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Lady Catherine, the Earl, and the Real Downton Abbey
Unavailable
Lady Catherine, the Earl, and the Real Downton Abbey
Unavailable
Lady Catherine, the Earl, and the Real Downton Abbey
Audiobook10 hours

Lady Catherine, the Earl, and the Real Downton Abbey

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

3.5/5

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About this audiobook

Lady Catherine, the Earl, and the Real Downton Abbey, a transporting companion piece to the New York Times best seller Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey, tells the story of Catherine Wendell, the beautiful and spirited American woman who married Lady Almina's son, the man who would become the 6th Earl of Carnarvon.

The couple presided over Highclere Castle, the grand estate that serves as the setting for the hit PBS show Downton Abbey. Following the First World War, many of the great houses of England faded as their owners fortunes declined in the new political and social world of the 1920s and 1930s. As war loomed, Highclere's survival as the family home of the Carnarvons was again in the balance - as was peace between the nations of Europe.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateOct 29, 2013
ISBN9780804148481
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Lady Catherine, the Earl, and the Real Downton Abbey
Author

The Countess of Carnarvon

FIONA, THE COUNTESS OF CARNARVON, lives at Highclere Castle, best-known to millions worldwide as the setting for the popular television show Downton Abbey. As an author, Lady Carnarvon has written several bestselling books, including Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey; Lady Catherine, the Earl, and the Real Downton Abbey; and Seasons at Highclere.

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Rating: 3.6714285714285713 out of 5 stars
3.5/5

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The Countess of Carnarvon has once again produced a delightful book about Highclere Castle and it's famous inhabitants."Lady Catherine, The Earl, and the Real Downton Abbey" is a follow up to her first book, "Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey", and a must read for fans of the famous PBS television drama.This book begins more or less where the previous one ends - with the death of The Fifth Earl of Carnarvon, who was made famous by his discovery of King Tut's tomb.It's a wonderful read, taking the reader inside Highclere, giving a view of the lives of Lady Catherine and her husband, The Sixth Earl of Carnarvon. It's filled with intrigue, gossip, descriptions of the lavish lives the couple led at Highclere, and we meet many historical personages who were their friends and acquaintances, like The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Prince George and Princess Marina (Duke and Duchess of Kent), and the Duff-Coopers, to name a few.Lady Catherine and the Earl, known to his intimates as "Porchy" deal with the breakdown of their marriage, but their love of their children and family remain, even as they marry others as the decades of the 20th century pass.Once again, we see how war transorms the Carnarvons, Highclere, and England as World War II dawns.I recommend this book to everyone who has read the Countess' first book about Lady Almina, and for anyone who is an avid "Downton Abbey" watcher.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A dishy account of the current Earl's grandparents and their friends/family. A little goes a long way, though, and maybe is best read in small chunks, rather than straight-through. I'm looking forward to reading the Countess' first book in the near future.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I couldn't get into this book about the English aristocracy which has been so popularized by Downton Abbey. It is that that piqued my interest. I am interested in the English aristocracy as there are some great stories about them and their palaces but this doesn't happen to be one of them. It doesn't mean this book is without merit. It just didn't turn me on.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I really enjoyed reading the Countess' first book so I was looking forward to this one. I did enjoy the first half of the book overall. The second half becomes a history of WW2 and how different members of the family were involved or affected. It was difficult to get through, and if I were looking to read a history of WW2 this is probably not where I would look. Certainly members of the Carnarvon family were closer to the politicians than the average person, but there is so much conjecture it's hard to know what really happened (with members of the family) and what the author supposes happened.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This book is an entertaining look at the lives of the British Aristocracy in the early 20th Century. The current Countess of Carnarvon has now written to highly likable books about previous members of her famous family .Catherine married into the Carnarvon family with the highest of hopes. Her husband referred to as ''Porchey'' turned out to be a little different from her expectations Some time was given to the the family's financial interests, and the intrigues of WWII.. Despite his privileged life Porchey was always chasing something better, ponies, cars, women, the glamour of Hollywood. Overall a fascinating snippet of life above the stairs, and an entertaining slice of social history.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Really enjoyable book — manages to cover biographies for several people in a complex time with clarity and great flow. Source materials are seamlessly integrated. I recommend this also as a compact synopsis of the Second World War — covers it thoroughly, while centering personal recollections, which just brings the history home. Audio book well narrated, too — hard to put down.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book goes well past the expected glamour of this house, made popular by television. It digs deep into the history of the times and shows how the family played a part.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Some say that the fictional Downton Abbey is just a soap opera albeit with beautiful costumes and the magnificent setting of Highclere Castle as the Abbey. Lady Catherine, the Earl, and the Real Downton Abbey is the story of some of the real people who called that imposing edifice home. Unfortunately their lives often were no happier than those of their fictional counterparts.The latter half of the nineteenth century saw a number of "Dollar Princesses" arrive in England. They were American heiresses who were considered nouveaux riche at home but their father's wealth could buy them respectability and a title overseas. In turn the impoverished British peerage was grateful for the infusion of money which allowed them to keep their ancestral homes. Catherine Wendell did not quite fit this pattern in that she did not have a fortune. Her father Jac Wendell had invested all he had in a single railroad stock which failed. After losing everything Jac decided to change course completely and pursue a career in acting. Before he could attain success in this new venture he succumbed to pneumonia at age forty-two. At least the family still had her mother's money but a widow had little social standing in New York. Catherine's mother, Marian Fendall therefore decided to move to England and live with her cousin who had married an Englishman ten years earlier. Twelve-year old Catherine, her mother, two older brothers and younger sister relocated to England and it was here that Catherine would grow into an attractive young woman who was much sought after in the years just after the Great War. Catherine first met Lord Porchester, the son of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon who is remembered for his financing the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamen, while traveling around Europe. Porchey, as he was known to one and all, was immediately smitten and soon persuaded her to accept his marriage proposal. She apparently was drawn to him because of his charming personality which reminded her, possibly subconsciously, of her father. They married in 1922 but their happiness did not last long as Porchey, by now the 6th Earl of Carnarvon, indulged his passion for expensive cars, racehorses and beautiful women. Catherine, saddened by her beloved brother Reggie's death in 1928 and her husband's affairs, tried to deaden her pain with smoking, drinking and gambling. In 1935 Catherine filed for divorce which left Porchey free to pursue Tanis (née Guinness) Montagu who would eventually stand him up at the altar. Catherine went on to marry Geoffrey Grenfell but once again she was destined not to enjoy a long, happy marriage. Grenfell was lost at sea while serving during World War II. Porchey had no better marital luck when he married Tilly Losch who spent most of her time in America while continuing to spend his money. Their divorce took eighteen years to complete. Catherine married a third time but we are told nothing more than his name.I had hoped to learn more about Highclere itself and its place in English history but there is only a brief mention of the designer Sir Charles Barry who also designed and rebuilt the Houses of Parliament. (A PBS special actually gave me more information about the castle than this book does.) The few details of staff life include the tradition that all footmen were addressed as Charles regardless of their given name and valets were called George. Lady Catherine, the Earl, and the Real Downton Abbey is really a litany of the rich and famous. Everyone from Adele Astair to King Zog I of Albania is mentioned but it became boring to read about who was present on a certain weekend at Highclere and how many birds were shot. Porchey (I had to consult the index to learn his actual name which is not given until page 188) comes across a rich, not very introspective playboy. Catherine just seems vacuous at times. She tries to find something to wear to her daughter's wedding just days before VE Day and despite all the war-time shortages is able to find a suitable dress. She describes it to her son who says the color sounds awful so of course she looks for a replacement. The very next sentence describes Catherine as a "supremely confident" dresser so why did she feel the need for her son's opinion. The narrative often shows abrupt train of thought shifts and includes details of events such as King Haakon of Norway burying the crown jewels before fleeing the Nazis which has nothing to do with the Carnarvons. Several chapters recount various battles of World War II but seem to be more about historic background. The Countess of Carnarvon had access to Highclere archives which accounts for the many photographs which are the most interesting part of this book. There is a brief family tree at the beginning which shows Catherine's relationship to Gen. Robert E. Lee and Francis Lightfoot Lee, signer of the Declaration of Independence but no family tree for the Earl. A Bibliography and an index are included.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Interesting but long-winded in parts. I was able to put the story of Downton Abbey to the real story of the castle and her inhabitants.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    I just...couldn't finish it. I'm a little disappointed, honestly--I was sure this one had so much potential, both as a book, and from a marketing standpoint. Hello? Who doesn't want to read more about Downton Abbey?? I do!

    Obviously, I didn't expect the "real" Downton to be like the show (soapy and full of intrigue and death and sexytimes). And as much as I like to believe that everyone has a story worth telling, I've come to the conclusion that not everyone's story will fill a novel.

    Eep.

    The portions referring to Lord Carnarvon V's involvement with Tut's tomb were fascinating to me, but the rest read like faithful journalling, rather than an attempt at storytelling. I took what I intended to be a weekend hiatus, and just couldn't make myself go back. Bummer, all around.

    Advance copy received via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This is the second popular history by the Countess of Carnarvon, and like her previous book, it provides a look at the "real" Downton Abbey and the history of some of its famous inhabitants. This book was a quick and enjoyable read. These are obviously great books for Downton fans, and anglophiles more generally. It's not a scholarly book, and it might have been rushed to press, so there is some sloppiness to the historical research.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Great look into the real "Downton Abbey". I enjoyed as much as the first book the author wrote. I hope she fills in more pieces with another book about the current Earl's father!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Written almost as a secret to Lady Almina, this is the story of the next generations of Highclere Castle, and mostly how their lives are affected by World War II. Essentially these books are the story of Highclere, which was and is a remarkable place notwithstanding Downton Abbey, and with plenty of drama of its own.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A great book that tells the story of the real Downton Abbey. I had not read Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey so I did not have that to compare it to. So with fresh eyes I was able to read this book. I have passed it on to my friends and family because I liked it so much. Five Stars
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey for some reason. Perhaps some of the novelty of reading about the house behind Downton wore off a bit? This seemed to drag at some points, and I found myself skimming here and there. That said, some of the anecdotes are great, and it's interesting to see how things changed for the "great houses" as WWII dragged on. Recommended for die-hard Downton fans.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    The present 8th Countess of Carnarvon again utilizes endless family archives to examine the life of one of predecessors, the 6th Countess, in Lady Catherine, the Earl, and the Real Downton Abbey. American Catherine Wendell hailed from illustrious roots, counting General Robert E. Lee and Presidents George Washington and Zachary Taylor as distant relatives. Unlike many other young American women who washed up onto Britain's shores, Miss Wendell possessed no considerable wealth to assist her in the marriage stakes. She was possessed of great beauty and charm and soon attracted the attentions of Prince George and Lord Porchester, 6th Earl of Carnarvon. This double biography opens on the polo fields of India, where the newly married Catherine and Porchey are stationed with the 7th Hussars. Word has come that the 5th Earl (backer of the archaelogical expedition recently discovering King Tut's tomb) has taken ill in Egypt. Within a short time, he dies, leaving the young couple master and mistress of the family estate, Highclere Castle. Not unusual for the titled classes of the era, much drinking, marital misbehavior and the Abdication crisis ensues. In other hands, this might have held more glamor and interest. Unfortunately, this is a rather workmanlike effort. Responding to criticisms of her earlier examination of the 5th Countess, Lady Almina, Lady Fiona has striven to include more on the lives of the 'downstairs' inhabitants of Highclere. A nod is given to accounts written by former housemaids, as well as to the contributions of various reigning butlers. Nevertheless, those caught up in Downton Abbey fever may find themselves disappointed by the limited scope of below stair accounts.. Readers will be treated to a Who's Who gallery of the bright and beautiful of Britain in the first half of the 20th century. There are ample pictures, a full index and bibliography. Recommended for Downton Abbey afficionados and Anglophiles.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This is an extremely entertaining history of the Carnarvon family in second quarter of the 20th century. I always enjoy getting a look inside the lives of aristocracy and the upper class, and this book provides that. It mixes family anecdotes and history with a generalized overview of what was going on in the world, as the family was connected to many major players in the world at the time.I recommend it as an interesting and not at all taxing read.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    The current Countess of Carnarvon seems to be making quite a career for herself writing about the prior occupants of Highclare Castle and trading on the popularity of the TV series, Downton Abbey, which is set in the Carnarvon's property. This book tells the story of the 6th Earl, known colloquially as "Porchey," and his beautiful American wife, Catherine. It seems as though the Crnarvons made it a habit of marrying Americans, although Porchey's bride did not bring the enormous fortune to their marriage that his mother, Almina, brought to hers. Nor did Porchey have the intellectual curiosity of his father, who was famous for discovering King Tut's tomb, and was an expert Egyptologist. Instead, the 6th Earl seems to be a rather dull-witted Colonel Blimp sort of a man. He loved horses, shooting and good times and was too fond of actresses and other stage personalities for his own good. His wife, while beautiful, and socially amusing, also appears to be something of a lightweight as compared to her formidable mother-in-law. These people are mostly interesting as period pieces in a by-gone era.Still, for Downton Abbey lovers this will be a fun read. Unlike the author's first book, this volume is much less reverential about its characters and the juicy gossip of family scandals keeps the reader turning the pages.This is a fun and quick read for your holiday entertainment.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Pretty interesting account of the World War II years at Highclere Castle. Catherine lived a sad life at the castle. Her husband, Porchy, never did find happiness. The book picks up where the previous book about the "real Downton Abbey" left off. It's a good read for anyone that's a fan of the show "Downton Abbey", and it delves into the lives of both the upstairs and the downstairs. Good stuff.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    What were the real people who live in the real Downton Abbey like? I must confess that I expected a People magazine article stretched into a book but this book was much, much better than that. Aside from the fame that came with being a lady and an earl, these were interesting people with interesting lives. So for Downton Abbey fans and for people who just like a good read as well.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    As in her earlier book about the Lady Almina, the 5th Countess of Carnarvon, the current (8th) countess, Fiona, digs again into the archives of Highclere Castle to tell the story of the 6th Countess, Lady Catherine. It was very much in vogue at the time Catherine married the 6th Earl (“Porchey”) for American heiresses to be swept off their feet by down-in-their-luck English nobility – for an infusion of cash as much as for love. That was not quite the case in Catherine’s marriage. She was well off, but not wealthy by any standard – and Porchey had financial problems keeping Highclere Castle in the black, but those problems were not insolvable. I have to give credit to the author, who presents an even-handed picture of Catherine and Porchey, warts and all. And she writes their story in a straightforward manner, which I know is much harder than it appears. The Countess does the work, simplifying the story so readers don’t have to work all that hard. She also provides context, where needed, for the events at Highclere Castle. The family tree she provides might have been clearer, but there are page-size limitations -- and showing Catherine’s lineage back to the Colonial era (with Robert E. Lee figuring prominently in it) took some space.Lady Catherine, the Earl, and the Real Downton Abbey is a fun, enlightening read. I’m hoping there will be at least one more book in this “series,” illuminating the life of the 7th Countess, Fiona’s husband’s mother. The 8th Countess certainly has a knack for writing narrative non-fiction.