"This was a match which promised every hope of happiness." In The Dinosaur Hunters: A True Story of Scientific Rivalry and the Discovery of the Prehistoric World (US release: The Terrible Lizard: The First Dinosaur Hunters and the Birth of a New Science) Ms Cadbury took this reader on a wondrous journey into the 19th century to experience the dawning of incredible discoveries, distinct examples of eccentricities of genius minds and even a New Year's Eve society dinner in the belly of an Iguanodon. That was quite a book I can assure you that has become a treasured reference on my shelves and introduced me to this author's supreme talent with narrative writing that paints a scene and uses the collected quotes of the past to make history come alive in the reader's mind. Well, she has done it again and no shame will be placed on the reader if you open Queen Victoria's Matchmaking: The Royal Marriages that Shaped Europe with only the vaguest memory of names from childhood lessons (that we as adults sorely sometimes wish we paid closer attention to or had different teachers at that crucial time of curiosity). Let Ms Cadbury be your guide as she takes you back to swirling balls, carriage rides into the rocky inclines and slippery slopes of matchmaking of Queen Victoria's extended family and learn a new connection of royalty or form your own opinion what led to the thunders of wars, revolt and fall of royal houses and empires. For this reader who admits to still catching up with the historic topics she missed in her younger days, Queen Victoria's Matchmaking: The Royal Marriages that Shaped Europe was a work I needed to complete my own history re-education. I may have started with historical fiction to form a simple picture of a figure of the past but with each non-fiction work, I can mentally add those same names to a growing list of understanding and recognition when I read their own preserved words and this only makes me want to continue onto other types of fiction and biographies. That's the final joy of reading such a comprehensive title and this book certainly provided that for me. I wish though there would have been some type of family tree added but then again that went oddly in my favor as I enjoyed exploring on my own and slowly piecing those remaining mysteries of connections together. In regards to everything presented, I did find a couple slow spots and (forgive me) I was more interested in getting to other sections or matches than others but patience was the key to unlocking my ultimate reward which came only a few weeks ago when I found the small screen movie The Lost Prince (an excellent poignant film I recommend to all interested in this era) and I knew every name, what role they played or what was to befall them in the first and last hours of WWI and how the grandmother of Europe helped to shape those displayed marriages and her ultimate lost efforts on peace. With thanks to NetGalley and Perseus Books, PublicAffairs who kindly sent me an Advanced Reader Copy. -EGP/January 2018 Comments are closed.
|
Currently Reading:
Also listening to:
Disclaimers
In accordance with FTC Guidelines, I disclose how I obtained every title for review at As The Final Page Turns (whether that be by ARC, purchased (on nook, kindle or specially ordered hardbacks) Audible version or simply borrowed at my local library). Please note: titles reviewed that are ARCS (Advanced Reader Copies) are free review copies of books that are given by publishers (these ARCS can be found at NetGalley or Edelweiss). Categories
All
28th of January 2023) NOTES/COMBINATIONS and Stones CURRENTLY ON THE HUNT FOR: Naughty Licorice/Star Anise Cardamom Cardamom Cake with Roses Smoky Honey & Leather Leather and Florals Pomegranate Colder Tuberose scents Smoked Florals with Cinnamon and Honey Graham Cracker and Incense Double strand of Rose Quartz or Moonstones or Black Tourmaline Chainmaille Jewellery Houses of Fragrance and Interest on the Horizon (shops that contain such temptations): LurkerAndStrange Good Spirit Wolf Rapt In Maille ToadStoolSoaps DSH Perfume Baphomet&Co Harvest Moon Haven Granny Hootenanny's Shop
|