Queen Anne

Queen Anne: The Politics of Passion by Anne Somerset
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

If you want to know absolutely everything there is to know about Queen Anne, I think it is in here. Somerset even somewhat deftly includes inventory and shopping lists. I did end up skimming most of it, but still feel like I garnered a good amount of knowledge about Anne and the politics of that era. She was regarded as unhealthy, fat, and ignorant and easily manipulated. But Somerset does a good job of countering several of these criticisms. Queen Anne is often shown as having a determination that was not easily swayed in several instances and stood up for what she believed was right, regardless of the politics surrounding her. Somerset also gives modern health theories about her health (possibly lupus?) and why she lost all of her children (so sad!). Queen Anne was obviously a person who loved deeply and as a result those around her often took advantage of her, but once they crossed a line the queen was also just as firm about cutting them off. I'll admit these little dramas were the most interesting parts.

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