“[A] shimmering and rather wonderful biography.†—The Guardian (London)When Queen Victoria died in 1901; she had ruled for nearly sixty-four years. She was the mother of nine and grandmother of forty-two and the matriarch of royal Europe through her children’s marriages. To many; Queen Victoria is a ruler shrouded in myth and mystique; an aging; stiff widow paraded as the figurehead to an all-male imperial enterprise. But in truth; Britain’s longest-reigning monarch was one of the most passionate; expressive; humorous; and unconventional women who ever lived; and the story of her life continues to fascinate.A. N. Wilson’s exhaustively researched and definitive biography includes a wealth of new material from previously unseen sources to show us Queen Victoria as she’s never been seen before. Wilson explores the curious set of circumstances that led to Victoria’s coronation; her strange and isolated childhood; her passionate marriage to Prince Albert and his pivotal influence even after death; and her widowhood and subsequent intimate friendship with her Highland servant John Brown; all set against the backdrop of this momentous epoch in Britain’s history—and the world’s.Born at the very moment of the expansion of British political and commercial power across the globe; Victoria went on to chart a unique course for her country even as she became the matriarch of nearly every great dynasty of Europe. Her destiny was thus interwoven with those of millions of people—not just in Europe but in the ever-expanding empire that Britain was becoming throughout the nineteenth century. The famed queen had a face that adorned postage stamps; banners; statues; and busts all over the known world.Wilson’s Victoria is a towering achievement; a masterpiece of biography by a writer at the height of his powers.*VICTORIA; an eight part miniseries about Queen Victoria is coming to PBS in the Downton Abbey slot; premiering January 8th (trailer). The series stars Jenna Coleman (DR. WHO) as Queen Victoria; Rufus Sewell (PILLARS OF THE EARTH); and Tom Hughes (ABOUT TIME).*
#68127 in Books Wilson A N 2015-11-24 2015-11-24Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.40 x 1.30 x 5.40l; 1.00 #File Name: 014312787X656 pagesVictoria A Life
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Overall I really enjoyed the book and the details of Victoria's life really ...By chgogirl59Overall I really enjoyed the book and the details of Victoria's life really give you a feel for the woman. However; some parts of the book seem to provide unnecessary gossipy type details similar to a British gossip rag. Once I was able to tune out the gossipy information I began to enjoy the relevant details of her important life.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A story of a Queen and Nine childrenBy Doug SutherlandI am thoroughly enjoying this story of an extraordinary lady. This book captures a very special part of history much of which we are still experiencing today. A very well researched account of the way royalty worked in the 1800 's.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A. N. Wilson at his bestBy William D. BygraveExcellent biography of Queen Victoria. It gave me lots of new insights. It's difficult to follow all the persons who are mentioned in the book. But that is not surprising because Queen Victoria had so many children and grandchildren.
