Crowns in Conflict

[Cathy]

Has anyone read: Crowns in Conflict: The Triumph of the Tragedy of European Monarchy, 1910-1918 by Theo Aronson?  Is it factual or fiction?
Thanks Cathy

[rskkiya]

Hello,

Its a factual and very good primer on who was doing what in Europe up until - during- and after- the first world war. Its also useful for keeping track of who was related to whom.

Do read it!

R.

[tea_rose]

  This author, Theo Aronson, wrote a great many books about 19th and 20th century royalty. I have this book , "The Kaisers" , and "Victoria and Disraeli." I have read some of the others from the library. His books are concise-but written with some flair and personality-an earlier version of John Van Der Kiste.

He recently published a fascinating compilation of some of his journal entries retelling his writing life-"Royal Pursuits." It can be very funny-I won't repeat the anecdote about Felix Yussopov! Get the book-you won't forget it!  

[Cathy]

Thanks so much for your opinions, rskkiya and tea_rose.  I am now reading some of T. Aronson's articles in Majesty magazine about British royalty and I am enjoying them very much.
Cathy

[Robert_Hall]

Theo was a wonderful writer and person !! But for reasons of his own, he refused to write a book about the Romanovs themselves. He reckoned they were in most of  his other books enough already.

[tea_rose]

Robert, has he passed away? I know he was having cancer treatments in "Royal Pursuits"-but I had the impression that it had gone into remission.

[Robert_Hall]

Sadly to report, Theo did, indeed pass away in May of 2003. He was a dear friend & wonderful writer.
The frustrating bit about him, I say with a smile, is that he did not put in writing half of what he really knew !!
Many still miss him very much.
Cheers,
Robert

[rskkiya]

I am so sorry to hear  of his demise ....He was a very clever & witty writer.

R

[Ilana]

Hey Robert,
I was also privileged to know Theo, and miss him very much.  He was one of those people whose charm swept you away the minute you met him.  A truly lovely, lovely man -- as well as a wonderful historian.

Here in the states the book was called ROYAL SUBJECTS.  It's a hoot.