Regele playboy - Carol al II-lea al României

by Paul D. Quinlan

Putini oameni de stat au avut parte de o faima mai oscilanta ca regele Carol II. Adulat de unii, considerat de altii singura solutie intr-un moment de criza al istoriei interbelice romanesti, repudiat insa de cei mai multi, Carol II ramane negresit o figura istorica controversata. Imaginea omului de vaza a fost deseori umbrita de rasfrangerile pernicioase ale urzelilor de alcov, eticheta regala neavand decat de pierdut de pe urma coabitarii diplomatiei cu dragostea. O sursa documentara cu neputinta de neglijat pentru Romania anilor 1900–1940, cartea istoricului american Paul D. Quinlan dezvaluie amanunte picante din viata familiei regale, din culisele politicii interne si externe, lamurind circumstantele plecarilor si revenirilor regelui in tara, iar in final, ale abdicarii lui.

Genres: History, Romania

356 pages, Paperback

First published October 20, 1995

Reviews

[Joseph Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some in the western world who are familiar with the story of Edward VIII of the UK. Wishing to marry his mistress, American divorcee Wallis Simpson, but could not do so in his capacity as both king and the head of the Church of England. He abdicated the throne in December 1936.

However, there is a contemporary royal to Edward who not only gave up the throne for love once, but twice. Carol II of Romania is unknown in the west, but his story is also quite fascinating.

Growing up in a royal court divided by the militarism of his father/grand-uncle and the romanticism of his mother/grand-aunt, Carol would inherit the best (and worst) of both traits.

He abdicated the throne in 1919 when he secretly married a commoner, but returned when he was convinced to. Then in 1925 he met Elena Lupescu, Dududia as she was known, and the two developed a life-long intimate connection. He abdicated a second time, and when his father died in 1927 his son Michael (born through a legitimate marriage to a princess of Greece) assumed the throne.

Wishing to become king, Carol returned to Romania in 1930 to become King Carol II. Through the next ten years of his reign he would face political crisis, a rising far-right movement, family dramas, and the competing influence on European powers on Romania. And well, he didn't handle much of it well. In 1938, Carol took power for himself, ruling as a royal dictator for the next two years.

When World War II broke out, Carol acquiesced to the Soviet demands for territory which led to a chain reaction of neighboring powers seizing territory. He was forced to abdicate in September 1940 and spent the rest of his life (he died in 1953) in exile.

His legacy remains mostly negative. Many Romanians blame him for not standing up to the Soviets, eventually bringing Romania under the path to a communist dictatorship. Many also resent him for his pursuit of pleasure over ruling. Despite his negative reputation, the story of Carol II is important to understand Romania during the interwar years and the road to foreign domination.

Overall, the book is fast-paced and engaging. Though the author will occasionally throw a variety of names at you, so if you are not familiar with Romanian history you might get bogged down in the details. As well, the author does show his biases at times in the book, notably his dislike towards Queen Marie, Carol's mother. If you are interested in this kind of history, definitely give it a read.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

o carte foarte buna pentru a înțelege perioada antebelica si cea interbelică, toate poveștile despre familia regala, dar si implicațiile pe care istoriile personale le-au avut in viata publică.
am stat si am facut notițe căci sunt multe lucruri pe care nu le stiam