Victoria's Daughters

Rating:
Summary: a fantastic way to learn more about history
Review: This was a fantastic way to learn more about the late 18th and early 19th Centuries. I have to admit that although I have a master's degree in history, my major focus has always been ancient history, particularly ancient Near Eastern history (I was one of those people who felt that "modern history" meant everything after 1200 BC.--yes, BC.). Only just lately have I begun to follow up intriguing trails through other periods. Some time ago, I began to realize that one could really gain incredible insight into the events of an era by studying peripherals: the history of countries peripheral to the main stage, side issues like trade, crafts, and long distance contacts, and the women and others behind the main historical figures, etc. Jerrold Packard's book Victoria's Daughters seemed to be just the book I needed to learn about a period in time about which I knew next to nothing, the late 19th Century.

At first it seemed as though the book would be more about Queen Victoria herself than about her daughters. As I read on, though, I realized that the oddity of Victoria's succession to the throne had much to do with the lives of her daughters, as did her early life and her own upbringing. Furthermore, it is against her long life and protracted reign that not only the events in her daughters' lives were measured and chronicled but those of most of the lives of the world's population. There was a reason that most of the 19th Century was labeled "the Victorian era!"

In the past I had given very little thought about the connections that existed throughout European history or about what actually brought about the events that occurred during the turn of the century. I knew of course that the Tsarina of Russia was "Victoria's granddaughter" and a "Prussian princess," but I hardly gave thought to what that really meant. Nicholas and Alexandra were charismatic historical figures in their own right. They were a fairy tale couple, much in love, with a cozy little family living the life of a Russian folktale, and their poetic tale came to a tragic but colorful and certainly very memorable finish. End of story, or so it seemed to me. One knows about World War I, I suppose, and all the people that died in trenches of disease and exposure and mustard gas and enemy fire. One has heard of Bismark and Wilhelm II and Lord Mountbattan, but they're all just interesting names, names one memorizes to answer our world history tests, right? Not when one reads Mr. Packard's story of the children of Queen Victoria.

Each of the daughters, Victoria, Alice, Helena, Louise, and Beatrice had a unique relationship with their mother. Because of whom and what she was, Victoria's was not a particularly warm and maternal presence in their lives. When she was a presence at all, she was distant, self-centered, imperious, and controlling. Unfortunately some of this early relationship translated into problems with parent-child interactions when the girls had children of their own. Lest anyone think that women do not have an impact on the course of history because they don't lead armies into battle--often anyway--one only need read about the relationships between some of these women and their children. That between Victoria, "Vicky," and her eldest son, Willy--later Wilhelm II--will quickly disabuse one of the notion.

Furthermore, the five girls were married into some of the key families of Europe. The titles of each and their in-laws read like a who's who of European nobility, and their sons and daughters became kings, queens, and dukes, many of whom ended up on opposite sides of wars in Europe during the late 19th and early 20th century. The tangled web of personal relationships, treaties, and ambitions ultimately brought about World War I.

I was especially entranced with the intimate detail woven into the stories of each of the women. The author mined diaries, extensive family correspondence, and biographies written about each to create very personal characterizations. The reader becomes as engaged in the story of their lives as in those of fictional characters; one just does feels connected.

FOR THOSE WRITING PAPERS: in history, anthropology, political science, sociology. One might use this book to discuss the limitations of women of the upper classes at the time and their effects on history. One might look at individuals like Alice, who became a follower of the practices of Florence Nightengale, or her sister Louise, who was an accomplished and professional sculptor, who attempted to break out of the social mold of the time to create an identity and existence of their own. What types of role models did they make for others? What changes did they bring about in society? How did they set the stage for our own era? Might the events of WWI been less likely to have happened if the relationships between countries had been based on less personal grounds? Did the relationships between these women and their children and spouses affect the course of events significantly? Or would they have happened anyway? Would they have happened for the same reasons? How was this era a transitional time?

Rating:
Summary: a fantastic way to learn more about history
Review: This was a fantastic way to learn more about the late 18th and early 19th Centuries. I have to admit that although I have a master's degree in history, my major focus has always been ancient history, particularly ancient Near Eastern history (I was one of those people who felt that "modern history" meant everything after 1200 BC.--yes, BC.). Only just lately have I begun to follow up intriguing trails through other periods. Some time ago, I began to realize that one could really gain incredible insight into the events of an era by studying peripherals: the history of countries peripheral to the main stage, side issues like trade, crafts, and long distance contacts, and the women and others behind the main historical figures, etc. Jerrold Packard's book Victoria's Daughters seemed to be just the book I needed to learn about a period in time about which I knew next to nothing, the late 19th Century.

At first it seemed as though the book would be more about Queen Victoria herself than about her daughters. As I read on, though, I realized that the oddity of Victoria's succession to the throne had much to do with the lives of her daughters, as did her early life and her own upbringing. Furthermore, it is against her long life and protracted reign that not only the events in her daughters' lives were measured and chronicled but those of most of the lives of the world's population. There was a reason that most of the 19th Century was labeled "the Victorian era!"

In the past I had given very little thought about the connections that existed throughout European history or about what actually brought about the events that occurred during the turn of the century. I knew of course that the Tsarina of Russia was "Victoria's granddaughter" and a "Prussian princess," but I hardly gave thought to what that really meant. Nicholas and Alexandra were charismatic historical figures in their own right. They were a fairy tale couple, much in love, with a cozy little family living the life of a Russian folktale, and their poetic tale came to a tragic but colorful and certainly very memorable finish. End of story, or so it seemed to me. One knows about World War I, I suppose, and all the people that died in trenches of disease and exposure and mustard gas and enemy fire. One has heard of Bismark and Wilhelm II and Lord Mountbattan, but they're all just interesting names, names one memorizes to answer our world history tests, right? Not when one reads Mr. Packard's story of the children of Queen Victoria.

Each of the daughters, Victoria, Alice, Helena, Louise, and Beatrice had a unique relationship with their mother. Because of whom and what she was, Victoria's was not a particularly warm and maternal presence in their lives. When she was a presence at all, she was distant, self-centered, imperious, and controlling. Unfortunately some of this early relationship translated into problems with parent-child interactions when the girls had children of their own. Lest anyone think that women do not have an impact on the course of history because they don't lead armies into battle--often anyway--one only need read about the relationships between some of these women and their children. That between Victoria, "Vicky," and her eldest son, Willy--later Wilhelm II--will quickly disabuse one of the notion.

Furthermore, the five girls were married into some of the key families of Europe. The titles of each and their in-laws read like a who's who of European nobility, and their sons and daughters became kings, queens, and dukes, many of whom ended up on opposite sides of wars in Europe during the late 19th and early 20th century. The tangled web of personal relationships, treaties, and ambitions ultimately brought about World War I.

I was especially entranced with the intimate detail woven into the stories of each of the women. The author mined diaries, extensive family correspondence, and biographies written about each to create very personal characterizations. The reader becomes as engaged in the story of their lives as in those of fictional characters; one just does feels connected.

FOR THOSE WRITING PAPERS: in history, anthropology, political science, sociology. One might use this book to discuss the limitations of women of the upper classes at the time and their effects on history. One might look at individuals like Alice, who became a follower of the practices of Florence Nightengale, or her sister Louise, who was an accomplished and professional sculptor, who attempted to break out of the social mold of the time to create an identity and existence of their own. What types of role models did they make for others? What changes did they bring about in society? How did they set the stage for our own era? Might the events of WWI been less likely to have happened if the relationships between countries had been based on less personal grounds? Did the relationships between these women and their children and spouses affect the course of events significantly? Or would they have happened anyway? Would they have happened for the same reasons? How was this era a transitional time?

Rating:
Summary: One Mother, Five Daughters, One Enduring Legacy
Review: Vicky, Alice, Lenchen, Louise and Beatrice were the mothers of the royal dynasties throughout Europe, making their mother Victoria the doyenne of the continent's royal courts. Among the notable offspring were Vicky's son Kaiser Wilhem II, Alice's daughter Tsarina Alexandra, Vicky's daughter Queen Sophie of Greece and Beatrice's daughter Queen Ena of Spain. While Victoria's sons belonged to Great Britain, her daughters were a way for Victoria and Albert to spread their influence over the continent.

I questioned why the author restricted his scope to just the daughters, but this made more sense with an explanation of Prince Albert's dreams for a more liberal Europe through the marriage of his daughters into ruling families. These plans were altered with his untimely death and Victoria needed to find another companion and private secretary, a role she demanded her daughters play.

There is a confusing layout to the narrative. The book is arranged chronologically and the author tries to tell each daughter's story individually, but the lives of the daughters overlap. There will be a long section detailing Vicky's life for about a decade, including a visit from her sister Alice, then in the next section he moved back by a decade and starts describing Alice's life for the same time period, including a visit to her sister Vicky, and at the end there's a description of what Victoria did in the same time period. Despite all the backtracking, the final product is a complete account of the lives and relationships of the daughters.

One thing that surprised me was a generally positive portrayal of Bertie, the eldest brother who eventually became Edward VII. We all know him as the philanderer whose affairs were widely known. But within the framework of his family, Bertie emerges as a family peacemaker and diplomat in adulthood who helps reconcile Victoria and the siblings during family squabbles.

Overall, this book was very enjoyable and easy to read and it's sparked an interest in the Victorian age. I'm eager to read more about Victoria's sons and their children.

Rating:
Summary: Victoria's Daughters Have Secrets to Share!
Review: Victoria's Daughters is wonderful escapist reading for all of us Anglophilic Royalty acolytes who enjoy learning more about
Queen Victoria.
Each of the five daughters of Victoria were different in their attitudes and interests. Vicky was the oldest child who was intellectual whose wit was acerbic and whose opinions well stated. Vicky also became the mother of Kaiser Wilhelm II of World War One fame. He was a real stinker who ever failed to get along with Vicky and her saintly spouse Fredrick (his horrible death from throat cancer is well chronciled in this work).
Daughter Alice wed into the Hesse royal house and was noted for her nursing and charity efforts.
Linchen was the third daughter noted for being plump and plain. Nevetheless she was stalwart in nursing and caring for her egocentric mother.
In my opinion, the most likable of Victoria's daughters was Louise. The childless wife for 43 years to the Duke of Argylle this redoubtable lady was loved for her career in Canada where her husband served as governor general. Louise also was a sculptor of some renown and attended art school outside of palace walls. She was the most liberal, artistic and lovable of the old queen's daughters.
The last daughter was Beatrice whose death in late 1943 ended an era and a way of life lost amid the rubble of destruction wrought in a World War II European society. Beatrice was a good woman who faithful to her husband and served her mother with adoring care (she did do history a disservice when she destroyed many of Victoria's letters!).
The quintent of Victoria's daughters were basically good persons who lacked any true brilliance. They are remember for who they were as daughters of Victoria and Albert.
Some readers will get lost amid all the names and European dynasties surveyed. While this book is not for everyone those who want to learn more about the important Victorian era and how royalty lived a century ago may wish to turn Edward Elgar on the CD player, prop up one's feet and enjoy flipping the pages of this well written and researched book.

Rating:
Summary: Victoria's Daughters Have Secrets to Share!
Review: Victoria's Daughters is wonderful escapist reading for all of us Anglophilic Royalty acolytes who enjoy learning more about
Queen Victoria.
Each of the five daughters of Victoria were different in their attitudes and interests. Vicky was the oldest child who was intellectual whose wit was acerbic and whose opinions well stated. Vicky also became the mother of Kaiser Wilhelm II of World War One fame. He was a real stinker who ever failed to get along with Vicky and her saintly spouse Fredrick (his horrible death from throat cancer is well chronciled in this work).
Daughter Alice wed into the Hesse royal house and was noted for her nursing and charity efforts.
Linchen was the third daughter noted for being plump and plain. Nevetheless she was stalwart in nursing and caring for her egocentric mother.
In my opinion, the most likable of Victoria's daughters was Louise. The childless wife for 43 years to the Duke of Argylle this redoubtable lady was loved for her career in Canada where her husband served as governor general. Louise also was a sculptor of some renown and attended art school outside of palace walls. She was the most liberal, artistic and lovable of the old queen's daughters.
The last daughter was Beatrice whose death in late 1943 ended an era and a way of life lost amid the rubble of destruction wrought in a World War II European society. Beatrice was a good woman who faithful to her husband and served her mother with adoring care (she did do history a disservice when she destroyed many of Victoria's letters!).
The quintent of Victoria's daughters were basically good persons who lacked any true brilliance. They are remember for who they were as daughters of Victoria and Albert.
Some readers will get lost amid all the names and European dynasties surveyed. While this book is not for everyone those who want to learn more about the important Victorian era and how royalty lived a century ago may wish to turn Edward Elgar on the CD player, prop up one's feet and enjoy flipping the pages of this well written and researched book.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating study of Queen Victoria's legacy.
Review: When most of us think of the daughter's of Queen Victoria, we think of the tragedy wrought throughout the royal families of Europe by the hemophiliac gene passed by the queen's female descendents. "Victoria's Daughters" amply proves that there is much more to learn about these 5 fascinating and very different women. Jerrold Packard explores their lives from cradle to grave and offers much insight into how their formative years shaped the destiny of modern Europe. Victoria and her husband Albert raised their elder daughters with the expectation that they would marry into other royal families and help spread their father's conception of a constitutional monarchy across the Continent. Despite (or perhaps because of) their earnest efforts, quite the opposite happened. In many ways, the younger daughters had an even more difficult task. They were expected to devote their lives to the service of their demanding widowed mother and each had to struggle for a measure of independence, including the right to marry. All five did eventually marry and several bred offspring that would rule throught the courts of Europe in the early 20th century.

Packard is an adept historical biographer, and he skillfully compares and contrasts the lives of the 5 daughters. His research has been extensive. Given the voluminous correspondence between Victoria and her daughters, this was no doubt a daunting task. However, he frequently opines as to what any one of the daughters was thinking in response to a given incident; it is difficult todistinguish which come from his suppositions and which are based upon actual statements in the historical records. In the same vein, Packard tends to state his congectures about how the daughters might have changed history as given facts. For example, he is quite definitive in stating that if Vicki had been less demanding of "Willy" (Kaiser Wilhelm II) during his childhood, the course of the 20th centrury would have been drastically different. While that might be true, there's also reason to believe that Willy's mental instability and Bismark's political maneuvering would have yield the same results regardless. Nevertheless, this is a thoroughly readable and very enlightening book.

Rating:
Summary: Historically interesting account of Queen Victoria's daugher
Review: While I find a great historical value in this book, I also find it very difficult to read (too many parenthetical sentences makes for very uneven reading). I find myself having to reread many sentences and/or paragraphs in order to understanding what the author is saying. Also, it would have been beneficial to have included Queeen Victoria's family tree...Could have reduced much explanation by the author.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating and comprehensive
Review: With a mother like Victoria, it's amazing that her five daughters even HAD lives, let alone got on with them! This unique multiple biography of the well-known and less known daughters of an equally fascinating mother brings to life an era we have left behind. Brilliant Vicky, "grave Alice," bland Helena, feisty Louise and hapless Beatrice emerge from the daunting shadow of the "grandmother of European royalty" to shine on their own. It would have been nice to have had more pictures of the daughters at various stages of their lives.