Victoria: The Queen: An Intimate Biography of the Woman Who Ruled an Empire Hardcover – Deckle Edge, November 22, 2016

If you are even remotely interested in genealogy, facts about the royal family, or the subtle intricacies of world history, you might want to peruse the contents of the in-depth biography of Victoria: The Queen, by Julia Baird, published in 2016. The book encapsulates the events of her long life; her loves and passion; and the stimulating and arduous times of one of Great Britain's most endearing and enduring monarchs. Within her milieu, you get a keen sense of rising civilizations overcoming the turbulence of war; the advancements made in the human rights arena; the triumphs over terrible suffering, injustice, and abject poverty; and the rampant effects of modernization and industrialization impacting our daily lives even today. Practically every nation on earth has been affected by England's actions or influence in one way of another, for better or worse. When you think about it, we can only learn from her mistakes and be thankful for the independent-mindedness, well-being, and prosperity which she has demonstrated. How can you fail to be inspired by her tremendous energy and success, occurring most recently within the past two centuries? To put things broadly into proper perspective, I am humbled by the thought of going out and celebrating the bi-centennial of Queen Victoria's birthday in 2019! Remarkably, a photograph of the Queen in her latter years reminds me of my own illustrious, esteemed grandmother. R. Royce finally figured out why his thumb felt so numb and tingly. On the road trip, he'd noticed that he had acquired a habit of steering the Cadillac with the wheel pinched between his thumb and index finger for the last few hundred miles, or so. The "Land-Yacht" held the road quite admirably, as he had become well-aware. The powerful motor, independent suspension and taller new radial tires mounted on alloy rims allowed the vehicle to glide along easily, almost effortlessly, practically steering itself down the Interstate. Perhaps, he was too tense. Perhaps, he had discovered a new way of releasing stress by pressing his thumb too tightly against the padded leather steering wheel. Who knows for certain? He began steering the car with the wheel gently squeezed between his index finger and the middle finger instead, alleviating the excessive pressure he'd previously applied to his thumb. He continued to enjoy the sights and scenery as he drove onward to his ultimate destination. Cornelius Korn greeted him at the latched screen door when Royce arrived at the secluded mountain cabin and cordially invited him inside. He was most convivial and pleased beyond measure to see his old friend of many years again. He'd obviously remembered the simple directions to the cabin he'd been given: "You just drive out of the main road in town until the road comes to a "T." From there you turn left and follow this road along the ridge-line and around a sharp curve. When the paved road ends, you travel a few miles further until the dirt road ends. Then, you follow a trail through the woods, until it ends. Eventually, you'll have to park the vehicle and hike a few more miles after that. Go in a northerly direction up the hillside until you see a steep ravine and a winding creek deep below. Look for a row-boat to cross the creek. Once you're on the other side, follow the foot-path through the forest until you reach the tree-line. From the clearing, you'll want to look for a snowmobile parked nearby. The key should be in the ignition switch. Then, all you have to do is ride up through the pass over the next mountain-top you see, descend part-way down the other side and look for a cabin in the middle of the forest. It's the only one up there for miles around." "Any difficulty finding the place?" asked Colonel Korn, mildly surprised at the presence of an unanticipated guest. "Nah, but I have to admit I wasn't able to locate the row-boat or snowmobile," replied Royce. "...reminds me of my younger days, when I went prospecting in Afghanistan," said Korn. "Did you bring the briefcase and funds?" "Just a certified check," said Royce. "Twenty million?" "Just like you won the Power-ball. All you need now is a helicopter and a satellite link." "Yes, and I'll be as safe, sound, and secure as the Bank of England," replied Korn. "Have you seen Meghan yet?" "Not since she opened a new investment portfolio. I'm sure to hear about her investment strategy in the next several days." said Royce, in complete confidence. "What did she tell you the last time you spoke with her on Bond Street?" discretely inquired Korn. "She said that your reputation preceded you," said Royce.

Queen Victoria was one of the most modern monarchs of her times that will parallel with proceeding ones. One of the first inklings for this reader of recalling Queen Victoria was watching the 1939 Shirley Temple classic “The Little Princess” when her character Sara Crewe untiringly is seeking to find her father at the hospital where returning injured soldiers were sent after fighting in the Second Boer War, and to amazement encounters Victoria visiting the hospital. Years later, Author Julia Baird puts into perspective the life of Great Britain’s most independent and innovative leaders in the biography Victoria The Queen: An Intimate Biography of the Woman Who Ruled an Empire. Victoria was born on the cusp of a changing world meshed with revolutionary elements of cultural, economical and social, and political proportions that carried on during her reign and further developed there after. Can anyone imagine in their lifetime, of course, not in a palace that was once lighted with candles and at the end electricity and horse drawn carriages to motorized vehicles but how her world changed and she contributed to it as the era in which she reigned – the Victorian Age. An age characterized and depicted by none other than Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde.Victoria The Queen is a biography that may find readers quite fascinated if one has not ever touched upon one at all. Baird writes eloquently and at most intriguing and lively of a young Victoria to the elder monarch of by the time of the end of her reign Great Britain had risen much more globally than ever before in its history. Much of the research that she conducted was agreed and solely upon the Royal Archives. Exceptionally, formatted with a brief glossary of who’s who and helpful notes at the end of the book. And from the annals of history she draws and shares several interesting aspects of Victoria’s life from her early reign as a rambunctious teenager to a young mature 20-year-old Queen that married Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and reared nine children as well as the most intimate relationship with friend and confidante after Albert’s passing in 1861 John Brown and Indian servant and later aide Abdul Karim and ongoing rival and complex William Ewart Gladstone. And the most enlightening, at the near end of her reign the decline of familial ties and personal and political ambivalent meanderings between Britain and Germany and a nationalistic Kaiser prompted her royal family name to be changed to Windsor during the First World War. Aside from major turning points in Victoria’s leadership, she faced that would supersede adversity and heartache, the death of Albert and several of her children and grandchildren as a result of health conditions; she continued to lead and live for over 30 years and even celebrate her Golden Jubilee.After reading Baird’s biography one may have a much better understanding of Queen Victoria that ever before. The book provides cultural and historical introspection that puts the life of Victoria to full circle. And in the end, the world recognized her as an archetype, maternal deity, cutting boundaries of culture and religion (488).

This is a beautifully researched and written book about the life of Queen Victoria. The author provides the reader a modern and interesting insight into the life of her subject as well as the personalities of the time, the various prime ministers, and the Queen’s relationships with them, family and close friends. This was an incredibly industrious epoch in British history described from within the chilly walls of Windsor, Balmoral, Buckingham Palace without bias and it makes fascinating reading. Very well written, It does not read like a dull history book, I could not put it down. Highly recommend for anyone with an interest in the era.

Surprised it didn't mention that Lady Flora Hastings was found to have advanced liver cancer when examined ,the cause of her swollen stomach and death soon after.

A comprehensive biography of Victoria that does not gloss over her less attractive personality traits. A good selection of photos and other illustrations. Recommended to any interested in British history and the growth of the Empire.

Still in the process of reading it but what a book! Reads like a novel and places Victoria's rule in the context of her time, which is invaluable. This is the first biography of Victoria that I am reading and I'm glad I chose this book.

An enjoyable read but the author cannot escape the fact that Victoria was a blinkered, obstinate and useless regent. The writer tries to paint her in a positive light but ultimately damns her with faint praise.