[.ca] Diana: Closely Guarded Secret (ISBN 1843170051)

Worth buying:
This book is an excellent, balanced, well-written account of Diana's life and a heartwarming glimpse into Diana's personality. The author has no axe to grind nor is he trying to make a buck by using the most shocking stories he knows. Instead, he has produced a very readable, fun book on Diana. I would not say this is THE one book to buy on the Princess of Wales but if you like to read about Diana, this is probably one of the Top 10. There is plenty of interesting new information to make it worth your time.

One of the better Diana books:
Having read the private secretary's version of employment by Diana, I was more impressed with Ken Wharfe's version, especially impressed by the better writing. (Kudos to the ghostwriter!) Wharfe's not out to backstab and he's not embittered; he's sympathetic, but not a Diana-worshiper. It's a very balanced, very fair presentation of what his employment by the world's most famous (and most unhappily married & emotional) woman was really like. The last chapter, which is a forensic evaluation of what went wrong in Paris on August 31, 1997, and how it could have been prevented, is devastating.

Interesting Insight!:
I found this book a believable and honest account of Diana's bodyguard's relationship with her. Enjoyed reading about the great times and not so great times she shared with this bodyguard and the difficult job he was required to do. His loyalty is evident in the book and also his sadness at the end of their working friendship. Great book!

Interesting Comments About Diana's Life:
Ken Warfe's book about Diana Princess of Wales was one of the more balanced and interesting accounts that I have read about her life from 1987 through the mid 90's. He was Diana's body guard provided by Scotland Yard and at one point considered himself to be close confidant for Diana in a professional way. His account neither condones or disapproves of her conduct but objecively describes her life at the time. In it, he tells about her affairs with James Hewitt, James Gilbey and Oliver Hoare yet doesn't divulge seamy details that he may have been aware of. He does a fine job of describing what Diana's life was like at that time in the royal family and how her some of her choices were effected by Prince Charles actions, particulary, his affair with Camilla Parker Bowles. He doesn't make excuses for Diana's actions some of which are very immature but impartially describes the scene and the people involved. Wharfe doesn't deny that his job was difficult at times. In fact, he is very open about Diana's complex character. He describes a woman who can be very difficult yet fun to be with, manipulating and needy yet extremely caring and selfless, a person obsessed with being in the spotlight yet wanting a "normal" life. I felt that her bodyguard, Ken Wharfe, captured her life for that time period in a well thought out, easy to read and balanced presentation about one of the most fascinating people of this century.

Easy to read and insightful:
Ken Wharfe served as personal protection officer to Princes William and Harry and then to Princess Diana for almost seven years from 1987. During that time he spent more hours in the company of the Princess than anyone, and it is from this perspective that he is able to give a great deal of insight into who she was and what her life was like. The book is well written and easy to read. Wharfe gives a very balanced portrait of Diana - not skimming over her faults but also not dwelling on them (in contrast to Patrick Jephson's book which covers a similar timespan). Overall Wharfe's relationship with the Princess was clearly close, warm and for the most part, one of mutual trust and admiration. In many ways he was part of the Wales family for several years and became very close to the young Princes. This account is very informative and also has some great snippets of gossip, particularly in relation to the breakdown marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about what Diana was really like. This is definitely the most informative and intimate book that I have read about her.