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Sylvia, Queen Of The Headhunters: An Outrageous Englishwoman And Her Lost Kingdom
Philip Eade
Malaysia, 20th century, Biography: general, Biography: historical, political & military, Prose: non-fiction
A biography of the last Ranee of Sarawak, born into the aristocracy as Sylvia Brett in 1885 and destined to become 'Queen of the Headhunters'.
Sylvia Brooke was the consort of His Highness Sir Vyner Brooke, Rajah of Sarawak, the last in a bizarre dynasty of English despots who ruled their jungle kingdom on Borneo until 1946. The White Rajahs were long held up as model rulers, but the spectacularly eccentric behaviour of Ranee Sylvia - self-styled Queen of the Headhunters - changed everything. This is the compelling story of her part in their downfall.
More books by Philip Eade
Praise for Sylvia, Queen Of The Headhunters: An Outrageous Englishwoman And Her Lost Kingdom
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This is a delightful book, and proof that truth is stranger than fiction - THE TIMES
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a splendid first book - SUNDAY TELEGRAPH
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Sylvia Brooke...cries out for the sort of juicy, scandal-laden biography that her odd career fuelled. Philip Eade does the job well, with zest, colour and scholarly high spirits. - INDEPENDENT
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Eade records [Sylvia's] assorted adventures and those of the bizarre dynasty into which she married with wit and style - SUNDAY TIMES
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I'm a sucker for biogs about British eccentrics, and this is one of the best. - SUNDAY MERCURY
Philip Eade
Philip Eade is the author of three highly acclaimed biographies: Sylvia, Queen of the Headhunters (2007), Young Prince Philip (2011) and Evelyn Waugh: A Life Revisited (2016). Born in Shropshire and educated at Marlborough and at Bristol University, where he read History, he now lives in London with his wife and daughter.
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