2 comments about Eleanor of Provence: Queenship in Thirteenth-Century England.

1. I concur with the excellent synopsis given by the previous reviewer and can only add that Howell has the rare and welcome gift of being able to produce sound scholarship, meticulously documented from the primary sources, that is accessible to the general reader as well as the academic audience for whom the book is primarily intended. This book, while remaining free from tiresome jargon, nevertheless places the subject within current academic discussion very well. She provides a model that I hope will be emulated by future scholars.



2. Son of the troubled King John, Henry III inherited his father's impoverished kingdom when he was but nine years of age. At 28, Henry married Eleanor of Provence in Canterbury Cathedral on January 14, 1236. The match with the twelve-year-old daughter of Raymond Bergengar, count of Provence was intended to forge an alliance that would protect the southern part of Henry's Angevin empire. Eleanor had never met her bridegroom nor had she ever visited England prior to her marriage.

   Howell's biography of Eleanor of Provence looks at both the public and private aspects of Eleanor's life offering new insights into 13th century English history. Although it began as a dynastic match, Henry found in Eleanor a loving and supportive wife. She bore him nine children of whom four survived to adulthood. Yet in spite of the strength of their family life, Eleanor is remembered as one of the most despised of the English queens; in 1236 Londoners mobbed her barge and drove her to flee to the bishop of London's palace of St. Paul's. As she grows from child to woman we see Eleanor use the available avenues of power-patronage, arranged marriages, and ceremonial events- to benefit her family and her loyal corps of retainers who, throughout her life, formed the base of Eleanor's political strength. Indeed it was family relationships that were to be both the strength and weakness of Eleanor's queenship. Her devotion to her family and her single minded efforts to promote her foreign-born Savoyard relations put her at odds with the English nobility and eventually with her husband's family, all of whom were in competition for lands, titles, and lucrative marriages. As Howell comments, Eleanor "made intercession an art." However, throughout their marriage, Eleanor's support and connections to the French monarchy remained a key factor in Henry's ability to hold on to his throne. Howell gives a full picture of Eleanor of Provence; a woman of culture, complexity, loyalty and intelligence; but one unloved by her subjects. I would highly recommend it.

5 comments about Wilhelm II, Vol. 2: Emperor and Exile, 1900-1941 (Cecil, Lamar//Wilhelm II).

1. Lamar Cecil should be applauded for writing an objective biography of Wilhelm II. Whilst this volume is in keeping with the high standards of the first, I am a little bit disappointed that his life after his 1918 abdication is a bit too sketchy, possibly due to the fact that Wilhelm II managed to outlive most of his contemporaries. This book is not about Wilhelmine dilpomatic history, or the Great War, but a well researched treatise on the malignant effects of autocratic rule by an unstable, pompous incompetent.



2. One of the most critically acclaimed studies of Wilhelm II is Lamar Cecil�s two-volume biography (1989, 1996 ), deemed by one reviewer as �the best-available English treatment of the waning years of the last Kaiser� available. Cecil�s portrait of Wilhelm is largely critical: the emperor ruled �maladroitly,� throughout a �barren career that was without virtue or accomplishment� (ix); �bluster, rhetoric, and natural swagger cloaked a profound emptiness, for ignorance and self-indulgence were his primary characteristics.� (1). Cecil�s assessment of the Kaiser�s war role is no less disapproving. �Domestic issues rarely interested Wilhelm II,� he notes (191), and emphasizes that the Kaiser was far more enamored by foreign policy and military minutiae. Despite this martial enthusiasm, Wilhelm was �by nature peaceful,� (194) and opposed war in 1914, afraid that a European conflict would distract Germany from the internal threat of socialism.
   Once the war began, Cecil shows, Wilhelm�s function was symbolic and superficial, at least as far as the imperial army was concerned. He often resided close to the front, was occasionally exposed to hostile fire, and relished hearing the roar of the guns. Cecil makes it clear that the Kaiser�s duties were limited to sending telegrams, war zone tours, medal presentations and other purely ceremonial tasks��it was as empty an existence as he had had in peacetime.� Cecil flatly asserts that Wilhelm�s �part in the war, especially as it concerned the army, took a secondary place behind the role of his officers.� (210). He was for the most part shielded by his ubiquitous military entourage, fearful that his inability to �withstand the strains of warfare� would break him. �The Kaiser�s ignorance of the true nature of the struggle in which Germany was engaged,� Cecil frankly summarizes, �was profound and his utility to his military leaders quite limited.� He was in essence a figurehead, �content merely to hear and endorse� the opinions of his generals. Soon after the war began, Cecil concludes, Wilhelm became �a �shadow Kaiser� (schattenkaiser), out of sight, neglected, and relegated to the sidelines in imperial Germany�s hour of trial.� (212)

   This is the gold standard of Kaiser Wilhelm II biographies.




3. For a German history junkie, these volumes are a good 'fix'. The text is written humorously and yet fairly, without the usual bias one sees when "the victor writes the history". The analysis of the last Kaiser's life is placed in the context of the monarchical attitude of 19th century Europe, as well as the influence that his relatives in the British Empire had on his outlook. I've read the books twice. Without understanding at least some german it would be difficult to get the complete gist of what the author is trying to convey without it.



4. For the past several years Ihave been a student of late 19th and early 20th century Europe. A starting place had to be found, which is much easier said than done. My readings kept leading me back to Germany, i.e., Prussia. I only wish I had discovered Professor Cecil earlier. His two-part biography of Wilhelm II has proved indispensable. I can't fathom reading one volume without the other, but since this review speaks to Volume II, "Wilhelm II,Emperor and Exile, 1900-1941,we'll have a go. The best way to read Volume II is to read the last sentence of the book first, where Professor Cecil applies a paraphrase from the Duke of Wellington who was describing the late George IV. Cecil thusly applies it to Wilhelm: "a sovereign who lived and died without having been able to assert so much as a single claim on the gratitude of posterity." The joy of the book is getting to that last sentence. It's all in there: feuding with his uncle, King Edward VII of England; the "Mad Hare" Telegraph article; the absolute idiocy of the naval arms race with England;his ill-fated dependence on the rotting Habsburg Empire; his hatred of any form of parlimentary government; and finally his almost tragic descent when he had lost the confidence of German Military Command, members of his own family, and millions of the German people. Good books on Wilhelm are hard to find. This one, especially when taken with Volume I, is outstanding.



5. Lamar Cecil presents a suspenseful yet satisfying book in Willhelm II. Not only does he express the inner thoughts of Willhelm, yet shows a personal side which expresses the crown prince's poryphia stricken reduced him to a stalk raving mad wildabeast. Not only was he stalk raving mad, the wildabeast confronted his homosexual tendencies with Eulenburg and Walderee.

1 comments about House of the Turquoise Roof.

1. "House of the Turquoise Roof" is a fascinating look into Old Tibet. Customs and religious rituals are described and explained in a detail that provides a clear picture of life as it was for the Tibetan upper class families. The author is a keen observer, and in spite of the difficulties that were encountered in the book's creation, has still given a story well worth reading.

   Even the author's perspective, clearly influenced by the customs and manners she describes, serves to reinforce the picture that she paints. While the casual reader may find the lengthy and often similar Tibetan names to be confusing, the story in itself somehow transcends this minor difficulty.

   The reviewer only regrets that Mrs. Yuthok's associations were primarily limited to the Tibetan upper class and family servants; there is relatively little exploration of Tibetan peasant life, and in spite of Mrs. Yuthok's high family connections in government, little discussion of the political developments of the day.

   Still, for overall interest, this book is more than just "good," and the reviewer recommends that you sit down with a bag of popcorn and enjoy yourself.

2 comments about Who Killed Diana?.

1. I read this novel after reading the excellent "Whose death in the Tunnel?" by Aaron Becker. This book did not begin to compare. I read it to the end hoping for a glimmer but it left me cold.



2. Don't waste your money on this one. If you are really interested in conspiracies on Diana, go and surf the net. You'll get more than what you find in this book-and then some!

No comments about Five Stuart Princesses: Margaret Of Scotland, Elizabeth Of Bohemia, Mary Of Orange, Henrietta Of Orleans, Sophia Of Hanover.

No comments about Elizabeth and Mary: Cousins, Rivals, Queens.

No comments about THE UNRULY QUEEN: LIFE OF QUEEN CAROLINE.

2 comments about Invitation to a Royal Weddiing: Edward and Sophie, June 19, 1999.

1. I've got it, there's a lot of information (historical and biographical) here but I wasn't bowled over by it. The most valuable part may be the Sophie material that it contains, she hasn't been abused the way Diana was.



2. I have checked this book out so many times at my local libary I just may have to get a copy of this book for my own personal collection! the author has done other books about the wedding of Charles and Diana and Andrew and Sarah . They were very good books, yet this one is the absolute best one of them all! the stories about the couple are terrific, the pictures are senstional! a grand book to read if you are a fan of the royal family! highly recommened!

No comments about The Inventory of King Henry VIII: Transcript of the Inventory (Studies in Medieval and Early Renaissance Art History, 23) (Studies in Medieval and Early Renaissance Art History, 23).

5 comments about Anastasia: The Lost Princess.

1. I borrowed this book from the local library. There is just no way Anna Anderson was NOT Anastasia!
   
   As far as so-called DNA evidence and some of her relatives saying she was impostor--well, money talks!



2. This book is one of the worst I've read about Anna Anderson. Unlike others, I don't believe she was a deliberate imposter-I think she truly believed she was the Grand Duchess.
   
   However, it's not Lovell's belief in her that bothers me-it's his outlandish following of every fantasy the poor woman had. He only fed into her delusions, and the book only made her story less credible. Lovell took advantage of a vulnerable, mentally ill woman, which I find absolutely disgusting.
   
   While Anderson has found to be an imposter, her story is pretty fascinating, and terribly sad. If you really wish for a good book on her account, I suggest Peter Kurth's instead.



3. I was a bit hesitant in deciding whether or not Anna Anderson was really Anastasiaor just another impostor. Yes, there was the DNA evidence, but I have always been a faith person and everything I'd read so far suggested she knew the things that only Anastasia would.
   
   After reading this book, however, I'm convinced that Anna Anderson was NOT Anastasia. Thank God. Her behavior was so embarrassing for her to be a Grand Duchess. I'm sure Anastasia was not a perfect saint, but I'm still sorry that her name has been marred by this delusional lady.



4. This book is both an indepth study into the Imperial Family as it is Anna Anderson. Lovell is of course like all authors baised, but he does a good job presenting evidence for Anna Anderson being Anastasia.
   
   This book came out before the DNA tests, and actually raises some questions that have not been answered by the DNA tests.
   
   Additionally the Fifth Daughter story, is only a theory, one which even Lovell did not claim was true or false, but rather bizarre.
   
   If your looking for a bibliography of other Romanov books to read on the subject, this book has it. It will also give you information that you never knew before.
   
   Additionally Lovell is Anna Anderson's official biographer.
   
   A Must read.



5. I found this book to be totally biased. Even before DNA the case that Anna Anderson was Anastasia was extremely weak. In the Dalldorf Asylum Baroness Sophie Buxhoeveden said that she was neither Tatiana nor Anastasia. This is a big clue. She never said she was Anastasia. The idea that she was a member of the Imperial Family was placed in her head by a fellow patient at Dalldorf, Clara Peuthert.
   
   Anderson met her Aunt Princess Irene of Prussia under an assumed name. Neither recognized the other. Also Grand Duchess Olga did not recognize Anderson. Olga Alexandrovna would never be so callous as to reject her niece. Pierre Gilliard also said that she could not be Anastasia. Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone once shared a bath with Anastasia and said that the claimant wasn't Anastasia.
   
   Anderson disappeared on 12 August 1922 and reappeared on 15 August 1922. These were the same days on which Franziska Schanzkowska reappeared.
   
   Anastasia knew four languages: Russian, English, French and German. Anna Anderson only knew one: German. She never could speak Russian.
   
   The Author resorts to slander to criticize the claimant's opponents. Lovell claims that a prostitute identified Anna Anderson as Schanzkowska. Where is the proof? Who was the prostitute? No other books refer to a prostitute. Slanderous statements such as this do not belong in print.
   
   The suggestion that Nicholas and Alexandra had a fifth daughter is beneath contempt. This claim destroys Lowell's credibility for good. This claim is an affront to the memory of the Russian Royal family. Not even the most naïve, desperate or gullible conspiracy theorist could fall for this.
   
   The author seems to record everything uttered by Anna Anderson Manahan during her years of senility no matter how outlandish or farfetched.
   
   Substantial sections of the book bear little relation to reality, for example the King Kong rape story. Whilst watching a showing of the King Kong, Manahan leaves the theatre and then confides in Lovell that the entire family except Alexei were raped in front of each other. The King Kong story is extemely disturbing and despicable, and shows how gullible the author is. It is obvious that Anna Anderson Manahan herself sees how devoted Lovell is towards her and is deliberately making up stories for him.
   
   The author also misidentifies a photo that is really that of Anastasia's sister Marie's ear not Anastasia's ear.
   
   Lovell mocks the claimant's opponents and believes every single word of Anna's. There was nothing regal at all about Anderson's mannerisms or behaviour. There is no balance in this book.