Another 'tell-all' book by someone close to Diana - this time her Personal Protection Officer. Fairly interesting read; although many of the stories are known, Wharfe gives a slightly different viewpoint. I was intrigued by the amount of reconnaissance work prior to Diana's visit to a new place and the deals Wharfe brokered with the reporters to allow Diana a bit of privacy here and there. Worth a read for the Diana-philes.
Can you say "exploitation"?
I obtained this book as an add on from the shelf of a PBS comrade kindly supplying a wish-listed book with the intention of offering it to a friend in the old soldiers and sailors' home who is interested in the subject, but has not added it to her wish list. I find the book is better than the cover, that is the back of the dust jacket sports a paparazzi photo of Lady Diana at the beach.
My review is based on reading the carefully captioned photos and Inspector Wharfe's evaluation of her untimely death.
His co-author is one of the journalists who covered the Prince and Princess and I note that the photos often include the Inspector.
Inspector Wharfe came on as their boys' protection and then became the Princess' escort, thus knowing her moods well. Based on my brief look at his book, I believe he published it as her friend to offer insights into what a good person she was, despite her shortcomings at some times. He believes she became disenchanted with his constant presence because it reminded her of the necessity of the royal family moving in a bubble of protection given the voracious press, something she had hated. Inspector Wharfe describes how the press can be handled adroitly, with many examples, and the skills used to discretely protect their principals. In the last few pages he dissects the missteps that led to the fateful chase in France, noting the inexperience of Dodi Fayed's people in high level protective duties. This book aims to trump the allegations in the previous books of the latter. Inspector Wharfe emphatically dismisses M. Fayed's allegations of a conspiracy.
Index.
My review is based on reading the carefully captioned photos and Inspector Wharfe's evaluation of her untimely death.
His co-author is one of the journalists who covered the Prince and Princess and I note that the photos often include the Inspector.
Inspector Wharfe came on as their boys' protection and then became the Princess' escort, thus knowing her moods well. Based on my brief look at his book, I believe he published it as her friend to offer insights into what a good person she was, despite her shortcomings at some times. He believes she became disenchanted with his constant presence because it reminded her of the necessity of the royal family moving in a bubble of protection given the voracious press, something she had hated. Inspector Wharfe describes how the press can be handled adroitly, with many examples, and the skills used to discretely protect their principals. In the last few pages he dissects the missteps that led to the fateful chase in France, noting the inexperience of Dodi Fayed's people in high level protective duties. This book aims to trump the allegations in the previous books of the latter. Inspector Wharfe emphatically dismisses M. Fayed's allegations of a conspiracy.
Index.
