Virginia CowlesRecensioni

Splendid memoir by an intrepid journalist. She reported from the Spanish Civil War and then from everywhere in the first years of the Second World War. The book was reportedly a bestseller when it was first published in 1941. One can only wonder what she would have written about the rest of the war. Highly recommended.

A factual description of the life, times and influence of Albert Edward who became Edward VII. Who although lived through the sober and rigid society instigated by his parents was able to create his own liberal society. But who became vastly interested and influential in British foreign affairs to some degree because he was related to virtually all the royal houses.
An interesting read of an era that I knew very little of so consequently I learnt some new facts.
A NetGalley Book

Astor family (Subject)

Working my way through a variety of World War I reading, I recently completed "The Kaiser". Virginia Cowles may not have had the credentials of other highly acclaimed historians, but she certainly performed an impressive amount of research. As well, the author has presented her case in an objective, unbiased manner. All of her reference material is clearly credited to personal journals, letters, memoirs, German and British diplomatic documents.

The story of the Kaiser covers German history from the birth of William II in 1859 to the end of World War I and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. Cowles weaves together the story of Europe like a giant but intricate bee hive… with Victoria as the Queen Bee. She arranges marriages for her grandchildren- Princesses and Princes- trying to ensure strategic alliances amongst surrounding Monarchies. Falsely believing she could influence foreign politics, Queen Victoria was in for a major surprise!

Cowles explains all the details of the tumultuous relationships between England, Germany, Austria, France, Belgium, and Russia. She provides the history of royal family disputes and political battles. She brings to light the various historic situations leading up to World War I; the Franco-Prussian War, the Boar War, and the Serbian unrest. All the major players were intent on gaining territory, and Queen Victoria’s primary concern was to make certain no one tipped the balance of power away from her own Imperial Crown.

The war years- 1914 to 1919- consume the final quarter of the book, skimming details of battles and mostly focusing on the Kaiser’s reaction to events and his inevitable abdication.

The ultimate questions however, remain unanswered. Was World War I Germany’s fault? Did the Kaiser “push” for war? Did Germany deserve such harsh treatment in the Treaty of Versailles? Did Germany lose the war because of the “stab in the back” theory? Every book I’ve read so far gives conflicting answers, and all of them cite references. I guess we will never really know the full truth.

However, "The Kaiser" is a worthy read. Learning the intimate facts of the English royal family life, Willy- the Kaiser, Nicky- the Tsar, and Uncle Bertie who eventually becomes the King of England adds another dimension to the equation and serves as the epitome of a royal family feud.

Get overview of the Rothchild history and how the family dynasty was formed and perserveered over time. Fascinating and an easy read

The Phantom Major (1958) is by Virginia Cowles one of the great female journalists of her era - she was a friend of Ernest Hemingway having spent time with him in Spain during the Civil War. This lively account of the SAS in Africa in 1942-43 was written about 15 years after the events it describes based on extensive first-person interviews with David Stirling and others. A more recent popular history of the SAS was published this year called Rogue Heroes, but I think this one is an excellent introduction and close to the people and spirit of the times. It sometimes felt a bit Hogan's Heroes with bumbling Germans and school-boy antic British commandos, but the cliche exists for a reason. They didn't treat death too seriously, life was cheap and easy. It's remarkable to watch a new form of warfare being made up on the fly, the birth of the modern Special Forces.

The Special Air Service, SAS, was the brilliant idea of David Stirling. In 1941 with the rank of Lieutenant he talked himself into a job leading a new detachment. Noting that airfields were poorly guarded, he realized that small groups of his men could attack and get away under the cover of darkness. A group of five men attached bombs to enemy aircraft. Stirling even had a hand in developing the bomb used, a hand-held combination of explosive and incendiary, weighing about one pound. The result did more damage that RAF bombers in the area prompting Rommel to refer to him as the Phantom Major. In fifteen months he destroyed over two hundred and fifty aircraft, dozens of supply dumps, and hundreds of vehicles. All this with an astonishingly small loss of life. Eventually the regiment was created from the group, and Stirling promoted to Colonel - although it took time to win over traditional army brass who were wary of anyone operating outside their methods.

Stirling had the support of all his men. He never ordered them to do anything, but instead would suggest "wouldn't it be fun to..." He was tall, athletic and had a charming personality that won over many. In 1948 he formed the Capricorn Africa Society that promoted an Africa where all races, colours, and creeds might live in harmony.

Cowles' book, written from SAS notes and interviews with the group describes a charming, appealing adventurer that conjures up a cross between Action Man and James Bond. She created an exciting story that has not faded in the intervening decades since it was written.

Excellent account of a fascinating portion of the Second World War. Virginia Cowles is a solid writer and the subject material is better than fiction. Leaving aside the combat and shooting, just getting across the Sahara and back was a trick.

This book is an overview of the Romanov Dynasty from the founding Czar, Michael, who ascended the throne in 1613, to the last Czar, Nicholas II, who’s reign ended in 1917 with the Russian Revolution. 300 years of rule, and Virginia Cowles does not present a pretty picture.

It turns out that Peter the Great was really not so great. He was barbarous, crude, and sadistic; worse than Ivan the Terrible. His “great” status mostly came from his military exploits. “The clergy saw Peter as the anti-christ; the nobility as a man who sold Russia’s soul to foreigners.” The rest of the population were serfs and allowed no opinion at all. And unfortunately, it goes downhill from there.

Czarina Anna is described as ugly, vulgar, dirty, and crude. Peter the III was at the very least immature and weak, at the very worse mentally challenged and delusional.

And then there was Catherine the Great. I just finished reading Robert Massie’s "Catherine the Great" which, by the way, was excellent and there is a stark contrast in the writing styles of Massie and Cowles. Massie reveals the human side of the royalty, He goes back in time, sets the world stage, and then takes the reader right into the heart of the Romanov palace. Not that Catherine becomes a sympathetic character, but she certainly loved the Russian people and suffered anxiety and stress over her decisions as Empress. Massie does not pass judgement. Cowles, on the other hand, judges the royalty from afar with the wisdom of hindsight. Cold hard historical facts, mingled with contempt. Cowles labels Catherine “a murderer, usurper, and whore.”

"The Romanovs" is well written; a quick read with lots of photos. It is a good way to become acquainted with this portion of Russian history. There is also a glimpse of the role played by some of the giants of the literary world: Voltaire, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Gogol, and Turgenev. Cowles explains the emergence of nihilists, and the birth of Bolshevism. A good reference for the comprehensive overview of the Romanovs, but if you want more substance in specific areas and an emotionally charged dramatic story try one of Robert Massie’s books.

ADDENDUM: written in 2019
Recently having read "Peter the Great" by Robert Massie (Rated 5 Stars) I question the validity of Virginia Cowles assessment of the Romanovs. I assume the historical facts are all true but upon reading Massie’s 855 page tome offering details of Tsar Peter’s life from birth to death (with as many as 1000 references cited), I have acquired deep admiration and respect for Peter the Great. He was great! Virginia Cowles obviously let her personal political views shape the content of her documentary.½

This reads like an adventure novel, but claims to be the true account of David Sterling and the origins and activities of the SAS, a British Special Forces regiment in the African desert. Their methods include driving hundreds of miles around the flank of the German Afrika Korps and attacking airfields, supply dumps, petrol trucks, supply transport and warehouses during the night to be followed by a mad dash back to a hiding place in the desert. Eventually, General Rommel had to assign a special unit to track them down plus more men to guard airfields and supply installations, men he desperately needed at the front. One interesting fact is that Stirling's group destroyed more aircraft then any RAF squadron. Cowles gathered her information from the diaries and interviews of survivors.

Entertaining and moves along nicely. Not terribly detailed, but accurate as far as it goes. A good read.

1216 1913: An End and a Beginning, by Virginia Cowles (read 29 Apr 1973) This is a book about life in London, Berlin, St. Petersburg, Vienna, Rome, Paris, and New York in 1913. Light reading. People were as nutty then as now.

2535 The Rothschilds: A Family of Fortune, by Virginia Cowles (read 24 Sep 1993) This is a 1973 book. It is not a serious book, but the account of the founding father--Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744-1812) and his sons was of interest. The extravagant life style of the grandsons did not inspire me. But there has been a lot of Rothschild philanthropy over the years, so my youthful claim that there was such (in a high school argument opposing anti-Semitism) was valid though I did not know it at the time.½

Another good bio on Edward