Our Own Mary Jennings, Now in "Library Journal"!

Children’s Liaison Mary Jennings, who recently completed her master’s degree and is now a certified librarian, has been accepted as reviewer for Library Journal—the highly respected trade publication for libraries. Mary’s first review was published in the October issue. The biography, Prince Philip: The Turbulent Early Life of the Man Who Married Queen Elizabeth II was recently added to the Sno-Isle catatlog.






Biography

Eade, Philip. Prince Philip: The Turbulent Early Life of the Man Who Married Queen Elizabeth II. Holt. Nov. 2011. c.368p. photogs. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780805095449. $28. BIOG
UK barrister and journalist Eade (Sylvia, Queen of the Headhunters) presents a thorough and balanced account of the formative years of Queen Elizabeth II’s consort. While Gyles Brandreth’s recent Philip and Elizabeth: Portrait of a Royal Marriage was a somewhat gossip-oriented look at the royal couple’s relationship, Eade’s biography, the first in over 20 years to focus on just Philip, examines the prince’s childhood in Greece and his young adulthood. After the complex family heritage, the pace picks up, and a compelling story unfolds of a youngster, shuttled among boarding schools and relatives, who matured into a strong and self-reliant young man. Less flattering allegations, such as Nazi connections among the prince’s extended family and his own womanizing, are provided in a fact-oriented rather than sensational manner. Whether describing Prince Philip’s distinguished naval service or his tendency toward public gaffes, Eade provides an insightful review of the early years of a key figure of England’s monarchy. VERDICT For royal watchers, especially in light of grandson Prince William’s recent nuptials and Philip’s own recent 90th birthday, this book will prove fascinating.—Mary A. Jennings, Sno-Isle Libs., Camano Island, WA