The real-life inspiration and setting for the Emmy Award-winning Downton Abbey, Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey tells the story behind Highclere Castle and the life of one of its most famous inhabitants, Lady Almina, the 5th Countess of Carnarvon.Drawing on a rich store of materials from the archives of Highclere Castle, including diaries, letters, and photographs, the current Lady … photographs, the current Lady Carnarvon has written a transporting story of this fabled home on the brink of war. Much like her Masterpiece Classic counterpart, Lady Cora Crawley, Lady Almina was the daughter of a wealthy industrialist, Alfred de Rothschild, who married his daughter off at a young age, her dowry serving as the crucial link in the effort to preserve the Earl of Carnarvon’s ancestral home. Throwing open the doors of Highclere Castle to tend to the wounded of World War I, Lady Almina distinguished herself as a brave and remarkable woman.
This rich tale contrasts the splendor of Edwardian life in a great house against the backdrop of the First World War and offers an inspiring and revealing picture of the woman at the center of the history of Highclere Castle.
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An interesting and informative look at a place and time you think you know from Downton Abbey but fleshed out and true with lots of detail. I enjoyed it a lot.
This is a fantastic read.
Lady Almina of Highclere Castle, is a captivating person. The desire to read about her and other high society women, their lives and the lives of those who were part of their lives is mostly, in part, due to the wild fascination with anything closely resembling the very popular television series, “Downton Abbey”. This is what really got me …
Incredibly interesting history.
If you watched Downton Abbey, you will love this book
I liked knowing about the real Countess who was somewhat a heroine during World War 1.
Well written, informative, and entertaining. As a Downton Abbey fan it is fun to read the real story behind the fiction, but even if you have not seen Downton Abbey it would be a good read if you are interested in the history of the period
Loved the true history of Highclere Castle and enjoyed the many parallels of its history and those woven into Downton Abbey. The story of King Tut’s tomb was elaborated in the book and brought to life Lord Carnavon’s and Howard Carter’s love of the hunt for the treasures. Thoroughly loved the book!
Great book about Highclere and Almina. What an inspiration she was in her day.
I had just visited the castle, so it really filled out my visit.
If you like Downton Abbey you’ll love it
A fascinating read…As a Downton Abbey fan, I was amazed to find how much of the series correlated to actual people, places, and events. As someone who also has lived in Egypt and visited the Valley of the Kings and King Tut’s tomb, it was it was equally fascinating to learn how the Canarvon family (Downton’s Crawley family) played a major role …
Enjoyed the book. Am a big fan of Downton Abbey.
I could not put this book down! The description of World War I was so very sad. I had no idea what caused it or the affect it had on England. The Lords and Ladies did more than their part to help! Will read the next in the series!
If you are looking for the story of Downton Abby this is not the one. Most of it is about WW1 and Egypt. A little disappointed.
As a follower of “Downton” it was interesting to see the parallels of characters.
I am loving the world was 2 history right now and just started watching Downton Abby. Love how similar the truth is to the fictional!
Lady Almina is a peak into a world that is gone now. I enjoyed reading this book and the writer seemed well informed. While I enjoyed Downton Abbey, the TV show, the real world of Downton was restrictive and repressive for most people; especially women. I am glad I got a bit of background which tamed my dreams of living that world! I am glad …
Lady Almina is the history of the life and times of the 5th Countess of Carnarvon, i.e., the real-life counterpart of Cora Crawley. Almina Wombwell was an heiress to the Rothschild fortune whose marriage to the Earl of Carnarvon shored up Highclere Castle, aka Downton Abbey, at the turn of the 20th century. Lady Almina was a bit of a fireball, …
Really enjoyed this book. Insight in to another era and another world.
As the saying goes, “Truth is stranger than fiction.” Well, her life far surpassed the imaginary Crawley family of the same (TV) home. The series could have included more of her astounding life.