Daughters of the Winter Queen

Four Remarkable Sisters, the Crown of Bohemia, and the Enduring Legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots

By: Nancy Goldstone

Narrated by: Laura Kirman

Length: 13 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

The captivating story of four unforgettable sisters and their glamorous mother, Elizabeth Stuart, granddaughter of Mary, Queen of Scots

Young Elizabeth Stuart was thrust into a life of wealth and splendor when her godmother, Queen Elizabeth I, died and her father, James I, ascended to the illustrious throne of England. At 16 she was married to a dashing German count far below her rank, with the understanding that James would help her husband achieve the crown of Bohemia. Her father's terrible betrayal of this promise would ruin "the Winter Queen", as Elizabeth would forever be known, imperil the lives of those she loved, and launch a war that would last for 30 years.

Forced into exile, the Winter Queen and her growing family found refuge in Holland, where the glorious art and culture of the Dutch Golden Age formed the backdrop to her daughters' education. The eldest, Princess Elizabeth, was renowned as a scholar when women were all but excluded from serious study and counted the preeminent philosopher René Descartes among her closest friends. Louise Hollandine, whose lively manner and appealing looks would provoke heartache and scandal, was a gifted painter. Shy, gentle Henrietta Maria, the beauty of the family, would achieve the dynastic ambition of marrying into royalty, although at great cost. But it would be the youngest, Sophia, a heroine in the tradition of Jane Austen, whose ready wit and good-natured common sense masked immense strength of character, who would fulfill the promise of her great-grandmother, a legacy that endures to this day.

Brilliantly researched and captivatingly written, Nancy Goldstone shows how these spirited, passionate women faced danger, tragic loss, and betrayal, and by refusing to surrender to adversity, changed the course of history.

©2018 Nancy Goldstone (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Goldstone (The Rival Queens) once again places a much-deserved spotlight on remarkable women from European history...A compulsively readable account of an otherwise unfamiliar royal family. Goldstone writes with knowledge, humor, and ease - a masterly storyteller who steers clear of overly academic language. Ideal for amateur Tudor historians who wish to be introduced to a lesser-known yet equally fascinating royal family." (Library Journal)

"Though the narrative could have devolved into a complicated mass of intertwined royal families, Goldstone, a seasoned historian, effectively keeps the lines clear as she relates Elizabeth's repeated, frustrated attempts to secure strong marriages for her children under trying circumstances. Her children's stories are fascinating, as well...A great book for history fans seeking illumination on the connections of European royalty." (Kirkus)

"This rich and complex story of a 17th-century queen who lost her throne, and her four defiant daughters, is compulsively [listenable]. Combining rigorous research with a vivid writing style, Nancy Goldstone illuminates the women who have often been left in the shadows of history, and reminds us that fascination with royalty is nothing new." (Charlotte Gray, author of Reluctant Genius: Alexander Graham Bell and the Passion for Invention and Gold Diggers: Striking It Rich in the Klondike)

How Hanover Became the Royal Family

it was never really explained in history classes how George of Hanover became King of England when Queen Anne died. But with this book, the answer is clear. The story of Princess Elizabeth's family and how her loss of Bohemia led to her grandson's gain in England is fascinating and full of twists and turns. The narration here is well done and (in my opinion) echoes the writer's voice well. What's also interesting is that the current royal family are descended from George's line, who themselves were descended from Mary Queen of Scots, something the author never fails to note.

legacies

learned of so many connections in history to Mary through her one son James. Great story and all the friendships,loves, tragedies of the sisters. Enjoyed it all.

Great Book - Narration: Meh

The author did a tremendously great job of combining the various family and historical events and maintain our attention. The narrators mispronunciations of words and names such as Liselotte drove me crazy. But maybe I’ve just gotten used to it being pronounced differently in other narrations such as Love and Louis XIV by Antonia Fraser. Anyway...great book. I’m sure I’ll listen to it again since I’ve purchased it.

Lots of Research Went On

It was amazing all the actual letters that were quoted in this book. Sometimes it was a little daunting while listening to it. I would have loved to see a family genealogy - maybe the book has this - because it was hard to keep up who was who at times. I am a Mary Queen of Scots fan so loved to learn more about her legacy.

Collage class or nonfiction?

I keep wondering if I had read the paper book there might have been pictures and family tree to help me keep track family members. Very interesting story that I wasn't familiar with. I've read this for a book club.

Narrator Ruined It

The narrator was the worst I have heard. The cadence of her reading and the way she pronounced words was very distracting and kept me from enjoying the story. The story was good - lots of great details. A little heavy on the wars/battles, but good.

Mary Queen of Scots to the House of Hanover

A well performed, interesting story. It connects European history between Mary Queen of Scots and the British Royal House of Hanover. #HistoryLesson #Tagsgiving #Sweepstakes

I will need to listen again.

This story needs to come with a printable family tree and list of characters. Although I understand the general history of the story, I will need to listen a 2nd time in order to really get everything straight. Well read and well-written, just so many people with the same names...not a fault of the author, just of history.

Absolutely amazing and easy to follow

This book is absolutely amazing!
It makes events in 17 century Europe interesting , easy to follow and pleasure to listen to
The narrator did excellent job!
Highly redone d this book to anyone , that is either interested or confused about this era
After listening
He or she will be confused no more

good read

Does NOT read like a textbook.
Lisa Goldstone hooked me w the Rival Queens. I loved how this book focuses on how royals are all somehow related. GREAT BOOK!