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Loading... Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire (1998)by Amanda Foreman
![]() No current Talk conversations about this book. 9780375753831 Informative but uninspiring biography about a very interesting woman. Well researched and well written. I just couldn't get into it. 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. no reviews | add a review
Is contained inHas the adaptation
Lady Georgiana Spencer was the great-great-great-great-aunt of Diana, Princess of Wales, and was nearly as famous in her day. In 1774 Georgiana achieved immediate celebrity by marrying William Cavendish, fifth duke of Devonshire, one of England's richest and most influential aristocrats. She became the queen of fashionable society and founder of the most important political salon of her time. But Georgiana's public success concealed an unhappy marriage, a gambling addiction, drinking, drug-taking, and rampant love affairs with the leading politicians of the day. With penetrating insight, Amanda Foreman reveals a fascinating woman whose struggle against her own weaknesses, whose great beauty and flamboyance, and whose determination to play a part in the affairs of the world make her a vibrant, astonishingly contemporary figure.--From publisher description. No library descriptions found. |
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![]() GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)941.07092 — History and Geography Europe British Isles Historical periods of British Isles 1714-1837 Period of House of HanoverLC ClassificationRatingAverage:![]()
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