Average customer rating:
- Ready for a time warp to the English middle ages?
- Amazing Character development!
- Falls short of Expectation
- Superb Historical Writing
- ecstatic
|
Katherine
Anya Seton
Manufacturer: Chicago Review Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 155652532X |
Book Description
This classic romance novel tells the true story of the love affair that changed history—that of Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, the ancestors of most of the British royal family. Set in the vibrant 14th century of Chaucer and the Black Death, the story features knights fighting in battle, serfs struggling in poverty, and the magnificent Plantagenets—Edward III, the Black Prince, and Richard II—who ruled despotically over a court rotten with intrigue. Within this era of danger and romance, John of Gaunt, the king’s son, falls passionately in love with the already married Katherine. Their well-documented affair and love persist through decades of war, adultery, murder, loneliness, and redemption. This epic novel of conflict, cruelty, and untamable love has become a classic since its first publication in 1954.
Customer Reviews:
Ready for a time warp to the English middle ages?.......2007-09-21
This is an exquisitely written story. The characters, even the minor ones, are beautifully developed. The descriptive powers of Ms. Seton are the best in the genre. You can touch, hear, see, smell, and taste the time in which Katherine Swynford lived.
While he's certainly not a villian, I found myself not always warming to the Duke of Lancaster. I didn't mind though it as I found it made him more real and his preoccupation with war and marriages of convenience only made him more believable. To portray the Duke as a sensitive enlightened man of the today would do a great injustice to the authenticity of the story.
This is a love story, no doubt, but it is also a history text book, the best kind there is. You learn more about the period than you ever would in a stuffy history 101 class. I recommend this book to everyone. It is a classic and a must read for all fans of good historical fiction. And while I never read a book twice, for Katherine, I will break my own rule one day...and I look forward to it.
Amazing Character development!.......2007-09-18
This book is absolutely amazing. Who knew that a book about the Middle Ages to be so scintillating! Seton did a fantastic job of character portrayal, especially the inner turmoils of both Katherine and her beloved John of Gaunt. If you want to know the plot, read the synopsis. I have to say that I've rarely encountered such vivid characters who draw you in so completely to their story.
One recommendation before embarking on this incredible tale: buy an historical reference book about the time period. Having another persective on the historical aspects of this time would have been helpful because Katherine intentionally stayed out of the political realm and some of the factual details are hazy.
Falls short of Expectation.......2007-09-05
Katherine is no doubt a wonderful novel with excellent description of England in the 14th Century. However, in my opinion, the story fell short in comparison to the summary I read on the back of the book. Characters in the novel were well developed but not deep enough to make me cry for the characters that died. The only character I truly feel for is Katherine because throughout the entire novel it was through her perspective that the readers see. According to the author, Anya Seton, it was her intention to have the readers see through Katerine's perspective. I find that reading through Katherine's perspective a weakness of the novel because although there were political intrigues among nobles and rulers, I find it less threatening toward the protagonists of the story because the plots against the protagonists and wars were mentioned very little. When I first read the summary of the novel I thought it was a love tragedy of a dark time, but what I got out of it was more of a light reading. So I gave this novel a four stars because it was slightly below my expectation.
Superb Historical Writing.......2007-08-26
I think if I had to choose my favorite book out of tens of thousands, it would have to be this one. This author had incredible imagination coupled with outstanding literary skills. Never have I read a book that makes me visualize the late 1300s as this one does, and I've read many of them. This book has withstood the test of time, and I'm delighted it has been reprinted, as have all of Anya Seton's works.
ecstatic.......2007-08-23
I read this book about 25 years ago and have always remembered it. Found it accidently while looking for something else. Am loving it all over again.Katherine
Book Description
Welcome to a world of reckless sensuality and glittering sophistication . . . of dangerously handsome gentlemen and young ladies longing to gain a title . . . of games played for high stakes, including—on occasion—a lady's virtue.
A marquess's sheltered only daughter, Lady Roberta St. Giles falls in love with a man she glimpses across a crowded ballroom: a duke, a game player of consummate skill, a notorious rakehell who shows no interest in marriage—until he lays eyes on Roberta.
Yet the Earl of Gryffyn knows too well that the price required to gain a coronet is often too high. Damon Reeve, the earl, is determined to protect the exquisite Roberta from chasing after the wrong destiny.
Can Damon entice her into a high-stakes game of his own, even if his heart is likely to be lost in the venture?
Customer Reviews:
Desperately silly.......2007-09-24
This book is an embarrassment to women. If you take all the female characters and combine them into one you still don't come up with an average-sized brain (never mind character, maturity, or simple common sense).
From the first few unlikely and irrational pages this seemed like a bad Junior High School play in which too many characters with little to contribute had been written in so the whole class could have a speaking part. (By high school, you'd expect more mature characters!) Under these circumstances, while everybody spoke, no one had anything of any importance to say. It was a completely chaotic one-dimensional farce. We are, apparently, supposed to find the antics and dialogues humorous and entertaining but "ridiculous", "spoiled", and "downright stupid" are much closer to the mark.
I can't remember a more irritating book, more exagerated stereotypes and characterizations, sillier dialogue, or more frantic pacing (every scene was short, choppy, and sloppily transitioned). Did anybody proofread this?
You never got into anyone's mind (assuming they had one) or into their hearts (presumably, the function of romantic fiction). You were too distracted by all the confusion caused by whatever nonsensical scene was exploding at the time. I have never come across a group of people with less charm, or warmth, or sense of purpose than this crew, about whom further books will, apparently, be written.
The author's biographical blurb states that she writes in her sleep because she is so overwhelmed by her children and pets. I thought she was joking but, apparently, that was the one serious comment in the whole book.
Nicely Complicated Characters.......2007-09-14
I loved this story and it did not bother me that some plot lines were left hanging. For me, that added to the complexity and appeal of the overall novel. The multiple characters, their conflicts and the odd way they were involved in each others' lives, all this was quite interesting and cleverly protrayed I thought. There was some surprise, tension, eroticism, and the ending was delightful as the hero's mask comes off for us. Her writing is very well done and I especially appreciate flawed characters who are also consistent, but maybe, learning a thing or two.
I was more into Jemma and Elijah than the main two characters.......2007-09-06
I honestly can say that I really didn't really care for Damon and Roberta. They barely got that many scenes in the book because there were so many characters that they were really over looked. I also was way more interest at what was happening between Jemma and her husband Elijah. I really can't wait for those two to have their own book and see how they get back together. I'm really going to get mad if Jemma and Elijah don't end up together.I hope that the author really doesn't kill Elijah off because I really want him and his wife to work things out.
Controlled Chaos...A Light, Frothy Read.......2007-08-21
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Yes, it was a bit chaotic and confusing with all the minor character plots. And yes, I agree there was not a lot of substance to the two main characters, especially the hero (truth be told, from the way the book started out, I had no idea he was going to turn out to be the hero of the story). But it was extremely well written in terms of how she handled the dialogue, especially during the chess and domino games. I found the non-Regency setting a refreshing change of pace (this coming from a huge Regency fan like myself!) and loved the fact that many of the characters were messy, imperfect people with loose ends that weren't tied up by the end of the book. And boy can this lady write some great sex scenes!
I suspect James was mimicking the pace and tone of famous 18th century novels, plays, and operas (Tom Jones comes to mind as do some of Sheridan's plays and Mozart's operas)--all of which are known for featuring bawdy interludes and frequent secondary character side trips before circling back to the main plotline. I think she succeeded nicely in capturing the essence of that particular period in all its energy, earthiness, and color.
My only complaint is I think James is almost too creative for the formulaic historical romance genre. I'd love to see her break out into something meatier--a historical novel with good doses of romance a la Diana Gabaldon, perhaps?--and really let herself go. In the mean time, I look forward to reading her other books and seeing how this series evolves.
Too many characters? .......2007-08-01
I loved this book! I love that she has wee side stories going on, as with Jenna and Elijah. Following Esme and Sabastian was the main reason I bought the last series; although I enjoyed the stories for themselves as well. As for Roberta and Damon, I liked them both very much. Damon, especially, had endearing and um...other qualities I enjoyed.I found the end not rushed,but with a twist I didn't expect. I do hope the next story, who seems to be about characters BRIEFLY mentioned, will be as good as this one.And not to throw off on other reveiwers, but come on ladies! If remembering characters is too much for you, perhaps other romance writers would be a better choice. I like some substance along with the romance.
Customer Reviews:
Can you say twit?.......2007-08-20
This is the first book in a long time that I have been tempted to give the old heave ho, but believe me, it deserved it. The female lead, (I won't say heroine because she doesn't deserve it), Caroline, has to be the dumbest twit who ever lived. Not only isn't she a virgin, she has another big secret she failed to tell her husband. I won't spell it out here, but I can't believe it. For her to just go blithely along and allow a duke to marry her was just too dumb to be believed. She had to know there would be some kind of fallout from doing this. She wasn't marrying the local blacksmith or vicar. He was a duke, for heaven's sake. People tend to notice what dukes do. Not only did she have another man in her past, she, at times, couldn't seem to make up her mind which man she preferred. That is the kiss of death in a romance novel for me. Once you find your man, you stick to him. How probable is it that in the future, she might find another man she would like to marry. After all, she already has found two.
Perhaps you can tell I did not like this book. My reviews are not usually this heated, but I feel robbed. I picked this book up thinking it would be good and didn't get some others. And, I see this one isn't worth anything on re-sale. Come on Lorraine Heath, Julia London, and Lisa Kleypas. You have new books out soon and you 3 have never disappointed me. I can't wait!!
A Fun Read.......2007-08-12
I have just finished reading Ms. O'Riley's novel and enjoyed it greatly. Although there are similar plot lines and plot shifts as other historical romances I was delighted when the pivotal secret was revealed. The resolution of this final secret kept the end of the novel moving forward and I was anxious to finish it. Ms. O'Riley did a lovely job of depicting Victorian England and all its intricacies while putting the reader right in the ballroom, or Newgate Prison, with the characters. I look forward to her next novel.
great debut!.......2007-08-11
I've only recently started reading romance novels, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this one. I truly thought I had the entire plot figured out halfway through and was pleased to discover I could not have been more wrong about the outcome! Her writing style is gourgeous too- lots of great details that bring that period of time alive. I liked that her characters were well developed and that their choices truly helped further the plot line. The love scenes were fun too! I highly recommend this book and look forward to her second novel!
Ah...fabulous.......2007-07-05
This was one debut worth every hour spent reading it...delicious!
Caroline Armstrong is a beauty who holds a few life-altering secrets that she is too embarrassed to share due to the damage they would inflict on her "still recovering from a huge scandal" family. After the deaths of her parents, she is whisked away to her relatives in London. For her first London Season, her grandmother has uber high hopes she and her younger sister will marry well and rid the family of a previous scandal.
However, Caroline does her utmost to appear unappealing to every man she meets as she is unwilling to wed but dares not tell her grandmother.
Then she meets the wonderful, astoundingly handsome Duke of Woodborough Alexander Woodward who also appears to not want marriage. However from their first meeting, it is apparent they are enthralled with one another and despite their mutual desire to not be forced to wed, they are drawn inward. Alexander devises a plan that will get their families off their backs by having he and Caroline "appear" to be courting and therefore get the gals off his back and the gents off hers.
But is all what it seems? Can Caroline get passed her own past secrets to allow the "most handsome man she has ever seen" into her heart?
Well, wouldn't be nice of me to give the ending away...suffice it to say, there are numerous obstacles in their path...namely secrets withheld and a very jealous woman who deems herself the only one for Alexander and she is willing to do anything to make Caroline pay the price for seemingly taking Alexander from her.
This is a must read and I hope this author has more works out soon!
A fantastic read.......2007-06-30
A wonderful debut. Caroline Armstrong has her secrets, and those secrets won't allow her to ever be able to build her life again and get married. Alexander Woodward, Duke of Woodborough, is tired of the mindless chits and their scheming mamas, who want to capture him in their net.
Alexander and Caroline meet on the terrace, in a party. They're both alone and find themselves getting acquainted and a friendship blooms between them. After confiding in each other with some of their secrets, Alexander requests to seal their secrets with a kiss.
Later that night, Caroline is shocked to learn that Alexander is a duke. She had kissed a duke! And the next morning Alexander shows up at her auntie's house, where she lives and he has a proposition for her. Since both of them do not wish to get married, they would pretend to be betrothed until the season is over, then they could break it up. In this way both Caroline and Alexander would be free during the season, and would be able to avoid all the head aches of match making. Caroline hesitantly agrees.
Only what Caroline doesn't know is that the duke has other ulterior plans, and that his courting of her is no act at all, for he truly wishes to marry her at the end of the season. And he will do all in his power to win her trust and woo her so that she'd accept his offer and marry him.
This is such a fantastic read, once I started I couldn't put it down. Alexander's love for Caroline was true, deep and just all around wonderful. And her love for him as she fights against her doubts and the secrets which come back to haunt her later in the book. And just when I thought that I had figured out her secrets, a twist was revealed towards the end of the book that took me by complete surprise. I really didn't see that coming!
A delightful romantic read! (And yes Alexander had a mistress, but he directly broke up with her once he started pursuing Caroline. If he hadn't broken up with his mistress the rating for this book would have gone down, and it wouldn't have been a keeper for me. But Alexander was always faithful to Caroline, even when she thought that his courting was just an act). A great hero, and a great heroine (although I felt that she should have trusted Alexander completely, sooner).
I can't wait to read more books by this author!
Book Description
Amid the disapproving gossip of the Court, a royal romance defies all obstacles.
The Court of François I is full of lust, intrigue, and bawdy bon temps—a different world from the quiet country life Diane de Poitiers led with her elderly husband. Now a widow, the elegant Diane is called back to Court, where the King’s obvious interest marks her as an enemy to the King’s favourite, Anne d’Heilly. The Court is soon electrified by rumors of their confrontations. As Anne calls on her most venomous tricks to drive Diane away, Diane finds an ally in the one member of Court with no allegiance to the King’s mistress: his teenage second son, Henri.
Neglected by his father and disliked by his brothers, Prince Henri expects little from his life. But as his friendship with Diane deepens into infatuation and then a romance that scandalizes the Court, the Prince begins to discover hope for a future with Diane. But fate and his father have other plans for Henri—including a political marriage with Catherine de Medici. Despite daunting obstacles, Henri’s devotion to Diane never wanes; their passion becomes one of the most legendary romances in the history of France.
Also available as an eBook
Customer Reviews:
........2007-09-21
This book was wonderful. At times I had trouble putting it down. I would get this in hard back to have to read again and again!
Beautiful Love Story.......2007-06-28
Diane Haeger brings to life the passion of a French King and his life time love, Diane de Poiters. She uses their real life love letters and french history, breathing life in to a long lost royal court. She puts a good spin on the age gap between the two lovers. She describes Catherine de'Medici and the politics surrounding that marriage perfectly. Tragic and beautiful all at once. A pleasure to read.
Well done.......2007-06-08
A new look at an old favorite (pun intended). This novel makes Henri and Diane sympathic and interesting. The passion is there but so are the interesting people
LOVED IT!.......2006-09-24
I am an avid reader of all of Haeger's historical fiction and have enjoyed all of them, this one no exception! I get so wrapped up in the characters that I'm sad when I near the end of the book. One of my favorite things about her books is that you can research the characters and see paintings of what the actual people looked like and buy more books about them.
Has some icky flaws, some romantic sap, but it still a very good book (4.5 stars).......2006-08-04
In spite of the fact that this book was the first novel of the queen of sappy historical romance novels this is a pretty good book. Historically, it's not totally accurate, but hey, it is fiction.
This is the story of a King of France, Henri, and his long time mistress, Diane. Now, when I say long time, I mean like almost 30 years long time. This kid was in love with this woman when she was governess. Did I mention the 16 year age difference? I had the misfortune to read a historical non-fiction book about their situation called "The Serpent and the Moon" which is written by a descendent of Diane, and of Henri's wife Catherine de Medici. I say misfortune because it was one boring book, but it did provide many historical facts. Such as, the relationship between Henry and Diane probably did not become sexual until he was almost twenty, not when he was 14 or 15 and she was 31 or 32, as in this book.
That's the major problem with this novel actually; it glorifies a relationship that really just reminded me of the whole Mary Kay Laterno scandal. So that part of the novel was fairly icky and a little creepy. The one thing I really dislikes about this book (aside from the sap) was that the first 100 pages are totally devoted to Diane lusting after almost pubescent boys because her marriage was loveless. I mean, get some control lady! He's your daughter's age! It makes much more sense that the sexual aspect of their relationship developed later on. If you want a good argument for that read "The Serpent and the Moon" but don't say I didn't warn you.
But other than that this is solid historical fiction that is, at times, quite mesmerizing. The relationships of those involved are often nowhere near as interesting as the politics and court life of the time, which is a welcome relief from the endless sappy speeches of Henri and Diane. Catherine is a fascinating, if always maligned character, and the backdrop of renaissance France is perfectly done. As a novel, this is definitely something I would read again. I really liked it for all its flaws, and it made me want to read more of Ms. Haeger's work, even though I didn't really like "The secret wife of King George IV" all that much. This is a far better, more developed novel with a setting and backdrop that is fascinating and puts you right in the thick of things.
If you can cut through the minimal sap and the marginal pedophilia in this book you'll probably love it. Four point five stars.
Book Description
Today, with our supercomplicated, stress-filled lives, the one element we can all use more of is energy. In Energy Breakthrough: Jump-start Your Weight Loss and Feel Great, Sarah, The Duchess of York tells how she copes with her incredibly multifaceted life yet keeps her weight down, her body trim, and her energy at its peak. Together with the editors of Weight Watchers, The Duchess details how you can do the same with a combination of nutritious eating, effective exercise, and a positive state of mind.
Energy Breakthrough is divided into two parts: "Understanding Energy" and "Fueling Your Energy." Part 1: "Understanding Energy" analyzes the three facets that make up what The Duchess calls the "energy equation": good nutrition, regular exercise, and an upbeat attitude toward life. The chapters "Food as Fuel for Your Body and Mind" and "Eating for Energy" give the basics of nutrition and tell how to balance meals to achieve optimum vigor. "Recharging Your Batteries with Exercise" explains how, paradoxically, the more active you are, the more energetic you'll feel, while "A Workout to Rev Up Your Energy" provides a walking regimen that you can easily incorporate into your everyday life for years to come.
"Energy from the Inside Out" describes how sleep deprivation, stress, and emotional issues can affect energy, then supplies ways to overcome these problems. Finally, "Giving Yourself an Energy Makeover" offers myriad suggestions for keeping your energy flow in tip-top condition. Part 2: "Fueling Your Energy" presents more than 75 delicious yet simple recipes for appetizers, breakfasts and brunches, lunches, main meals, desserts, and snacks, illustrated with color photographs. Also included are 28 daily menus that combine the recipes with still more luscious preparation ideas -- all designed to yield optimum energy and weight loss. The menus and recipes, based on the popular Weight Watchers
Winning Points weight-loss plan, include POINTS® values.
Chock-full of hints, tips, lists, quizzes, and profiles of everyday people who have successfully incorporated the Weight Watchers plan into their lives -- and, of course, The Duchess of York's heartfelt support -- Energy Breakthrough is a book you'll turn to again and again for healthy advice and encouragement.
Customer Reviews:
Nothing New.......2006-10-25
If you know nothing about diet and exercise, this book may enlighten you some. But if you know anything at all, this is monotonous. There appears to be some good recipes, but I haven't tried any yet. All it says is eat well, exercise, and make time for yourself - don't need 130 plus pages for that.
Product Description
This excellent volume includes biographies of more than twenty women of the Russian Imperial Family, from the daughters of Tsar Paul I to the present-day claimant to the Russian imperial throne.The Grand Duchesses is an unprecedented compilation of information regarding the Romanovs and Russia.
Average customer rating:
- Wonderful way to learn history!
- Awesome Book
- Love it!
- Anastasia Romanov
- Not that good
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Anastasia: The Last Grand Duchess, Russia, 1914 (The Royal Diaries)
Carolyn Meyer
Manufacturer: Scholastic Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0439129087 |
Amazon.com
Anastasia is a carefree young duchess, daughter of Nicholas Alexandrovitch Romanov, tsar of all the Russias in 1914. While her father attends to the turbulent affairs of a vast and complex country, Anastasia's major concerns are how to get out of her detested schoolwork to play in the snow, go ice skating, or have picnics. She wears diamonds and rubies, and every morning her mother tells her which matching outfit she and her three sisters shall wear that day. Slowly a hint of future trouble enters her happy, pampered life. Anastasia's younger brother, the future tsar, is a hemophiliac--a "bleeder" who cannot stop bleeding if he is cut or bruised. Anastasia begins to learn that all is not well in the outside world, either. Not everyone in Russia worships her father as she does, and the Germans are about to declare war on Russia. Anastasia's world gradually deteriorates, as reported in her youthful, often playful journal.
As Russia entered World War I, hunger and poverty grew among the peasants, and the Romanov ruling family began to lose favor, culminating in their murders--including Anastasia's--by Bolshevik revolutionaries. This fictionalized diary of the mischievous youngest daughter's last four years gives a fascinating glimpse into a life of unlimited wealth--and the subsequent downward spiral. Historical notes, family trees, and photographs round out Carolyn Meyer's compelling contribution to the popular Royal Diaries series. (Ages 9 to 14) --Emilie Coulter
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful way to learn history!.......2007-09-28
We have really learned history from the Royal Diary series. It gives a wonderful time frame to set history in. It really helps you to remember what you need to know!
Awesome Book.......2006-11-28
I'm a fan of the Royal Diaries series, and this is the best of the books. I read this book over and over again. I liked the way that you could tell that the children, especially Anastasia and Alexei, grew up throughout the four years that the novel took place. I also liked the glimpse it gave of the lavish lifestyle that the Romanovs led, and I was extremely saddened to learn of their fate. I do not believe that Anna Anderson was really Anastasia. I think that Anastasia died along with her family that fateful day in July. But if you would like to read the Royal Diaries series, this is a great book to start off with.
Love it!.......2006-11-27
I liked this book A LOT Cos it showed Anastasia life befor she was killed.And Cannot understand why Anna Anderson Would Pretend to be Anastasia! (DNA says so) Sometimes the Plot would get a little boring but it always went back up to Good.I LOVE THIS BOOK!
Anastasia Romanov.......2006-07-04
This book gets only exciting at the end when the Romanovs get arrested. 'till then, Anastasia led a boring life. I do not recommend this book to anyone, and do not be fooled by the other reviewers, this book is definitely not good. ( But gets slightly better at the end)
Not that good.......2006-07-03
I do not think this book is as good as I thought it would be. It is a very boring diary and definitely the Marie Antoinette book is better.I do not like the book about Cleopatra much either.The book on Anastasia just talks about when she goes to picnics and other palaces and when she went on yatchs. Since I heard so many good reviews on this book, I thought on buying this book, but it turnes out it is'nt that good. I cannot believe people actually like this book even. Anastasia led a boring life and she recorded it in her boring diary.
Customer Reviews:
A View Inside A Shrine to Self.......1998-03-23
The Windsors, while they were living, epitomized style, glamour, and wit. Ultimately theirs was a wasted life, empty of meaning in the end. From the heady days of their scandalous romance, life was all downhill, a private struggle to conserve their dignity in the aftermath of the abdication. To fill this emptiness and lack of purpose in life, the Duchess obsessed on perfection; of herself, of the things she collected and of the table she set. The Windsor's sous chef spent hours sorting salad leaves into leaves of exactly the same size to be set before their guests. Their relationship was a hollow recreation of the childhood the Duke never could leave behind. Moulin de la Tuilerie, their country home outside of Paris, was the York Cottage of Edward's youth reborn. Wallis herself was Queen Mary, obsessively arranging the display of small objets and cosseting the little boy who was King. A long time servant said, "They had nothing and no-one. They were just two lonely old people." Suzy Menkes takes the reader on an interesting tour through not only of the tangible objects of this relationship, but of the relationship itself.
Customer Reviews:
A kings story.......2002-12-08
I felt sorry for the duke, he must have been such a lonely man.....He never got any compliments from his father or his family. They all seemed so far away from each other. No wonder he fell in love with Wallis, she paid attention to him, this is what he needed, someone to treat him with respect and high regard, no wonder he abdicated....He wouldn't have to abdicate,but the P.M. at that time was a very vicious and ugly person who was JEALOUS of King Edward, he wouldn't even allow the king to speak to the other members on his own behalf...Queen Mum was also jealous and vicious, she did not like Wallis, because she was divorced and an american, she would not allow King George to communicate with the duke after he was exiled. The people all wanted King Edward to become King, they all loved him because of his charistma and his feelings for the common people.Edward and Diana were very much alike and treated VERY BADLY by their so called "royal families". Edward and Diana had more "guts" than all the royals together. King Edward would have been a "great" king, thanks to Queen Mum and her coldness toward Edward and Wallis caused him to live in an empty wrld. All the worl loves "lovers"and the Duke and Duchess were the lovers of the 20th century. How many people can have such a love????????I really loved this book and read it over and over.....
Vapid, yes...though totally fascinating..........2001-03-12
I can't help it. Even though I believe that the Duke and Dutchess of Windsor were probably two of the most self-serving people ever to exist on the face of the planet, I find them totally fascinating. And this book lets us into their domaine. Imagine a man so totally mesmerized by this woman, that not only did he leave her a fresh flower on her pillow every night of their married life, he slept surrounded by photos of her (separate bedrooms). There were 10,000 photos of them in his bathtub (covered with a mahogany top. He ONLY showered.) that were discovered after her death. That means for the duration of the time that they were married, they were photographed approximately 300 times a year. Every year. The photographs of the refurbished decor in the Paris house were fascinating. Too bad everything was sold after Dodi & Diana's death. This book is truly a window into a lifestyle that no longer exists.
finally a sneak peek into their very private world.......1999-09-08
I was very impressed with the photography and the information contained in this book. Wallis Simpson is amazing, she comes off as more chic and more royal than any of the royals. Fascinating inside look into that very glamorous era, and it's most powerful couple.
too much to pay for a couple with zero to offer.......1998-04-03
It is beyond me how any person with a functioning brain could ever find the Windsors more than the most over publicized, most tedious couple who ever inhabited the pages of People Magazine and its predecessors. What is even more alarming is that there are people willing to pay $67.50 for a book of pictures of the duke, the duchess and their collection of stuff. Pardon me for my rant, but I needed to do it. I don't think I've ever typed out my feeings on this subject before. I've ranted about this couple more than I wish to admit.. but, hell, we all have our quirks.
Product Description
GILDED PRISM had its genesis in a series of articles that appeared in the last issue of Atlantis Magazine: In the Courts of Memory, which was dedicated to the remarkable Konstantinovichi Family and their legacy. Here, thanks to the guidance and assistance of publisher Arturo Beéche, we present a re-working of some of this content, with a number of very significant additions.When the former Soviet Union crumbled in 1991, a wave of nostalgia for the glittering world of the Romanovs swept through Russian imaginations. Names and places long forgotten took on a new vibrancy, and faded photographs and flickering newsreels vividly brought to life a vanished epoch. With the revival of interest in the last Imperial Family came discovery of their multitude of relatives, the Grand Dukes and Duchesses, Princes and Princesses who had enchanted and scandalized their contemporaries.The accomplishments of the Konstantinovichi Family, in particular, found resonance in this revived interest. No other single branch of the Romanov Dynasty had reached such heights, nor left such lasting legacies; even sailors in the Soviet Navy, walking down Leningrad's wide avenues in the last years of Communist rule, still sported the characteristic striped shirts introduced by Konstantin Nikolaievich in the 19th Century.GILDED PRISM is sure to become the gold-standard for research and knowledge on this previously little-known, yet immensely important branch of the Russian Imperial Family.Greg King is the author of seven internationally published works, including the United Kingdom bestseller The Duchess of Windsor (1999), and The Fate of the Romanovs (2003). His latest book is The Court of the Last Tsar.Penny Wilson, Russian historian and Romanov scholar, is the author of the critically acclaimed The Fate of the Romanovs (2003).
Customer Reviews:
The most interesting Romanov book I've read yet.......2007-07-03
This is the first book from the eurohistory publishing company that I've purchased, and I have to say I was impressed. The Gilded Prism chronicles the lives of Konstantin Nikolaievich and his descendants through the last century of Romanov rule. The book starts with Konstantin Nikolaievich the family's patriarch who was the brother of Alexander II. He played a huge part in the reforms of his brother's reign and was a talented musician although his later years were frought with tragedy. Next is his wife Alexandra Iosifovna who came from Germany a young and somewhat frivolous princess to become a highly respected and imperious Grand Duchess although very conceited and self absorbed. The book then follows the lives of their children. The oldest, Nicholas, brought scandal and embarrassment to the family while the two daughters Olga and Vera became popular and beloved women in their adopted homelands. Konstantin Konstantinovich proved one of the most dutiful and charitable members of the Romanovs, but also led a secret homosexual life. Dimitri was just as dutiful as his brother and was a talened military commander and horse breeder. The youngest, Vyacheslav, who is often times forgotten because he died young, was said to be intelligent and doted on by his father. The book also chronicles the descendants of Nicholas and Konstantin Konstantinovich who led equally interesting lives themselves. I give the book five stars because it gives much detail and information on this branch of the Roamnov family. The Konstantinovichi were an artistically talented, highly intelligent, dutiful, and charitable family at a time when most Romanovs were known for being callously decadent and lacking in intelligence as well as concern for the common people. It is refreshing to read a novel that isn't completely devoted to the overdone subject of Nicholas II and Alexandra. The one sore point I found with this book is that there isn't as much info on Olga and Vera like there was on their brothers, but the title does say The Konstantinovichi Grand Dukes & the Last Years of the Romanov Dyansty and not the Grand Duchesses so I guess it's to be expected. The most interesting part of the book was the story of how Nicholas and his American mistress Fanny Lear (just one of her names I might add), got embroiled in a scandal that led to his exile and being nearly forgotten by the rest of the family. The book also analyzes the nature of Konstantin Konstantinovich's homosexuality. It also contains three sections of photos, many I've never seen before, several family trees, and even features some of Konstantin Konstantinovich's poems, which are full of emotional and artistic depth. The book is relatively short but the wealth of information and photos proves the age old saying it's quality over quantity. I was thoroughly impressed and will definitely purchase more books from eurohistory in the future.
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