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Biography & Autobiography. History. Nonfiction. Consuelo Vanderbilt was young, beautiful and the heir to a vast family fortune. She was also deeply in love with an American suitor when her mother chose instead for her to fulfill her social ambitions and marry an English Duke. Leaving her life in America, she came to England as the Duchess of Marlborough in 1895 and took up residence in her new home-Blenheim Palace.The ninth Duchess gives unique first-hand insight into life at the very pinnacle of English society in the Edwardian era. An unsnobbish, but often amused observer of the intricate hierarchy both upstairs and downstairs at Blenheim Palace, she is also a revealing witness to the glittering balls, huge weekend parties and major state occasions she attended or hosted. Here are her encounters with every important figure of the day-from Queen Victoria, Edward VII and Queen Alexandra to Tsar Nicholas, Prince Metternich and the young Winston Churchill.This intimate, richly enjoyable memoir is a wonderfully revealing portrait of a golden age.… (more)
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Self absorbed, she pats herself on the back for dividing the food in the tins
Of course, she hated her domineering mother who locked her in her room, forbidding her to come out until she agreed to marry the title Duke of Marlborough. Finally, when she agreed, she was whisked away to England to a life in Blenheim palace.
Hobnobbing with little Winston Churchill and his mother, there are pages and pages about the families who snipped and sneered.
There were way too many pages of who (royalty), when (always) and how (in high style) gliding their way throughout the glamours balls.
I should have stopped reading at 50 pages, but after visiting New Port, RI often and touring the homes, I thought this book would be interested.
Not recommended. Save your time and money for something worthwhile. Or, if you buy it, donate it to the poor and be like Consuelo, give yourself a hearty dose of self congratulation for sharing!
The book is very interesting, if somewhat one sided. Recommended for anyone wanting to learn more about personages from the Gilded Age, as well as British aristocracy.