Natalie Livingstone

This family history spans nearly two centuries and focuses on the women in the famous Rothschild family. I appreciated the focus on the women's stories, although there's plenty in this book about the men as well (one cannot really be told without the others), and I found I really liked several of the women profiled. Given the time span, one is able to see this family rise to wealth and power, and I was particularly interested in how they thought about their role in the wider Jewish community and decisions about supporting various Jewish causes (such as Zionism). A fascinating read and recommended for anyone interested in Rothschilds, British high society, and Jewish history.… (mais)

I began reading this on my kindle, but soon realized I had to have a physical copy of the book. There is a detailed family tree inside, as well as photographs, and I referred to each of these many times.

This is not a quick read. There are many names and historical events among the pages and I decided to take my time with this one. It was very well researched, but women’s roles in the past often leaves little for historians to find.

Each of the women featured were well-educated and capable in their own right. Many were multi-lingual and capable of handling the banking, often helping their husbands and/or sons with the business. They were involved in numerous charity and political causes.

The only women I had heard of prior to this book were Gutle and Miriam. Miriam was one of the most recent Rothschilds and she led such a productive life, she could have a book of her own.

Through the years, the family became more mainstream and many today are not as devout in their Jewish faith as their ancestors before them. They also became more relaxed in regard to marriages and marrying outside the family and faith.

I enjoyed reading about these women of the past and recommend this to other readers who enjoy history.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to recommend this book and give my honest review.… (mais)

The Women of Rothschild The Untold Story of the World's Most Famous Dynasty by Natalie Livingstone is Historical Non Fiction. The Rothchild‘s rise to fame and fortune. A tale of a family's journey led by the strength of women from a German ghetto to English mansions and places all over the world.
We follow the Rothchild family from discrimination and persecution to wealth, influence and power with predictable excess. We read of other family members descending into lifestyles that might have horrified previous generations. The Rothschild women’s story provides many life lessons of how our choices will determine our fate, influence others and may impact future generations.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars… (mais)

The Women of Rothschild is a detailed, In-depth, meticulously researched, steeped in history look at the women of the Rothschild family, beginning with the mother of the Rothschild dynasty, Gutle Schnapper, who was born in a German Jewish ghetto in 1753. Rothchild women were (are) strong, competent and capable, beginning with Gutle and continuing through the line, both those women born into the family and those who married into it. They have been intentionally and systemically marginalized, pushed aside, excluded from decision making and overt power, purposely omitted from wills, or if anything was left to them it was under the control of a male member of the family. They were expected to contribute to the family business but behind the scenes, not speaking out, not taking credit, knowing their place. I don’t know what the author had in mind, but for me the common theme was not that the Rothschild women achieved remarkable things, but that their achievements were in spite of the way they were shut out. My takeaway was frustration at this way of life and a not very favorable impression of the Rothschild men.

The book is well written and easy to read, although very long and so full of dates, places and transactions naturally centered around world events and the men that it seems more like a general history of this famous, rich family with the women just a part of it, rather than the celebration of the accomplishments of these women. In fact, their achievements were overlooked, their ideas uncredited and their potential untapped. Without the extraordinary efforts of author Natalie Livingstone and others like her we wouldn’t even be aware of what the Rothschild women did and continue to do.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing an advance copy of The Women of Rothschild in exchange for my honest review. Although it wasn’t really what I expected it was still an enjoyable read. All opinions are my own.… (mais)