Queen Victoria (British History in Perspective) [Paperback]

Walter L. Arnstein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 19, 2005

Dead for little more than one hundred years, Queen Victoria has already been the subject of more biographies than any other woman born since 1800. This newest biography from a well known historian is justified and distinguished by the incorporation of recent research on often-neglected aspects of her life and reign, as well as its relative brevity. Including much of Victoria's own writings from journals and letters, Arnstein takes a thorough look at her personal life and religious views, but also investigates her public role such as her involvement with Britain's army, her political initiatives and her connections with Ireland. The author's solid understanding of Victorian society and its relationship to the queen gives this book a solidarity missing in other biographies of the queen. The book provides enough economic, social, cultural and political background knowledge to make this book accessible even to readers unfamiliar with her now distant world.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

College professor Arnstein acknowledges the high number of biographies of the longest-reigning British monarch--an understandable situation, given that "more than one hundred years after her death, her personality continues to fascinate." His book is distinguished by its fairness and cogency. Princess Victoria assumed the throne at age 18, when the reputation of the British royal family was at the lowest level imaginable. Her father, the fourth son of George III, died when she was an infant; her mother brought her up in a fashion "both simple and spare," restricting her every movement. But the death of Princess Victoria's uncle William IV in 1837 elevated her to the throne and thus opened up her cloistered existence. Arnstein is particularly insightful in revealing to general readers the good nature and influence of the queen's beloved consort, Prince Albert, and the work she continued to perform behind the scenes during her long years as a reclusive widow. Eminently suitable for any active history collection. Brad Hooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Provides a well-rounded portrait of the queen while at the same time highlighting relatively little known aspects of her life...This is a sharply observed and excellently written book." --History Today

 

"Wise, based on extensive research, and blissfully concise, Queen Victoria is richly illuminating on both her political and personal life. For scholars, students, as well as those who enjoy a good read, this is a book to be savored."--Peter Stansky, Stanford University

 

"For readers seeking a compact life of Queen Victoria, this biography is just the thing." --The Historian

 

"The greatest strength of this particular treatment of Victoria's life is that it is useful for a wide audience.  Experts will read it with informed pleasure.  General readers will be fascinated by the almost endless array of pageant and drama that was nineteenth century Britain, presented in a seemingly effortless style." -- History: Reviews of New Books

 

"The book is not too long yet is rich in information about Victoria's personal life and about her reign."--Sally Weeks, Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette

 

"His book is distinguished by its fairness and cogency."--Brad Hooper, Booklist

 

"The book amply reflects Professor Arnstein's deep knowledge of the Victorian era--the product of many years of teaching and research. Consequently the activities of Victoria and her circle are not just ably narrated but also clearly contextualized." -- English Historical Review

 

"The first royal biography written by a professional historian...and as such is an outstanding and pioneering example of how historically-informed royal biography can--and should--be written for the modern period." -- David Cannadine, University of London

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (May 19, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0333638077
• ISBN-13: 978-0333638071
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #355,296 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Historical > British > Queen Victoria

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Short Biography of Queen Victoria, October 24, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Queen Victoria (British History in Perspective) (Hardcover)

Queen Victoria has more biographies written about her than any woman born after 1800. This biography takes note of the work done in the past and tries to fill in where the author thinks previous works have been lacking. She is a paradoxical monarch who is largely misunderstood. Becoming Queen in 1837 at the tender age of 18, her 64 year reign would span one of the greatest periods of cultural evolution in history. Europe was also unusually peaceful during this period. A shrewed politian, Victoria was the last British monarch to wield great authority. To help explain the "Victorian" zietgiest, a large portion is devoted to the relationship between Victoria and her Husband, Prince Albert. This book's greatest weakness is it's greatest asset: it is short (many other biographies are published in large volumes). At the expence of the druging details of history, he provides a biography that is both interesting and manageable. In the author's own words, he aims to "whet the readers appitite for more and to alert that same reader to the books and articles in which additional historical nourishment may be found." (p.13) A great book, an easy read; 4.5 out of 5 stars.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Drawing upon past studies and research, June 12, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Queen Victoria (British History in Perspective) (Hardcover)

Written by a Professor Emeritus of History of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Queen Victoria is an engaging expose of both the private and public life of the princess who inherited Britain's throne as a teenager and became the strong guiding figure and symbolic head of the largest empire in the world. Drawing upon past studies and research as well as Victoria's own writings to illuminate her not only as a ruler, but as a human being gripped by concerns ranging from gender roles and religion to political machinations and the state of Ireland. An excellently researched and presented portrayal of one of the strongest and most influential women of history.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars glimpse into a part of history, April 5, 2008

By 

Donna F. Pitcock "foxy book lady" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Queen Victoria (British History in Perspective) (Paperback)

When you think of Queen Victoria, sometimes you visulize a cold and distant monarch. This book looks into to life of a very young queen and how her impact influenced a 3 generations. It will help the reader understand the English family and monarchy. Paced well and very enjoyable. It will be time well spent. Donna Pitcock