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The Duchess

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The Duchess

By: Amanda Foreman
Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon
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A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK • NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE

Lady Georgiana Spencer was the great-great-great-great-aunt of Diana, Princess of Wales, and was nearly as famous in her day. In 1774 Georgiana achieved immediate celebrity by marrying William Cavendish, fifth duke of Devonshire, one of England’s richest and most influential aristocrats. She became the queen of fashionable society and founder of the most important political salon of her time. But Georgiana’s public success concealed an unhappy marriage, a gambling addiction, drinking, drug-taking, and rampant love affairs with the leading politicians of the day. With penetrating insight, Amanda Foreman reveals a fascinating woman whose struggle against her own weaknesses, whose great beauty and flamboyance, and whose determination to play a part in the affairs of the world make her a vibrant, astonishingly contemporary figure.

Praise for The Duchess

“Georgiana bursts from the pages of Amanda Foreman’s dazzling biography like the force of nature she undoubtedly was–passionate, political, addicted to gambling, and drunk on life. This is a stunning book about an astonishing woman.”–Simon Schama

“Biography at its best . . . seamlessly merges a life and its times, capturing not just an individual but an age.”–The New York Times Book Review

“Riveting . . . marvelously diverting.”–The New Yorker 18th Century Europe Great Britain Historical Modern Politics & Activism Royalty England Biography Inspiring Funny Political Fiction
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Critic reviews

“Georgiana bursts from the pages of Amanda Foreman’s dazzling biography like the force of nature she undoubtedly was–passionate, political, addicted to gambling, and drunk on life. This is a stunning book about an astonishing woman.”–Simon Schama

“Biography at its best . . . seamlessly merges a life and its times, capturing not just an individual but an age.”–The New York Times Book Review

“Riveting . . . marvelously diverting.”–The New Yorker
All stars
Most relevant
Had already seen The Duchess file with Keira Knightly and Ralph Fienes, so sort of knew the storyline. But listening to book with all the extra details and nuances was really illuminating, and left me with the real impression that this lady was born well before her time and really broke through the ‘glass ceiling’ of patriarchy and familial nepotistic ties of the aristocracy of the regency period. Georgiana Devonshire-Spencer was her own feminist wave before feminism was even a ‘thing’. I would absolutely recommend this book, yes!!

A lovely listen really enjoyed this book

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Incredible intimate insight into the lives of the aristocracy in the 18th century. Has also inspired me to read into politics of that era.

wonderful listen

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A great listen and history of a women who was so impactful during and after her life.

Incredible listen about an truly inspiring women

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Great story but can’t bare the readers voice!!! I found it very annoying and quite grating.

Annoying reader’s voice

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She was ahead of her time. Georgiana would have made a great politician if she had lived today. In her private life, though, she was frustratingly emotionally naive and financially irresponsible.

This could have been a brilliant book if it weren’t for so many quotes from the letters. The narration is insufferable: a posh, nasal voice that sometimes sounds almost senile, while at other times it becomes strangely infantile. It completely spoiled the book for me, and I struggled to finish it.

Insufferable narration

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