Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey

The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle

By: The Countess of Carnarvon

Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon

Length: 7 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Nominee, Biography and Memoir, 2013

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey tells the story behind Highclere Castle, the real-life inspiration and setting for Julian Fellowes's Emmy Award-winning PBS series, and the life of one of its most famous inhabitants: Lady Almina, the fifth Countess of Carnarvon.

Drawing on a rich store of materials from the archives of Highclere Castle, including diaries, letters, and 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.

©2011 Countess of Carnarvon (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Gives the juicy back story behind last year's Emmy-winning Masterpiece Theater drama." ( The New York Times)

"If you can’t wait for the new season of Downton Abbey... this one's for you.... a revealing portrait of the changing times." ( New York Post)

"The present Lady Carnarvon, who tapped the family archives for her comprehensive research, dramatically captures the estate during the pre-war and war years, and paints a compelling... portrait of Lady Almina." ( Newark Star-Ledger)

"Wanda McCaddon invites listeners into the Countess of Carnarvon’s breezy book, which blends a wealth of archival letters, diaries, and photographs. McCaddon sweeps through the transitions between the downstairs servants and the socially elite, details of furniture and costumes, as well as the changes that come with WWI." ( AudioFile)

A charming and informative insight into the era

Well written, both intimate and grand. A good listen for those interested in British manners and history.

Absolutely Delightful!

This is simply a fun listen! A bit of history, privilege, wartime and real people tied up in touchstone of popular culture.
I am a great "Downton Abbey" fan, and I learned how much that 'fictional' program is inspired by real stories of real people.
The narrator is excellent, and although this isn't fiction, it reads like a novel. I didn't want it to end, but it's all good.

Great listen for fans of Downton

This book was really easy to listen to if you love the show. You’ll recognize story plots and even character names. Narration was good and didn’t get boring nor was overwhelming

excellent for Downton Abbey fans

While this clearly isn't world-changing literature, it certainly was an enjoyable read for this Downton Abbey fan. Lady Almina's story is an interesting one, and her lasting legacy on Highclere Castle an important one.

A nice story...

I was a bit disappointed I this book's apparent lack of research...using phrases such as "perhaps she would have..." or "one could assume...." just rather put me off. I liked the character descriptions, the way the clothes were described etc. The narrator read well and was a pleasant storyteller, but that's what it felt like...being told a story, more like gossip or supposition, than a well researched historical account.

Fluffy

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I wish to book had been less like a greeting card!
It reminds me of the Marion Crawford book, "The Little Princesses", in its saccharine infused prose. A biography of Mother Teresa would have been less gooey! I wanted a more three dimensional view of Almina, instead we are given treacle coated view!

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Most interesting: Almina's drive. Least interesting: the superficial treatment of very complex personal relationships.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Probably in hopes of a screen writer who was less protective than the author!

Enjoyed this book and getting to know this family.

A great read for fans of Downton Abbey and womens role in Btitish history, and grand old houses!

Downton Abbey fans will appreciate this book

Any additional comments?

I read this after "Rose: My Life in Service...", coincidentally. Turned out to be an interesting contrast.

The background Story

What made the experience of listening to Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey the most enjoyable?

If you are a Downton Fan you will find the background informative and fun.

What about Wanda McCaddon’s performance did you like?

Good job!

Don't miss this treasure of a story!

What an interesting portrait of history! I did not expect to be so engrossed and entertained. The narrator is perfect! Didn't want it to end.