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1913: The Defiant Swan Song
'Recounted at great speed, and with splendid life, vigour and readability.' Antonia Fraser, Evening Standard
Europe. 1913
It's the eve of the First World War. One era ends as another is set to begin. Before life is changed forever in the maelstrom of war, the excess and extravagance of European high society blazes its trail.
Acclaimed historian Virginia Cowles paints a picture of the glamour and scandals within the upper echelon of society of seven major cities, through rich prose and lively anecdotes.
Rumours thrived in the public eye - King George V's speculated alcoholism, the devotion of the Russian Empress to the charlatan Rasputin - Archduke Franz Ferdinand's quick temper and conspicuous affairs. It was not only nobles who caused scandals however; even the ballet was drawn into controversy. The fame of Isadora Duncan, with her self-taught dancing in bare feet and a Greek tunic, drew equal derision and adoration.
'A Defiant Swan Song' chronicles all the highs and lows of 1913 - from major cultural events such as the suffragette movement in London, to the folly and fame of ruling elite. Parties and affairs, fashion and intrigue, dancing and duelling abound.
But life was was not all one endless party before the war. Cowles reveals the tensions and divisions behind the mask of European society.
1913 would be the beginning of the end.
Recommended for fans of Simon Sebag Montefiore, Andrew Roberts and Antonia Fraser.
Virginia Cowles, who was brought up in Boston, left America for Europe at an early age to become a well-known journalist and historian, and is the author of 'Winston The Era and The Man', 'Edward VII and His Circle', and 'The Kaiser', amongst other books.
She was married to Aidan Crawley, M.P., and had three children.
Praise for Virgina Cowles
’One of the most delightful books I have read. Miss Cowles has given us a tour-de-force, well researched, comprehensive, frank … [it] abounds in amazing stories of extraordinary personalities’ Books and Bookmen
‘Splendidly readable’ The Sunday Times
Europe. 1913
It's the eve of the First World War. One era ends as another is set to begin. Before life is changed forever in the maelstrom of war, the excess and extravagance of European high society blazes its trail.
Acclaimed historian Virginia Cowles paints a picture of the glamour and scandals within the upper echelon of society of seven major cities, through rich prose and lively anecdotes.
Rumours thrived in the public eye - King George V's speculated alcoholism, the devotion of the Russian Empress to the charlatan Rasputin - Archduke Franz Ferdinand's quick temper and conspicuous affairs. It was not only nobles who caused scandals however; even the ballet was drawn into controversy. The fame of Isadora Duncan, with her self-taught dancing in bare feet and a Greek tunic, drew equal derision and adoration.
'A Defiant Swan Song' chronicles all the highs and lows of 1913 - from major cultural events such as the suffragette movement in London, to the folly and fame of ruling elite. Parties and affairs, fashion and intrigue, dancing and duelling abound.
But life was was not all one endless party before the war. Cowles reveals the tensions and divisions behind the mask of European society.
1913 would be the beginning of the end.
Recommended for fans of Simon Sebag Montefiore, Andrew Roberts and Antonia Fraser.
Virginia Cowles, who was brought up in Boston, left America for Europe at an early age to become a well-known journalist and historian, and is the author of 'Winston The Era and The Man', 'Edward VII and His Circle', and 'The Kaiser', amongst other books.
She was married to Aidan Crawley, M.P., and had three children.
Praise for Virgina Cowles
’One of the most delightful books I have read. Miss Cowles has given us a tour-de-force, well researched, comprehensive, frank … [it] abounds in amazing stories of extraordinary personalities’ Books and Bookmen
‘Splendidly readable’ The Sunday Times
- GenresHistoryWarNonfiction
221 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 1967
155 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Virginia Cowles
28 books66 followers(Harriet) Virginia Spencer Cowles OBE was a noted American journalist, biographer, and travel writer. During her long career, Cowles went from covering fashion, to covering the Spanish Civil War, the turbulent period in Europe leading up to World War II, and the entire war. Her service as a correspondent was recognized by the British government with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1947. After the war, she published a number of critically acclaimed biographies of historical figures. In 1983, while traveling with her husband in France, she was killed in an automobile accident near Biarritz.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 30, 2020
Taking a particular year as a starting point to explore the world before WWI is an interesting idea. Although it is something of an overview, I found this a very readable account of a world where unrest was palpable, in Europe especially, but many were hoping that danger would pass. The book looks at London, Berlin, St Petersburg, Vienna, Rome, Paris and New York.
London was seen as the social capital of Europe, full of visiting dignitaries and lavish parties. Although Europe was on the brink of war, with sparks constantly threatening to ignite, the press were more interested in fashion, the militant suffragettes, the Marconi scandal, ballet, the theatre, the occult and the tango (a craze sweeping all of Europe, while New York battled with the 'Turkey Trot'). Churchill, as ever, seeing what may lay ahead, pushed for the expansion of the navy, while Lloyd George said prospects, 'had seldom been more peaceful.'
Oddly, although the Kaiser is often seen as something of a war-monger, he was - as the author states - more keen on power than war. He did feel that Russia, England and France were plotting against him, while trying to restrain his eldest son and heir and trying to maintain peace. Meanwhile, in Russia you have the imperial family surrounded by scandal and speculation. I was also interested to learn that Rasputin was introduced to the Russian Empress by the sisters of the Italian Queen.
In Vienna we have the elderly Emperor Franz Joseph and his heir presumptive, Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The Austrian Court was the most haughty and exclusive; seeming caught up in a past that is soon to be swept away. Overall, I found this a very interesting book, even though - simply because of the period and what you know is coming, some cities held more interest than others. Still, I enjoyed this and am keen to read more by this author.
London was seen as the social capital of Europe, full of visiting dignitaries and lavish parties. Although Europe was on the brink of war, with sparks constantly threatening to ignite, the press were more interested in fashion, the militant suffragettes, the Marconi scandal, ballet, the theatre, the occult and the tango (a craze sweeping all of Europe, while New York battled with the 'Turkey Trot'). Churchill, as ever, seeing what may lay ahead, pushed for the expansion of the navy, while Lloyd George said prospects, 'had seldom been more peaceful.'
Oddly, although the Kaiser is often seen as something of a war-monger, he was - as the author states - more keen on power than war. He did feel that Russia, England and France were plotting against him, while trying to restrain his eldest son and heir and trying to maintain peace. Meanwhile, in Russia you have the imperial family surrounded by scandal and speculation. I was also interested to learn that Rasputin was introduced to the Russian Empress by the sisters of the Italian Queen.
In Vienna we have the elderly Emperor Franz Joseph and his heir presumptive, Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The Austrian Court was the most haughty and exclusive; seeming caught up in a past that is soon to be swept away. Overall, I found this a very interesting book, even though - simply because of the period and what you know is coming, some cities held more interest than others. Still, I enjoyed this and am keen to read more by this author.
March 1, 2017
A very interesting book which discusses what life was like in seven major cities in 1913: London, berlin, St Petersburg, Vienna, Rome, Paris, and New York. The chapter on London for example discusses the royal family, the London season, the Russian ballet, the death of suffragette Emily Davison, and the Tango, among other things. The book is illustrated with many black and white photographs from the period showing society people, inventions, advertisements, theatrical performers etc. there are some unusual pictures - I particularly like the one from berlin of the procession of chimney sweeps to celebrate kaiser Wilhelm's jubilee for instance, and the procession of thirty thousand suffragettes in New York. there's lots here for anyone interested in the history of the early 20th century.
February 9, 2019
Good background to WWI
Although this book does sometimes consider the politics of the day, especially to highlight the tensions between various nations, it is predominantly a social history - which is fortunate, since this is where it succeeds best.
It gives, one city per chapter, a glimpse of the rather decadent lifestyle led by the wealthy in London, Berlin, St Petersburg, Vienna, Rome, Paris and New York, in a world on the cusp of war. The reader is informed, generally in a light and entertaining way, about diverse topics applicable to the city under examination. Recurring themes include life at the various royal courts, relations between the monarchs, fashion, the visual and performing arts, tango fever, duelling, reactions to the political restlessness on the Balkans, and notable events and disasters - all of which contribute to the tapestry of a lost way of life which Virginia Cowles creates.
The New York chapter finishes abruptly and without warning, which is a rather unsatisfying way of ending a book. An afterword of some sort would have brought the book a more polished conclusion.
Although this book does sometimes consider the politics of the day, especially to highlight the tensions between various nations, it is predominantly a social history - which is fortunate, since this is where it succeeds best.
It gives, one city per chapter, a glimpse of the rather decadent lifestyle led by the wealthy in London, Berlin, St Petersburg, Vienna, Rome, Paris and New York, in a world on the cusp of war. The reader is informed, generally in a light and entertaining way, about diverse topics applicable to the city under examination. Recurring themes include life at the various royal courts, relations between the monarchs, fashion, the visual and performing arts, tango fever, duelling, reactions to the political restlessness on the Balkans, and notable events and disasters - all of which contribute to the tapestry of a lost way of life which Virginia Cowles creates.
The New York chapter finishes abruptly and without warning, which is a rather unsatisfying way of ending a book. An afterword of some sort would have brought the book a more polished conclusion.
May 2, 2020
History as snapshot: the way we were...and still are
It's a neat idea: take a crucial year and use it to define an era. This year, 1913, was crucial because it was the last before The War To End All Wars put a large chunk of humanity through the meat grinder and destroyed a generation or two. It's effective too, especially if you belonged to one of the international elites.
The book is divided up by nation, as involved in the coming debacle. The jockeying for pre-eminence is well-depicted: we all went to war to satisfy grotesquely inflated male egos: nothing particularly new but chilling nevertheless, in the light of our current crop idiot leaders.
It's a very entertaining read and a great example of how to view the great events of history through the prism of personal experience and fashionable entitlement. Humanity doesn't change much: only the signifying markers of wealth are different.
It's a neat idea: take a crucial year and use it to define an era. This year, 1913, was crucial because it was the last before The War To End All Wars put a large chunk of humanity through the meat grinder and destroyed a generation or two. It's effective too, especially if you belonged to one of the international elites.
The book is divided up by nation, as involved in the coming debacle. The jockeying for pre-eminence is well-depicted: we all went to war to satisfy grotesquely inflated male egos: nothing particularly new but chilling nevertheless, in the light of our current crop idiot leaders.
It's a very entertaining read and a great example of how to view the great events of history through the prism of personal experience and fashionable entitlement. Humanity doesn't change much: only the signifying markers of wealth are different.
November 25, 2022
Loved it
Living with grandparents who were living during this time period in Europe and Canada and as a child hearing them speaking with friends about the good old days 1913 The Defiant Swan Song drew me in and held my attention. Grandparents who came from Russia, the Ukraine and England and reading about life in their time period was an adventure for me and made me feel like a time traveller. Then German and Italian family members being added in different generations and learning what happened in their countries of origin. Europe pre world war 1 was large family of related Royals who basically had family members who couldn't get along and the general population suffered by having to fight their spats which turned into wars. I loved the quotes from newspapers. Well done Virginia Cowles.
Living with grandparents who were living during this time period in Europe and Canada and as a child hearing them speaking with friends about the good old days 1913 The Defiant Swan Song drew me in and held my attention. Grandparents who came from Russia, the Ukraine and England and reading about life in their time period was an adventure for me and made me feel like a time traveller. Then German and Italian family members being added in different generations and learning what happened in their countries of origin. Europe pre world war 1 was large family of related Royals who basically had family members who couldn't get along and the general population suffered by having to fight their spats which turned into wars. I loved the quotes from newspapers. Well done Virginia Cowles.
July 29, 2019
An enjoyable and interesting read, viewing the year before WWI through 6 capital cities. I learnt a lot.
November 6, 2019
there are interesting anecdotes from here to there but overall quite boring and easy to get lost.
June 28, 2020
A very interesting little book but the poor editing really ruined what should have been a quick and pleasant read.
January 6, 2024
Part three of a trilogy, a good book to finish the series .
August 8, 2024
Very interesting!
1913 was the year before the beginning of WWI. The author takes the reader around the world to major cities. The book is more about society and social mores than the politics of that time, although of course the politics would shape the daily life of the citizens of the country/city. The book is well written and researched.
1913 was the year before the beginning of WWI. The author takes the reader around the world to major cities. The book is more about society and social mores than the politics of that time, although of course the politics would shape the daily life of the citizens of the country/city. The book is well written and researched.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews