Shooting Victoria. Madness, Mayhem And The Modernisation Of The Monarchy

Cover Type: Softcover
Book Condition: Fine
Jacket Condition: None Issued
Publisher: Head Of Zeus Ltd
Publisher Place: London
Publisher Year: 2012
Edition: Reprint

Description: 669 pages. Book appears to have hardly been read and is in Fine condition throughout.

Publishers Description: A New York Times Notable Book for 2012. From a hunchbacked dwarf to a paranoid poet“assassin, a history of Victorian England as seen through the numerous assassination attempts on Queen Victoria. During Queen Victorias 64-year reign, no fewer than eight attempts were made on her life. Murphy follows each would-be assassin and the repercussions of their actions, illuminating daily life in Victorian England, the development of the monarchy under Queen Victoria and the evolution of the attacks in light of evolving social issues and technology.There was Edward Oxford, a bartender who dreamed of becoming an admiral, who was simply shocked when his attempt to shoot the pregnant Queen and Prince consort made him a madman in the worlds eyes. There was hunchbacked John Bean, who dreamed of historical notoriety in a publicized treason trial, and William Hamilton, forever scarred by the ravages of the Irish Potato Famine. Roderick MacLean enabled Victoria to successfully strike insanity pleas from Britains legal process. Most threatening of all were the dynamitards� who targeted her Majestys Golden Jubileewho signaled the advent of modern terrorism with their publicly focused attack.From these cloak-and-dagger plots to Victorias brilliant wit and steadfast courage, Shooting Victoria is historical narrative at its most thrilling, complete with astute insight into how these attacks actually revitalized the British crown at a time when monarchy was quickly becoming unpopular abroad. While thrones across Europe toppled, the Queens would-be assassins contributed greatly to the preservation of the monarchy and to the stability that it enjoys today. After all, as Victoria herself noted, It is worth being shot atto see how much one is loved.� A New York Times Notable Book for 2012 32 pages of black & white and color illustrations

ISBN: 9781781854334