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Overview
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.
Synopsis
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.
Editorials
From the Publisher
"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