Do Let’s Have Another Drink: The Dry Wit and Fizzy Life of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother

Historian Russell (The Ship of Dreams) balances titillating gossip and heartfelt poignancy in this sparkling snapshot of Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (1900–2002), the wife of King George VI and mother of Queen Elizabeth II. One hundred and one stories, one for each year of her life, showcase the Queen Mother’s wicked wit: scolded by her daughter for not dressing properly for a visit to Cheltenham Racecourse in bad weather, Elizabeth replied, “Don’t worry, darling. I’ve got my pearls to keep me warm.” Finding the word cocktail too harsh, Elizabeth preferred “drinky-poo”; she also did impressions of characters from the sitcom Blackadder and learned some of Sacha Baron Cohen’s catchphrases. Elizabeth’s wisdom shines in her handling of such crises as her brother-in-law King Edward VIII’s abdication and in her urging of several “Appeasers” (as she once had been) to read the unexpurgated edition of Mein Kampf to understand that Hitler wasn’t just “bluffing and posturing to get what he wanted.” The Elizabeth that emerges is a warmhearted practical joker and “Olympian” grudge-holder whose loyalty (to friends including Noël Coward) and sense of humor remained strong to the end. Throughout, Russell interweaves brisk and informative history lessons with royal family intrigue. Fans of The Crown will lap this up. (Nov.)