Julia P. Gelardi: From Splendor to Revolution: The Romanov Women, 1847-1928

[Benjamin]

A bit more info: http://forum.alexanderpalace.org/index.php?topic=15324

[Teddy]

I met Julia several years ago and have always loved her writing - but don't know very much about this book.

Born to Rule, was indeed a nice book to read. Unfortunally she has quoted from My Empress by Mafra Mouchanow (sic). Not a the best source.

[grandduchessella]

From St Martin's Press:

From Splendor to Revolution. The Romanov Women, 1847–1928. The early 1850s until the late 1920s marked a turbulent and significant era for Russia. During that time the country underwent a massive transformation, taking it from days of grandeur under the tsars to the chaos of revolution and the beginnings of the Soviet Union. At the centre of all this tumult were four women of the Romanov dynasty: Marie Alexandrovna, Olga Constantinovna, Marie Feodorovna and Marie Pavlovna (Feb 2011)

Not too excited to read about MF as there is so much on her but the other three? Can't wait!! This and The Four Graces are on my must-buy list.

[blessOTMA]

I have this book in galley and it's a page turner...wonderful. She dove tails the  4 women's story very nicely  And I love learning more about Marie Alexandrovna and  Olga Constantinovna. Really each of these four women deserve their own book...but I'm amazed how much of the essentials of their stories is covered in one volume .  ....lots of source quotes expertly placed to support what the author says etc.  I have no idea how the illustrations are, but the read is a feast Thank you, Ms Gelardi

[grandduchessella]

I took an unusual step for me and pre-ordered it without any reviews. Just the fact that there's a bio out there dealing with Marie A and Olga is enough for me! Their little sections in The Grand Duchesses just wet the appetite.  And through in Miechen to boot!  I could do without Marie F only because it's been done so much. I actually would've preferred some more on a lesser known. Still, I really enjoyed JG's book on QV's crowned granddaughters and have high hopes for this one as well.

[Ena]

I took an unusual step for me and pre-ordered it without any reviews. Just the fact that there's a bio out there dealing with Marie A and Olga is enough for me! Their little sections in The Grand Duchesses just wet the appetite.  And through in Miechen to boot!  I could do without Marie F only because it's been done so much. I actually would've preferred some more on a lesser known. Still, I really enjoyed JG's book on QV's crowned granddaughters and have high hopes for this one as well.

I pre-ordered for the same exact reasons as you did, grandduchessella.  I've been waiting for a proper book on Marie A. and Queen Olga of Greece for some time now.  I couldn't get enough of them, even after reading The Grand Duchesses.  I'm also looking forward to the information Gelardi provides on Miechen, as she still somewhat eludes me.  I understand what you mean about choosing someone lesser known than Marie F., though it seems making connections is a common theme in Gelardi's work and this book (two Russian born, two foreign born-same era), is another extension of that.

[grandduchessella]

Yes, I see what you mean but I would've loved to see Grand Duchess Anastasia M. (mother of Crown Princess Cecile and Queen Alexandrine) in there. She lost 2 brothers and a good deal of her fortune in the Revolution and was such a colorful character yet little is written about her. To even up the foreign-born/native-born, I guess instead of MF I would've swapped in Mavra who also lost so much--perhaps not as colorful but I imagine KR's diaries could provide some good tidbits.

[blessOTMA]

I have no idea if these appear in this book, but I thought since  we are discussing Marie Alexandrovna and Olga Constantinovna. ,
it would be nice to post photos. I would like too see more on them generally ....

Marie Alexandrovna and her father



Olga Constantinovna as Queen Olga and her two eldest sons.

[Ena]

Yes, I see what you mean but I would've loved to see Grand Duchess Anastasia M. (mother of Crown Princess Cecile and Queen Alexandrine) in there. She lost 2 brothers and a good deal of her fortune in the Revolution and was such a colorful character yet little is written about her. To even up the foreign-born/native-born, I guess instead of MF I would've swapped in Mavra who also lost so much--perhaps not as colorful but I imagine KR's diaries could provide some good tidbits.

Funny, I was thinking Mavra too, for the same reasons! :-) 

Despite the choices, I'm glad Gelardi is tackling these four women, as they are usually relegated to those of us in the niche market.  I'm curious how successful this book will be commercially.  Hopefully, it will create more public interest in the non-NAOTMAA branches of the Romanov's.

[Gabriella]

From St Martin's Press:

At the centre of all this tumult were four women of the Romanov dynasty: Marie Alexandrovna, Olga Constantinovna, Marie Feodorovna and Marie Pavlovna (Feb 2011)

Has Julia Gelardi written in her new book  about Marie Alexandrovna the daughter of  Alexander II. and Duchess of Edinburgh?

[Ena]

Has Julia Gelardi written in her new book  about Marie Alexandrovna the daughter of  Alexander II. and Duchess of Edinburgh?

Yes, it is the same Marie. :-)

[grandduchessella]

Yes, and hopefully it pulls on the resources that John Wimbles was originally going to use on a biography on her--one that sadly never came to fruition. You could write a whole book on her (and Miechen) but I'll take what I can get!

[Ena]

Amazon have sent me an alert that they have shipped out this book today.  Can't wait until it's in my hands.

[royaltybuff]

I got my copy and it is wonderful! I can't put it down, and that is saying something since I have had the attention span of a gnat lately! 

[grandduchessella]

I received mine yesterday as well and am enjoying it. I'm flipping through right now trying to get an overall sense then I'll start the serious read.

Few quibbles so far:
1) There were very standard photos in their--not one I hadn't seen. Even the really awesome one of the Edinburghs with extended family from the Royal Collection has been posted here before. However, I realize it is not a photo book so that is a minor thing, just a disappointment as I'm always eager for new photos and hope that authors combing archives will pick some of the gems that we know must be hidden away.

2) I wish there had been more of Marie A's letters regarding Missy. I don't know whether John Wimbles still has them in his possession or not but they provide such interesting insights I was really hoping they were forming more of the portrait of MA here. However, even some of the letters quoted (such as dealing with Missy's affairs) come from Paul Quinlan's book on Carol II and not the direct archival letters.

3) Wish there had been more on their exiles, though I know it made up just the last years of their lives.

Things I'm liking:

1) There are a lot of quotes from letters in general. I really enjoyed this in Born to Rule as well.

2) The author has a very fluid style of writing that draws you right in and I like her format (used in BTR as well) of an interwoven biography rather than broken up sections. It gives you a sense of not just these women themselves but their influence in each other's lives. VERY readable.

3) As a personal note, I love the little anecdotes I've seen between George V and his Aunt Olga. I've always found this relationship very sweet. She thanks, and gives him credit for, personally saving Prince Andrew's life in 1922 and, even though the King was 61 and the King of England she still writes to him as her 'beloved little sunbeam'. His image is always so gruff that this imagery always makes me smile. It also notes that one of his other favorite aunts, Marie Alexandrovna, was given financial support by George V after the Revolution when she lost her Romanov income in the Revolution and her British income as an enemy combatant.