Prince Albert

The Man Who Saved the Monarchy

By: A. N. Wilson

Narrated by: Gareth Armstrong

Length: 13 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

In this companion biography to the acclaimed Victoria, A. N. Wilson offers a deeply textured and ambitious portrait of Prince Albert, published to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the royal consort’s birth.

For more than six decades, Queen Victoria ruled a great Empire at the height of its power. Beside her for more than 20 of those years was the love of her life, her trusted husband and father of their nine children, Prince Albert. But while Victoria is seen as the embodiment of her time, its values, and its paradoxes, it was Prince Albert, A. N. Wilson expertly argues, who was at the vanguard of Victorian Britain’s transformation as a vibrant and extraordinary center of political, technological, scientific, and intellectual advancement. Far more than just the product of his age, Albert was one of its influencers and architects. A composer, engineer, soldier, politician, linguist, and bibliophile, Prince Albert, more than any other royal, was truly a “genius.” It is impossible to understand nineteenth century England without knowing the story of this gifted visionary leader, Wilson contends.

Albert lived only 42 years. Yet in that time, he fathered the royal dynasties of Germany, Russia, Spain, and Bulgaria. Through Victoria, Albert and her German advisers pioneered the idea of the modern constitutional monarchy. In this sweeping biography, Wilson demonstrates that there was hardly any aspect of British national life which Albert did not touch. When he was made Chancellor of the University of Cambridge in his late twenties, it was considered as purely an honorific role. But within months, Albert proposed an extensive reorganization of university life in Britain that would eventually be adopted, making it possible to study science, languages, and modern history at British universities - a revolution in education that has changed the world.

Drawn from the Royal archives, including Prince Albert’s voluminous correspondence, this brilliant and ambitious book offers fascinating never-before-known details about the man and his time. A superb match of biographer and subject, Prince Albert, at last, gives this important historical figure the reverence and recognition that is long overdue.

©2019 A.N. Wilson (P)2019 HarperAudio

An interesting glimpse into history

I learned a great deal about Prince Albert and his relationship with his wife Queen Victoria. I had no idea that he had accomplished as much as he did, and had such an influence on art commerce, education and politics. He was a very well educated, brilliant young man. This was a very interesting bookand educational to

Highly recommended

An extraordinarily balanced and well written biography of the Prince Consort. I’m glad I listened. You might be, too.

Well Worth Reading

A. N. Wilson again gives us a wonderful read. I’ve read many biographies of the British royals. This is among the best. I could’ve listened on and on.

Well written and researched

Having read a lot of fiction from the period, I was fascinated to see the background behind it - particularly the Great Exhibition. Albert was ahead of his time: it was a loss to posterity when he died so young. This book was time well spent.

Excellent Bio!

A "no nonsense" biography of Prince Albert, with Queen Victoria's story included as well, including up-to-date info from sources not always available, giving a much more realistic view of their lives and substance to their love relationship. Really enjoyed it, including the excellent narration.