John Van der Kiste Libros

A study of relations between Britain and Austria as seen through personal and political connections between the families of Queen Victoria and Emperor Francis Joseph

This book explores key aspects of Queen Victoria's life through her roles with mentors, family, ministers, and servants. It highlights her close relationship with Albert and the tumultuous dynamics with her sons, as well as her favoritism towards Disraeli and aversion to Gladstone.

This biography of Xenia, sister of Nicholas II gives a new angle on the Romanov story and provides new information on relationships within the family after the Revolution. Important new letters and photographs are also included.

John Van der Kiste has made a particular study of British and European royalty. His previous books include William and Mary, Dearest Vicky, Darling Fritz, Kaiser Wilhelm II, The Romanovs, Once a Grand Duchess (with Coryne Hall) and Childhood at Court 1819-1914. He lives in Devon. --Book Jacket.

This book examines the downfall of James II, how the monarch came to forfeit the goodwill of the nation within three years.

Recounts the lives of the four women who married into the Victorian royal family: Alexandra of Denmark, Grand Duchess Marie of Russia, Louise of Prussia and Helen of Waldeck-Pyrmont.

This new book portrays the life and character of Good King Billy', one of Britain's most endearing sovereigns and down-to-earth Hanoverians.

What was childhood like for the princes and princesses in the Victorian and Edwardian period? Here their education, recreation and general upbringing is discussed, from Queen Victoria's isolated and lonely childhood, to the children of King George V and Queen Mary. We see glimpses of Prince Waldemar of Prussia, who enjoyed collecting fossils on the Isle of Wight and terrifying his grandmother with a pet crocodile; Prince Christian Victor of Schleswig-Holstein, who was the first prince to attend public school despite enjoying cricket much more than education; and Prince Louis of Battenberg, who introduced the 'Katuf' into his family, and recorded his voice on a wax cylinder. Contrasts are drawn between childhood at the English court and that of the Queen's decendants at European capitals, as well as the differing attitudes of royal parents. For example, Queen Victoria found babies to be "very froglike", whereas Queen Alexandra still gave children's parties to her children when they were adults.

Populárně laděný životopis rakouského císaře Františka Josefa I., Habsburka, který nedokázal zabránit sestupu rakousko-uherské monarchie z pozice evropské mocnosti. František Josef I. byl jedním z nejdéle vládnoucích evropských monarchů. Monografie zachycuje jeho životní osudy i osudy jeho rozsáhlé říše v 2. polovině 19. a na počátku 20. století. Velký prostor autor věnuje lidské stránce císařovy osobnosti, komplikovaným vztahům v císařské rodině, tragédiím, které postihly jeho nejbližší okolí (okolnosti smrti jeho syna, korunního prince Rudolfa, zastřelení mexického císaře Maxmiliána, zavraždění císařovny Alžběty). Méně pozornosti se tak dostává úloze, kterou František Josef sehrál v dějinách své říše a střední Evropy obecně.