Victoria cover art

Victoria

A Life

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Victoria

By: A. N. Wilson
Narrated by: Gareth Armstrong
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About this listen

To many Queen Victoria was a ruler shrouded in myth and mystique, portrayed as an aging, stiff widow. But in truth Britain’s longest-reigning monarch was passionate, expressive, humorous, and unconventional.

A. N. Wilson’s exhaustively researched and definitive biography includes a wealth of new material from previously unseen sources, showing us Queen Victoria as she’s never been seen before. Wilson explores the circumstances that led to Victoria’s coronation, her isolated childhood, her passionate marriage to Prince Albert, and her widowhood, all set against the backdrop of this momentous epoch in world history.

©2015 A.N. Wilson (P)2015 Oakhill Publishing Europe Great Britain Politicians Politics & Activism Royalty Women Imperialism Witty Middle Ages Winston Churchill Socialism War Latin American

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Critic reviews

"[A] splendid biography--this book is a gem: thoughtful, witty, insightful, striking a balance between political commentary and personal gossip.... As this terrific biography shows, there really was a human being behind the gloomy portraits." (Dominic Sandbrook, Evening Standard)
"Subtle, thoughtful...a shimmering and rather wonderful biography." (Kathryn Hughes, Guardian)
"Wilson is affectionately alert to the rich contradictions of his subject's personality, and his deliciously readable biography becomes increasingly fascinating as Victoria's reign unfolds." (Jane Shilling, Daily Mail Book of the Week)
"Wilson is an excellent history teacher. He orders and narrates the hugely complex socio-political events and party infighting of the 19th century with a rare clarity.... His own achievement, sustained by a lifetime's scholarly fascination with the Victorian era, is also in its way, awesome." (John Sutherland, Financial Times)
"A. N. Wilson has written a sympathetic but by no means hagiographic biography of her that will probably overturn many people's prejudiced conception of her.... Wilson's picture of her is a rounded one, with her vices and virtues." (Theodore Dalrymple, The Times)
All stars
Most relevant
This audio book reveals the soul of a nation through the life of one person; Victoria. For someone who only knew about Victoria though her image on stamps and coins it opened up her life and personality with all it's nooks and crannies. Very detailed and very well told. Congratulations to Mr Wilson and Mr Armstrong.
(My only criticism is the use of quotes in French and German which really don't add anything to the narration but can be a bit tiring)

A nation revealed through one person

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Very well written and read. Perhaps too many names to remember so a family tree might be a useful visual to have at hand.

An interesting listen

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For anyone interested in 19th century history and how its events influenced the 20th, A N Wilson strikes a perfect balance in describing the personal and political. He achieved this not only as it relates to Queen Victoria herself, but to all the rich characters who surrounded her, whether family, servants, or statesmen. The story is told without sentimentality, but recognizes the standards and achievements of the Victorian era and the Industrial Revolution without shying from tackling their worst excesses.
As an American reader, my only complaint is that I’m left to assume the United States was of no importance to the Queen and the British state except when it was embroiled in civil war. China also does not figure in the story. I wonder if the Queen simply had no interest in these countries because her family didn’t marry into their societies, or objectively she and her ministers just had bigger fish to fry.
Gareth Armstrong’s narration is practically flawless. His is devoid of any quirks that lead to distraction. I think he gets it just right.

Perfect balance

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An excellent biography and reading of Queen Victoria addressing the many aspects of her life and reign.

Well read throughout.

Inspiring and edifying

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I've listened to this sumptuous audiobook so many times and just dip into it for pleasure every now and then. It is such a rich feast with so many fascinating personages bought vividly to life in the context of their times and with tantalising glimpses into the private lives of Victoria's sprawling and dysfunctional family. As for the matriarch herself : truly what a funny little woman she is indeed!

Absolutely wonderful

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