George, Nicholas and Wilhelm

Three Royal Cousins and the Road to World War I

By: Miranda Carter

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 21 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

In the years before the First World War, the great European powers were ruled by three first cousins: King George V of Britain, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. Together, they presided over the last years of dynastic Europe and the outbreak of the most destructive war the world had ever seen, a war that set twentieth-century Europe on course to be the most violent continent in the history of the world.

Miranda Carter uses the cousins’ correspondence and a host of historical sources to tell the tragicomic story of a tiny, glittering, solipsistic world that was often preposterously out of kilter with its times, struggling to stay in command of politics and world events as history overtook it. George, Nicholas and Wilhelm is a brilliant and sometimes darkly hilarious portrait of these men—damaged, egotistical Wilhelm; quiet, stubborn Nicholas; and anxious, dutiful George—and their lives, foibles and obsessions, from tantrums to uniforms to stamp collecting. It is also alive with fresh, subtle portraits of other familiar figures: Queen Victoria—grandmother to two of them, grandmother-in-law to the third—whose conservatism and bullying obsession with family left a dangerous legacy; and Edward VII, the playboy “arch-vulgarian” who turned out to have a remarkable gift for international relations and the theatrics of mass politics. At the same time, Carter weaves through their stories a riveting account of the events that led to World War I, showing how the personal and the political interacted, sometimes to devastating effect.

For all three men the war would be a disaster that destroyed forever the illusion of their close family relationships, with any sense of peace and harmony shattered in a final coda of murder, betrayal and abdication.

©2010 Miranda Carter (P)2010 Random House

Critic reviews

“Miranda Carter has written an engrossing and important book. While keeping her focus on the three cousins and their extended families, she skillfully interweaves and summarizes all important elements of how the war came about…Carter has given us an original book, highly recommended.” ---The Dallas Morning News

"Masterfully crafted. . . Carter has presented one of the most cohesive explorations of the dying days of European royalty and the coming of political modernity. . . Carter has delivered another gem." --Bookpage

"Ms. Carter writes incisively about the overlapping events that led to the Great War and changed the world. . . George, Nicholas, and Wilhelm is an impressive book. Ms. Carter has clearly not bitten off more than she can chew for she -- as John Updike once wrote of Gunter Grass -- 'chews it enthusiastically before our eyes.'" --The New York Times

Educational Read!

Enlightening Book! Enjoyed learning how this Royal Family functioned. I think the author did a very good job! Thank You!

IT REALLY IS A SMALL WORLD

It was very interesting to see the relationships of Europe's leaders before WWI. I did spend a lot of time on Wickipedia and other sites to keep the genealogies straight -- very good story to inspire more research in history

Wonderful Listen!

Would you listen to George, Nicholas and Wilhelm again? Why?

I would listen to G, N and W again, but not for a while. It is a well-written book, with lots of quotations by the primary players, and those who were in positions of influence and power. It is an intimate look at the lives of three men who were thrown into circumstances beyond their control and their attempts, however futile, to mold events. The narration was excellent, well-paced, clear, but with emphasis when needed. It is a tragedy of men who were unprepared for the Twentieth Century. All were born in the previous Century and were not visionaries- far from it. They were mediocre men, thrown into a milieux that was beyond their understanding.

What did you like best about this story?

I was surprised by what a sympathetic character Kaiser Wilhelm (Willie) was. While the text and narration did not seem to intend for this result. I found myself feeling a bit sorry for this eldest grandson of Queen Victoria who nearly died at birth and because of obstetrical mishandling was left deformed and in pain (both physically and emotionally) for the rest of his life. His treatment of his mother, of course, is inexcusable. The portrayal of Edward VII was also eye-opening. I merely saw him as a narcissistic voluptuary, but he was actually a man of substance and vision.

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

Sorry, no. I haven't listened to Rosalyn Landor's other performances but I give her 5 stars for this one. She read with equanimity and did a good job when quoting men. A lot of women narrators try to put it on thickly, but she didn't. Kudos!

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

Yes.

Any additional comments?

No.

Crazy, almost unknown relationships

Before this book, I had no idea how much of the causes of WW1, and thus WW2, were brought about by petty slights and stubbornness and insecurity within and between 4 cousins. The letters and narrative are compelling. It's interesting for a retelling of 4 men's stories to be narrated in this way, but Miranda does a good job. There is much to learn from this one.

Great for the history buff

I learned a lot from this book. All the royal personalities were fascinating. Great for the history buff!

World War I finally explained

Meticulously researched and beautifully performed. Although we are taught the First World War started with the assassination of an arch duke in Serbia, the background is so much more involved. All three leaders were Queen Victoria’s grandkids, who lived utterly indulged and sheltered lives, whose spat over colonial lands led to the utter devastation that was WW1.

Family and World Events Collide

Very interesting look into three cousins who both shaped snd were shaped by the times, events and families around them. Probably no one’s influence in their lives was greater than Victoria. None was truly a prepared, stable and educated leader. Wilhelm was unstable, Nicolas was so insulated from the world he was unfit to lead and George, the second son, was thrust into a role he was neither prepared for nor suited to. Still, it’s interesting to see how they managed their situations. Or didn’t.

Three crucial personalities of WWI

A fascinating up close study of the three cousins whose inexperience and narcissism contributed to the crisis of the First World War. A different approach to this history than many other studies of this subject and worth reading. The narrator has a lovely voice and is professional but I have found, as with her other book performances, is less convincing with foreign accents and the male protagonists.

GREAT

Would you consider the audio edition of George, Nicholas and Wilhelm to be better than the print version?

This is one of the best books I have ever listened to. The story is great - telling how the alliances that led up to the Great War shaped up in the 50 years preceding the war - it is the very best book I have ever read on the beginnings of the war. The story of the three cousins and their respective countries and families is so interesting and without any national bias that I really want to own the book. The narration is also a very pleasant listen. 5 Stars!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nicholas , because of his tragedy and the contrary traits in his own character.

Excellent

The details are informative. What might sound like gossip to the lay reader is actually a brutal expose of petty dynastic squabbles that led to millions being killed. One extended family probably killed more than the Roman Empire managed in a thousand years of war. Hats of to the author. The reader's voice and tone matched the written words perfectly.