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I bought this book after watching a programme on television about forgotten great houses in England.(there was nothing else on TV that night!) Wentworth Woodhouse is in Yorkshire and the programme gave an insight into a truely fascinating story. I was "hooked" and did a search on "google" this gave me the information about the book "Black Diamonds" by Cathrine Bailey - this is an amazing true story - as good if not better than any drama production on television - Cathrine Bailey is a wonderful writer and tells the tale so well - I could not put the book down and Wentworth Woodhouse and the Fitzwilliam family will always be with me - this story is haunting and it breaks the heart and haunts the memory. I am not a big country house or history geek - I just enjoy a good book - usually fiction so to read what is really fact and history combined and enjoy it so much is wonderful. I did not want the story to end and indeed it hasn't - the house is still there - one elderly man owns it and is for now trying to keep it safe but there is so much that needs doing. What of the future? Will people such as myself ever be able to see inside it and put our memories of the book onto solid ground - I really hope so and I wish all goes well for Wentworth Woodhouse. Later the house was opened to the public and I did manage to go to Wentworth Woodhouse and take a guided tour around this amazing house. Since then sadly Mr Clifford Newbold has passed away but his efforts to save the house will continue as it was sold to "The Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust" and so is still open to the public so work can be completed to save the house. Read the book and visit the house - a wonderful experience.Read full review
An insight into the life of people in the 1900 & it explains the difference between the gentry & normal class of people. The daughter lives in Wentworth so can relate to the places mentioned.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Extremely well written covering so many issues in this country but in particular about the extremes between the rich and poor in South Yorkshire from the late 1800's to the 1900's. What is particularly interesting is that the attitudes towards the struggle of ordinary people by the rich and powerful throughout has remained the same. The relevance of theses issues remains the same today.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
A very well researched and well written book about the Fitzwilliam family of Wentworth Woodhouse in Yorkshire. Although it has over 400 pages it is not a difficult read and flows well from one chapter to the next, there is also a helpful family tree in the front. There are very good descriptions of how hard life was for the miners and their battles for fair treatment. However life was not always easy for the privileged Fitzwilliam's with scandal, illness and secrets. A great historical account of society and class differences over many years. Excellent!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
an interesting read covering the Fitzwilliam family, Wentworth Woodhouse, the Kennedys, the social divide and mining--not necessarily in that order. The politics of the mining industry are a bit complicated but otherwise a good book. Owing to the destruction of most of the family archives I found it less compelling than "The Secret Rooms"
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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