A Romanov Diary: The Autobiography of H.I.& R.H. Grand Duchess George

by H.i., R.h. Grand Duchess George Of Russia

Release Date: November, 1988

Edition: Hardcover

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a good memoir

As the editor of this book, I can say with honesty that nothing was left out of the book. The late Princess Marie of Greece left behind a handwritten manuscript about her life - which we obtained from her heirs (grandchildren.)

I added footnotes - and needed to some rewriting (grammar), but nothing was changed or added or deleted ...

A grand duchess talks without revealing much

This diary was published long after Grand Duchess George's death. It is also one of those 'edited' aristocratic diaries. She hardly mentions her second husband, and if it wasn't for the notes you'd never guess she was unhappily married during that period. When I say 'edited', I mean that the author (grand duchess george) has followed the polite conventions of her time and had not discussed 'private' issues that aren't lady-like. So in this sense, she fufills her social obligations, but leaves a sense that a lot is missing in this book.

However, at least there are notes and that fills out for what the author leaves out. The photo sections of this book are excellent, in many cases there are beautiful photos that I have seen nowhere else of the various people mentioned in the text.

Worthwhile buying if you want to complete a collection of Romanov recollections, but not if you want a literary gem, because this book could never be called one. However it does provide information on a lady who rarely gets mentions in the 'great events' histories so from that angle can be very interesting.