When you pick up The Crown: The Official Companion Volume 1, rest assured that you are in the hands of a true expert. The hit Netflix show trusted author Robert Lacey to be its historical consultant, and the companion book brims with his authoritative knowledge.
But if you're not watching the show (and why not???), you'll still appreciate this engrossing look into the life of the fascinating Queen Elizabeth II. Volume I covers such topics as her childhood, her unexpected succession after the abdication of her uncle and death of her father, her coronation in all its glory, and her sometimes volatile relationship with her sister Princess Margaret. In addition, The Crown dives into the queen's real connection with her first prime minister, Winston Churchill.
Lacey doesn't skimp on details, and his knowledge and research are definitely impressive. There are biography pages thrown in, too, which makes the book slightly confusing to read. One is not quite sure where one section ends and another begins. But all in all, I would recommend The Crown to any fan of the show or anglophile.
MY RATING - 3.5