King Edward VIII

Philip Ziegler was born in 1929 and educated at Eton and Oxford. He was a diplomat before becoming an editorial director at the publishers William Collins. His many books include acclaimed biographies of William IV, Lady Diana Cooper, Lord Mountbatten and Harold Wilson, as well as the classic history of the Black Death. His authorised biography of Edward Heath won the Elizabeth Longford Prize in 2011.

‘Philip Ziegler is a master of biographical narrative …Seldom has such exhaustive research been made so compellingly readable’ Michael Holroyd‘Ziegler has told Edward’s story with consummate skill’ Sarah Bradford, Sunday Times‘Beautifully written and constructed’ Michael Bloch, Sunday Telegraph‘Ziegler writes with urbanity and generosity but is unflinching in his judgements … an exemplary biography’ Richard Davenport-Hines, Times Literary Supplement‘A splendid book of impeccable scholarship, admirably written, moving, ironical and at times very amusing …’ Robert Blake, Country Life‘A book of such compelling interest and frankness that it is difficult to put down … a very fine book’ New York Times Book Review‘I found Ziegler’s book riveting’ Paul Barker, Listener‘He writes brilliantly’ Christopher Hudson, Evening Standard