Duchess: The Story of Wallis Warfield Windsor

I read the biography Dutchess: The Story of Wallis Warfield Windsor in conjunction with her autobiography, "The Heart Has It's Reasons".  I read the chapters alternately to see what Stephen Birmingham had to say about the dutchess.  Then I wanted to see what Wallis Warfield Simpson had to say about the same situation.  I have not read two books about the identical subject at the same time before and I enjoyed it.  I believe the dutchess had some help from a ghost writer because the writing was too good.  The dutchess had a charmed and elegant life even before her two divorces and marriage into semi-royalty.  Wallis Simpson had two living ex-husbands when she married and the King of England.  This led him to abdicate his title and his throne.  Together they traveled, entertained and kept company with a myriad of friends the rest of their lives.  The books were filled with descriptions of her clothing and the magnificant details of the manner in which she entertained.  The dutchess supervised every aspect of a meal; from the menu to the dishes to the candles and decor of the room.  I did not learn of anything in particular the dutchess accomplished that was outstanding like our First Ladies do today.  Her existance was more to be at the beckon of the duke and to see that he needs were met.  Titles of the chapters in Stephen Birmingham's book include, "Other People's Houses", "Unemployed," and "Wandering."  There is almost the impression of a lack of purpose to their lives.  In that sense the books left me with a feeling of sadness.  Otherwise, I found it interesting to read about that period of history.