I have always been fascinated with royalty, particularly how they fit into a larger world history. I have an equal interest in monarchical lineage and was enthralled to learn about how Queen Victoria left her impact with so many of her offspring playing key roles in the later 19th and early 20th centuries. Miranda Carter taps into both of these aforementioned interests with this book, which seeks to highlight the lives and choices of three grandsons of the former queen: Nicholas of Russia (eventual Tsar Nicholas II), Wilhelm of Germany (Kaiser Wilhelm II), and George of the United Kingdom (George V). These three men proved to be completely different in their leadership style, but also held strong affinities for one another during the lives. Offering biographical pieces of each throughout the tome, Carter starts by exploring the early years of these boys, noting that they all lived in their respective countries and did not see one another with any regularity. When they could, it was surely great fun and the three countries were amicable throughout. On one end of the spectrum was Wilhelm, the oldest, who soon became enthralled with the politics of Germany, a powerful military country in Europe. He was shaped by this strong sentiment towards defence and did, on occasion, puff out his chest and use the iron fist he was given to keep other countries in line. Carter depicts him as the most ‘international’ of the three, with his focus almost exclusively outside the borders of his own country, permitting the government to handle domestic issues. The second grandson (and the youngest of the three), Nicholas, also lived in a country of much military might and political maneuvering. Russia sought to exert its place on the world scene, becoming a powerful force in the European and Asian theatres, exacting its own control with a strong military, though always leery of other countries trying to flex their muscle too ostentatiously. Unlike Wilhelm, Nicholas had also to deal with domestic issues and a rise in socialism within the country, which directly challenged his role as monarch. Such a vast territory would need constant attention and the tsar handled things as best he could on the domestic front to quell internal squabbles whenever possible. George, by contrast, was so separated from the goings-on in the international political arena, that he took more interest in steering clear of any major decisions or even the attempted lessons his father tried to instil for his eventual ascension to the British Throne. Carter argues that George V spent much of his time as a true constitutional monarch and overseeing the domestic situation of Great Britain, with Ireland pushing for its own independence and India beginning to ask for its own voice, as well as other local matters in which the British governments were always embroiled. Truly a contrast between these three men from their respective powerful countries.

As Carter explores in the latter portion of the book, the start of the 20th century was one in which these three men were forced to come into their own and show much of their aforementioned leadership. Wilhelm sought to confirm alliances with others, including his Russian cousin, sure that they would be needed if ever Britain or France sought to push their might. It is highly interesting to see some of the thoughts of these leaders during this time, particularly knowing their a common bloodline existed. By the time George became king in 1910, his cousins had a firm grip on power in their respective countries and Germany was solidifying alliances that would prove interesting when all the political dominoes came tumbling down in 1914. Carter explores the give and take between the three, with amicable telegrams, positioned themselves for an inevitable war without turning on one another personally. Three men, all tied together by a common grandmother, had such diverse and politically different lives, which is truly fascinating to the attentive reader. That they remained cordial and respectful of one another throughout was even more intriguing. Carter lays down some strong arguments about how these three men acted in their own ways and the decisions attributed to them paved the way to World War I. Great reading for those passionate about somewhat modern European political history, as well as those who love to trace royal lineage throughout the numerous countries with monarchs.

I am not sure why I chose to let this book collect virtual dust for so long, as I was captivated by the premise and became even more enthralled when I started it. Miranda Carter collects information on these three figures and presents it with ease. She is keen to draw some parallels between the men, while also contrasting their choices under similar historical goings-on. The reader familiar with these men will surely find new and exciting narratives on which they can learn more, while the layperson with a keen interest will be flooded with wonderful information to begin their own personal exploration of the time period. The book is effectively divided into four parts, denoting time periods, with chapters that focuses the attention on each of the men as they handled their respective domestic and international issues. Carter fills each chapter with needed information but does not appear to inundate the reader, scaling back where it suits the tome. Extensive research has surely gone into this piece, depicting the multi-perspective surrounding Europe as a powder keg in the years leading to the Great War. Fabulous in its presentation and content, I can only hope to find more by Miranda Carter to explore additional topics that intrigued her.

Kudos, Madam Carter, for this formidable piece. I love history and this was right up my alley. I hope others will find it as helpful or interesting.

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons