The Victorian era has been one of the most influential in shaping modern British society, and Victoria herself is a powerful symbol of the age.

This is a fascinating portrait of the queen, both before and during her reign, by one of the 20th century's most influential women writers. Making extensive use of Victoria's Letters and journal, Edith Sitwell brings alive the queen's relationships with her family and those surrounding the court. She also provides a vivid record of social conditions in Victoria's England.

"One of the best biographies of this or any other year...it is a work of literary art, exquisitely written, and interesting from beginning to end." -The Washington Post