What fun to read about Lady Almina while having a proper cup of tea!
I really loved this book. Lady Almina was the rich, illegitimate child of Sir Alfred de Rothchild. She married the 5th Earl of Carnarvon infusing his estate with cash (much like Cora did in Downton Abbey) and giving herself legitimacy in the aristocratic world and a title: Countess of Carnarvon. Her money also helped fund the Earl of Carnarvon's exploits in Egypt that eventually led to the discovery of King Tut's tomb.
For those of you who do not know, the Carnarvons oversee Highclere Castle where Downton Abbey is filmed. The book is written by the current Countess of Carnarvon. She is an excellent writer and good historian.
Like in Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle became a hospital during World War I, but beyond Downton, they even performed surgeries there and Lady Almina became a competent nurse!
I really admire this woman. If you love history (and Downton Abbey), you will love this book!
If you do not have the time to read the book, this 55 minute documentary on Highclere Castle with the author of the book will be a short way to learn the history!
Watch Beyond the Fiction on PBS. See more from Secrets of the Manor House.
4 comments:
I am going to buy this for a friend who is a total Anglophile and a recent Downton Abbey convert! :) Thanks for the review!
Carol, thanks for linking this in. I have just signed up to follow you. A follow back to Carole's Chatter would be wonderful – or are you already following? Cheers
Ps If you would like email reminders of future editions of Books You Loved, just pop by and comment and include your email - I won't publish it - and the reminder will be by bcc so it will remain private
How neat! I love Downton Abbey. How cool to have a book written by someone who lived in the estate they use.
I love history and I love Downtown Abbey.
Thanks for sharing this one.
carol
dizzyc
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