Bertie: A Life Of Edward VII (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
This is a very thorough, well researched biography of King Edward of Great Britian who ruled from the late 1890s (or so) to the early 1900s. It details his relationships with his mother, wife, and mistresses. Queen Victoria, his mother, was quite a piece of work! She was super critical of him, and he didn't help matters when he caused scandal after scandal. He was a "playboy prince" but then when he became king, he matured into the role and helped walk a fine line of staying out of politics so as not to create ire toward the idea of a monarchy but also get involved in politics in other countries so as to establish important foreign policies. The author notes how King Edward has not always, in the histories of the time, been given his rightful due and respect for some of the things he accomplished. It was an interesting read, and kept my attention. I enjoyed this biography.I won this copy in one of the Goodreads giveaways. When I began reading this very long book, I despaired of ever finishing it, and yet that is what I managed to do. The author made King Edward's life so fascinating that I was drawn along for the ride. And what a ride it was!In truth, this so-called biography was actually a thorough examination of Queen Victoria's family down through two or three generations. Victoria comes off as something of a nutter -- think Howard Hughes with her insistence that any messages be slid under her door so she would not have to encounter real people. She was constantly worrying about "Berty"'s inadequacies, oblivious to the fact that she was not doing the job that was expected of her. The prince's suave, urbane manner was successful in smoothing over diplomatic tensions in France -- an approach that the quarrelsome Victoria would never have been able to accomplish herself.With a mother like that, I soon began to realize that Edward's passive aggression toward her was the only way he had of staying sane. The author's thoroughness also led to a discussion of Kaiser Wilhelm II's strange mindset. The Queen had opportunities to influence him in beneficial ways, but she had the wrong temperament for it. Is it possible that Edward might have been able to turn around the growing hostility between England and Germany had he succeeded his mother early than he did? No one knows, but it's fascinating to understand the way in which this growing extended family led to world apocalypse.
What do You think about Bertie: A Life Of Edward VII (2012)?
Very interesting and thorough account of the Bertie's life. Very readable and well-documented.
—anica
A nice biography of Bertie but I did not learn anything I essentially had not known before.
—chris
So good! An eminently readable history book.
—holowek
