Listen free for 30 days
-
Victoria
- A Life
- Narrated by: Gareth Armstrong
- Length: 19 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Politics & Activism
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Listen with a free trial
Buy Now for £42.79
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
Prince Albert
- The Man Who Saved the Monarchy
- By: A. N. Wilson
- Narrated by: Gareth Armstrong
- Length: 13 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For over six decades, Queen Victoria ruled a great empire. Beside her for more than 20 of those years was her beloved husband and the father of their nine children, Prince Albert. A composer, engineer, soldier, politician, linguist and bibliophile, Albert was one of the architects of Victorian Britain's transformation as a centre of political, technological, scientific and intellectual advancement. Albert lived only 42 years but fathered four royal dynasties and helped pioneer the modern constitutional monarchy.
-
-
A perfect companion to the author's previous biography of Queen Victoria.
- By Campesque on 17-02-20
-
Queen Victoria's Matchmaking: The Royal Marriages That Shaped Europe
- By: Deborah Cadbury
- Narrated by: Charlotte Strevens
- Length: 13 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Queen Victoria had over 30 surviving grandchildren, and to maintain and increase power in Europe, she hoped to manoeuvre them into dynastic marriages. Yet they often had plans of their own, and her matchmaking was further complicated by tumultuous international upheavals. Queen Victoria's Matchmaking travels through the glittering, decadent palaces of Russia and Europe, weaving in scandals, political machinations and family tensions.
-
-
Fully of interesting information
- By Franklymydarling on 15-07-19
-
A War of Empires
- Japan, India, Burma & Britain: 1941-45
- By: Robert Lyman
- Narrated by: Roger May
- Length: 25 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 1941 and 1942, the British and Indian armies were brutally defeated and Japan reigned supreme in its newly conquered territories throughout Asia. But change was coming. New commanders were appointed, significant training together with restructuring took place and new tactics were developed. A War of Empires by acclaimed historian Robert Lyman expertly retells these coordinated efforts and describes how a new volunteer Indian Army, rising from the ashes of defeat, would ferociously fight to turn the tide of war.
-
-
Excellent military history
- By Amazon Customer on 30-01-22
-
The Boer War
- By: Winston Churchill
- Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
- Length: 18 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As a young, ambitious soldier, Winston Churchill managed to get himself posted to the 21st Lancers in 1899 as a war correspondent for the Morning Post - and joined them in fighting the rebel Boer settlers in South Africa. In this conflict, rebel forces in the Transvaal and Orange Free State had proclaimed their own statehood, calling it the Boer Republic.
-
-
Bringing history to life
- By skiwiman on 13-10-16
-
Kissinger
- 1923-1968: The Idealist
- By: Niall Ferguson
- Narrated by: Roy McMillan
- Length: 33 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Kissinger: The Idealist by Niall Ferguson, read by Roy McMillan. No American statesman has been as revered and as reviled as Henry Kissinger. Hailed by some as the 'indispensable man' whose advice has been sought by every president from John F. Kennedy to George W. Bush, Kissinger has also attracted immense hostility from critics who have cast him as an amoral Machiavellian - the ultimate cold-blooded 'realist'.
-
-
Good book about Dr henry kissinger life
- By Anonymous User on 29-07-21
-
Bertie: A Life of Edward VII
- By: Jane Ridley
- Narrated by: Carole Boyd
- Length: 22 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Entertaining and different, this is an enjoyable study of a flawed yet characterful Prince of Wales seen through the eyes of the women in his life. Edward Vll, who gave his name to the Edwardian Age and died in 1911, was King of England for the final 10 years of his life. He was 59 when at last he came to the throne. Known as Bertie, the eldest son of Victoria and Albert, he was bullied by both his parents.
-
-
Bertie - the untold story
- By Katherien Watt on 24-12-12
-
Prince Albert
- The Man Who Saved the Monarchy
- By: A. N. Wilson
- Narrated by: Gareth Armstrong
- Length: 13 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For over six decades, Queen Victoria ruled a great empire. Beside her for more than 20 of those years was her beloved husband and the father of their nine children, Prince Albert. A composer, engineer, soldier, politician, linguist and bibliophile, Albert was one of the architects of Victorian Britain's transformation as a centre of political, technological, scientific and intellectual advancement. Albert lived only 42 years but fathered four royal dynasties and helped pioneer the modern constitutional monarchy.
-
-
A perfect companion to the author's previous biography of Queen Victoria.
- By Campesque on 17-02-20
-
Queen Victoria's Matchmaking: The Royal Marriages That Shaped Europe
- By: Deborah Cadbury
- Narrated by: Charlotte Strevens
- Length: 13 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Queen Victoria had over 30 surviving grandchildren, and to maintain and increase power in Europe, she hoped to manoeuvre them into dynastic marriages. Yet they often had plans of their own, and her matchmaking was further complicated by tumultuous international upheavals. Queen Victoria's Matchmaking travels through the glittering, decadent palaces of Russia and Europe, weaving in scandals, political machinations and family tensions.
-
-
Fully of interesting information
- By Franklymydarling on 15-07-19
-
A War of Empires
- Japan, India, Burma & Britain: 1941-45
- By: Robert Lyman
- Narrated by: Roger May
- Length: 25 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 1941 and 1942, the British and Indian armies were brutally defeated and Japan reigned supreme in its newly conquered territories throughout Asia. But change was coming. New commanders were appointed, significant training together with restructuring took place and new tactics were developed. A War of Empires by acclaimed historian Robert Lyman expertly retells these coordinated efforts and describes how a new volunteer Indian Army, rising from the ashes of defeat, would ferociously fight to turn the tide of war.
-
-
Excellent military history
- By Amazon Customer on 30-01-22
-
The Boer War
- By: Winston Churchill
- Narrated by: Ric Jerrom
- Length: 18 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As a young, ambitious soldier, Winston Churchill managed to get himself posted to the 21st Lancers in 1899 as a war correspondent for the Morning Post - and joined them in fighting the rebel Boer settlers in South Africa. In this conflict, rebel forces in the Transvaal and Orange Free State had proclaimed their own statehood, calling it the Boer Republic.
-
-
Bringing history to life
- By skiwiman on 13-10-16
-
Kissinger
- 1923-1968: The Idealist
- By: Niall Ferguson
- Narrated by: Roy McMillan
- Length: 33 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Kissinger: The Idealist by Niall Ferguson, read by Roy McMillan. No American statesman has been as revered and as reviled as Henry Kissinger. Hailed by some as the 'indispensable man' whose advice has been sought by every president from John F. Kennedy to George W. Bush, Kissinger has also attracted immense hostility from critics who have cast him as an amoral Machiavellian - the ultimate cold-blooded 'realist'.
-
-
Good book about Dr henry kissinger life
- By Anonymous User on 29-07-21
-
Bertie: A Life of Edward VII
- By: Jane Ridley
- Narrated by: Carole Boyd
- Length: 22 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Entertaining and different, this is an enjoyable study of a flawed yet characterful Prince of Wales seen through the eyes of the women in his life. Edward Vll, who gave his name to the Edwardian Age and died in 1911, was King of England for the final 10 years of his life. He was 59 when at last he came to the throne. Known as Bertie, the eldest son of Victoria and Albert, he was bullied by both his parents.
-
-
Bertie - the untold story
- By Katherien Watt on 24-12-12
-
First Lady
- The Life and Wars of Clementine Churchill
- By: Sonia Purnell
- Narrated by: Charlotte Strevens
- Length: 15 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Without Churchill's inspiring leadership, Britain could not have survived its darkest hour and repelled the Nazi menace. Without his wife, Clementine, however, he might never have become Prime Minister. By his own admission, the Second World War would have been 'impossible without her'. Clementine was Winston's emotional rock and his most trusted confidante. Yet her ability to charm Britain's allies and her humanitarian efforts on the home front earned her deep respect.
-
-
A good read (listen)
- By Edward on 11-09-16
-
Churchill: A Life, Part 1 (1874-1918)
- By: Martin Gilbert
- Narrated by: Christian Rodska
- Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Churchill: A Life follows Winston Churchill from his earliest days to his moments of triumph. Here, the drama and excitement of his story are ever-present. Martin Gilbert gives us a vivid portrait, using Churchill's most personal letters and the recollections of his contemporaries, both friends and enemies, to go behind the scenes of some of the stormiest and most fascinating political events of our time.
-
-
Fascinating account of Churchill's early days
- By R on 22-03-12
-
17 Carnations
- The Windsors, The Nazis and The Cover-Up
- By: Andrew Morton
- Narrated by: Cameron Stewart
- Length: 11 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The story of the love affair between Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII, and his abdication in order to marry the divorcée, has provoked fascination and discussion for decades. However, the full story of the couple's links with the German aristocracy and Hitler has until now remained untold. Meticulously researched, 17 Carnations chronicles this entanglement, starting with Hitler's early attempts to matchmake between Edward and a German noblewoman.
-
-
History narrated at its most professional.
- By Ginger on 10-04-16
-
William Pitt The Younger
- By: William Hague
- Narrated by: Richard Burnip
- Length: 23 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
William Pitt the Younger is an illuminating biography of one of the great iconic figures in British history: the man who in 1784 at the age of twenty-four became (and so remains) the youngest Prime Minister in the history of England. In this lively and authoritative study, William Hague himself the youngest political party leader in recent history explains the dramatic events and exceptional abilities that allowed extreme youth to be combined with great power.
-
-
History brought to life
- By Kirstine on 10-02-10
-
The Glorious Cause
- By: Jeff Shaara
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 25 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This dramatic sequel to Jeff Shaara's best selling Rise to Rebellion continues his chronicle of the key characters of the American Revolution and animates some of the most compelling scenes in America's history: Washington's harrowing winter at Valley Forge, Benedict Arnold's tragic downfall, and the fiercely-fought battles at Trenton, Brandywine Creek, and Yorktown.
-
Princes at War
- The British Royal Family's Private Battle in the Second World War
- By: Deborah Cadbury
- Narrated by: Cameron Stewart
- Length: 13 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
King George V predicted that his son, Edward VIII, would destroy himself within a year of succeeding to the throne. In December 1936 he was proved right, and the world’s press revealed the king was abandoning his throne to marry Wallis Simpson. A life spent in the shadow of his charismatic elder brother left the new king, George VI, magnificently unprepared for the demands of ruling the kingdom and empire. Drawing on personal accounts from the royal archives, Deborah Cadbury uncovers the very private conflict.
-
-
Real people with public lives
- By Kl Love on 12-01-16
-
William Wilberforce
- Life of the Great Anti-Slave-Trade Campaigner
- By: William Hague
- Narrated by: Steve Hodson
- Length: 22 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Hague shows how Wilberforce, after his agonising conversion to evangelical Christianity, was able to lead a powerful tide of opinion, as MP for Hull, against the slave trade, a process which was to take up to half a century to be fully realised. Indeed, he succeeded in rallying to his cause the support in the Commons Debates of some the finest orators in Parliament, having become one of the most respected speakers of those times.
-
-
Fantastic
- By VeniVediVocali on 24-11-12
-
Elizabeth I
- A Novel
- By: Margaret George
- Narrated by: Kate Reading
- Length: 31 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
New York Times best-selling author Margaret George captures history's most enthralling queen-as she confronts rivals to her throne and to her heart. One of today's premier historical novelists, George dazzles here as she tackles her most difficult subject yet: the legendary Elizabeth Tudor, queen of enigma - the Virgin Queen who had many suitors; the victor of the Armada who hated war; the gorgeously attired, jewel-bedecked woman who pinched pennies.
-
Charles and Camilla
- Portrait of a Love Affair
- By: Gyles Brandreth
- Narrated by: Stephen Thorne
- Length: 13 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This is a story of the most well documented, most commented on love affair of our times. Yet the personalities behind the facade remain elusive and the nature of their relationship is an enigma. This is the first major biography of Charles and Camilla, two people who have battled against the curious lot that fate has thrown their way. Gyles Brandreth returns to the same ground as his last book, the bestselling "Philip and Elizabeth"; "Portrait of a Marriage".
-
-
Fascinating Detailed Account Of Royal Life
- By Joan on 03-03-18
-
Victoria: The Queen
- An Intimate Biography of the Woman Who Ruled an Empire
- By: Julia Baird
- Narrated by: Clare Fraenkel
- Length: 18 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A magnificent biography of Queen Victoria by International New York Times columnist Julia Baird. Drawing on previously unpublished papers, Victoria: The Queen is a stunning new portrait of the real woman behind the myth - a story of love and heartbreak, of devotion and grief, of strength and resilience.
-
-
This is a fantasy disguised as biography.
- By MorganScorpion on 12-02-21
-
The Plantagenets
- The Kings Who Made England
- By: Dan Jones
- Narrated by: Dan Jones
- Length: 22 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
England’s greatest royal dynasty, the Plantagenets, ruled over England through eight generations of kings. Their remarkable reign saw England emerge from the Dark Ages to become a highly organised kingdom that spanned a vast expanse of Europe. Plantagenet rule saw the establishment of laws and creation of artworks, monuments and tombs which survive to this day, and continue to speak of their sophistication, brutality and secrets. Dan Jones brings you a new vision of this battle-scarred history.
-
-
Entertaining and scholarly
- By Kirstine on 23-08-19
-
Marie Antoinette
- By: Antonia Fraser
- Narrated by: Eleanor Bron
- Length: 20 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Marie Antoinette's dramatic life-story continues to arouse mixed emotions. To many people, she is still 'la reine mechante', whose extravagance and frivolity helped to bring down the French monarchy; her indifference to popular suffering epitomised by the (apocryphal) words: 'let them eat cake'. Others are equally passionate in her defence: to them, she is a victim of misogyny.
-
-
Spectacular.
- By B on 17-12-14
Summary
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.
Critic reviews
More from the same
What listeners say about Victoria
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Ali H
- 27-06-19
Riveting and entertaining?
So much mythologising and fictionalising of Victoria’s life groans on the bookshelves and airwaves already, one has got to ask: do we really need another, can it say anything new? Well, incredibly, yes, because what the author has done here is take the reader (or listener) right into the heart of the woman, building up an extremely plausible psychology. When A N Wilson finally lays bare the his analysis of her, you say, “Ah, yes, so that’s why she did this ... “ (or failed to do that)!
I don’t think the author set out to do a ‘character analysis’ - at least not in any clinical way. But clearly after years with his subject he’s had to come to some inevitable conclusions. And he admits, “You don’t necessarily have to like a person to love them.” Many of her close entourage must have grappled with that dichotomy all their lives; the patterned carpets are strewn with carcasses.
Mercifully this book doesn’t spend too much time eulogising Albert. Credit where it’s due, but it is also pointed out that the man was turning into a grumpy old killjoy! Much more interesting are the relationships with Victoria’s prime ministers and aides, and the tactics some of them were forced to deploy to curb her temper and prejudices.
We see a foot-stamping, hot-headed little girl mature very little. It took a great deal of persuading from some of the greatest lights in the land to get her off her backside and doing a few simple things a monarch should do. She was idle and indolent, monumentally selfish and self-indulgent. The vast quantities of food that found their way into that 5 foot frame are also testament to that. Oh, and claret mixed with whisky, so much so that messages (usually furious ones) to Ministers were quite unintelligible.
Being emotionally incontinent Victoria spewed her every thought onto paper. MILLIONS of words, decade after decade, in journals and letters. Many haven’t survived the purges of PR savvy daughters, but enough have remained to enable us to see glimpses of the daily commentary of an inveterate gossip on matters of virtually no importance whatsoever mingled with earth-shattering affairs of State. Mr Wilson has done a very good job at explaining things like the Crimean War or the Boer War or the significance of the name ‘Empress’, all of which flummoxed me when doing History ‘O’ level; without over simplification and certainly with no obfuscation he brings some understanding to these often unpalatable matters. Thus that century of profound change marches before our eyes, accompanied by the ‘bell voiced’ (as her intonation was said to be) soundtrack of Queen Victoria’s asides, bitchings, jokes, gripes, irrelevancies, stubbornness - or a tipsy squiggle.
I think A N Wilson has ended up espousing the cause of loving someone you can’t quite bring yourself to like. He makes heroic efforts to explain certain character traits with empathy (e.g. menopause, depression - even the insecurity of the immigrant) and takes readers along this prickly journey.
Gareth Armstrong is a perfect coupling. He gets Victoria’s pitch just right, without going all squeaky or faux contralto. His Scotsmen sound as forthright as they’re meant to be, and his Germans fuss around, as I expect they would have.
No more silly TV for me! I’ve got what I wanted and have already started right back at the beginning again.
22 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kevin Viney
- 07-10-15
Inspiring and edifying
An excellent biography and reading of Queen Victoria addressing the many aspects of her life and reign.
Well read throughout.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- iris
- 02-06-15
Ambitious biography - absorbing listen
One can only admire the scholarship and research that the author must have undertaken to write this biography. The author is also to be praised for his distance from his subject which allows him to present her in a fair way - non-judgemental. The downside is the fact that Victoria reigned for so many years and during her reign England changed at a phenomenal pace from a relatively rural country with a few highly developed towns into a network of ever-expanding urban developments, such that it is hard to write her biography without making choices as to what to develop and what to gloss over so that inevitably some readers might feel there are gaps. At the same time England was involved in overseas expansion and becoming one of the most powerful imperialist nations and throughout her reign Britain was more or less involved in military action on various scales - skirmishes to wars. The Irish question was another burning topic in the later years of her reign and also the growth of a labour movement. Meanwhile Victoria was also a private person with a large family and her relations by ties of marriage to other crowned heads of Europe was very extensive. The author has such a wealth of material it is perhaps overambitious to write a chronological biography of such a figure. Considering how daunting the task is A.N. Wilson has done a masterly job. I felt rather frustrated at times because some subjects had to be glossed over to keep the book to a manageable length. I think I would prefer books that take a more single subject focus such as Victoria's private life or Victoria and her Prime Ministers.
On the whole I would reccommend this book to anyone with some prior knowledge of the socio-political background to the era but it might be rather arduous for someone who is ignorant of the period.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- D
- 26-08-17
Absolutely wonderful
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!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- PT
- 15-06-15
Myth buster history
This gives an insight into the myth of the widow of Windsor. A much more complex and far less benign person than folklore would have us believe. A very detailed history of the turbulent times as well as the personal history of Victoria. It makes you glad to call yourself an Elizabethan!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mrs. Ann M. Mcmahon
- 28-06-21
Send her Victorious!
As we have come to expect from A.N. Wilson, this book is the product of both deep and wide scholarship. It is also beautifully read.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Peader O Broin
- 19-02-20
A nation revealed through one person
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)
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
- Z. M. Snarey
- 25-01-16
Victoria and her times in history
Well written and well read fascinating account of the life and times of Queen Victoria.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- A. J. Taylor
- 01-04-22
Story of an Icon
The story of Queen Victoria is the story of an age. Everyone has heard of the Victorians, the name interchangeable with the last two thirds of the nineteenth century and with many of my friend from around the world they too often describe their histories in the sense of ‘The Victorian Age’.
This book encapsulates this perfectly, showing how a woman sat atop of a ‘man’s world’. Growing from an ‘ignorant silly girl’ as Sir John Conway would say to that matriarch of the royal dynasties of Europe to who all were in awe of. It is also great to read alongside other great histories of the nineteenth century such as Sir Richard J Evans ‘Pursuit of Power’ or Sir David Cannadine’s ‘Victorious Century’. Both are great and all tell the same story.
A N Wilson is a famous biographer and it is easy to see why here. The book is beautifully written and not difficult to follow. Victoria stays central to the plot. He does a great job in showing how Victoria starts as a naive young girl dominated by the men around her, to the icon we know today who formed the modern monarchy in connection with the public, and allowed it to become the constitutionalise institution revered today. She started the reign in the aftermath of her ‘dreadful uncles’ when the crown was under scrutiny for its farcical reputation as a house of drunken spendthrift. It ended with huge respect.
Personally I like more heavy biographies that really deep dive the character and the events they played a part in. Here this book is fast flowing which may suit a lot of people. However, I found at times events came and went in the blink of an eye. Having said that, there is a lot to learn from this book and really got a sense of her personality, involvement in politics and current events, what she thought about her subjects (she was loving of all citizens of the empire) and her interactions with the people around here. Her relationship with Prince Albert, John Brown, Gladstone, Disraeli, Edward VII, her daughter Victoria and grandson Wilhelm II are discussed in detail to name a few. It is a great book about a great woman and I thoroughly recommend it.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 05-03-22
Perfect balance
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.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Robyn
- 12-05-15
Wonderful A N Wilson
I have nothing but the highest praise for this biography. Victoria and her reign are interesting, of course, but Wilson's scholarship and writing are exemplary and bring the Queen and her family and household right into your life. Whether you know the story of Victoria or are new to her or to English history, this book is essential. Just read it!