Charles at Fifty

The latest in Holden's series of biographies of the Prince of Wales published to coincide with his 30th, 40th and now 50th birthdays, this is a chatty, personal look at a man with whom Holden no longer has anything like a personal relationship. Pulling off this feat may only be possible with a subject who has been as widely scrutinized as the prince--often with unparalleled bias. Journalists of every stripe have divided themselves into two camps--pro-Diana (like Holden) and pro-Charles--as they dig through every last detail of their lives. But as a result, the bulk of this book chronicles well-known facts of Charles's first 40 years as background for the last 10, and then offers little that is about the decade that brought ""Camillagate,"" ""Squidgygate"" and Diana's death and memorials. Loosely chronological, Holden's account traces Charles's early childhood of rigid traditions and high expectations, which he seemed fated to disappoint, whether in school or, more publicly, in marriage. Holden concludes with a discussion of the choice Charles may be forced to make between the true love of his life (Camilla Parker-Bowles) and the throne he has spent all his days preparing to inherit--a conundrum Holden claims has been made doubly difficult by Diana's death, though increasingly the two don't seem mutually exclusive. Although probably appealing to royalty gawkers, the book is not likely to satisfy those looking for deeper understanding of the Prince of Wales. Agent, Gill Coleridge. (Nov.)