The Correspondence of the Empress Alexandra of Russia with Ernst Ludwig and Eleo

[blessOTMA]

Helen, a friend who has researched Romanovs for 30 years tells me your book  is one of the finest Romanov  books  they have ever read....
I never thought I 'd hear them say that about any book! lol! You brought a vocation to this effort. Thank you.

[Helen]

Janet and blessOTMA, thank you for your positive comments. I'm glad to hear that this book is appreciated.  

Alix does come across as an 'ordinary', normal girl from these letters, doesn't she. The letter written jointly by Ducky and Alix reminds me very much of the scribbles my friends and I used to write when we were on a camp as teenagers.  And several letters are indeed amusing, although perhaps unintentionally. I read the letter about the kilt first, when working at the reading room of the State Archive in Darmstadt. One is supposed to observe silence there, in order not to disturb other people, but these lines made me burst out laughing; they're perfect material for a Mr Bean-type scene. For some reason, I also find the first lines about the black edge of letter No. 37, written on seemingly plain white paper, most amusing.

[Helen]

A blog by Marlene Eilers Koenig :
http://royalbooknews.blogspot.com/2011/01/correspondence-of-empress-alexandra-of.html

[Laura Mabee]

Fantastic Review! Thanks for the heads up.
I am definitely adding this book to my collection. I cannot wait to get my hands on it!

Bravo Helen at the amazing research and hard work!

[Lucien]

I hope this is new for you all, cause I ve just found a new book published this year about Alix and her siblings. It s written by Petra Kleinpenning and the title is:
The Correspondence of the Empress Alexandra of Russia with Ernst Ludwig and Eleonore, Grand Duke and Duchess of Hesse. 1878-1916
Content:
As young people, Princess Alix of Hesse and by Rhine (1872-1918) and her brother, Hereditary Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig of Hesse and by Rhine (1868-1937), were always together. They remained on close terms when Alix married Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and became the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. This book presents the complete collection of letters and postcards, written in English and German, that Alix wrote to her brother over the years 1878-1916, from moving children's notes to poignant letters written during the cataclysm of World War I. Also included are Alix's letters to Ernst Ludwig's second wife, Grand Duchess Eleonore, some letters from Tsar Nicholas II to Ernst Ludwig, and the few letters and postcards from Ernst Ludwig and Eleonore to the imperial couple that survived the days of the Russian Revolution of 1917. Alix's letters to Ernst Ludwig and Eleonore focus on the weal and woe of her family and friends, on official receptions and military manoeuvres, the concerts and performances she attended, her charities and her war work. This unique private correspondence between Alix and Ernst Ludwig and Eleonore provides additional first-hand details about the everyday lives of these important people in the history of Russia and Hesse and increases our understanding of their characters, interests, and relationships.

The book is published as a Book on Demand and it takes 10-14 days to be delivered. Here is the amazon link (Germany):
http://www.amazon.de/Correspondence-Empress-Alexandra-Eleonore-1878-1916/dp/3842324960/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1288800864&sr=8-11

Buy it. I ve just got it and well, Christmas will come soon! It s a nice gift for Romanov fans!

Petra did a great job indeed,wellwrought research and immensely interesting.One doesn't see that too much these days,it's all on fast bucks
and publishers that demand a "literary egg"  a year,and that shows in the result,worthless,but this,this "firstborn" by Petra is refreshing as
well as highly interesting.Do Easter bunny's deliver?Then order one for Easter,or any other celebration that asks for a original and worthwhile gift.
Also at Hoogstraten,the shop of shops on anything Imperial & Royal,a non such Royal related  "candy store".

[Laura Mabee]

I just received this wonderful book in the mail today. To be honest, saying this book is wonderful is frankly an understatement!
I am absolutely in love with this excellent tome of correspondence and information.  The wealth of information in the footnotes alone!
I am very excited to dive into this!

I also apprciate the link to Marlene's review. Through her links I also purchased "Brife der Zarin Alexandra von Russland: an ihre Jugendfreundin Toni Becker-Bracht" by Lotte Hoffmann-Kuhnt which makes a nice companion to Ms. Kleinpenning's work.

[Teddy]

I wonder if Alexandra had also some English friends with who she corresponeded!

[Helen]

Thank you Lucien. Obviously, I too warmly recommend this book as an Easter gift. 

And thank you, Laura. Lotte Hoffmann-Kuhnt's edition of the letters that Alexandra wrote to her friend Toni Becker is indeed a very nice companion. It provides additional information on the AETA Club - in which the 'T' stands for 'Toni' - , Alix's feelings about QV's matchmaking with regard to Prince Eddy, and also her feelings about the attack on the Tsarevich in Otsu, showing how close Alix and Toni were.

Teddy, I don't know, but Alexandra may have corresponded with Minnie Cochrane, who was a lady-in-waiting to Princess Beatrice of Battenberg. 

[Rodney_G.]

Is it really possible US Amazon has nothing to do with this book? I'm getting a blank there. Amazon USA has been known to offer  far more obscure  books than this one. ?? I'd really like a shot at it.

[Robert_Hall]

Rodney, it is available on Amazon UK. Not cheap and you pay postage/shipping. I think my invoice was 37 UKP.

[Helen]

Is it really possible US Amazon has nothing to do with this book? I'm getting a blank there. Amazon USA has been known to offer  far more obscure  books than this one. ?? I'd really like a shot at it.

And there are more internet stores that carry this title, e.g. Van Hoogstraten (http://www.hoogstraten.nl/theshop/index.php , language button at the right). And Eurohistory may have one or more copies in stock. I hope you will enjoy reading it!

[Teddy]

This book is just marvelous. This is a well researched book, about the Empress Alexandra and her brother the Grand Duke of Hesse. It is touching to read her relationship with her brother and sister-in-law. And through the lines you learn so much about the life of this fascinating woman. I personally recommend this book to everybody, who want to learn more about the life at the Hessian and Russian court and who want to know more about Alicky and Ernie, their lives, their character, their relationship with eachother and the persons around them. This book tells a story. Russian history portraits Alexandra always as a dominating person, but you can read how lovely she really was. Indeed she has made her mistakes, but after reading this book, certainly your opinion about her will be changed. You will not get Alexandra as a "Tsarina or Empress", but as a nice woman, a good wife, fantastic mother and a loving sister, cousin or aunt.

[Eurohistory]

I find this book a must have...and yes...Eurohistory still has copies!

[Helen]

I find this book a must have... !

I fully agree with you there!

[Helen]

Christina Croft published the following short interview on her blog:
http://christinacroft.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/interview-with-petra-h-kleinpenning.html