book reviews Archives - History of Royal Women

Traitor King (The Scandalous Exile of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor)

Book Review: Traitor King: The Scandalous Exile of the Duke & Duchess of Windsor by Andrew Lownie

Wednesday, 22 November 2023, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

*contains affiliate links* The Duke and Duchess of Windsor spent their entire life together in exile after the Duke had abdicated as King Edward VIII in order to marry the twice-divorced Wallis. They were and still are strongly disliked, not in the least because of their apparent support of the Nazi regime. I won’t go [read more]

in the shadow of the empress nancy goldstone

Book Review: In the Shadow of the Empress by Nancy Goldstone

Monday, 18 September 2023, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

*contains affiliate links* Empress Maria Theresa was the ruler of the Habsburg lands from 1740 until her death in 1780 and was Holy Roman Empress by right of her husband, Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor. The couple had 16 children together, of which the future Queen of France – Marie Antoinette – was the youngest [read more]

Book Review: The daughters of Edward I by Kathryn Warner

Monday, 11 September 2023, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

*review copy* *contains affiliate links* King Edward I of England, who ruled from 1272 until 1307, went on to father many children with two wives. His first wife, Eleanor of Castile, bore the majority of his children, fourteen or perhaps even as much as sixteen. Of these five daughters and one son, the future King [read more]

Book News Week 36

Sunday, 3 September 2023, 0:00 Moniek Bloks 0

*contains affiliate links* Book News week 36: 4 September – 10 September 2023 The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth’s Legacy and the Future of the Crown Paperback – 5 September 2023 (US) Queen Elizabeth II: A Photographic Portrait Hardcover – 5 September 2023 (US) Queen Elizabeth II: A Celebration of Her Life and Reign in Pictures [read more]

under the spell of a myth stefan haderer

Book Review: Under the Spell of a Myth: Empress Sisi in Greece by Stefan Haderer

Wednesday, 16 August 2023, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

*contains affiliate links* Empress Elisabeth of Austria was well-known for her travels as she wished to spend as little time as possible with her husband in Vienna. One of her favourite destinations was Greece, and she even had a villa named the Achilleion built on Corfu. Unfortunately, she lost interest in the villa a few [read more]

mistresses of george i and ii catherine curzon

Book review: The Mistresses of George I & II: A Maypole & a Peevish Beast by Catherine Curzon

Monday, 10 July 2023, 6:00 Moniek Bloks 0

*contains affiliate links* *review copy* Melusine von der Schulenburg was the longtime mistress of King George I of Great Britain before he even succeeded as King. She gave birth to three daughters by George, although none of them were recognised by him. George’s wife, Sophia Dorothea of Celle had been imprisoned following their divorce in [read more]