Turbulent Times

The Prince records all aspects of his daily life, his role as Commander-in-Chief of the army and his push to bring Siam into World War I, the conflicts within the royal family, the breakup of his marriage and the death of his beloved mother, Queen Saowabha. These diaries provide an invaluable first-hand insight into Siamese politics and governance at a turbulent time, as well as poignant glimpses of his personal life and divorce from his Russian wife, Katya. AUTHOR: Narisa Chakrabongse studied History of Art at the Courtauld Institute, London, and later an MA in Asian Studies at SOAS, School of Oriental and African Studies. Of Thai heritage she has written several books, the bestseller Katya & The Prince of Siam is about her grandfather, Prince Chula Chakrabongse studying in St Petersburg (the Russian Tsar and Thai King were great friends) and his falling in love, and subsequent marriage, to a Russian nurse, Katya. Narisa has also edited the letters between her grandfather and his father, King Chulalongkorn, Letters from St Petersburg, and is also an editor of over 100 books, including the Oxford Thai-English two volume dictionary. SELLING POINTS: . Following the success of Letters from St Petersburg, which recounts the early years of Prince Chakrabongse's life though his letters to his father, King Chulalongkorn, the diaries covering the last four years of his life are full of sadness and tumult 200 b/w illustrations