Review: George, Nicholas and Wilhelm: Three Royal Cousins and the Road to World War I

George, Nicholas and Wilhelm: Three Royal Cousins and the Road to World War I by Miranda Carter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


An amazing account of the twilight of European monarchies in the decades leading up to WWI. Carter shows how isolated these kings and emperors had become from the changing world and how that led to the horrors of the Great War.

It is fascinating to read about how Queen Victoria's children and grandchildren essentially took over Europe, with something like 90% of the crowned heads of Europe being related to her by blood or marriage. The three titular cousins, who came to rule England, Germany, and Russia, are followed from their earliest days through to Armistice Day, November 11th, 1918.

This is really a rather sad book. None of the three men are really prepared to lead their nations, all three can't understand and resist the massive social changes going on around them, and in the end, the only one to keep his throne was the one had already been stripped of all his powers.

I really recommend this book to any student of modern European history. By weaving the lives of these three cousins together, Carter paints a vivid picture of their sheltered lives and gradual loss of power.



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