Customer Reviews

GILDED PRISM: The Konstantinovichi Grand Dukes & the Last Years of the Romanov Dynasty

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

The Konstantinovichi Grand Dukes include a number of important people in the Romanov family in the 19th century that you tend to keep bumping into in histories of the era. However, until now they have never warranted a biography of their own, and this book makes it abundantly clear what we have been missing out on.

The story of the Konstantinovichi begins with the birth of Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolaievich to Emperor Nicholas 1 in 1827 and follows the fate of his descendants in Russia till the revolution in 1918. It's a family story full of eccentrics, madness, untold riches and privileges and tragedy.

This is a well written book and it's narrative flows easily keeps the reader engaged. It is also well sourced with abundant references as to sources of information. Even if you have read a lot of other Romanov books you are bound to find a lot of new information in this book. It takes you through the better known members of the family such as the senior Grand Dukes as well as the stories of all their children and throws a light on Romanov family members often overlooked in other books. If you like royalty books or books on Imperial Russia this one is well worth reading.

This is an excellent book. Once again Greg King and Penny Wilson have done an outstanding job. There are many wonderful photos as well as information on the family of Grand Duke Konstantine Konstantinovich and his nine tragic children. Bring on Guilded Prism II. Thank you for a great book.

On the whole, Greg King tends to do his best work in conjunction with Penny Wilson. I enjoy all of his books, but I confess that most of the information is not new, but is indeed beautifully written.

This book is all new and very well researched. I have collected many pieces regarding the Romanov family and this is a cherished gem. King's biography on Alexandra was beautiful, but nothing new. King's Book on the Last Court of the Tsar was marvelous. Though written in a below the stairs aspect, it still opens up new areas/topics.

The Konstantinovitchi were a bright light in the Romanov dynasty. This book explores and captures the lives, loves, troubles, demons of each individual of this remarkable family.