Rating: 
Summary: Perfect Biography, Disastrous Life
Review: 18th Century is not my favorite period in the history... Georgiana is not the type of person whom I respect and admire... Still, the book, the way it was written, its style, they all kept me reading it until the end with an unprecedented zeal... This is a great history book, this is one of the very rare objective biographies, this is a must for all history lovers...
Rating: 
Summary: Georgiana's complicated relationship with the media lives on
Review: After 'Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire' won the Whitbread Prize for Best Biography, the English media endlessly speculated about the tragic Spencer gene. Everyone compared Georgiana's glamorous public persona and tortured private life with that of her descendant's, Princess Diana. The other frequently asked question was: Did Georgiana have an ongoing love-affair with her husband's mistress, Lady Elizabeth Foster? I would like to put the record straight for the US publication. First, I believe that history throws up uncanny parallels all the time, and the comparisons between Georgiana and Diana are mere coincidence and nothing more. While it's true that both women married men much older than themselves, that both suffered from bullimia, and both endured loveless marriages while enjoying public adoration, the parallels end there. Georgiana was a highly educated and cultured woman and an outstanding political operator in the ruthless world of eighteenth-century politics. Her public achievements, and personal disasters, were very much of her own making. What makes her a compelling figure today is the problems she faced and how she fought them. As for the lesbianism, I believe that the real point about Georgiana's and Elizabeth's relationship is not if and when they slept together, but whether or not their mutual obsession threatened to destroy each other. I have made a few changes to the US edition, but only to streamline some of the descriptions of eighteenth-century politics. The actress Fiona Shaw has recorded an audio version of the book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent coverage of a frustrating woman
Review: Amanda Foreman brings extensive research and detailed period knowledge to "Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire," but does not let her research or knowledge interfere with her compelling story-telling ability. With admirable aplomb, she details upper-class British existence in the second half of the 18th Century, giving social context to the intrigues, political alliances, patronage, extramarital dalliances, and daily routines that comprised Georgiana's life. Unfortunately, for modern readers, Georgiana might prove to be a distasteful character. Unfaithful to her husband (who was equally unfaithful to her), she was willing to allow his mistress easy access, even encouragement, to him. At the same time, to avoid confrontation, she was willing to pretend illness for days at a time. A friend of Marie Antoinette, Georgiana shared her fear of, and dependence on a strong mother. An able canvasser for her husband and other politicians, she had the intelligence and instinct to have served in public office better than they. Georgiana's addiction to the gaming tables and constantly increasing debt to everyone from her friends and gambling partners to professional loan sharks are a prevalent, and unpleasant theme throughout her adult life and most of this book. Were she living in 20th Century America, one could imagine her checking joining a self-help group, or perhaps checking into rehab. After chapters of this addiction, which as Ms. Foreman clearly illustrates was common in Georgiana's class and period, the reader might be forgiven for wanting to take Georgiana by the shoulder's and attempt to shake some sense into her. The sense of impending doom becomes, at times, an impediment to enjoying Ms. Foreman's well-crafted book. That discomfort is, however, not nearly as much a criticism of Ms. Foreman as it is a compliment to her ability to help the reader empathize with her subject. As an added bonus, there is a centersection of color pictures, some of which depict the luxury in which Georgiana lived. A fascinating history of a complex woman living in extraordinary times.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent coverage of a frustrating woman
Review: Amanda Foreman brings extensive research and detailed period knowledge to "Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire," but does not let her research or knowledge interfere with her compelling story-telling ability. With admirable aplomb, she details upper-class British existence in the second half of the 18th Century, giving social context to the intrigues, political alliances, patronage, extramarital dalliances, and daily routines that comprised Georgiana's life. Unfortunately, for modern readers, Georgiana might prove to be a distasteful character. Unfaithful to her husband (who was equally unfaithful to her), she was willing to allow his mistress easy access, even encouragement, to him. At the same time, to avoid confrontation, she was willing to pretend illness for days at a time. A friend of Marie Antoinette, Georgiana shared her fear of, and dependence on a strong mother. An able canvasser for her husband and other politicians, she had the intelligence and instinct to have served in public office better than they. Georgiana's addiction to the gaming tables and constantly increasing debt to everyone from her friends and gambling partners to professional loan sharks are a prevalent, and unpleasant theme throughout her adult life and most of this book. Were she living in 20th Century America, one could imagine her checking joining a self-help group, or perhaps checking into rehab. After chapters of this addiction, which as Ms. Foreman clearly illustrates was common in Georgiana's class and period, the reader might be forgiven for wanting to take Georgiana by the shoulder's and attempt to shake some sense into her. The sense of impending doom becomes, at times, an impediment to enjoying Ms. Foreman's well-crafted book. That discomfort is, however, not nearly as much a criticism of Ms. Foreman as it is a compliment to her ability to help the reader empathize with her subject. As an added bonus, there is a centersection of color pictures, some of which depict the luxury in which Georgiana lived. A fascinating history of a complex woman living in extraordinary times.
Rating: 
Summary: AMAZING
Review: Amanda Foreman is a star. She has written a perfect biography of a woman whose story captures the spirit of an age.
Rating:
Summary: Delihtful Duchess
Review: Amanda Foreman who received the prestigious Whitbread Prize for Biography for this book, makes reading history as painless as eating a dish of raspberry ice cream. That is not to say the book lacks scholarship and research, but Ms. Foreman presents her material in such a witty, well-written way; the reader is beguiled. Georgianna was most of all, a very lovable woman. She was beautiful, stylish, lively, witty and unfailingly kind. She was a natural politician and was passionately involved her entire life. Her charisma, cleverness and organization in the political arena bring to mind FDR, JFK and Britain's present Prime Minister Tony Blair. She used all of her advantages of great wealth and high birth to maximum advantage. Georgianna's never-curbed mania for gambling caused her a lifetime of anxiety and misery. At one time, in today's dollars, she was $6 million in debt! She was never free of demanding creditors, and was ever fearful of confessing her great indebtedness to the Duke whom she dreaded would divorce her if he knew the extent of her losses. She was too loyal in her friendships and distinctly untidy in her love life. I noted one reviewer, in comparing Georgianna with her great (four times) niece, Diana, reported the Duchess never knew the joys of motherhood. This is incorrect. Her two daughters and son adored her. At the time of Georgianna's death, her eldest daughter wrote: "Oh my beloved, my adored departed mother, are you indeed forever parted from me? Shall I see no more that angelic countenance or hear that blessed voice? You whom I loved with such tenderness, you who were the best of mothers? Adieu---I wanted to strew violets over her dying bed as she strewed sweets over my life, but they would not let me." What parent could want a more loving tribute? "Georgianna, Duchess of Devonshire" is a compelling biography, not only of the subject, but life and times in Georgian England. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Biography from the 18th Century
Review: Amanda Foreman wrote that she became obsessed with Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, during the course of her research. Her obsession is understandable; the Duchess was and remains a compelling, dynamic, multi-faceted, tormented woman who was able to ignore convention and engage in "masculine" activities, all in her own style. Ms. Foreman does the Duchess justice by recounting her story in such a captivating manner. The caveat is that you find yourself emotionally invested in the Duchess' life and react to her triumphs and tragedies as if they were your own. If nothing else, you take away not only a deep regard for this woman, but also an understanding of the consequences of the choices we make daily. The Duchess of Devonshire inspires me to step through my own fears and risk failure and success.
Rating:
Summary: Foreman is a First-Rate Biographer
Review: Amanda Foreman's stunning portrayal of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire is riveting! The author's meticulous research and excellent writing bring this vibrant, fascinating woman to life. An icon of Whig politics, entertaining, fashion, science and popular literature (not to mention gambling and intriguing social escapades), Georgiana accomplished more in her short lifetime than a dozen women combined. This historical biography reads like a novel, and Foreman's lively, three-dimensional depiction of her subject will cause you to bond with Georgiana before you finish the first chapter. In addition to the wonderful insight Foreman provides on Georgian's life, the book is also an excellent source of 18th century British political and social commentary. A wonderful, informative read!
Rating:
Summary: Sex and Drugs and...Classical Music...Oh my!
Review: Bring on the Romantic era catfights baby! This woman ROCKED. Seriously though, she had a positively fascinating life, and what attracts me to her and kept me reading was the author's vibrance in describing this woman who didn't war with other women using her hair and nails, but with her politics and individuality. I kept getting urges to kill her husband, however. What a mean mean man. He didn't deserve to shine her shoes. I want to see more by Amanda Foreman. The only gripe I have with this book is the way that politics would take up huge meaty chapters, rather than being blended into the pages that described the social aspects. I seriously loved this book. May I soon see more books written by this author, for while no one else understood my fascination over the 5 day period I read it, many others who read it will.
Rating:
Summary: Biography?
Review: Despite the author's meticulous documentation/footnoting and attention to detail, this book reads much more like a novel than any bio I've ever read....It's a real page-turner...I can't put it down!
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