The Traitor King by Andrew Lownie

 In England, December 11, 1936 is remembered as the date of King Edward VII's abdication of his throne.  He gave it up in order to marry the love of his life, Wallis Simpson.  He was not allowed to marry her and make her Queen because she was a divorcee.  This book tells what happened to the couple after the abdication and their move to France.

It's a sad tale.  The Royal Family ostracized him and even his mother would not see him.  He had no purpose and flitted from one place to another, aimlessly looking for a post where he could be of service.  He was the English top representative in the Bahamas for a while which was an enormous comedown.  He and Wallis were known as German sympathizers during World War II, and the Duke thought he would be the best negotiator England could have.  While he never stopped loving Wallis, she had affairs and treated him scornfully.  

Andrew Lownie grew up in Bermuda and attended university in England.  His work has been in the biography field and this is another example.  I finished the book thinking that England had a good escape from having the Duke of Windsor rule as monarch.  He seemed a dull person, no real interest in education or books or culture.  I believe the second World War would have ended very differently had he been in power during the conflict.  He could be seen as a traitor to his family, his purpose and if he had remained in power, perhaps to the country.  I listened to this book and the narrator did an excellent job.  This book is recommended for nonfiction readers.