Customer Reviews
Interesting read, hard going at times - By: L. Topp, 20 Jul 2005 
I have read many books on the life & times of Queen Victoria, so I was expecting another drawn out story when I purchased this one. The book is facinating & details her last hours, & how she spent her last days at Osbourne House. It also discribes how the Kieser Willham was advised to stay away, in case the knowledge of his presence deeply upset her.
Sometimes the book is a little hard going & focuses on some political aspects. The book is well worth a read & makes interesting reading.
Absolutely fascinating - recommended. - By: K Mansfield, 31 Jan 2002 
Absolutely fascinating. Tony Rendell has a thorough & detailed grasp of his subject & the book is densely full of detail but never turgid. He has a distinctly modern approach & a light touch, with some nice wry comments on some of the individuals involved (for example Bishop Davidson) which makes you feel as if he might actuallly have met them. The death scene itself is morbidly fascinating.
I have recommended this book to several people.
Smear free - By: , 22 Aug 2001 I purchased this book after reading reports in my newspaper of a a televised documentary that intends to purport to reveal the late Queen Victoria in a less than wholesome light. I was delighted to read Mr. Rennell's book which showed these salacious alllegations are wide of the mark. Mr. Rennell shows Queen Victoria as thoughtful, ingenious & justifiably manipulative but at heart as a thoroughly decent person. What a pity the persons who are making this documentary for the television are not basing their programme on this excellent & dramatic book.
Excellent - By: , 13 Aug 2001 As a history buff who takes a special interest in Queen Victoria I approached this book with dread because so many authors rehash what is already common knowledge. But not Mr.Rennell. He has unearthed new & fascinating facts & writes in a jaunty but erudite manner. I take my hat off to him!
well written and gripping - By: , 11 Jun 2001 Unlike the previous reviewer I didn't quite manage this book in one sitting, but I nevertheless found it totallly absorbing. The author has done his research & the main players certainly come to life. Where the author delivers a master stroke is by trawling the papers of the day to give us the real mood of the nation. One asks oneself the question, "Would there be such a mood of mourning today?" After the reaction to Diana's death, there could well be! The 'taster' on the dust jacket is a real tease - what exactly was put in the coffin which has remained such a secret for so long? - read it, & you shalll find out! This book does not disappoint.
