A Little Happier: A Beautiful Ending & the Final Passage of Queen Victoria

This biography by Julia Baird delves into the significant chapters of Queen Victoria's life, shedding new light on events and people that have long been shrouded in myth. The book covers her strict upbringing, her marriage to Prince Albert, her deep grief following his death, and her relationships with various Prime Ministers and her confidant John Brown. Baird uses extensive research, including previously inaccessible documents and Victoria's journals, to provide a richer and more human view of the queen. The narrative highlights Victoria's influence on the British Empire, her struggles with autonomy, and her unique position as a powerful woman in a patriarchal society.

This book is a unique portrayal of Winston Churchill, presenting him through multiple lenses to highlight the complexities and contradictions of his life. Gretchen Rubin avoids the traditional biographical approach, instead focusing on essential questions about Churchill’s character, strengths, and controversies. The book explores whether Churchill was an alcoholic, a visionary, a racist, or a humanitarian, and how these different views shape our understanding of him. It also delves into the nature of biography itself, showing how different biographers can draw different conclusions from the same facts.