What do you think?
Rate this book
The Reign of Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria remains one of the greatest figures in British history, not simply because of the tremendous position which she occupied for so long, but because she was in so many ways herself an extraordinary character.
From the day when as a young girl of eighteen she succeeded to the throne she showed that a constitutional monarch could still have a will of her own and that her words could make statesmen tremble.
In this classic biography Hector Bolitho analyses the phases of the Queen's life; her childhood and upbringing, her all too brief married life with Albert, the years of' retirement behind the great walls of Windsor and the more remote fastnesses of Deeside.
Although Bolitho calls his book ‘The Reign of Queen Victoria’, his work is essentially a record of a remarkable woman and her husband, their personal lives and characters, rather than a political history of her reign.
It describes the childhood and youth of Victoria and Albert in alternate chapters so that the reader can see the two growing up side by side yet independently, and can trace the gradual evolution of their characters in isolation until they come together.
The expansion of the Prince's influence, first over the Queen, then on successive Cabinets and Prime Ministers, and finally on every aspect of the national life, is traced, and the importance of his reforming zeal is clearly brought out, particularly in its lasting influence on Victoria herself, which controlled to the end the more irrational elements of her character.
Praise for Hector Bolitho:
‘Flowing and lively’ – Cobden Sanderson on ‘Albert, Prince Consort’
Hector Bolitho (1897-1974) was born in New Zealand but settled in Britain, where he wrote over fifty books and worked as a freelance journalist. His other books include ‘Albert: Prince Consort’ and ‘A Penguin in the Eyrie’.
Endeavour Press is the UK’s leading independent publisher of digital books.
From the day when as a young girl of eighteen she succeeded to the throne she showed that a constitutional monarch could still have a will of her own and that her words could make statesmen tremble.
In this classic biography Hector Bolitho analyses the phases of the Queen's life; her childhood and upbringing, her all too brief married life with Albert, the years of' retirement behind the great walls of Windsor and the more remote fastnesses of Deeside.
Although Bolitho calls his book ‘The Reign of Queen Victoria’, his work is essentially a record of a remarkable woman and her husband, their personal lives and characters, rather than a political history of her reign.
It describes the childhood and youth of Victoria and Albert in alternate chapters so that the reader can see the two growing up side by side yet independently, and can trace the gradual evolution of their characters in isolation until they come together.
The expansion of the Prince's influence, first over the Queen, then on successive Cabinets and Prime Ministers, and finally on every aspect of the national life, is traced, and the importance of his reforming zeal is clearly brought out, particularly in its lasting influence on Victoria herself, which controlled to the end the more irrational elements of her character.
Praise for Hector Bolitho:
‘Flowing and lively’ – Cobden Sanderson on ‘Albert, Prince Consort’
Hector Bolitho (1897-1974) was born in New Zealand but settled in Britain, where he wrote over fifty books and worked as a freelance journalist. His other books include ‘Albert: Prince Consort’ and ‘A Penguin in the Eyrie’.
Endeavour Press is the UK’s leading independent publisher of digital books.
452 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 10, 2010
149 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
Hector Bolitho
136 books12 followers(Henry) Hector Bolitho was a New Zealand author, novelist and biographer.
Widely-travelled, he journeyed in the South Sea Islands in 1919 and then through New Zealand with the Prince of Wales in 1920. He travelled in Africa, Australia, Canada, America, and Germany in 1923-4, finally settling in Britain where he was to remain for the rest of his life.
On his arrival in Britain he worked as a freelance journalist. At the start of World War II he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) as an intelligence officer with the rank of squadron leader, editing the Royal Air Force Weekly Bulletin, which in 1941 became the Royal Air Force Journal. In 1942 he was appointed editor of the Coastal Command Intelligence Review.
He had 59 books published.
Widely-travelled, he journeyed in the South Sea Islands in 1919 and then through New Zealand with the Prince of Wales in 1920. He travelled in Africa, Australia, Canada, America, and Germany in 1923-4, finally settling in Britain where he was to remain for the rest of his life.
On his arrival in Britain he worked as a freelance journalist. At the start of World War II he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) as an intelligence officer with the rank of squadron leader, editing the Royal Air Force Weekly Bulletin, which in 1941 became the Royal Air Force Journal. In 1942 he was appointed editor of the Coastal Command Intelligence Review.
He had 59 books published.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 22, 2019
I absolutely love queen Victoria. Her love for Albert is one that is really beautiful. I have been to the summer house in the Isle of Wight and fell in love with their story there when I was a little girl. So it is amazing to read this book and to find out all about their history and discover lots of things that I didn’t know about. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read about one of our best monarchs.
July 22, 2019
Originally published in 1948, The Reign of Queen Victoria by Hector Bolitho was republished in time for Queen Victoria’s bicentenary. The book surprisingly begins with the relationship between Prince’s Albert’s parents, Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Princess Louise of Saxe Gotha Altenburg. Reading Princess Louise’s comments were by far the best part of the book for me.
However, the rest of the book is rather boring and quite judgemental, using words like “pathetic.” The wording rather put me off wanting to finish the book. Key events in Queen Victoria’s and Prince Albert’s family life are skipped over with a single sentence, for example, the birth of the Princess Royal, who also doesn’t receive a name in the book until after her brother has been born.
All in all, I’d say there are better books available on Queen Victoria’s reign.
However, the rest of the book is rather boring and quite judgemental, using words like “pathetic.” The wording rather put me off wanting to finish the book. Key events in Queen Victoria’s and Prince Albert’s family life are skipped over with a single sentence, for example, the birth of the Princess Royal, who also doesn’t receive a name in the book until after her brother has been born.
All in all, I’d say there are better books available on Queen Victoria’s reign.
October 22, 2020
In this long book, Queen Victoria's reign is spoken of little, or rather, it is spoken of in relation to the character of the protagonist, who is lovingly accompanied from her birth to her death. Since at the time European monarchies were a family business, the narrative extends to the other states, but at the heart of it all is her, the little girl raised by a mother more attentive to etiquette than to the soul, who ascended the throne the very day she left the nursery, who revealed, for better or worse, a character of steel. The book is dated, in its conception and way of presenting the information, yet it is a very pleasant narration that brings the reader closer to a character so far away in "social time".
March 2, 2018
Outstanding
For anyone who is interested in English history, especially the reign of Queen Victoria, this is the book for you. The author does a wonderful job of making complicated relationships easy to follow. He was also able to bring out the personality of a simple yet complex personality.
For anyone who is interested in English history, especially the reign of Queen Victoria, this is the book for you. The author does a wonderful job of making complicated relationships easy to follow. He was also able to bring out the personality of a simple yet complex personality.
July 29, 2018
A nice easy read, in chronological order, so the story flows well. I felt the early part of the book did rather concentrate on Albert rather than Victoria, especially bearing in mind the same author has also written a biography about him! It was interesting to see how closely she liaised with, and how much influence she had on, the ruling political parties and Prime Ministers of that era.
June 2, 2017
This was a very interesting look at one of the most fascinating British rulers, Victoria. The letters were particularly interesting as I had not seen/read those before.
**I received a copy from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a review**
**I received a copy from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a review**
December 9, 2018
I was looking for a good overview of the Age of Victoria and I found it in Mr. Bolitho's fine biography. It moved quickly with short chapters and this made for an enjoyable reading experience. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to understand Victoria and her Age better.
January 7, 2017
Victoria
An excellent biography of Queen Victoria. A myriad of information and an extra download offered at the end. An interesting read.
An excellent biography of Queen Victoria. A myriad of information and an extra download offered at the end. An interesting read.
November 13, 2017
Interesting read
It contained similar info to other sources one read. Lots of historical facts woven throughout. Interesting read for anyone fascinated by Victoria.
It contained similar info to other sources one read. Lots of historical facts woven throughout. Interesting read for anyone fascinated by Victoria.
February 18, 2018
Interesting book
Quite enjoyed this book only thing was felt it was drawn out in parts but otherwise quite a enjoyable book
Quite enjoyed this book only thing was felt it was drawn out in parts but otherwise quite a enjoyable book
August 23, 2021
Superb
Superb book really in depth insight in to the life and important moments in the Queen's life. Enjoyable read. I recommend it.
Superb book really in depth insight in to the life and important moments in the Queen's life. Enjoyable read. I recommend it.
December 23, 2015
I received this book from NetGallery in exchange for an honest review.
I love anything about Queen Victoria after watching the movie young victoria.
I really enjoyed reading her fathers letters I didn't know much about him before now. While I am 3/4 of the way through I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys Queen Victoria. Hector Bolitho did his research very well.
I love anything about Queen Victoria after watching the movie young victoria.
I really enjoyed reading her fathers letters I didn't know much about him before now. While I am 3/4 of the way through I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys Queen Victoria. Hector Bolitho did his research very well.
January 9, 2016
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. If you are interested in the history of Queen Victoria or the English Monarchy in general then this book is for you. It is very well written and she was just an all out fascinating woman. The author did a great job bringing Queen Victoria to life. Great job.
December 3, 2014
Wonderfully gripping account of a near-golden age
May 19, 2019
This was a great read that was broken up into short chapters, so it was easy to take a break and pick back up again. I learned so many new facts from this book and enjoyed it immensely!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews