Snowdon

Written with an openness surprising in a biography of a living subject, (especially when that subject is a fringe member, so to speak, of the British Royal Family) this is a very good biography. I think the author ably captured the many sides that make up the character of Antony Armstrong-Jones, Earl of Snowden. The biography is detailed; authoritative, and avoids a "trashy" aura despite some less-than-stellar moments in its subject's life. Ms. deCourcy is also refreshingly even-handed and objective in describing the character of the late Princess Margaret, which is a pleasure to read. In fact, I don't think I've ever read a better description of what went wrong with their marriage, and why they were both equal partners in its failure. Unless Snowden chooses to write an autobiography, I should think this biography will stand the test of time.