With her customary psychological insight, historian Carolly Erickson traces the gilded but often thorny path of Elizabeth II from her overprotected girlhood to her ascension to the throne at twenty-five to her personal and national difficulties as queen. Through it all we glimpse, as never before, the strong and appealing sovereign who has ruled over her people for half a century and more, a woman of immense wealth, international esteem, and high character.