Twilight of Royalty

By: Alexander Mikhailovich

Narrated by: Jim Seybert

What's it like to live as a Royal in exile? You were The Sovereign, the ultimate authority, the ruler of all you saw. Now, you have been forced from your home and live in meager accommodations, with little of the pomp, luxury, and circumstance of your previous life. Well, at least you're alive.

Others like you were assassinated. Alexander Michhailovich was the Grand Duke of Russia, a member of the Romanov family. In this touching story written in the first third of the 20th century, he interviews deposed European rulers - many of whom were his friends - and shares how they feel about their predicaments and their futures. Twilight of Royalty is an insider's look at the intimate details of royals in exile.

Public Domain (P)2018 Jim Seybert

Fascinating account of the lives of royalty

I've always been intrigued by the lives of royalty, and loved this inside look at the stories around the rise and fall of deposed monarchs. This is written by Alexander, (formerly) Grand Duke of Russia, in more of an op-ed vs strictly biographical style, with anecdotes, observations, and sweeping opinions on those he's interviewing. It's generously biased but nonetheless revealing for that bias, and a fascinating look not just at the lives of his interviewees, but his own psyche and bitterness mixed with pragmatism at the fall of royalty's heyday in Europe.

I really enjoyed the narrator on this, he was great to listen to. Sometimes the voices for the characters were a little halting, or the pronunciation a little off (I've studied Russian, but most probably wouldn't notice), but it was a nice and easy-flowing narration.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

INTRIGUING LOOK AT EXILED ROYALTY...

Very interesting story/book! I haven't read anything like this before, and really enjoyed it. It's a fascinating look into the lives of and circumstances surrounding the royals and the issues they faced. Great historical memoir! I loved the writing and the narration, and would definitely recommend this book, very insightful! :) I encourage anyone wanting to know more about the author to visit his page on Wikipedia, fascinating stuff!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Royalty at Sunset

I absolutely loved this audiobook! It was both highly entertaining and very informative from a historical perspective.

This book was written in 1932 by Alexander Mikhailovich, one of the last remaining members of the Russian royal family. At that time, most of the royal families across Europe were interrelated; for example, all of the ruling royal families of England, Spain, Germany and Russia were either siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc.

This book describes quite well the process that led to a decrease in the number of royal families in Europe from eighteen to ten. This decline was brought on by a variety of forces that are explored in this audiobook: the desire for democratic rule; royalty who were out-of-step with the wants/needs of their subjects, the difficulty of balancing royal traditions with political realities, and the fickle-and often, contradictory and self-destructive- nature of the populace.

I especially enjoyed listening to the history of King Alfonso XIII of Spain. In 1931, a series of elections led to the victories of candidates that favored an end to the monarchy and the establishment of a republic. To avert civil war, King Alfonso voluntarily went into exile- but never abdicated his throne. He was obviously a great king and an incredible man. His story provides the listener with a very clear and detailed account of the forces listed above that led to his exile.

I enjoyed the narration of this audiobook. The narrator had a pleasant voice and his delivery was well-paced and easy to follow.

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review.

Crowning Achievement

This is not a new book but that is a point in it’s favor. When you are writing about the disappearing monarchies of Europe, writing from the perspective of 1932 is a good thing.

Alexander Mikhailovich was a member of the last Russian royal family so, in a way, this is a book about his family since most European monarchs at the turn of the twentieth century seem to be inter-related in some form or another. So Mikhailovich’s viewing point is unique. After the fall of the Russian royal family in 1917 he became a journalist. Those two things are what make this book valuable. And just for good measure Jim Seybert does an excellent narration.

There once were 18 royal families in Europe. In 1932 that number was down to ten which --- spoiler alert --- is what it still is. Where did they go and how did they disappear? If you really want to know then listen to “Twilight of Royalty”; it is time well spent.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Fascinating Listen!

I really enjoyed this intriguing inside look at the declining era of royalty by one who was there and experienced it first hand. It was fascinating to hear the story from an insider's point of view, and even more harrowing to hear about the multiple attempts on the King of Spain's life. Although I am sure there was some bias toward the royals, since the author was one, and was related to or friends with, most of the others, it was interesting to hear about the pressures faced by the royals. I felt very much educated by the King of Spain's tale. It seemed sort of "damned if you do, damned if you don't." What I would really like, now, is to have a summary from the opposition points of view, so I could have a balanced view of the era. Still, this remains an enlightening and enjoyable listen.

I very much enjoyed the narrator. His delivery was clear and well-paced. Very easy to lite to.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.