Victoria

October 3, 2016
Journalist Baird dedicates this florid, heaving biography of Queen Victoria to undoing the myths that continue to surround the woman whose era bears her name—specifically, that she was eclipsed by her husband, Albert, in matters of state; was incapable of loving her children; and was an absentee monarch after Albert’s untimely death. Instead, Victoria emerges in Baird’s fluid prose as a figure to be reckoned with in her own right, a passionate wife as well as an unbending ruler who defied no fewer than seven assassination attempts. Victoria’s rich personal life makes for interesting reading, but Baird’s attempts to trace the beginnings of the suffrage and anti-slavery movements to the values embodied in Victoria’s reign are unconvincing, grafted as they are onto a mass of details about white dresses “edged with swansdown” and the Prince of Wales’s sordid love life. Baird’s empathy for her subject is apparent throughout, however, and when Victoria finally exits the stage at age 81, the narrative seems to exhale, drained. Royal biographies tend to be breathless and straitened at the same time, and Baird’s contribution is no exception, but she imbues the chilly figure of Victoria with welcome humor and warmth. Agent: Amanda Urban, ICM.

September 15, 2016
Australian journalist and historian Baird (Media Tarts: Female Politicians and the Press, 2004) draws on previously unpublished sources to fashion a lively, perceptive portrait of the long-reigning queen.Victoria (1819-1901), writes the author, was an adoring wife, overbearing mother, and "a clever and forceful political calculator." Characterizing her subject as "the most famous working mother in the world," Baird focuses intently on love, sex, and family: Victoria's marriage to Albert and protracted mourning after he died; her attitudes toward childbearing and mothering her extensive brood; her postpartum depressions; her adoration of the "blunt, bearded Scotsman" John Brown; and her relationships with many men in her government. Although there are few surprises for readers familiar with previous biographies by A.N. Wilson, Christopher Hibbert, Matthew Dennison, and Carrolly Erickson, to name a few, Baird shrewdly assesses the quality of the queen's family life and creates sharply drawn portraits of the major players in her circle. The queen "budded in the presence of a man who charmed her, who confided in her and sought her approval," such as her first prime minister, Lord Melbourne, with whom she had "one of the great platonic romances of modern history," and the sympathetic, witty Benjamin Disraeli. As for her marriage, Baird sees both Victoria and Albert as stubborn and strong-willed. "Albert was aiming for greatness," the author observes, and was happy when his wife was pregnant so he could take a role in governing. He believed women were inferior to men, and Victoria conceded, "Albert's talents were superior." As far as motherhood, Baird reveals that Victoria hated being pregnant, feared that she would die in childbirth, was sometimes "doting," but also described her children "bluntly and often harshly" and clearly had her favorites. On the political landscape, Victoria witnessed the devastating Crimean War, uprisings across Europe, famine in Ireland, and domestic social pressures. She sought to transcend a "primarily ceremonial and symbolic" role to one of power and influence. A well-researched biography sensitive to Queen Victoria as a woman.

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Starred review from October 15, 2016
Given the many books about Queen Victoria, one wonders if is there more to say, but Baird writes with such spirit and well-founded authority that readers will feel as though the story of the famous British queen is being told for the first time. The second but no-less-important impression Baird leaves readers with is the sense that she has great appreciation for the queen's husband, Prince Albert, and his very important and self-created role in British political and public life. Baird also clarifies issues that have habitually clouded an accurate accounting of the queen's character and reign, beginning with the idea, an incorrect one, as it turns out, that Victoria pretty much retreated from life when the prince consort died. The truth as Baird establishes it is that, for the 39 years left to her, Victoria continued to exhibit the great strength of character that first revealed itself when she was a little girl whose chance of inheriting the throne appeared slim. Baird does not turn a blind eye on Victoria's darker sides, including her willfulness, selfishness, and self-pity. But that simply adds dimensions to a significant character.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)

June 1, 2016

Australian-based journalist Baird offers an empire-scale biography of Queen Victoria, portraying her as witty, passionate, and happy to wield the scepter. Baird draws on newly discovered papers clarifying the relationship between Victoria and her servant John Brown and was also able to gain access to the Royal Archives, no small feat. With a PBS miniseries on the life of Victoria airing in early 2017, the timing of this book's publication is certainly convenient.

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2016

With this work, Australia-based journalist Baird (Media Tarts) covers the life and times of the longest reigning UK monarch prior to Queen Elizabeth II. This book guides readers through the ups and downs of Queen Victoria's life (1819-1901), including her melancholy childhood, unlikely ascent to the throne, and the supreme amount of losses she experienced during her 63-year reign. Baird convincingly reframes the public perception of Victoria as a mother, along with providing unprecedented insight into her relationships following Prince Albert's death in 1861. The book features an extensive notes section and a bibliography of the primary and secondary sources the author used from her research. While readers will come across multiple hefty biographies on Queen Victoria, such as A.N. Wilson's Victoria: A Life, Baird crafts a comprehensive study of the monarch and others with whom she was involved in an engaging, smoothly rendered narrative. VERDICT Highly recommended for those interested in British history and the integral figures that shaped it, as well as readers looking for an excellent biography. [See Prepub Alert, 5/23/16.]--Katie McGaha, County of Los Angeles P.L.

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from July 1, 2016

With this work, Australia-based journalist Baird (Media Tarts) covers the life and times of the longest reigning UK monarch prior to Queen Elizabeth II. This book guides readers through the ups and downs of Queen Victoria's life (1819-1901), including her melancholy childhood, unlikely ascent to the throne, and the supreme amount of losses she experienced during her 63-year reign. Baird convincingly reframes the public perception of Victoria as a mother, along with providing unprecedented insight into her relationships following Prince Albert's death in 1861. The book features an extensive notes section and a bibliography of the primary and secondary sources the author used from her research. While readers will come across multiple hefty biographies on Queen Victoria, such as A.N. Wilson's Victoria: A Life, Baird crafts a comprehensive study of the monarch and others with whom she was involved in an engaging, smoothly rendered narrative. VERDICT Highly recommended for those interested in British history and the integral figures that shaped it, as well as readers looking for an excellent biography. [See Prepub Alert, 5/23/16.]--Katie McGaha, County of Los Angeles P.L.

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.