A mediocre biography of Georgiana Spencer, who was quite a character in 18th-century England. Her relationships were kind of all over the place, she racked up staggering debts due to a compulsive gambling habit, and yet she was a force on the political scene -- unusual for a woman of her day. Georgiana is a fascinating character, but this book is sadly not a page-turner. My eyes began to glaze over whenever the subject matter turned to political goings-on, and her continued gambling made me desire to pluck them right out of my head -- I'm unable to fathom the vast sums of money frittered away to no benefit!

Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire was not born royal; if she had been, she might have been an English Marie Antoinette with a brain. As it was, she was was bold and neurotic, generous and spendthrift, charming and immoral. It is clear that author is in love with her. Many readers may not be. It is difficult not to reflect on the waste of feminine talent and energy, or not to hear the tumbrels of the coming social revolution.

One is for a friend and member of PPL, Tina Clement. I will pick up the books on Thursday, Dec 12.

Recommended by Costco.