Status
Available
Publication
Berkley (2010), Edition: First Edition, 528 pages
Description
Since time immemorial, royal marriages have had little to do with love - but almost everything to do with diplomacy and dynasty. Clashing personalities have joined in unholy matrimony to form such infamous couples as Russia's Peter II and Catherine the Great and France's Henry II and Catherine de Medici - all with the purpose of begetting a male heir. But with tensions high and silverware flying, kings like England's Henry II fled to the beds of nubile mistresses while Queens such as Eleanor of Aquitaine plotted their revenge.
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Media reviews
Amazon
A funny, raucous, and delightfully dirty 900-year history of the royal marriages of Europe's most famous-and infamous-monarchs.
User reviews
LibraryThing member LucyB.
Be prepared for an enchanting time with a story teller who’s sure to become one of your favourite raconteurs of the past. Leslie Carroll, author of Notorious Royal Marriages, promises you a memorable date with history; be sure to bring your own wine…you’re staying up late tonight.
Notorious
If you think this is going to be just another non-fiction factual type of read- you’re so wrong! Yes, you’ll learn the history and a lot more interesting stuff than you might have read somewhere else before- but that’s not all. Notorious Royal Marriages is also thought-provoking; another way to look at things; a different take on what you previously knew. This book will not leave you unmarked- it will definitely bring up controversy and maybe even nudge you the wrong way. Leslie Carroll tells it as it is- whether you like it or not. Don’t be surprised if after reading about your favourite historical figure, he/she might have lost some of the shine; or, it may be quite possible that the royal you’ve always most despised, comes out looking like he had some very good reason…
Whether you agree with the history or not, Notorious Royal Marriages will open up a whole new set of questions and curiosities, setting the stage for great discussion-Just like a Pandora’s Box waiting to be opened. You’ll only be wishing that the author could be right there with you sharing or opposing in the juiciest gossip ever told.
Who did I enjoy reading about the most? By far, Victoria and Albert- what a romance!
What did I like the least about some of these royals? Well, we already know a great deal about their incestuous ways…this still gets me every time. However, I’ll have to say that Edward VIII, I found pretty revolting (morally, regally and politically).
After all this, who do I still love, love, love? Well, Josephine, Marie-Antoinette, Sophia Dorothea, and Princess Diana, will always have my heart.
Extremely entertaining read!
Notorious
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Royal Marriages, by Leslie Carroll focuses on some of the most renowned royal couples in history. The stories include European monarchs from as early as the 12th c all the way to Charles and Camilla. Although some of these stories are well-known to many of us, there are so many unheard of-before-juicy details that beg to be told, and this is splendidly done in a friend to friend-sit-back and let me tell you-kind of way. Leslie Carroll has an incredible knack for stirring up curiosity; leading you to reading each chapter without skipping a beat. I just had to keep on reading to find out more.If you think this is going to be just another non-fiction factual type of read- you’re so wrong! Yes, you’ll learn the history and a lot more interesting stuff than you might have read somewhere else before- but that’s not all. Notorious Royal Marriages is also thought-provoking; another way to look at things; a different take on what you previously knew. This book will not leave you unmarked- it will definitely bring up controversy and maybe even nudge you the wrong way. Leslie Carroll tells it as it is- whether you like it or not. Don’t be surprised if after reading about your favourite historical figure, he/she might have lost some of the shine; or, it may be quite possible that the royal you’ve always most despised, comes out looking like he had some very good reason…
Whether you agree with the history or not, Notorious Royal Marriages will open up a whole new set of questions and curiosities, setting the stage for great discussion-Just like a Pandora’s Box waiting to be opened. You’ll only be wishing that the author could be right there with you sharing or opposing in the juiciest gossip ever told.
Who did I enjoy reading about the most? By far, Victoria and Albert- what a romance!
What did I like the least about some of these royals? Well, we already know a great deal about their incestuous ways…this still gets me every time. However, I’ll have to say that Edward VIII, I found pretty revolting (morally, regally and politically).
After all this, who do I still love, love, love? Well, Josephine, Marie-Antoinette, Sophia Dorothea, and Princess Diana, will always have my heart.
Extremely entertaining read!
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LibraryThing member meggyweg
Just as interesting, amusing and irreverent as her previous book, Royal Affairs. People who enjoy reading gossip about kings and queens will love this. That said, I did spot a few minor factual errors in the section on the Tudors.
LibraryThing member BAP1012
Interesting book, especially the older "royals". For her coverage of the 20th century couples, she seemed more judgmental of the characters. Felt more tabloid than good biography.
LibraryThing member RockStarNinja
I thought I'd find this book to be exceedingly boring, just a list of facts and dates, but it was actually very interesting and entertaining. Each different section was only about 15-20 pages so it went pretty quickly. The author did a good job of not taking sides in any particular relationship,
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who has a passion for Royals, or scandal in general.
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which I was thankful for. Even when it came to Prince Charles and Lady Diana, she didn't paint Diana as a complete saint as most are wont to do, she made full disclosure of even her mistakes. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who has a passion for Royals, or scandal in general.
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LibraryThing member Bodagirl
It was one part tell-all and one part defense of all women in royal marriages, well almost (sorry Elisabeth of Bavaria). Entertaining, but clearly biased.
LibraryThing member briandrewz
This is a good book for those not wanting to get into to great a detail of the marriages of those royals profiled. The author sticks to the main facts of each of her subjects. A light yet interesting read.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2010-01-05
ISBN
9780451229014