Victoria's Daughters - Jerrold M. Packard > Reviews

Advantages: Factual,but also dramatic and entertaining.
Disadvantages: None

In Britain, the law of primogeniture has meant that, whilst the sons of monarchs have retained a prominent position in the country (particularly, of course, the male heir) royal daughters, conversely, have usually faded into genteel obscurity, like as not married off for political purposes to some minor princling, count or duke. It would be doing a great disservice to the five daughters of Queen Victoria to allow History to write them off so easily. ... Read review

Advantages: Sympathetic and objective
Disadvantages: None

While there have been a few books about Queen Victoria and the relationship with her daughters in the past, none have explored the subject in such detail, or with such insight, as this. The tragic lives of the two eldest, Vicky (Princess Royal and mother of the notorious Kaiser Bill of Germany) and Alice (Grand Duchess of Hesse and mother of the last Tsarina of Russia), are relatively well known, but the other three, who were fortunate to spend their ... Read review

Advantages: Sympathetically written and well researched.
Disadvantages: Lot of facts to take in

...book also looks at Queen Victoria's role as a mother,a role which she did not enjoy and was not very good at.She was demanding of her daughers and very domineering,and she expected them to nurture her,especially after the death of Albert.Despite rank and privilege,just how happy were Victoria's daughters.And if their relationship with their mother had been happier,would that have changed the course of events in Europe? This book is a lovely tribute ... Read review