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9th out of 354 books
—
606 voters
Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle
Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey tells the story behind Highclere Castle, the real-life inspiration for the hit PBS show Downton Abbey, and the life of one of its most famous inhabitants, Lady Almina, the 5th Countess of Carnarvon and the basis of the fictional character Lady Cora Crawley. Drawing on a rich store of materials from the archives of Highclere Castle, in...more
Paperback, 310 pages
Published
December 27th 2011
by Broadway
(first published 2011)
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I'm of two minds here. On the one hand, as someone who not only likes Downton Abbey, but also really likes pretty much anything British and Victorian/Edwardian (think: Mitfords, Sackville-West, Waugh), this was a whole lot of fun. On the other, it was a little disconcerting just how much the author fawned over her subject. Perhaps this is because she's followed in her footsteps, is also the Countess of Carnarvon (married to the 8th Earl; Almina married the 5th), and is clearly using this book to...more
I was captivated by the Downton Abbey drama on PBS and so when I discovered this book on Highclere Abbey ( where it was filmed) and Almina, Countess of Caernarvon, I knew I wanted to read it and I was not disappointed. The book is written by the current Countess, Fiona Caernarvon, who became interested in researching the subject when the script for the TV series was being written. The result is a fascinating account of how a large Estate is organised and the activities of the family who owned it...more
This book was absolutely riveting! I would call this one un-put-downable…it was a smashing read and I enjoyed every page! Books like this make me excited about history! Don’t we all wish we could wave our magic wands and become the Crawley family living the high life at Downton Abbey? For Lady Almina Carnarvon that dream was a reality!!
See my full review here
See my full review here
I haven't watched Downton Abbey yet, though apparently I must. This biography of Almina, the 5th Countee of Carnarvon, written by Fiona, the 8th, is not brilliantly written. However, it is a time period I find interesting and I did learn a lot about the years leading up to WW1 and the war itself. How a country recovers from something like that is beyond me. How the survivors were able to carry on is beyond me.
Hard to imagine the vast amounts of money and leisure some people had while others star...more
Hard to imagine the vast amounts of money and leisure some people had while others star...more
Mar 06, 2013
Connie
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Watchers of "Downton Abbey."
Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey, by The Countess of Carnarvon. Those of us who have claimed “Downton Abbey” as our most important hour of TV, EVER, will love this non-fiction history of Highclere Castle. Centered on the 1895-1925 era of wealth, fame, travel, extravagance beyond imagination and living in the highest of high styles, this story will keep visions of the TV story flashing in your mind as the real lives are interwoven in your mind with the fictional lives. There are names in th...more
Feb 06, 2013
Isabel Almeida (Os Livros Nossos)
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
parceria-presença
Crítica por: Isabel Alexandra Almeida / Blog Os Livros Nossos:
Lady Almina e a verdadeira Downton Abbey [O legado Perdido do Castelo de Highclere] traça-nos o fascinante retrato de uma mulher notável, bastante dinâmica e empreendedora, que deixou, sem dúvida, uma marca relevante na História de Inglaterra, entre finais do Século XIX e início do Século XX.
Sustentada em abundante pesquisa documental, Lady Fiona, a actual e 8ª Condessa de Carnarvon, dá-nos a conhecer Lady Almina - a 5ª Condessa de...more
Lady Almina e a verdadeira Downton Abbey [O legado Perdido do Castelo de Highclere] traça-nos o fascinante retrato de uma mulher notável, bastante dinâmica e empreendedora, que deixou, sem dúvida, uma marca relevante na História de Inglaterra, entre finais do Século XIX e início do Século XX.
Sustentada em abundante pesquisa documental, Lady Fiona, a actual e 8ª Condessa de Carnarvon, dá-nos a conhecer Lady Almina - a 5ª Condessa de...more
Are you at a loss after viewing the Season 2 final episode of Downton Abbey wondering how you will make it until Season 3 airs??? Then pick up this book and snuggle in for a great read. I think you will enjoy reading about the "real" people and recognize those who have lived and loved beautiful Highclere. Almina inherits gobs of money from Albert Rothschild and becomes a real catch in the late 1890s Victorian/Edwardian society of London. The 5th Earl of Carnarvon picks her and they make a love m...more
I was surprised by how much I learned from this book. I had expected a good deal of fluff about house parties and social events in the early 20th century. there was that but also a great deal about WWI and about the discovery of King Tut's tomb.
Based on the comments of other readers, I was excited about reading this book. I listened to the audible version and I must say that, while interesting, it didn't engage me as I thought it would. Yes, it tells the story of the countess of Highclere Castle, the site of Downton Abbey; and, yes, Lady Almina lived a very compelling life, especially in her years as a nurse during World War I. But I was immediately wary when the Introduction states that this is not a biography nor is it a history. So,...more
Opinião:
Esta é uma obra que nos fala de Almina Carnarvon. Uma mulher que se destacou pela sua atitude de bem receber no castelo de Highclere e durante a primeira guerra mundial revelou ser uma mulher de força e cuja vontade havia sempre de alcançar os seus objectivos. É de realçar que Almina era também detentora de grande fortuna, o que facilitou a concretização de certos objectivos e alguns caprichos.
Esta é uma narrativa essencialmente descritiva, a autora baseou-se em livros de presença e de d...more
Esta é uma obra que nos fala de Almina Carnarvon. Uma mulher que se destacou pela sua atitude de bem receber no castelo de Highclere e durante a primeira guerra mundial revelou ser uma mulher de força e cuja vontade havia sempre de alcançar os seus objectivos. É de realçar que Almina era também detentora de grande fortuna, o que facilitou a concretização de certos objectivos e alguns caprichos.
Esta é uma narrativa essencialmente descritiva, a autora baseou-se em livros de presença e de d...more
Ehh...I guess I was expecting an interesting history or biography, but I wouldn't call this book either. In fact, toward the beginning it is stated that this is not an historical account or fiction...which leads one to wonder what it is. I think the author just stumbled upon some old ledgers and/or letters (based on the the lists of employees and gifts that she includes), did a tiny bit of research (to flesh things out, but you can tell she didn't dig too deep), and choose a time period that is...more
This is an evocative history of the Edwardian Era told through the life of Almina Carnarvon, countess of Carnarvon. What fascinated me were the details of life at Highclere Castle, the way the castle and estate worked. I would have liked more details about the gardens and the parks, more about how the farm operated and the kind of planning that goes on generation to generation to keep this agricultural enterprise going. It's a superficial history designed to capitalize on the TV series "Downton...more
This is a very fast, enjoyable read for anyone interested in Downton Abbey, or just in the British aristocracy and its lifestyle around the turn of the century. The book is clearly a love letter to Highclere and to one of its best-known inhabitants. This is both a good thing and a bad thing.
As entertainment, it reads well, flows quickly and provides a great deal of information for those looking to learn more about the family/estate's history.
As history, it's a bit lacking. The author tends to se...more
As entertainment, it reads well, flows quickly and provides a great deal of information for those looking to learn more about the family/estate's history.
As history, it's a bit lacking. The author tends to se...more
The book was recommended to me even though I don't watch Downton Abbey.
I found it ok. I liked reading about the way Highclere was run, the huge dinner parties, the high life of Almina and hubby.
I didn't enjoy all the chapters about the war. I've read enough war history and this seemed to use scraps of historical detail to try and capture the attention rather than any real context or timeframe.
Almina started to sound more and more like a spoilt woman who has a hospital because otherwise she'd hav...more
I found it ok. I liked reading about the way Highclere was run, the huge dinner parties, the high life of Almina and hubby.
I didn't enjoy all the chapters about the war. I've read enough war history and this seemed to use scraps of historical detail to try and capture the attention rather than any real context or timeframe.
Almina started to sound more and more like a spoilt woman who has a hospital because otherwise she'd hav...more
For those who don't know, this book tells a thin slice of early 20th century history regarding Highclere Castle, the real-life counterpart (and filmed setting) for 'Downton Abbey,' which also takes place in the Edwardian era. Yes, there are a few parallels between the 5th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon: Almina Wombwell, the daughter of banking giant Alfred Rothschild, married a down-on-his-luck earl and saved his estate and eventually opened a military hospital in their home for soldiers wounded...more
I really enjoyed this passably written book and found the real people even more interesting and admirable than the Downton Abbey characters based on them--albeit there's much less drama involved. Like Lady Cora and Lord Crawley, Lady Almina and the Fifth Earl of Carnarvon's marriage exchanging money for title is also a love match, money for title marriages being fairly common but those with love or even liking being rare. However, Almina is not American, but the tacitly acknowledged illegitimate...more
In my life I've probably read exactly one other biography, and I don't even remember whose it was. This book, though, it took me completely by surprise. It was compelling and moving and took me completely out of my surroundings and straight into the world of Lady Almina and Highclere.
It begins with an enthralling description of the glory and glamour of the highest echelons of London society, the lifestyles of the rich and extremely fashionable. Lady Almina led an incredibly charmed life, and uni...more
It begins with an enthralling description of the glory and glamour of the highest echelons of London society, the lifestyles of the rich and extremely fashionable. Lady Almina led an incredibly charmed life, and uni...more
I received Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey as a Christmas present, began reading it at once and have just finished it. While it is not going to get a 5 star rating from me because stylistically it's quite competent but a bit naive, the story it tells, and tells well, moves me to highly recommend it to anyone who loves the Downton Abbey series, but, more importantly, has an interest in the real life Britain's aristocracy.
What is most striking about this book by the present Countess of Carn...more
What is most striking about this book by the present Countess of Carn...more
Being a fan of the UK's Downton Abbey TV show, I was looking forward to this book. Although I didn't enjoy the book quite as much as I had hoped, I am glad to have read it. Having studied history in college, reading this book reminded me of those days -- parts of it are very dry, kind of like a textbook. The first 100 or so pages and the last 100 or so pages are very interesting and fun to read because they're actually about Lady Almina, her family, Highclere Castle, and the society and culture...more
Anyone hooked on "Downton Abbey" may enjoy this book, but even if BBC costume dramas don't grab you, this book has other areas of interest. Using the tale of one family, you can get an inside look at how devastating World War I was to Britain. It also offers a glimpse inside a time period--the turn of the last century and Edwardian England-- that saw enormous technological changes. Lady Almina, the Countess of Carnarvon, was mistress of Highclere Castle (where "Downton Abbey" was filmed) from 18...more
I've been researching my family tree and this book proves that an interesting and historically accurate description based on letters, articles and interviews is possible.
The book focuses on the life and marriage of Lady Alimina, the incredibly wealthy, yet illegitimate daughter of Alfred de Rothschild, to the 5th Earl of Carnarvon who was the financial backer of Howard Carter's discovery of King Tut's tomb. From their over the top marriage at St. Margaret's Westminster, lavish parties at Highcl...more
The book focuses on the life and marriage of Lady Alimina, the incredibly wealthy, yet illegitimate daughter of Alfred de Rothschild, to the 5th Earl of Carnarvon who was the financial backer of Howard Carter's discovery of King Tut's tomb. From their over the top marriage at St. Margaret's Westminster, lavish parties at Highcl...more
I read this book becaus I loved the Downton Abbey series. This book describes the real inhabitants of Highclere Castle where Downton Abbey is filmed. The series bases many story lines on the family that lived in Highclere. The Castle is about an hour outside London by train in the countryside. Almina, who becomes the Countess of Carnarvon by marrying the Count who occupied Highclere, was the illegitimate daughter of Alfred Rothchild. She was at once a child of extreme wealth and privilege yet li...more
Are you also a Downton Abbey fan? I love the series, so I've been eagerly waiting to read this account of the woman and house that inspired the series. Written by the present lady of the house, it is more or less an autobiography of both the house and the woman who ran it during the end of the 19th century and well into the 20th. Very detailed, as the author is able to pull out actual receipts for events and dinners. I was especially fascinated by the account of Almina's husband's expeditions to...more
What an interesting read! I haven't watched the Downtown Abby show yet, but apparently I'm going to need to look into it. I thought this would be a nice introduction to the real player behind the fiction. The book concentrates on describing major events in the life of Lady Almina and the family of her husband, the 5th Count of Carnarvon. There is some fascinating stuff here about the glamor and lifestyle of the wealthly as well as the lives of the servants in the house. Then there's a lot about...more
The book is interesting in many ways. It gave me great insight into the life and times of Lady Almina Carnarvon and the castle we all call Downton Abbey, but I also found the book lacking in many aspects. It is not written particularly well. In fact, I found a number of errors in the book that caused me to wonder if the author had an editor. I also found that I was sometimes confused about events and people that were discussed in the book. It seemed almost as if the author was looking at the gue...more
I really enjoyed the historical aspect of this book. It is a more thorough account of the Edwardian Era and WWI, (at least from the eyes of Britain's very rich,) than I have ever read. And it is fun to see that there truly is a real-life inspiration for Downton Abbey. There are a lot of parallels to the series, such as: the actual estate becoming a place to take care of soldiers during war, some of the personal lives of the servants, and even Almina's bout with Spanish Influenza that resembles L...more
Disappointing! While the setting for this book - England in the era leading up to and including WWI WWI - is one of my current favorites for non-fiction reading, the execution of the book left something to be desired.
I found the writing to be not horrible, but distracting. Overall, a professional writer (maybe ghosting the Countess) could have avoided some of the writing issues encountered in the book, including sentence construction, verb tenses, topic transitions, and repetitiveness. For exam...more
I found the writing to be not horrible, but distracting. Overall, a professional writer (maybe ghosting the Countess) could have avoided some of the writing issues encountered in the book, including sentence construction, verb tenses, topic transitions, and repetitiveness. For exam...more
How can you resist a book with the author listed simply as The Countess of Carnarvon? This family history was written by the wife of the great-grandson of Almina Wombwell, who married the Fifth Earl of Carnarvon in 1985. The dowry supplied by Alfred de Rothschild (ostensibly her godfather, but widely acknowledged to be her father), saved the family castle, Highclere (now recognizable to many as Downton Abbey), at a time when many English gentry were losing their homes.
Although the Earl understo...more
Although the Earl understo...more
As a publicized tie-in to DOWNTON ABBEY, this book was styled as providing a historical account of Highclere Castle (setting of DOWNTON ABBEY), its inhabitants, and the style of the Edwardian era. Written by the current Countess of Carnarvon, LADY ALMINA gives an insiders view into a world seldomly seen, but thanks to Julian Fellowes, is now becoming a rich area history of interest.
Written in a chatty and breezy tone, the book concentrates heavily on Lady Almina, her works and family and less o...more
Written in a chatty and breezy tone, the book concentrates heavily on Lady Almina, her works and family and less o...more
Maybe 2.75 stars. I'm a Downton Abbey fan, and since I'm having to wait until January for season 3, I needed something else to do besides rewatch seasons 1 and 2 again. So I found this book and read it. It was fun to learn about the real people who lived in the manor house used in the show at the same time period covered. Who knew they were actually famous? The Earl of Carnarvon was partners with Howard Carter when they discovered King Tut's tomb! Pretty cool! Also, the house being turned into a...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What makes Downton Abbey so good? | 7 | 59 | Apr 29, 2013 06:20pm | |
| Goodreads Librari...: 1 author, 2 different names | 3 | 28 | Mar 10, 2013 12:09pm | |
| Ravelry Knitters: January 2013- Lady Almina and the real Downton Abbey | 20 | 123 | Jan 23, 2013 04:40pm | |
| Laurie R. King Vi...: Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey - VBC May 2012 | 38 | 48 | Jun 04, 2012 01:04pm |
Apr 12, 2013 12:04pm
Apr 13, 2013 08:37am