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Brief History of the House of Windsor
The British monarchy may be over a thousand years old, but the House of Windsor dates only from 1917, when, in the middle of the First World War that was to see the demise of the major thrones of continental Europe, it rebranded itself from the distinctly Germanic Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to the homely and familiar Windsor.
By redefining its loyalties to identify with its people and country rather than the princes, kings and emperors of Europe to whom it was related by birth and marriage, it set the monarchy on the path of adaptation, making itself relevant and allowing it to survive.
Since then, the fine line trodden by the House of Windsor between ancient and modern, grandeur and thrift, splendour and informality, remoteness and accessibility, and influence and neutrality has left it more secure and its appeal more universal today than ever.
By redefining its loyalties to identify with its people and country rather than the princes, kings and emperors of Europe to whom it was related by birth and marriage, it set the monarchy on the path of adaptation, making itself relevant and allowing it to survive.
Since then, the fine line trodden by the House of Windsor between ancient and modern, grandeur and thrift, splendour and informality, remoteness and accessibility, and influence and neutrality has left it more secure and its appeal more universal today than ever.
275 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 26, 2014
As with the last book that I read, this book is verbose and dry. At the outset, I found the subject interesting and felt that I could look beyond this setback, but as I read further and especially when I got to the chapter on Prince Charles, I found that it could not redeem itself. This is supposed to be a brief history on the Royals, however it runs on about some things in the history and barely grazes the surface in other cases. Also, the author is very opinionated and injects his feelings and views into the book, which negates the book as a source of history since history deals with facts and not someone's opinions. I would not recommend this book to anyone who wants historical facts about the Royals.
May 13, 2018
Intersting
I found this book to be very interesting. It was filled with facts that while some were known others weren't. Each chapter is a different King or queen and was very in-depth on the information.
I found this book to be very interesting. It was filled with facts that while some were known others weren't. Each chapter is a different King or queen and was very in-depth on the information.
September 14, 2018
A Warm Review of History and Culture
Four star opinion of significant heritage and history. The book promotes a subjective opinion (while illustrating perceptive ☺). The work was appreciated.
Four star opinion of significant heritage and history. The book promotes a subjective opinion (while illustrating perceptive ☺). The work was appreciated.
January 20, 2015
I find the Royals interesting and thought this would be a fun read.
The book started by telling us that the Windsors came into being in 1917 during World War I ... that's when King George V changed his family name from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to the less German-sounding Windsor. What follows is a chapter on the last four kings and queens and the two future kings:
* George V (1910 to 1936)
* Edward VIII (January to December 1936) - he abdicated for the woman he loved
* George VI (1936 to 1952) - the king in The King's Speech
* Elizabeth II (1952 to present)
* Prince Charles
* Prince William
Though dry at times, I liked that the author gave a high level background on them and wasn't too detailed. But I also liked that sometimes it read kind of gossipy ... he wasn't kind sometimes in describing the Royals as dumb, spoiled and self-serving. But he also told of positive qualities and the good the Royals do/did.
It was interesting to read how the Royals were raised and educated and how that's changed over the years ... things are so different for William and Harry than they were for the those in the past. Royals weren't allowed to laugh or even smile in public ... now the young Royals are having fun at concerts and sporting events. The rules are less strict in finding a spouse.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2015/01...
The book started by telling us that the Windsors came into being in 1917 during World War I ... that's when King George V changed his family name from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to the less German-sounding Windsor. What follows is a chapter on the last four kings and queens and the two future kings:
* George V (1910 to 1936)
* Edward VIII (January to December 1936) - he abdicated for the woman he loved
* George VI (1936 to 1952) - the king in The King's Speech
* Elizabeth II (1952 to present)
* Prince Charles
* Prince William
Though dry at times, I liked that the author gave a high level background on them and wasn't too detailed. But I also liked that sometimes it read kind of gossipy ... he wasn't kind sometimes in describing the Royals as dumb, spoiled and self-serving. But he also told of positive qualities and the good the Royals do/did.
It was interesting to read how the Royals were raised and educated and how that's changed over the years ... things are so different for William and Harry than they were for the those in the past. Royals weren't allowed to laugh or even smile in public ... now the young Royals are having fun at concerts and sporting events. The rules are less strict in finding a spouse.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2015/01...
March 13, 2015
I needed a break from the book I am currently reading so when I came across this one I thought it would fit the bill nicely: short, informative and entertaining. It was perfect for me; detailed enough to be interesting throughout, but not too heavy on politics, dates, treaties, and wars.
I’m a Royalphile and I’ve read many bios on the Royal Family, but so far none about Queen Mary and George V so I especially enjoyed the section that covered their reign. As for the rest of the group, although I can’t say I learned anything new, I was engaged all the way through since I am naturally so drawn to the topic.
I’m a Royalphile and I’ve read many bios on the Royal Family, but so far none about Queen Mary and George V so I especially enjoyed the section that covered their reign. As for the rest of the group, although I can’t say I learned anything new, I was engaged all the way through since I am naturally so drawn to the topic.
February 2, 2016
Really interesting about:
George V
Edward III
George VI
Elizabeth II
Charles, Prince of Wales
William (and Kate)
George V
Edward III
George VI
Elizabeth II
Charles, Prince of Wales
William (and Kate)
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews