Sylvia, 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.

“This is a delightful book, and proof that truth is stranger than fiction”

- THE TIMES

a splendid first book - SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

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

Eade records [Sylvia's] assorted adventures and those of the bizarre dynasty into which she married with wit and style - SUNDAY TIMES

I'm a sucker for biogs about British eccentrics, and this is one of the best. - SUNDAY MERCURY

Philip Eade was born in Shropshire and read History at Bristol University. After a brief spell at the criminal Bar, he has written for a wide variety of publications, and for several years worked on the obituaries desk of the Daily Telegraph. He lives in London and the Welsh marches.

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.

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