Monday ! It’ll cost a quid !
by Mags
I have deliberately not read any of the tabloid hysteria about this book as I wanted to be able to make my own mind up. Regarding the content this is an insightful and thoughtful critique by the author on the monarchy and its place in an evolving British society. It also touches on the Commonwealth.
The majority of the information is already known but it’s nice to read a balanced perspective which in no way tries to tear down some members of the institution while fawning in adoration to others. There is no exclusive or amazing revelation here but is nonetheless worth consulting on studies to do with the significance of monarchy, the tabloids and British society.
by annette e dye
Worth the read .A family with well kept secrets
by Dr. Margaret Linnell
I begrudgingly bought this book after hearing an interview with the author; his account seemed at odds with what I had read about him and this book and felt compelled to read it for myself.
This book is definitely not a gossipy discussion about the Monarchy which relies upon unnamed sources for its content.
The book is an informed in-depth discussion about the symbiotic interdependent relationship between the Monarchy and the British media, written by someone who has been part of that system for well over a decade.
In many ways it is Omid’s Endgame because he has clearly burnt his bridges by becoming a whistle blower on the insidious association between the Royal Rota and the Monarchy.
There is plenty here that the mainstream media would not want the public to know, written by someone who clearly knows his stuff and is not frightened to name names.
Omid’s writing style is not immediately to my taste, but I can forgive him for that, as I am from a different generation.
I urge anyone who has an opinion about the Monarchy, it’s key players, and about this book, to reserve their opinions until they have read what those involved in this unfolding story are brave enough to put their name to.
by Reader
I bought this for a relative who asked for it for Xmas and had a read through it myself out of curiosity because of all the press surrounding it. What a poorly written pile of egotistical piffle it is, I’ve read better “analysis” in Peppa Pig magazine than in this book.
by bookworm
I would like to say despite reading negative reviews about this book I decided to give it ago. It is a well written book about all the royal family. It highlights their flaws and how members of the family will belittle other members and put out negative stories to make themselves look good. They remind me of children throwing temper tantrums.
The whole system needs a shake up. How they can back certain family members and staff who have clearly done wrong or shown racial tendencies as if it doesn’t matter is unbelievable.
I found this book interesting, not full of gossip, if you want Meghan snd Harry gossip don’t waste your money.
Give the book a go and make up your own mind. I am glad I did.
by Scarlet pimpernel
This is like a german Prince Harry and Princess Meghan Markel story but they have not lived a happy life yet.
From Elizabeth’s death to Charles and Kate and William their popularity is in decline but not so Prince Harry and Princess Meghan.
I have the pleasure to read many other books but none of them even close really explain family dynamics. There has been attempts to cause rifts between family members but that has taken the place of duels and civil wars. What it shows is social Media 10 is winning and news Media 0.