girlgeekcyclist's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting, historicalish and engaging with all the gossip and scandal
froydis's review against another edition
4.0
This is an excellent non-fiction work telling about one of the great families of the UK, the Fitzwilliams, who built their wealth on coal mining in Yorkshire. It goes into fabulous detail of how this great family fell, and eventually lost their historical Earldom due to the lack of male heirs. This is a story of family intrigue, coupled with a time period of great political unrest. Throw in the Kennedys - America's own 'nobility' - and you've got a book that is pretty un-put-downable. Its not a quick read, as the author has filled the book with so much detail and meticulous research. Also, for Americans, there are certain British facts of life and society that go unexplained; there were a number of things I had to look up as I went along. However, I learned a lot more about British society by this, and it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. A great read for Downton Abbey fans, or anyone interested in European history.
angelica_jardinerica's review against another edition
5.0
Few books of fiction could be as intriguing and interesting as the true story of this family. Set against the backdrop of the sweeping social and economic changes which took place during the 19th century and the first half of the 20th, it charts the spectacular fall from grace of one of the richest aristocratic families in Britain.
The writing is absorbing and presents what is quite a complex chronological chain of events in a very logical and naturally flowing order, so that the reader is totally drawn into the saga of this fascinating family. Of course it would be impossible to chart this period of history without making some kind of social comment, which Bailey does without being too judgemental or subjective.
The writing is absorbing and presents what is quite a complex chronological chain of events in a very logical and naturally flowing order, so that the reader is totally drawn into the saga of this fascinating family. Of course it would be impossible to chart this period of history without making some kind of social comment, which Bailey does without being too judgemental or subjective.
littlelarks's review against another edition
3.0
Part juicy fun Kardashian-level family drama and part in-depth examination of the coal industry in Britain through the last half-century, Black Diamonds suffers from trying to be far too many things at once. The premise itself is solid, and the beginning chapters read almost like a click-bait article - "Just how did one of the wealthiest families in England completely fall apart in one generation?" - unfortunately, I don't think the Fitzwilliams are scandalous enough to warrant all the hubbub. In the last third she delves into Kennedy family dynamics and the author's passion during those sections makes me wonder why she didn't just dedicate a book to Kick, or to just the infamous plane crash.
eserafina42's review
3.0
Evidently I wasn't the only one to find this book unfocused. While the author's other book (evidently her second, which may explain the improvement) was somewhat convoluted, this one just seemed to be all over the place, while also providing a lot of interesting information. I also felt that it was a bit of a "bait and switch," since we are presented with some intriguing mysteries at the beginning, but a great deal of what follows is essentially social history. I found myself increasingly discouraged, which is why this book has languished on my "currently reading" shelf for months before I decided to give it the big push. The social history is not uninteresting - just not what I feel I was led to expect. (Incidentally, the introductory "mysteries" are never satisfactorily resolved - not necessarily a problem - the problem is that the implication seems to be that they will be at least explored in some depth and some attempt made to resolve them.) I also agree with other reviewers that the section about Kathleen Kennedy - at least in its full extensive form - while fascinating, did not really belong in this book.
xxstefaniereadsxx's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
4.0
This book was great. After World War I, so many great houses and families fell into ruin. The way of life was ending, and I was very interested in learning more about what that was like for those people who had to go through that. So many heirlooms and expensive things were sold, parcels of land, and sometimes entire estates were done away with. The impact of World War I and then later in World War II is absolutely staggering to think of. I highly recommend this book.
bookworm_oakey's review against another edition
4.0
Really interesting book but oddly put together, a bit like reading 7 or 8 different stories. Definetly inspired me to want to visit Wentworth House now I know so much about the history of the family it belong to.
wendoxford's review against another edition
3.0
Fascinating story of class, property & social mores set against the 20 century history of coal mining as well as war, poverty and social division. Whilst a great story it is poorly told. Strands of the story disappear only to re-appear later when you have lost the trail...Chapter endings try to provide "cliff hangers" but to my mind are just plain daft...
Non-fiction
Non-fiction