loved it

A very quick read with each story on a few pages long. Not much else to say really, except that it wasn't highly researched, but was entertaining to read.

This was quick brief read for me, I found a copy in my favorite second hand book store in Phuket town and I read it last night when I finished my other book and couldn't go to sleep.

I was of course interested because of the title, I flipped through the pages in the book store and found that some of the stories were in fact historical, being a history fan I bought it straight away and read parts of it in the car on the way home.

Nice book, but mal-researched on the historical side, it was like reading the two authors pipe dreams in a way. On the more modern love stories it was fine, but hey its modern, not so hard to research. A quick trip to google.com and you've got your story.

Not a keeper, in fact its going to dance teacher who wants to read it tomorrow. Not a 'bad' book, but if you want the facts on the history side, I suggest you give this book an absolute miss and try something else that a historian wrote.

This is a great read- each relationship story is interesting and only a couple of pages long. It’s a daily dose of romance in a well researched collection of historical love stories. Highly recommend!

A lot of wonderful love stories sorted into themes including history, the arts, writing, politics and royalty.

nIf all the world loves a lover, as the saying goes, then it loves a love story even more. Boy-meets-girl is one of humanity's favourite and enduring narratives, from the tales of court;y love that beguiled medieval nobility to the modern-day preoccupation with the affairs of the rich and famous. — Introduction

It had been far too long since I read this. I adore these stories. This book is well organised with the 43 couples broken down into 6 sections Historic Lovers, Royal Romances, Literary Lovers, Political Unions, Affairs of the Arts, and Hollywood Lives. Some of them seem to fit better than others but there is no denying the love between the couples. Not all of them finish in a happy way, it could be argued it's about a 50/50 split but all the endings are different. I'm just going to write little comments on them all individually as is my want. That is basically all this review is going to be.

Historic Lovers
Marie Antoinette and Count Axel Ferson — I never knew the extent to which Axel Ferson was involved in their end. I need to learn more about their relationship.
Napoleon and Josephine — Josephine was a highly impressive woman. She had foresight and intelligence that men would have underestimated at the time.
Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton — I adore this couple. Emma herself is awesome. Can we give all respect to Lord William Hamilton who engaged in a ménage à trois with his young wife and a war hero? This was more than just implicit consent, this was full cooperation and a love affair between three to the end. "Lord Hamilton seemed to share the lovers' joy. He stood by his wife and friend as the social outrage intensified. When he died in 1803, Nelson was holding his hand while Emma smoothed his pillows." As I final thought f*** the King.
Pocahontas and Captain John Smith — No comment. Except I will thank you to propagate Disney's sins, the mouse does a fine enough job of that on its own.
Thunderbolt and Yellilong — Frederick Ward and Mary Ann Bugg are their true names and Mary Ann needs to come out of the shadows. The lady was all kinds of fantastic and highly unusual for the day. My Australian self needs to read more about the women that made the bushrangers. From previous readings, I know that Thunderbolt and Yellilong aren't the only ones, and no one said it needs to be a romantic impact. Ned Kelly was deeply influenced by his mother Ellen and the infamous gang began because of events surrounding his sister Kate. If we are going to talk about the men as key to our history, we cannot forget the women.
Bess and Harry Houdini — "Handcuffing your husband, placing him in a weighted box and casting him into deep water may seem an odd way of demonstrating your love and support — especially if you do it day after day, year after year. But Beatrice Houdini was no ordinary wife" The strength to do everything Bess Houdini did. That is true love.

Royal Romances
Bothwell and Mary, Queen of Scots — All I could think while reading this was that Mary embodies a quote from a book about the sexual appetite in women intimidating men.Louis XIV and Francoise de Montespan — I appreciate the way Gressor and Cook show the stark differences between King Louis XIV's and is Queen Maria Theresa. "Louis was a sensualist, whereas she was something of an aesthete." It's such a good way to show their base incompatibility. In other news, the Marquis de Montespan was an absolute idiot. I don't care that your wife is having an affair on you, her inamorato is the King. You touch her in aggression and you get what you deserve. (he did)
Charles II and Nell Gwynn — I really like Charles. Nell was loyal to a fault. Something of a rarity in a mistress her love was selfless, she wanted nothing from her King and she was maternal. "That royal libertine Charles II was Queen Victoria's favourite ancestor, which just goes to show that even the most prudish ladies love a handsome, hell-raising rake." I needed to include this quote because I love it so much. That said it forgets that Vicki was a young woman, and that her dour attitude really only stuck when she became a widow after the death of Albert.
Czar Nicholas and Alexandra — Alix and Nicholas are such a good inclusion. They are one of the most tragic love stories but they loved each other dearly. Alix is not a royal I've looked at before. But one thing I did notice is she is one of Vicki's granddaughters. Queen Victoria was an absolute power player, so many of her children and grandchildren ended up on thrones.
Victoria and Albert — Hands down one of the greatest matches in history. They were partially arranged and partially a love match. Although he was she, as a constitutional monarch, who had to choose a husband.
It cannot have been an easy task for a young woman in those days to have to do her own proposal." Can we acknowledge this for a second? This would be so, so hard. As previously implied not only are they one of the greatest matches, they have one of the greatest royal legacies of any couple.
Lola Montez and Ludwig I of Bavaria — So many of the stories in this book boil down to a woman knowing what they wanted and going for it. Lola was no expectation to this. She lived quite a life. Her seduction of a King was the height of it but probably not the most interesting. Upon her death, I'm certain the fallen women were grateful for her bequest.
Edward and Mrs Simpson — I cannot be the only one thinking we are currently experiencing a kinda 2.0 of this whole thing right now. Nuff said.

Literary Lovers
Lord Byron and Lady Caroline Lamb — Caroline Lamb has twins quotes about Lord Byron written about a week apart. The extremely well-known Mad, bad and dangerous to know the later and lesser known is That beautiful pale face will be my fate. I like the feel of it. They are a helluva pair. I never knew what Glenarvon is, but I kinda want to read it (woman scorned and all that).
Percy Bysshe Shelly and Mary Goodwin — I always forget how young Percy Shelley was when he died. "Many men wished to marry the attractive authoress after Percy's death, but she always replied smilingly: 'I think Mary Shelley so pretty a name I wish to have it on my tombstone.'" This is such a classy and loving way to reject suitors. On the burial arrangements, I have to add to that... Mary Shelley shares a grave with her prototypical mother Mary Wollstonecraft, her philosopher father William Godwin, her son Percy Florence and the heart of Percy Bysshe Shelly (I mean that she owned his heart is something). And the familial story is utter chaos deserving of a soap opera.
Victor Hugo and Juliette Drouet — The only real thought I had reading this was that Juliette was one helluva muse to Victor Hugo.
George Bernard Shaw and Ellen Terry — George Bernard Shaw feels like an ace before the term was used. His relationship with Ellen Terry is something of a prototype for how we live now. I really like their whole relationship. A simple misunderstanding destroyed it. How fragile relationships can be.
Rebecca West and H.G. Wells — Rebecca West was a remarkable woman. Actually even more so than what we see here. She risks so much for love. Then for her son. Anthony West (Wells' son) also went on to be a writer and critic. West and Wells were an interesting couple for the time. I appreciate the inclusion.
William Randolph Hearst and Marion Davies — Marion was whip smart. She knew the cost of being a woman in LA, even a kept one. Her nest egg move was an incredibly forward-thinking one. But f*** jealous families of the especially greedy sons. I seriously encourage everyone to look up Hearst Castle aka La Cuesta Encantada. The 'house' Marion Davies held court in. Just for a taster, the architect was Julie Morgan, a formidable woman in those circles ("America's first truly independent female architect").
Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald — I quite like the painful vibes of this write-up it suits them in a way. It does have a wonderful opening, I love how the Fitzgeralds met. The Fitzgeralds are another literary couple who bore a successful child, he lived with Zelda in Alabama. Scottie became an author and a journalist.
Agatha Christie and Max Mallowan — Agatha and Max are possibly one of my fave couples in this. Her a novelist, he an archaeologist and they have a 13-year age gap but Max healed Agatha Christie and together they bought each other joy. It is a healing and restorative love. This does of course more than mention her epic disappearing act, the timing is important. Can I just say this also has one of the best descriptions of Hercule Poirot?
Barbara Cartland and Hugh McCorquodale — Barbara married the charming cousin of her extremely dull first husband, and honestly, I'm 100% here for it. "But Barbara has always been an anomaly. She preached female subjugation and practised just the opposite as a self-made career woman in an era when it wasn't always fashionable — or even possible." I like this as a dichotomy within a person. For anyone who has an interest in the British Royal family, there is a royal connection here. Barbara's daughter, Raine, is correctly addressed as Raine Spencer, Countess Spencer. The stepmother of Lady Diana. This through Raine's 2nd marriage, she married 3 times, always well.
Herman Ternower and Jean Harris — This write-up feels so out of place here. We don't get a feel for their relationship, just its incredibly violent end.

Political Unions
Charles Stewart Parnell and Kitty O'Shea — The included a long quote from Kitty is nearly heartbreaking. Parnell was passion and passionate, something Kitty's husband was not. Much like Sir William Hamilton did his wife Emma, William O'Shea was aware of the action of his wife and her paramour, beyond that encouraging her. Parnell in a lot, it would take a strong woman to deny him. I adore his loyalty to Kitty and the letters and messages we read. The story of Charles Stewart Parnell and Kitty O'Shea may be something of a tragedy though.
Joseph Lyons and Enid Burnell — "A man cannot become Prime Minister of Australia, as Joe did in 1931, and a woman cannot become the first woman member of the House of Representatives, as Enid did in 1943, and later the first female member of Federal Cabinet, if they are not prepared to sacrifice their privacy." Dame Enid Lyons and Joseph Lyons are a power couple of Australian history, I fully believe all Australian teens need to be taught about them. That I only really learnt Enid Lyon's story, in particular, into my mid-20s is a travesty. People are fu***ng awful sometimes, this entry shows that in spades. Some recommendations. Enid wrote a book about their relationship, So We Take Comfort, in 1965. Her maiden speech is considered a masterpiece. Just as a note two of their grandchildren are public figures Libby Lyons was a director on the Australian Government's Workplace Gender Equality Agency and Kevin Lyons Jr. is a judge.
Winston and Clemintine Churchill — Clemintine Churchill was the epitome of the line 'behind every great man is a great woman'. That is all I could think of while reading this. "My most brilliant achievement," he had frequently remarked, "was my ability to persuade my wife to marry me.". This line from Winston Churchill, and I adore that he respected and honoured the support Clemintine gave him.
Angela Davis and George Jackson — These two feel like an odd inclusion. That is not a complaint they are atypical and quite a good choice. His death was a total waste. Another moment of male recklessness or peak racism. Dealers choice. (And I'm not sure how to interpret how it was written.)
Anatoly and Avital Shcharansky — This is by far the longest entry I think. There are sadly so many Russian couples that got separated like this two. But wow the strength of Anatoly and Avital to do this. It's quite nice to have a Russian pair that isn't the height of drama (that said no one does drama like the Russians).

Affairs of the Arts
Frederic Chopin and George Sand — I adore George Sand. Seriously badass. In this day and age Chopin and Sand would be a killer couple, like a total power couple. Their power dynamic would be allowed by society, even encouraged in the right places.
Aristotle Onassis and Mariia Callas — Onassis was a piece of work. But what is new? Maria knew what she wanted and went for it. More power to her for that but it was a lesson in pain.
Elvis ad Priscilla Presley — As much as I do think Elvis and Priscilla deserve to be here you cannot dent that the relationship was messed up. When you need to use the word "grooming" in a write-up of their relationship there is a lot going on. But there was true affection there. And given when I'm posting this I want to add RIP Lisa Marie.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono — This couple is a reminder of public pressure, scrutiny and judgement and the impact that can have on a person/ couple. I like this write-up, it is fairly balanced I think. Sean has followed in his parent's footsteps into music, including Yoko's style.
Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love — I really dislike the tone in the Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain write-up. It is very judgey and nearly disrespectful to mental health issues. Gressor and Cook are certainly feminists, which is obvious in their focus, but there is something extremely offputting about their indictment of Cobain.
David Beckham and Victoria Adams — Despite the age of this book these two have stuck the landing and are still going strong. Now with four kids. The two oldest Brooklyn and Romeo have followed in their footsteps. Brooklyn is a media personality and former model and Romeo is a footballer. Cruz and Harper are the other son and daughter.

Hollywood Lives
Charlie Chaplin and Oona O'Neill — We really need to mention that Oona found that ransom of Chaplin's body just a bit stupid, it wasn't bravery that stopped her from paying, it was smarts. That Chaplin liked younger, like terrifyingly younger women, cannot be forgotten. Even then that was unacceptable and illegal.
Bogart and Bacall — It kinda feels like at least some of this relationship was about defying the critics (so many of these couples do that). It is so pleasing to see a man respect marriage and his wife, willing to try and make it work with her despite his growing attraction to another woman.
Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn — These two were such a gorgeous and well-kept secret. Katherine Hepburn was willing to do what had to be done to have the man she wanted. Spencer Tracy respected marriage but was separated from Joan. It was an affair in that grey area. I respect Katherine for her behaviour after his death, acting with class, and honouring her place as the mistress not the wife. Despite that she was definitely the wife of his heart.
Barbara Hutton and Cary Grant — Hutton and Grant's write-up is much more Barbara's story than theirs as a couple, and I have no judgement on that. It is Gressor and Cook knowing their audience. Barbara Hutton had a tragic life.
Clark Gable and Carole Lombard — Can we acknowledge a subsequent wife burying her husband, a Hollywood star, with one of his previous wives? That is love. That is knowing your husband. There is a fair bit of pain in this write-up, the kind of pain that comes from lost opportunities.
Laurence Oliver and Vivian Leigh — These two had a hard road, both in terms of the relationship and in terms of the painful medical treatments.
Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini — Roberto Rossellini was a bit of a problem to me, his behaviour was severely entitled. Honestly, if a man spoke and acted like that around me I would probably slap him. But I am not Ingrid Bergmen.
Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton — This has one of my fave quotes in the book because of the sheer truth of it, "Our divorce was the most ridiculous in history." (Richard Burton) I'll say. They were only divorced for months despite their fighting, it's a demonstration of their passion. No one could come even come close to the other.
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward — I adore this couple. Their differences are what made them work. This is Joanne on why jealousy wasn't an issue for her "If the marriage is strong enough, it will probably survive. If there are weaknesses in the marriage that are unbearable, it probably won't. As a female I think that is all the more reason not to be so dependent upon marriage as the total of one's life, because so often break-ups do happen." (Joanne Woodward)

If you do choose to read this there are two things you need to remember. One is kinda obvious, it was published in 2005 so nearly 20 years ago now and uses the information available at the time. Some are now dead, some have fallen from favour, gained favour and others changes have happened. Second and more important is the largely historical nature of the stories involved. The culture and time period differences in which the relationships are transpiring should be kept in mind. There are some sizable age gaps that modern minds will possibly consider problematic and some cousins marrying *cough*royals*cough*.

nWomen differ from men but ought this difference, so essential to the harmony of life, constitute a moral inferiority?... And does it necessarily follow that the souls and minds of women are inferior to those of men, whose vanity permits them to tolerate no other natural order? — George Sand (I cannot find an original source for this but I really like it.)n

Read for POPSUGAR Reading Challenge 2023. Filling prompt #38 "a book you read more than 10 years ago"
Do you know how difficult it is for me to remember what I was reading 10 years ago? That was about three years before I started using Goodreads reliably. My memory is trash. But I know I read this and its sister title All for Love multiple times before I went to TAFE maybe 12 years ago.

A representative gif:

This was a collection of short stories about famous couples. Some were more interesting than others.

A good selection of love stories from many centuries. It is obvious some literary liberty has been taken to describe portions of these encounters and most seem legitimate and believable (true to the story).
A good read of bite size stories.

65

I gave this book of mini biographies a newsy review to where has it vanished to?

Quick, easy read which reads like shallow Wikipedia entries on the love lives of several wellknown figures in history. I found Napoléon Bonaparte's as well as Pocahontas's love stories interesting.

"You think you own whatever land you land on
The Earth is just a dead thing you can claim
But I know every rock and tree and creature
Has a life, has a spirit, has a name "

For the first time ever, I read a legendary love story of Pocahontas, told through westerners point of view... and not just her love story but others as well- A love story between a Queen and her 'King', a love story that divided an empire, a love story that till-death-do-us-part, a love story that created hatred in others that lead to assassination and many many more stories that teach us about love, what is love and how to love. Only that, each and every one of us is destine to our own destiny and it's up to us on how we want our love story to be.