Black Diamonds: The Rise and Fall of an English Dynasty - Books (Catherine Bailey, Paperback)

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Customer Reviews of Black Diamonds: The Rise and Fall of an English Dynasty

the grumbler
Sheffield, England
18th November 2008

History Lessons Were Never This Good!
A superb investigation into the mysteries within the family that lived at Wentworth Woodhouse but so much more than that too.
Catherine Bailey tells the story of a once mighty British industry from all sides, the rich and powerful, the Government, the military and of course the workers and their families. All of this against the secrets and sadness behind a once great estate. The research is incredible and the author constantly leads you down little side tracks from the main tale and they are truly fascinating.
I have visited the grounds of Wentworth since childhood and often stared at the enormous frontage and wondered what stories that house could tell. Catherine will let you in on just some of them and if you have any interest in the social and industrial history of Britain I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
Just wonderful!

D. Bailey-Boulet
Louisville, KY, USA
9th November 2008

Riveting and an important contribution to national and regional history
This is a vital contribution to British and regional history--and a fascinating read to boot. Bailey tackles a complex family and regional story with commendable research with great results. My family was one of many multi-generational mining families in the region. This page-turner of a book gave me deeper insights into the world in which they struggled for a living. It also speaks to the tragedy within a dynasty. I read this book as I flew across the United States; for once the flight seemed too short. Thank you to Catherine Bailey. By the way, while we share a family surname, as far I as I know we are not related, so I have no special interest in promoting her work.

Whizzkid
Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire
7th November 2008

A Diamond of a Book!
A fascinating book which tells the story of the feuding aristocratic Fitzwilliam family and their struggles, both inward and outward, to hold on to their historic seat at Wentworth House and ultimately their place in British society.

Set against the wider backdrop of both the First and Second World Wars this is a story of love, glamour, revenge and bravery. It is also the story of the British coal industry and how the nationalisation of that industry threatened to rip the heart out of the very fabric of British society and its class system and was seen by many as being a far greater threat to our country than Hitler.

The book explores the grinding poverty of the coal miners who risked and often lost their lives for a pittance whilst their masters, like the Fitzwilliams, grew rich from the mineral mining rights. It makes you feel desperately ashamed that our country was built on the sweat of these people who from childhood braved the most horrendous working conditions and who during their often short lives were never far from the threat of mutilation and death from mine collapses.

The book also explores the glamorous lifestyle of Peter Fitzwilliam (8th Earl) as he flitted around the French Riviera in an attempt to escape from his loveless marriage to Obby Fitzwilliam and his ultimately doomed liaison with the American heiress, Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy, the devoutly Catholic daughter of Joe and Rose Kennedy and sister of Jack and Bobby. Kick is vividly brought to life in the book and we feel her anguish as she tries to balance her love for firstly the Protestant Marquis of Hartington and secondly for the Protestant Peter Fitzwilliam with the demands of her Catholic faith and her fear of causing the first family of America any scandal.

This is a thought provoking book and as such it is not necessarily a quick read but one which I would have no trouble at all in recommending.

Sally Freeman
Sheffield South Yorks
22nd October 2008

Don't let the cover put you off
My book group all loved this insightful read into a complex and fascinating Yorkshire family. I agree that the way the social history is detailed is far better than what I had to endure at school and I feel so much more knowledgeable as a result. This book taught me lots about mining but also how important it is to be benevolent to those dependent on you. The cover is a bit Mills and Boonish but don't read this at your peril. Enjoy!

Oliver
Staffordshire UK
27th September 2008

Yorkshires Gone with the Wind
Stunning read. Yorkshires answer to Gone With the Wind, except its a true story. You could not make up a story like this it has enthraled everyone who has read it in our family and friends. Supprised it has never been made into a film on television series.Would outshine Brideshead Revisited.