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The Importance of Being Edward
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Plot Summary of The Importance of Being Edward
"Albert Edward, the eldest son of Queen Victoria, was Prince of Wales and his mother's heir until he was nearly 60 years old. He was very slow to learn, and his parents and tutors thought he was lazy and stubborn, though he suffered from what would later be understood as Attention Deficit Disorder and probably dyslexia. The Queenm blamed him for his father the Prince Consort's early death, and in widowhood never allowed him a formal role. She was slow to appreciate his gifts ion dealing with other people, and the talents that made him an instinctive diplomat. Sent on a tour of the United States of America and Canada when only 18, and to India early in adult life, he was an immediate success.

Although notoriously unfaithful, his marriage to the attractive but self-willed Princess Alexandra of Denmark was successful enough, and he was devoted to his children, though inclined to frighten them when they were very young. To their sorrow the eldest son Eddy, Duke of Clarence, died as a young man. When Edward became King in 1901, he was determined to ensure that his only surviving son George would be adequately prepared for the throne on his accession.
"

John Van der Kiste, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of The Importance of Being Edward
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Royalty bio Yes
Period of greatest activity? - 1800's

Subject of Biography
Gender - Male
Profession/status: - Prince/Nobleman/King
Age: - 40's-50's
Biography of famous person? Yes
Ethnicity - White
Nationality - British
How sensitive is this person? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence - Average intelligence
Physique - average physique

Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings? - 2 ()
Europe Yes
European country: - England/UK
Misc setting - Fancy Mansion
Century: - 19th century

Style
Person - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
Book makes you feel? - thoughtful
Writer's slant towards subject: - neutral
Story of entire life, or part? - story of nearly entire life
Pictures/Illustrations? - A ton 16-20 B&W
How much dialogue in bio? - little dialog
How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life? - 26-50% of book
Most similar books to The Importance of Being Edward
Little Mother of Russia by Coryne Hall
Caroline and Charlotte by Alison Plowden
Prince Leopold: the Untold Story of Queen Victoria's Youngest Son by Charlotte Zeepvat
Elizabeth: Grand Duchess of Russia by Hugo Mager
Princesses: The Six Daughters of George III by Flora Fraser


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Stanley Weintraub Resident Scholar Profiles

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John Van der Kiste  

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