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Victoria the Queen

An Intimate Biography of the Woman Who Ruled An Empire
Jul 17, 2017swagonrabeettt rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Very enlightening. Much more focused on her private life, but also included many important references to topical events during her reign. Some insight into the privilege and selfishness of rulers of that time, and their almost total lack of sympathy for their subjects as a whole. While Victoria seemed to be able to relate to suffering on an individual level, she was seemingly oblivious to the suffering of great masses of the populace and was not progressive in terms of reform in any way. This book also enlightens one as to the true character of her first, and seemingly most beloved Prime Minister. He was extremely self-involved and cared nothing for improving the lot of the people over which he ruled. His influence over the young Victoria cannot be understated, and is to be lamented. If not for Victoria's marriage to Albert, her subjects would have been far worse off, for he was the true progressive in the picture. Unfortunately he was the opposite of her in temperament and stamina. Had he lived, England would have been much better off much sooner. Most amazing: As a woman and ultimate ruler, Victoria was vehemently against women's suffrage, and repeatedly stated her view that it was improper for women to have a say in government (or much else for that matter). She was not maternal at all, although she had nine children, and if you want to read some sad stories, look to the biographies of her offspring. The most interesting of which is that of her eldest daughter, who was extremely intelligent and very well educated. She would have made a great ruler, but was relegated to a backwater German state where she was disliked and made miserable. Being royal isn't always what it's cracked up to be.