Victoria: The Queen
An Intimate Biography of the Woman Who Ruled an Empire
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Victoria: The Queen
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Narrated by:
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Clare Fraenkel
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By:
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Julia Baird
About this listen
A magnificent biography of Queen Victoria by international New York Times columnist Julia Baird. Drawing on previously unpublished papers, Victoria: The Queen is a stunning new portrait of the real woman behind the myth - a story of love and heartbreak, of devotion and grief, of strength and resilience.
When Victoria was born in 1819, the world was a very different place. Revolution would begin to threaten many of Europe's monarchies in the coming decades. In Britain, a generation of royals had indulged their whims at the public's expense, and republican sentiment was growing. The Industrial Revolution was transforming the landscape, and the British Empire was commanding ever larger parts of the globe. Born into a world where women were often powerless, during a century roiling with change, Victoria went on to rule the most powerful country on earth with a decisive hand.
Fifth in line to the throne at the time of her birth, Victoria was an ordinary woman thrust into an extraordinary role. As a girl she defied her mother's meddling and an adviser's bullying, forging an iron will of her own. As a teenage queen, she eagerly grasped the crown and relished the freedom it brought her. At 20 years old, she fell passionately in love with Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, eventually giving birth to nine children. She loved sex and delighted in power. She was outspoken with her ministers, overstepping boundaries and asserting her opinions. After the death of her adored Albert, she began a controversial, intimate relationship with her servant John Brown. She survived eight assassination attempts over the course of her lifetime. And as science, technology, and democracy were dramatically reshaping the world, Victoria was a symbol of steadfastness and security - queen of a quarter of the world's population at the height of the British Empire's reach.
Drawing on sources that include revelations about Victoria's relationship with John Brown, Julia Baird brings vividly to life the fascinating story of a woman who struggled with so many of the things we do today: balancing work and family, raising children, navigating marital strife, losing parents, combating anxiety and self-doubt, finding an identity, searching for meaning. This sweeping biography gives us the real woman behind the myth: a bold, glamorous, unbreakable queen - a Victoria for our times.
©2016 Julia Baird (P)2017 Audible, LtdListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about Victoria: The Queen
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- jules
- 01-07-18
Amazing!
such a lovely book, well written and very informative, it's given me a great insight into such a strong Queen of our past
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ninaminacat
- 02-10-22
Enjoyable personal portrait
This biography does, as the author intended, concentrate on Victoria as a person, and so offers considerable insight into her character. It clearly draws on her diaries and letters, allowing her to speak for herself. The political background is provided where this informs aspects of her personal life, attitudes or character and is explained sufficiently that no prior knowledge of Victorian history is required.
The biography begins before her birth to ensure the reader understands the series of circumstances which led to the daughter of the fourth son of George III becoming queen. We are presented with a clear picture of the young princess growing up and there is plenty of detail about her life during most of her reign but there is less emphasis her final years.
I was particularly interested in the relationships which the fatherless Victoria formed with her mother's brother, Leopold, Lord Melbourne, her first Prime Minister and later with Disraeli, as well as the influence which her husband exerted on her. The book has inspired me to read more about Disraeli and I am planning a visit to Hughenden, his country residence.
The book is well narrated by Clare Fraenkel.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Gayle Taylor
- 27-05-21
In depth story of Queen Victoria
Enjoyed this long version of Queen Victoria. Though sometimes my attention did wander. It covers her full life including her family and children, politics and many wars. She left the country very different to when she took the throne.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ann Moss
- 12-06-21
Beautifully spoken.
I loved this book. Brought to life an amazing queen, her family and confidants. Would recommend highly.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- flowertoes
- 12-11-18
The Most brilliant biography of Queen Victoria.
This will not be a long review,but,I thought I must give my opinion,Julia Baird has gone into every aspect of Victoria`s life from before birth until death,the relationship between her and her beloved Albert,the trails and tribulations triumphs Loves and hates,and as well the political skirmishes with Gladstone and other figures she did not agree with...Believe Me,this is such and absorbing book,One cannot put it down...Or in this case cannot stop listening,deserving of more than five stars...the relationships between Victoria and her children,and, the way she loved them...She was human,and at the end bringing tears to the eyes,the pain she must have been through after giving birth to nine children,altogether,a great,great book.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tishie de la Harpe
- 12-02-18
wonderful story
really enjoyed listening to this book, it was very well read, I so enjoyed learni g history this way
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Enn
- 12-10-19
Our great queen
I absolutely adore this book. I’m fascinated with all things Queen Victoria and this is on point! It really draws you in and let’s you imagine you are there following Victoria around. Very accurate in its content. Bloody brilliant!
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- HistoryLover
- 21-01-18
A brilliant, energetic, and fascinating biography
This is by far and away the best royal biography I've encountered in many years. It is a brilliant account of Victoria's eventful life which tries too to explain her personality and her opinions. Carefully supported by rich archival sources, the biography is crafted with verve and vigour and is as fresh as it is fascinating.
I can't recommend this highly enough.
The narration was exceptionally good: clear, intelligent, thoughtful.
One of the best audio books I've listened to.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Andrew Sharp
- 18-10-21
I've always loved QV but Baird brings her to life
This biography of a great woman in history is fantastic. I've learned so many new things about her as well as getting context and detail on the things I already knew. Highly recommend.
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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- MorganScorpion
- 12-02-21
This is a fantasy disguised as biography.
I came to this book expecting an actual biography.
Instead I got a fantasy. The author continually makes things up, ascribing thoughts, feelings and actions to the various characters that she couldn't possibly know.
I wish I could return this book and get a refund, but for some reason I can't.
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8 people found this helpful