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Summary: Doesn't deserve a crown
Review: This book was merely a by-product of the Diana-hysteria.
Rating: 
Summary: Awesome!
Review: This is one of the best books I've read in ages. I totally loved the way Ms Foreman manages to make the period come alive and it reads like a modern story with a completely authentic old feel. I'd much rather read this lively, energetic and amusing writing than the strangely successful Angelas Ashes
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Summary: The Spencers-A Remarkable Family
Review: This was a great book. I study the British Royalty and have for years. This book interested me initially because it was about the Duchess of Devonshire and I wanted to know more. Here is the great part of it, the way it related to the late Diana, Princess of Wales. If you only look at the photographs, there is a remarkable resemblance to the current Earl Spencer, Charles, brother of Diana who spoke the words at his sister's funeral and touched the world. The gallery has paintings that go back to the 17th Century, if you look closely, the current Earl resembles that one of two centuries ago. It is very hard to put down and an enjoyable read that is true and is history.
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Summary: A tabloid life
Review: What better material can you start with than the most well-known menage a trois in English history - involving one of the wealthiest men of his age, and Duke at that, his wife the most popular and influential woman of her age, Georgiana, the Duchess of Devonshire - and their best friend? With a story like this Amanda Foreman would have been hard pressed to fail in a book on Georgiana, 5th Duchess of Devonshire. But Foreman doesn't falter in the tale though, and neither does she pore with salacious enjoyment over the detail. She does a great job in presenting the Duchess throughout her life and in all her colours and shades; as a young girl, rejected wife, desperate gambler, impetuous campaigner, caring mother and always- good friend. Georgiana was born in 1757 and died in 1806 so this book is set against the excesses and massive changes of the latter half of the eighteenth century. The rise of the industrial revolution, the rise in England's population - and most espeically the rise in the population of England's few cities. This was also the age of enoblement with the King raising many men to new peerages in order to stack the Government in his favour. Change was rife, fashion extreme and politics were a game that many noble women could play - Georgiana led them all. I like the way Foreman is sparing in her conclusions but presents the detail for us to interpret. We get to see all sides of Georgiana and her life. This is truly a book about a woman and the influence she had on her era. There have been a number of books on her over the years, the publication of her letters to Lady Elizabeth Foster. In the last 30 years Both Arthur Calder-Marshall and Brian Masters have written good biographies of the Duchess of Devonshire also. If you are looking for further reading on Georgiana, I think Brian Masters book is excellent and still in print.
Rating:
Summary: Compelling research and writing
Review: What I liked most about Foreman's book was how she transformed an immense amount of research into a very readable, very addictive book -- bringing a serious research effort into popular readership. She brings Georgiana to life through the use of her letters and I never really felt that she was extrapolating from them to reach conclusions and make the story more interesting. Foreman's book has the research depth of a PhD thesis and the ease-of-reading of a best-seller novel.
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Summary: A brilliant biography of Princess Diana's fourth-great-aunt
Review: While reading "Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire", I stumbled across the fact that this elegant, intelligent, misunderstood woman was the late Princess Diana's fourth great aunt. I must relay to you also that I found amazing similarities between Georgiana and her niece- both were educated and dominated by their mothers, both had cool, reserved husbands, and both sought love outside of their marriages. Unfortunately, Georgiana did not have children [though her husband had one illegitimate daughter by a mistress], like Diana did, to give her comfort. Aside from those facts, the biography is exceedingly well done. Ms. Foreman's research is quite apparant; the intricacies and elaborate facts and quotes are numerous; and the book provides an inside look at high society in Georgiana's time. An excellent read; I would recommend the book for history buffs and those fascinated with sixteenth and seventeenth century politics and society.
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Summary: Thank you Ms Foreman
Review: why is this the best book i've read in ages? besides foreman's great style and subject matter, here is the opportunity to connect with a unique woman who flaunts all of our weaknesses and excesses and still remains true to herself. This is one of those life changing books that makes you examine yr own life in a different (maybe kinder) way. It's fascinating to ponder how much Foreman's obvious love for her subject has affected her portrait - but what emerges is a beautiful canvas, and a rigorous political examination of the times, regardless. If you like Georgiana, you ought to read Susan Sontag's The Volcano Lover. I thot she'd made most of that up until i read this book. We westerners have come a long way politically, but what we've made up for in decorum we've managed to lose in pure human interest. and i finally understand the british tabloid affair with royalty. Vive la reine!
Rating:
Summary: Difficult Read
Review: With all the "sexy" things that happened to the subject, this could have been much more interesting. Perhaps the author was showing restraint in not ascribing perceived emotions, reactions, etc. Foreman's research is amazing and she deserves credit for her hard work. However, the book is somewhat dry and hard to follow; I was skimming it toward the end.
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