Amazing & Extraordinary Facts: Royal Family Life

by Ruth Binney

Amazing and Extraordinary Facts: Royal Family Life unearths a wealth of curious truths about British royal domestic life, royal celebrations, royal etiquette, and how they have shaped history.

Delve into the more personal lives of the Royal family, past and present. From difficult childhoods to fashion icons, from love matches to divorces, and from unrehearsed coronations to assassination attempts and untimely deaths.

Curiosity about Britain’s rulers and their next of kin never seems to wane, and it is this compendium about the lives of the members of the Royal Family that makes this so utterly compelling.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, British Literature, Trivia

145 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2012

Reviews

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading anything about British royalty. So, I picked up this book and I was not disappointed. There were so many different facts about the different royalty that I did not previously know. I feel as though I got my monies worth from the book.
The organization of the book was odd to me it jumped around from monarch to monarch. But it kept my attention for the most part. The book almost seemed like it did not have any real organization besides the title of each "article". 
 The last section of quotes from each monarch I thought was unneeded. It did not really fit the book style and I thought it was only there to make the book longer.
Overall the book was a quick read and enjoyable. There is something for everyone in it and it covers many different aspects of monarchs lives. I just wished it was better organized.

[Erik Spohr · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decent.

[Yaaresse · Rating 3 out of 5]

As far as format, this book was a complete mess. There is no chronological order at all, and the topical order is loose at best. The illustrations look like fourth or fifth-generation photocopies.

In spite of that, it's a fun fast read. I don't care so much about who is rumored to have slept with whom or who had a bad tempter, but the parts about the history of the royal gardens (James II and his silkworms), the odd little gifts and treasures found in various castles and palaces, and the details of coronations and ceremonies was interesting. I knew there had been several attempts to harm Queen Victoria, but was amazed (and amused) at how many of them involved guns that weren't even loaded! Also, the idea of Mary, Queen of Scots, playing golf makes for a strange image.

I can't say I'd go out of my way to find this book or more like it, but if I ever get into a bar trivia game with Quirks of British Royalty as the subject, I'm ready.

[MariLee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picked up this book as a time-passer while traveling. Full of bits and anecdotes about British royalty, loosely grouped by topic. While I enjoyed reading the anecdotes, the organization of the book was a little off-putting (thus the 2 star rating). Rather than being grouped together by person, it's very loosely grouped by topic, jumping back and forth between people. Obviously keeping Elizabeth II and Queen Victoria straight are not a problem, but when talking about the various King Georges, it gets a little confusing.

[Chris Bedell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read, cute facts, many typos

This would be a perfect book for a teen or pre-teen wanting to read something educational and inviting. The information is presented in a chronological mess, certainly. But, it's not disorganized. The chapters follow themes. Unfortunately, there are way too many obvious typos. Sloppy editing. Second, the photos are ridiculously poor quality and detract from the narrative.

[Marvel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm going to write a book. Just get some history books - break the facts down into tidbits and get someone to publish it. Must have worked for the author as there are many of these little books around - about all different subjects. I don't think I'll be reading any others. :(

[Sherrie Henry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bits of stories from the Tudor age to today. Most I already knew, but there were some gems in there. However there is very little structure; some stories are loosely connected, but I would have rather read chronologically. It does get confusing between all the Georges.

[Teddi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of interesting facts but as the werent presented in any sort of order and mist without dates,it became hard to follow.
I'd have liked to see proper pictures included and not the drawings of photographs that were included.

[Kim Sheehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little snippets of different monarchs and how they related to their families. Of course, any monarch pre-Queen Victoria who isn't Henry VIII is a mystery to me.

[Alison Gail Dixon · Rating 1 out of 5]

All over the place

Chronologically scattered, skimming from one era to the next without depth nor detail. Fairly appalling and a complete waste of money.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good anecdotes and facts; most of which I have already about before though.

[MissyLynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly focusing on Queen Elizabeth II, but you get some on Queen Victoria, old mad King George and Henry VIII.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting vignettes, but as other reviewers have said, not much of a cohesive order. It was entertaining.

[Nate · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know why I expected a fantastic book, but I found this extremely unorganized (topics too broad) and quick brush-over with some dubious anecdotes.