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Albert The Good And The Victorian Reign
""Albert The Good And The Victorian Reign"" by Hector Bolitho is a historical book that explores the reign of Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert during the Victorian era. The book delves into the life of Prince Albert, his achievements, and his contributions to the British Empire. It also covers the social, political, and economic changes that took place during the Victorian era, including the growth of the middle class, the industrial revolution, and the rise of the British Empire. The author provides a detailed account of the Victorian reign, drawing on primary sources and historical records to present a comprehensive and engaging narrative. This book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in the history of the Victorian era, the British Empire, or the life of Prince Albert.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
380 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2007
About the author
Hector Bolitho
136 books12 followers(Henry) Hector Bolitho was a New Zealand author, novelist and biographer.
Widely-travelled, he journeyed in the South Sea Islands in 1919 and then through New Zealand with the Prince of Wales in 1920. He travelled in Africa, Australia, Canada, America, and Germany in 1923-4, finally settling in Britain where he was to remain for the rest of his life.
On his arrival in Britain he worked as a freelance journalist. At the start of World War II he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) as an intelligence officer with the rank of squadron leader, editing the Royal Air Force Weekly Bulletin, which in 1941 became the Royal Air Force Journal. In 1942 he was appointed editor of the Coastal Command Intelligence Review.
He had 59 books published.
Widely-travelled, he journeyed in the South Sea Islands in 1919 and then through New Zealand with the Prince of Wales in 1920. He travelled in Africa, Australia, Canada, America, and Germany in 1923-4, finally settling in Britain where he was to remain for the rest of his life.
On his arrival in Britain he worked as a freelance journalist. At the start of World War II he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) as an intelligence officer with the rank of squadron leader, editing the Royal Air Force Weekly Bulletin, which in 1941 became the Royal Air Force Journal. In 1942 he was appointed editor of the Coastal Command Intelligence Review.
He had 59 books published.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
April 6, 2013
In Pirates of Penzance (which I have nearly memorized) our young hero Frederick comments "Yes, I must do it. It is my duty and I am a slave to duty." This struck me as a perfect description of Prince Albert, after I finished Bolitho's book.
It is a delightful book. It was written in the 1930s to counteract some of the "anti-Albert" feelings and writings that had survived from the Victorian era. After all, Albert was German, a foreigner who came to marry their queen, and what on earth should they call him? Couldn't call him "King" because he wasn't. He wasn't in line to take the throne so they couldn't call him "Prince of Wales" or "Next on the Throne." It took many years before they finally settled on "Prince Consort" and Victoria had to make if official. (Lucky for England; she didn't know how soon she'd have another Prince Consort.)
Bolitho shows how Victoria and Albert were destiined, by their uncle Leopold, King of Belguim, almost from the time they were born. Leopold's sister was Victoria's mother and his brother was Albert's father. Although not a true "plot," the idea was to establish the Coburg line on the Engish throne and remove the Hanoverians - the dregs of the House of the Georges. Victoria, without knowing or realizing, fell right into the "trap." When they were reintroduced as young people (they had met a couple of times as youngsters), she immediately fell in love. Albert was quieter about it. There is no doubt that he loved her, but apparently not at first and never as much as she did him.
Bolitho relies mainly on letters from Albert to various relatives. They reveal the poor Prince as an excellent ruler-behind-the-throne, helping Victoria temper her emotional personality and become someone who would listen to adverse opinions and weigh evidence before making a decision. He basically shaped her into a Queen.
However, Albert was an intellectual who loved discussing ideas, books, art while Victoria was a social person who would rather attend balls and talk superficially. Her intelligence was not equal to his, nor was she interested in learning a great deal about what he was interested in.
A picture emerges of a man born to be a supporter, a behind the scenes mover and shaker who succeeded incredibly well but was exceedingly lonely all his life, especially in England. Bolitho feels, with others, that Albert literally worked himself to death. As a young man in England he slowly took on areas where he didn't threaten the status quo but by the end of his life, he was making plans, revising policies, suggesting changes all the time. He no longer took time off to go hunting or sit with Victoria and the children at night.
I left the book feeling extremely sorry for him. He virtually made the Victorian age what it was, based on morals, honesty, loyalty, (a 180 degree change from what the monarchy had been before Victoria)
but was never given proper credit. Perhaps it should have been called the Albertian Age.
It is a delightful book. It was written in the 1930s to counteract some of the "anti-Albert" feelings and writings that had survived from the Victorian era. After all, Albert was German, a foreigner who came to marry their queen, and what on earth should they call him? Couldn't call him "King" because he wasn't. He wasn't in line to take the throne so they couldn't call him "Prince of Wales" or "Next on the Throne." It took many years before they finally settled on "Prince Consort" and Victoria had to make if official. (Lucky for England; she didn't know how soon she'd have another Prince Consort.)
Bolitho shows how Victoria and Albert were destiined, by their uncle Leopold, King of Belguim, almost from the time they were born. Leopold's sister was Victoria's mother and his brother was Albert's father. Although not a true "plot," the idea was to establish the Coburg line on the Engish throne and remove the Hanoverians - the dregs of the House of the Georges. Victoria, without knowing or realizing, fell right into the "trap." When they were reintroduced as young people (they had met a couple of times as youngsters), she immediately fell in love. Albert was quieter about it. There is no doubt that he loved her, but apparently not at first and never as much as she did him.
Bolitho relies mainly on letters from Albert to various relatives. They reveal the poor Prince as an excellent ruler-behind-the-throne, helping Victoria temper her emotional personality and become someone who would listen to adverse opinions and weigh evidence before making a decision. He basically shaped her into a Queen.
However, Albert was an intellectual who loved discussing ideas, books, art while Victoria was a social person who would rather attend balls and talk superficially. Her intelligence was not equal to his, nor was she interested in learning a great deal about what he was interested in.
A picture emerges of a man born to be a supporter, a behind the scenes mover and shaker who succeeded incredibly well but was exceedingly lonely all his life, especially in England. Bolitho feels, with others, that Albert literally worked himself to death. As a young man in England he slowly took on areas where he didn't threaten the status quo but by the end of his life, he was making plans, revising policies, suggesting changes all the time. He no longer took time off to go hunting or sit with Victoria and the children at night.
I left the book feeling extremely sorry for him. He virtually made the Victorian age what it was, based on morals, honesty, loyalty, (a 180 degree change from what the monarchy had been before Victoria)
but was never given proper credit. Perhaps it should have been called the Albertian Age.
Displaying 1 of 1 review