Shooting Victoria

by Paul Thomas Murphy
Category: "World History - Political"
Pages:520
Year of Publication:2012
Date Added:08/11/2015
Date Read:02/27/2016
Notes:Subtitle: Madness, Mayhem, and the Rebirth of the British Monarchy

During the reign of Queen Victoria, there were eight apparent attempts on her life. One of these was an assault with a cane which left a lump and scar on her forehead. Of the other seven, two were by the same man within days of each other, and six of the seven were almost certainly with unloaded guns. The assailants were all judged insane to one degree or another and, in several cases were motivated by a desire for fame or an easier life in prison. Only the last one, by a young man almost certainly insane, involved a real threat to the queen. Victoria responded by openly appearing in public, making herself more loved in the process. The author makes a claim that it was Victoria's response to these events that changed the basis for the British monarchy from divine right to public acclaim.
My Rating: 7

Reviews for Shooting Victoria

Review - Shooting Victoria

Interesting, but in need of editing. The author frequently gets lost in accounts of other crimes being committed at the time that had nothing to do with the queen. He also gets bogged down in British politics at times, picking topics seemingly at random and skipping whole decades at other times. Still, it's the most I've ever read about Victoria and Albert and the odd bits thrown in here and there, while not contributing to the story, were interesting.
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