BORN TO RULE tells the stories of five cousins who all grew up under the mantle of their grandmother, Queen Victoria. Alix, Missy, Ena, Maud and Sophie were childhood friends, who were to become the rulers of opposing nations as Europe descended into war. Alexandra (1872-1918), the last Czarina of Russia, whose family's brutal murder is the stuff of legend. Marie (1875-1938), the flamboyant queen of Romania whose affairs scandalised her peers but whose heroism saved her country. Victoria Eugenie (1887-1969), a very English queen who returned to Britain after Franco took power in Spain and was the only cousin to live to see a second European war. Sophie (1870-1932), sister of the Kaiser, was exiled from the Greek throne after the First World War. Maud (1869-1938), daughter of Edward VII, the reluctant Queen of Norway. Julia Gelardi's book is both an intimate portrait of the five cousins told through their own correspondence and papers, and a remarkable evocation of the family dramas that created the backdrop to the unfolding political crisis of early 20th-century Europe and the First World War.
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'Five cousins. Five fascinating lives. Julia Gelardi writes about her subjects with verve and passion.' Amanda Foreman 'Julia Gelardi has brought these five queens to vivid life, using much fascinating contemporary material and the voices of the women themselves. At the heart of the convulsions of early 20th century Europe, this interwoven story is a rollercoaster of human tragedy and spirited renewal. All five women repay Gelardi's extensive research and affectionate narrative...' Jane Dunn 'This fascinating story of five princesses ends with one murdered, two in exile, one in distress, and one content.' Hugo Vickers 'A wonderful story, and an enormously impressive piece of research. Julia Gelardi has drawn together the stories of these five queens and kinswomen to give fresh perspective on the turbulent early decades of the twentieth century.' Sarah Gristwood 'The author takes us on a tumultuous and enjoyable journey through the lives of five royal women...' Leonie Frieda
About the Author
Julia Gelardi is a historian and author currently living in Minnesota. This is her first book, which she has spent five years researching.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
32 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
When I saw "Born to Rule" by Julia Gelardi first I was sceptical as I always found compilations of biographies disappointing. They always seem to promise a lot and in the end give little. So I was rather reluctant to buy this very book, especially as I have read quite extensively about Empress Alexandra of Russia and Queen Marie of Romania and a little less about Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain. I should not have been.
I believe it is a marvelous book, very well written and entertaining. Mrs. Gerlardi manage to bring these 5 lives together which seems to be merely connected by the fact that all had in common "Grandma Queen" Queen Victoria. Julia Gerlardi showing similarities, differences and how intertwined the lives of these 5 princesses were.
But who are these women, all granddaughters of Queen Victoria?
- Alexandra Feodorovn, the last Empress of Russia, the most famous and most tragic
- Marie, Queen of Romania, the most flamboyant, the most heroic, the most political
- Victoria Eugenia, Queen of Spain, the most dignified but the most elusive
- Sophie, Queen of the Hellenes, the most unknown and
- Maud, Queen of Norway, the most shy and the most successful of all.
Julia Gelardi adopts the technique of showing the lives in parallels which is interesting and rather helpful. Mrs. Gerladi paints a pretty good picture of the five ladies, giving how they viewed themselves and how the outside world viewed them. Of course, there is much stuff open for discussion. The political role of the Greec Royal Family and why they lost their throne in regular intervals remains a bit flimsy but the effects on Queen Sophie's life are well described.
I found it interesting to see that while all having the same grandmother the differences come into the play through their different mothers. Empress Alexandra and Queen Marie were daughthers of strong mothers (Princess Alice and Grandduchess Marie of Russia respectively), women who in a man's world managed to controll men, like Queen Victoria did. Not to that extent but it still seems to apply to Queen Sophie, as daughter of the Empress Frederick. Queen Victoria Eugenia and Queen Maud were daughters of weaker woman (Princess Beatrice and Queen Alexandra) and that showed. Maud however might have led the most undramatic of lives, was shy person and a rather reluctant Queen, but in the end she was the most successful as the the Norway's monarchy survived while all others lost their thrones. Interesting to see that while being consorts of various different monarchs all were very English and remained it hrough their lives. And the links continued in the next generations.
Gerladi is a very talentated author and her very first book is an excellent start for her writing career. However, I believe she could and should pay a bit more attention to details. Just a little example: she constantly refers to the Emperor and Empress of Germany. While this might be fine in casual conversations in a book on roylaty it is not. The Head of the German Empire was H.M The German Emperor, King of Prussia. And there is much behind this very title. Details od this kind are of importance as they were of importance especially to the royal person.
One last remark: what I did not understand why Mrs. Gilardi did not include the six grandaughter who became consort of a monarch, actually twice first as wife of the granduke of Hesse and later to to Grandduke Cyril of Russia, the Emperor without a throne. Actually a very interesting destiny whch should have been included.
However, all in all it is a book I enjoyed very much. 5 stars well deserved. I am looking forward to Mrs. Gilardi's second book.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The author of a biography of several people has the choice between a book with a section on each person and a book which follows the lives in parellel. Julia Gelardi choose the second form. She is to be admired for her bravery and her scholarship however, the continual movement between five lives can be confusing. It would have been helped by each section being given a sub-heading of the person referred to.
This book would have been helped by a good editor, who would have spotted such things as the 'acension' of Edward VII to the throne and one of the girls having a 'stillborn birth'
The other serious problem is the inconsistency of names. In three following sentences we have the Queen of Roumania described as - The Queen of Roumania, Queen Elizabeth and Carmen Sylva. The Emperor of All the Russias is variously described as : Th Emperor, The Tzar, Nicholas, Nicholas II and Nicky. The author also uses family names eg missy for Queen Marie. I daresay this is to claim an intimacy which is impossible. What it serves to do for the reader is to add further confusion.
The author has clearly so immersed herself in her subjects that she can easily switch between their many names - formal, baptismal, family. This reader finds this most unhelpful.
Note to authors - list the various names if you like but choose one to use in the body of your work and STICK TO IT.
Note to prospective readers - for all its faults the book is a facinating read.
This book would have been helped by a good editor, who would have spotted such things as the 'acension' of Edward VII to the throne and one of the girls having a 'stillborn birth'
The other serious problem is the inconsistency of names. In three following sentences we have the Queen of Roumania described as - The Queen of Roumania, Queen Elizabeth and Carmen Sylva. The Emperor of All the Russias is variously described as : Th Emperor, The Tzar, Nicholas, Nicholas II and Nicky. The author also uses family names eg missy for Queen Marie. I daresay this is to claim an intimacy which is impossible. What it serves to do for the reader is to add further confusion.
The author has clearly so immersed herself in her subjects that she can easily switch between their many names - formal, baptismal, family. This reader finds this most unhelpful.
Note to authors - list the various names if you like but choose one to use in the body of your work and STICK TO IT.
Note to prospective readers - for all its faults the book is a facinating read.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A thoroughly gripping read and so informative as well. I knew beforehand that Queen Victoria had a finger in every European pie, but this book clarifies all the connections and makes the princesses in question really human. I shall certainly re-read this book and that's the acid test for me.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Missing Pages
Part of the book (about 50 pages) were missing in the original binding. This spoilt the continuity and made part of the story uninteligible
Published 1 month ago by Dr Anthony Roberts
5.0 out of 5 stars
Burn to Rule the lives of 5 European Consorts
This book is a must for lovers of history, biography, and royalty. It charts the lives of five of Queen Victorias grandchilden from childhood with the queen they called gangan to... Read more
Published 9 months ago by L. L. Hart
5.0 out of 5 stars
Goog reading
I really like to read this book, is written in a easy way and is not borring. Also I didn't wait much time receive it.
Published 10 months ago by Paulo Marques
4.0 out of 5 stars
A compelling read.
Having an avid interest in British Victorian history I was not at all disappointed with this book. I have read several books about the Romanovs, so Alexandra Feodorovna was not... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Mrs PStar
5.0 out of 5 stars
A few flaws, but fascinating
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A great read, in spite of a few mistakes and confusion among which queen was which, especially with regard to Victoria Eugenie of Spain. Read more
Published on 26 April 2010 by K. Coxwell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Similarities,& differences in the lives of Grandmama Europe's...
I was first sceptical as I always found compilations of biographies disappointing. They always seem to promise a lot and in the end give little. I should not have been. Read more
Published on 23 Mar 2007 by Amelrode
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not too bad worth a read 3 1/2 stars
This book did not disappoint me because I saw that it was the author's first book so I sort of knew what to expect and that said, it is not too bad well worth a read if you are... Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2007 by Pendleton Girl
3.0 out of 5 stars
Well researched but let down by poor editing
I was looking forward to Gelardi's book on Queen Victoria's five granddaughters; and to give the author credit, she had a decent crack at interweaving what are essentially five... Read more
Published on 28 May 2006 by Ms. L. J. Gosling
5.0 out of 5 stars
5 Queens, 5 cousins, 5 women -
When I saw "Born to Rule" by Julia Gelardi first I was sceptical as I always found compilations of biographies disappointing. Read more
Published on 24 Oct 2005 by Amelrode
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