By John Davis
Special to THE DAILY

The world had not known such a relatively long period of peace since the Pax Romana some 1,900 years before.

The world at the turn of the 20th century was one of perceived international stasis, prosperity and hope for continued progress.

On the thrones of three empires sat three cousins, all related to Queen Victoria, recently of the British throne, now with her grandson, King George V, or Georgie, as he was known in the family.

Willi, Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany, living in splendor and monarch over the German Empire, was equally well entrenched.

Lastly there was Tsar Nicholas, or Nikki, father of all the Russians.

Author Catrine Clay, decades-long documentarian for the British Broadcasting Corp. and author of three books, has given us a fine effort of scholarship that is readable, insightful and wisely orchestrated to bring out the family interconnectedness that would serve to bring down the world of the Victorian age.

With skilled nuance, Clay builds the tension that led to World War I, when the cousins would commit their millions of people into mortal combat.

She notes the veiled concern of the German press suggesting Wilhelm’s autocratic ways were contrary to modern nationhood.

Clay also sees the concern in various branches of British citizenry, nobility and government that the royal family should disport such wealth at a time when few could dream of a permanent income.

She is not inconsistent in her praise of family loyalties, but unsparing in her criticism of the “horseracing and gambling” natures of some English royals.

Even more bizarre is her recounting of the Willi-Nikky letters of state, wherein the matters of treaties and international relations are ended with “send greetings to Alix” and other personal notes.

This is a truly excellent book, and Clay has done well in capturing the family dynamics in most empathetic ways, and showing how, but for identifiable changes in relationships, causes and consequences of history could well have been different.

She is not one to lecture, and this tragic aspect of history is left to the interpretation of the reader. It is well worth the effort.

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