I don't remember where I was when they almost shot Ronald Reagan, and I was too young for Lennon (and not alive for Kennedy), but I remember where I was when I heard Diana died. Oh, and Kurt Cobain. As one of the milestone cultural icons that I can remember, I've always felt she was interesting to read about. This is a very serviceable biography of her, and between it and the EXTENSIVE coverage she always received during her lifetime, you'll probably feel like you know everything there was to know about when you're finished, if you're about my age. If you're in college right now, or younger though, who knows, you may still be curious.

Although several books of photographs of "Princess Diana" have been published, this one can be distinguished from the others in two ways. First, the photos included were taken by a single highly talented individual, Tim Graham, who has photographed members of the royal family on many occasions in public and (by special invitation) in private. Second, this book is truly (as the subtitle indicates) "a tribute". As such it shows no sign of the marital difficulties and makes bare mention of Diana's death with a few photos of the funeral. Rather, this book celebrates her life -- with her family, and with the many social causes she supported. Thus, we see extraordinary photographs of Diana at home with her children and famous husband, and others of her visiting AIDS patients, land-mine victims, leprosy- stricken patients, and individuals of a caste of "untouchables" in India. The photographs are universally excellent and show Diana to her best advantage, whether in stylish evening gown, in a Red Cross T-shirt, or body armor and headgear (in a mine field in Angola). She appears as an admirable figure, using her newfound fame and prominent position to call the world's attention to violence, disease, and injustice. Diana, Pricess of Wales is an ideal book for readers wishing to remember and celebrate the life of this ordinary but extraordinary young woman. ( )