George V
Subtitle: the unexpected king
Series: Penguin monarchs
Publisher: Allen Lane, an imprint of Penguin Books
Published: 2014
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 120
ISBN-13: 9780141976891
Description: For a man with such conventional tastes and views, George V had a revolutionary impact. Almost despite himself he marked a decisive break with his flamboyant predecessor Edward VII, inventing the modern monarchy, with its emphasis on frequent public appearances, family values and duty. George V was an effective war-leader and inventor of 'the House of Windsor'. In an era of ever greater media coverage--frequently filmed and initiating the British Empire Christmas broadcast--George became for 25 years a universally recognized figure. He was also the only British monarch to take his role as Emperor of India seriously. While his great rivals (Tsar Nicolas and Kaiser Wilhelm) ended their reigns in catastrophe, he plodded on. David Cannadine's sparkling account of his reign could not be more enjoyable, a masterclass in how to write about Monarchy, that central--if peculiar--pillar of British life. -- Amazon.com
Table of contents: title: A note on names; title: Genealogical table; title: Victorian grandchild, 1865-1901; title: Edwardian heir, 1901-1910; title: King and Emperor in peace and war, 1910-1918; title: Revolution and counter-revolution, 1918-1929; title: Depression and jubilation, 1929-1936; title: Notes; title: Further reading