Summary

"One of the most remarkable women of her time, and married to one of its outstanding men, Edwina Mountbatten was an undisputed leader of society and the 'Prince of Wales's set.' Edwina . the richest woman in the land, is also remembered for her beauty and her life-style, which reflected a generation searching for novelty and excitement. Inevitably, as a privilleged 'semi-royal' and socialist anti-monarchist who also enjoyed spending lavishly, she was the object of widespread scrutiny and controversy. Then, to the astonishment of many people, and especially of her critics, she underwent a sudden metamorphosis, identifying herself first with the suffering of the Jews in Hitler's Germany. With the onset of war, a new Edwina emerged as if intent on making up for those 'wasted years.' Now she became totally involved in the relief of suffering, caring for the casualties of bombing and disease, and the homeless everywhere, from London in 1940 to the Far East in 1945. Countless thousands of refugees, liberated prisoner and wounded soldiers attested to her courage and dedication, and as the much-decorated chief of numerous chariries she was still working with total dedication until she drove herself to a premature death in 1960."--Book jacket.