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)

Interesting and surprisingly moving biography

This isn't heavy duty historical narrative by any means, but I was pleasantly surprised by the detail and depth of the writing in this biography of Lady Almina. The story, especially the years covering the Great War, consistently engaged my interest. I like historical biography and learned things in this account that were new and valuable in understanding British social change in the twentieth century, as well as the almost inconceivable degree of suffering for those caught up in armed conflict. The Countess of Carnarvon has an obvious personal interest in the subject matter and has done admirable work with her well documented source material. And as always, Wanda McCaddon (aka Nadia May) provides impeccable narration. She is, in my opinion, simply the best narrator in the English speaking world. This woman could read the phone book and I would rush to sign up for a chance to listen.

It was ok

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

It was just ok. I learned a few facts that I had not known before.

Would you be willing to try another book from The Countess of Carnarvon? Why or why not?

No...rather dry

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes

Did Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey inspire you to do anything?

No

an educational companion to Downton Abbey

it's an educational companion in Downton Abbey. about one of the mistrises who ran it during world war 1. will give you an insight to the time period.

The best book I ever read

The real Stuart aka the Butler is the the inspiration for my favorite downton abbey Butler mr Carson and the history of the family best recommended read for any Downton Abbey fan

history of the castle

all the people mentioned were hard to keep track of and a little boring. Mostly just enjoyed the history

Truth is More Exciting than the Fictional Drama

If you could sum up Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey in three words, what would they be?

Energetic, Opulent .Fairytale

What other book might you compare Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey to and why?

The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson I loved this book when I first read it in 2005, because it involved an historical event - the Columbia Exposition in Chicago in 1892 and 1893 - and was based on the inspiration of real people who planned and executed the Fair that many felt was not possible. I kept having to remind myself that there weren't cell phones, fax machines, air travel, and mass communication. The task was enormous and the task was completed. In the background there was a psychotic killer who was systematically killing innocents, unnoticed by the general public. It held my interest throughout the book as did "Lady Almina".

Have you listened to any of Wanda McCaddon’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have heard her before (though I can't recall which book it was), but felt that this was very well done. It had to be read by someone with an impeccable British accent.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Three moments: 1) the death of Almina's father, Alfred 2) The death of Almina's husband and 3) the discovery of King Tut's tomb and all that resulted from that event.

Any additional comments?

The book surpassed my expectations and I'll recommend it to many who ask if I've read a good book recently.

the real story is as interesting as Downton

The story of the real Lord and Lady of the manor is as fascinating as the fictional Downton - and I am a Downton fan. I had no idea the real occupants of Highclere Castle were so fascinating. For anyone with a sincere interest in the period, this is a must.

Good Companion Piece to Downton Abbey

If you could sum up Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey in three words, what would they be?

Interesting aristocratic history

What other book might you compare Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey to and why?

I would compare it to the Anne Perry Victorian mysteries in have very distinct characters and settings. I enjoyed the Englishness of the books.

Which character – as performed by Wanda McCaddon – was your favorite?

Since the book is about Lady Almina, she was my favorite . However, all the characters, even the minor ones were well written and interesting.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened to it while walking and while eating dinner. I finished the nook in three days.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended if you like Downton Abbey. There is more insight into the upstairs/downstairs aspect of the story. Lady Almina was a fascinating woman and her life had lots of interesting episodes. One of the most enjoyable personal histories that I have listened to.

Thoroughly Absorbing

If you could sum up Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey in three words, what would they be?

history family service

What was one of the most memorable moments of Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey?

There are many, but one that struck me was how generous Lady Almina was to her secretary when she married, setting them up in a house, and lending them the Lake House at Highclere for their honeymoon.

Which character – as performed by Wanda McCaddon – was your favorite?

Again -- they were all so perfectly portrayed, but one of my favorites was Aubrey, the Earl's younger brother.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The sweep of history through the lens of one of Britain's great families. Or something like that. :)

Any additional comments?

I absolutely loved this book and wanted to listen in one sitting! Obviously, the war years are just shatteringly sad, but Lady Almina and her family's, friends' and colleagues' sacrifices are ultimately so hopeful. I also loved Wanda McCaddon's narration and have already added two more of hers to my library, one of which was written by the Countess of Carnarvon.

It was real life!

I had no idea prior to this book, that Downton Abbey was based upon real life. There were very specific instances in the book that were tied into the TV series. The exact details may have varied, but the situations were close enough that I recognized them even a few years after watching the series (car wreck, turning the mansion into a hospital). Visualizing the actresses as I listened to the story made it even more interesting--and it was nice to know that the real family had an altruistic side.