Monday, October 5, 2020

The Grand Ducal House of Hesse by Art Beeche and Ilana Miller

 



This is a comprehensive history and biographical study of the Grand Ducal House of Hesse and By Rhine by Art Beeche and Ilana Miller (Eurohistory: $48.95).  The photographs are the real stars of this book.

A bit disappointed with the text, which largely relies on English-language sources, and truly surprised that neither writer was aware of Laura Beatty's biography of Lillie Langtry, which was published in 1999.  This biography includes the then previously unpublished correspondence between Lillie and Arthur Jones.

Jones was a childhood friend and Lillie's secret lover.  Their correspondence offered evidence that Jones, not Prince Louis of Battenberg, was Jeanne-Marie's father.

The photographs are the most interesting part of the book -- and you can never miss when the photographs are the reason to purchase the book.

2 comments:

  1. An amazing book, a must have for anyone interested in royalty. A small quibble, there are quite a number of simple spelling mistakes. It makes the book look like it was rushed, and not properly edited & proof checked.

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  2. that is a problem with all of their books ..

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