Book recommendations for royalty thesis

[Ally Kumari]

Hello all,

I wasn´t too sure as of where to open this topic, but I think it will be about books mostly so it is here. If admins find a better place for it, feel free to move the topic

I was lucky enough to be assigned my bachelor thesis on cultural and family ties between Russian and English royal houses in the late 19th, early 20th century. However before I even start I would like to ask for reccomended literature on the subject. I am specifically looking for books (and other reliable sources) that might deal with relationship of Queen Victoria with Alexandra Fyodorovna and Elizaveta Fyodorovna as well as books about what specifically was considered "English" at the time, and different in concept from Russian. Would there be a book nicely summing up what really were Victorian morals and such?

Thanks in advance to anyone who replies!

[historyfan]

I am actually envious. Nice topic! : )

As it is after midnight, I cannot right now think off the top of my head about the title, but any book with Queen Victoria's letters should start you off nicely. I believe there are several. That should give you a start re the Alix/Ella angle.

Any book dealing with the politics at the time of Alexander II/III will help illustrate the differences between Russia and England. Several mention the mutual personal dislike between the Russian Tsars and Queen Victoria, and political differences. The Boer War: a sticking point of contention.

Sorry for the vagueness, but it is late in the day. Hopefully I'm a bit clearer tomorrow, or else someone else can be more specific!

[Forum Admin]

"Queen Victoria's Descendents" by Marlene Eilers would be a good place to start on the relationship between Victoria and Alice's children.

[Ally Kumari]

Thank you both!

I need to ad that as a person from the Czech republic I am unable to buy or borrow the books here. So any reccomended literature should be possible to find on Amazon. Or if anyone would have a copy to spare, I´d be happy to purchase from you. Or if case you would decide to trust me and postal services, perhaps I could just borrow?

...

Any idea is "Queen Victoria's Grandchildren" by Lance Salway would be any good? What about "Queen Victoria's Granddaughters 1860-1918" by Christina Croft?

[Ilana]

...or my book THE FOUR GRACES: Queen Victoria's Hessian Granddaughters.  (Shameless self-promotion) I have Lance Salway's book and it's a good introduction, but it's mostly a picture book with little capsulized biographies. Haven't read Christina Croft's book.

[Ally Kumari]

Four Graces is one book I really want, but unfortunatelly it seems to be difficult to find and the prize on Amazon is just seriously expensive (340 dollars - which is about 4700 Czech crowns - which is half of what I earn a month in my part time job in summer) . I am a jobless student, depending on my parents, unfortunatelly.

Hm, I gess no Salway then... how about the one by C. Croft?

[Ilana]

There will be a reprint of the FOUR GRACES.  The price should then be normal, probably they are used copies since the book isn't available right now. 

[helenazar]

You may also find "Queen Victoria's Gene" interesting for this topic: http://www.amazon.com/Queen-Victorias-Gene-Pocket-Biographies/dp/0750911999/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371229743&sr=8-1&keywords=queen+victoria%27s+gene

[Ally Kumari]

I have found Four Graces in a Dutch online bookstore for a reasonable price, but so far they have not replied to my e-mail about posibility to shipt the book to my country.

Is there anyone on the forum who is Dutch and would put their trust in me? (I have credentials! ) )

[Sarushka]

Is there anyone on the forum who is Dutch and would put their trust in me? (I have credentials! ) )

I've helped Ally with a number of foreign book purchases over the years -- she's absolutely trustworthy!

[Ally Kumari]

So unfortunatelly, I was able to get Little Mother of Russia, but Four Graces are simply nowhere to be found for a prize that wouldn´t be completely insane.

I guess I will have to do without it after all. When is the reprint planned?

Also - if you could recommend one or two (not more) books about Queen Victoria and Victorian life-style, which one it would be? Searching on the internet without reccomendations is just impossible. Way too many Victoria books out there.

[Ilana]

Hey Ally, I don't have any copies of the Four Graces or I'd send you... but the reprint will be sometime in the Fall, definitely this year!!!

[Ally Kumari]

Hey Ally, I don't have any copies of the Four Graces or I'd send you... but the reprint will be sometime in the Fall, definitely this year!!!

Thank you. Fortunatelly there is still some time before I officially start working on the thesis so I don´t need it most urgently. I´ll keep an eye on the release.

[newfan]

Hi
I just checked and eurohistory still has the book on
You can order from them it's $43 but not sure abut shipping to Europe .

[Ally Kumari]

Thank you for the tip! I ordered it, so hopefully it will come.

ON another note, would anyone recommed "Queen Victoria" by Lytton Strachey? I understand it´s of older date. Is it reliable?