Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse, Princess of Great Britain and Ireland (e-book) (used book) | bookbook.eu

Description

Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse is a fascinating account of Princess Alice, who was the second daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. This work is the English translation of her memoirs in German undertaken by her younger sister, Helena with utmost dedication and love for her sibling. The preface to the volume is testimony to the fact that the author held her sister in the highest regard.

The book traces the life of Alice who was nothing short of a revolutionary, vociferously bringing to the fore, issues related to women. As a follower of Florence Nightingale, Alice played an active role in running military hospitals during periods of prolonged war and conflict in England. Not only was she willing to put everything at stake to further her cause, she was also brave enough to challenge the very foundations of Victorian religion. Spanning over multiple sections, this work relives the life and times of Alice, right from her childhood to her working life and the efforts she made for furthering the various charitable institutions she founded or supported.

The real winner in Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse however, is not the evocative narrative provided by the author alone. It is the numerous letters which Alice wrote and received from her friends, family and colleagues. It is in the lines of these writings that the reader will unearth the real Alice who is in parts pragmatic, others emotional, yet always dignified and sure of herself. In the end, Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse provides the reader with a story of a woman who was ideal in many ways - as a loving daughter, caring mother and most importantly, a strong and independent person. A must read for all, this book is not just a simple biography of a princess, it is a pointer towards a righteous life.