About the book
A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK • NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE
Lady Georgiana Spencer was the great-great-great-great-aunt of Diana, Princess of Wales, and was nearly as famous in her day. In 1774 Georgiana achieved immediate celebrity by marrying William Cavendish, fifth duke of Devonshire, one of England’s richest and most influential aristocrats. She became the queen of fashionable society and founder of the most important political salon of her time. But Georgiana’s public success concealed an unhappy marriage, a gambling addiction, drinking, drug-taking, and rampant love affairs with the leading politicians of the day. With penetrating insight, Amanda Foreman reveals a fascinating woman whose struggle against her own weaknesses, whose great beauty and flamboyance, and whose determination to play a part in the affairs of the world make her a vibrant, astonishingly contemporary figure.
Praise for The Duchess
“Georgiana bursts from the pages of Amanda Foreman’s dazzling biography like the force of nature she undoubtedly was–passionate, political, addicted to gambling, and drunk on life. This is a stunning book about an astonishing woman.”–Simon Schama
“Biography at its best . . . seamlessly merges a life and its times, capturing not just an individual but an age.”–The New York Times Book Review
“Riveting . . . marvelously diverting.”–The New Yorker
Editions of The Duchess
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780812979695
- EBook
- ISBN 9781588368393
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9781524708443
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9781524708450
Read an Excerpt
A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK • NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE
Lady Georgiana Spencer was the great-great-great-great-aunt of Diana, Princess of Wales, and was nearly as famous in her day. In 1774 Georgiana achieved immediate celebrity by marrying William Cavendish, fifth duke of Devonshire, one of England’s richest and most influential aristocrats. She became the queen of fashionable society and founder of the most important political salon of her time. But Georgiana’s public success concealed an unhappy marriage, a gambling addiction, drinking, drug-taking, and rampant love affairs with the leading politicians of the day. With penetrating insight, Amanda Foreman reveals a fascinating woman whose struggle against her own weaknesses, whose great beauty and flamboyance, and whose determination to play a part in the affairs of the world make her a vibrant, astonishingly contemporary figure.
Praise for The Duchess
“Georgiana bursts from the pages of Amanda Foreman’s dazzling biography like the force of nature she undoubtedly was–passionate, political, addicted to gambling, and drunk on life. This is a stunning book about an astonishing woman.”–Simon Schama
“Biography at its best . . . seamlessly merges a life and its times, capturing not just an individual but an age.”–The New York Times Book Review
“Riveting . . . marvelously diverting.”–The New Yorker
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Duchess about?
A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK • NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE
Lady Georgiana Spencer was the great-great-great-great-aunt of Diana, Princess of Wales, and was nearly as famous in her day. In 1774 Georgiana achieved immediate celebrity by marrying William Cavendish, fifth duke of Devonshire, one of England’s richest and most influential aristocrats. She became the queen of fashionable society and founder of the most important political salon of her time. But Georgiana’s public success concealed an unhappy marriage, a gambling addiction, drinking, drug-taking, and rampant love affairs with the leading politicians of the day. With penetrating insight, Amanda Foreman reveals a fascinating woman whose struggle against her own weaknesses, whose great beauty and flamboyance, and whose determination to play a part in the affairs of the world make her a vibrant, astonishingly contemporary figure.
Praise for The Duchess
“Georgiana bursts from the pages of Amanda Foreman’s dazzling biography like the force of nature she undoubtedly was–passionate, political, addicted to gambling, and drunk on life. This is a stunning book about an astonishing woman.”–Simon Schama
“Biography at its best . . . seamlessly merges a life and its times, capturing not just an individual but an age.”–The New York Times Book Review
“Riveting . . . marvelously diverting.”–The New Yorker
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Duchess?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Biography and non-fiction prose > Biography: general > Biography: royalty
Where can I read a sample of The Duchess?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780812979695
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Duchess?
Amanda Foreman
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Duchess is available as paperback(ISBN 9780812979695) and ebook(ISBN 9781588368393) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9781524708443) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9781524708450)
Where can I buy The Duchess online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy The Duchess from below
Where can I buy The Duchess?