You might expect a biography of Queen Victoria's last personal physician to be a dry, dull book. But, ASK SIR JAMES is a lively, well researched biography, written by its subject's granddaughter-in-law. Ms. Reid is a fine writer who makes the life and times of Sir James Reid come alive. She was fortunate to have a treasure trove of previously undisclosed information - papers in her husband's possession, which included notes from Queen Victoria, and Sir James' own diaries and memos. Sir James' medical career following the death of Queen Victoria and the happy marriage which occurred late in his life are engagingly described.Not incidentially, this book also gives the reader a unique view of Queen Victoria's character. She was querulous; stubborn; demanding, and something of a hypochondriac, but also loyal; affectionate, and completely without racial prejudice. Sir James, although frequently exasperated by the Queen, was very fond of her. The reader won't find a better description of Queen Victoria's last twenty years, and her death, than in this book; these are transcribed in full from Sir James' own diary. ASK SIR JAMES is full of interesting information for the Royalty buff concerning the relationships Queen Victoria had with her daughters, and also in regard to Kaiser Wilhelm II and King Edward VII. {Sir James continued as a doctor to King Edward VII following Queen Victoria's death; although not THE doctor to the King, he was a trusted part of his medical circle and frequently traveled with King Edward.}It's a pleasure to read this biography, not just because it's written with such panache, but also because its subject was a decent, honorable man. One can truly say of Sir James Reid, "the ending crowns the work".