Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire (1998)

So many extremes in the life of this woman at 20 y.o.: ultra rich, ultra fashionable, at the top of the aristocracy. Despite this background the Duchess could have been a nonentity like her husband but she was both outgoing and drew people to her throughout her life. I can see why the author was ensorceled and had to change dissertation topics once Georgiana made an impression. I enjoyed this as a visit to the late 18th century. The extreme gambling habits seem exotic, and Georgiana's losses snowballed (her own fault mostly) and haunted her for decades.

The writing made the political wrangling understandable and for the most part kept the cavalcade of characters distinct. The warm feeling of the author for Georgiana does not take over or keep her from showing real mistakes and faults. ( )

I enjoyed it but way too much on politics which really isn't my thing. She was a truly fascinating person and the writing of Amanda Foreman is very good. I have seen the movie and the book is far better. ( )

Georgiana Spencer was the great-great-great-great-aunt of Diana, Princess of Wales, and achieved almost as much celebrity in England during the late eighteenth century. She was catapulted to fabulous wealth and fame after she married William Cavendish, fifth Duke of Devonshire, and this biography tells not only her story but also the story of the 1% during Jane Austen’s time.

I was surprised at the prevalence of what I had previously thought of as mostly modern problems, such as drug abuse and gambling addictions (Georgiana suffered from both). There was also plenty of political partisanship and animosity to go around, and Georgiana became politically active, founding one of the most important political salons of her time and canvassing for her favored candidates.

The book draws on numerous primary sources and extensive archival research, which is unsurprising given that Foreman’s dissertation was on Georgiana’s life and times. There was refreshingly little speculation, and I am also glad that Foreman did not fall into the trap of writing revisionary history according to the latest academic fashion.
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Georgiana Spencer was the great-great-great-great-aunt of Diana, Princess of Wales, and achieved almost as much celebrity in England during the late eighteenth century. She was catapulted to fabulous wealth and fame after she married William Cavendish, fifth Duke of Devonshire, and this biography tells not only her story but also the story of the 1% during Jane Austen’s time.

I was surprised at the prevalence of what I had previously thought of as mostly modern problems, such as drug abuse and gambling addictions (Georgiana suffered from both). There was also plenty of political partisanship and animosity to go around, and Georgiana became politically active, founding one of the most important political salons of her time and canvassing for her favored candidates.

The book draws on numerous primary sources and extensive archival research, which is unsurprising given that Foreman’s dissertation was on Georgiana’s life and times. There was refreshingly little speculation, and I am also glad that Foreman did not fall into the trap of writing revisionary history according to the latest academic fashion.
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Could not finish ( )