The Crown Jewels by Anna Keay

The Crown Jewels Reviews

• 
  Riley

  A concise, informative and well-written book about the history and design of the Crown Jewels which symbolise the power of the Sovereign over their many realms to the present day. The illustrations have been superbly chosen and are linked to specific sections of the text, which makes the book easier to read.
• 
  Shane

  Yes, it's jewel porn, but The Crown Jewels is also a fascinating insight into English history, told through the lens of the magnificent objects used in a British coronation. Early in the book [Spoilers!], you learn that most of the current "things of state" date after The Restoration of the mid-17th century. Objects previous to Charles II are few and far between because the Commonwealth/Protectorate sold off almost everything from the Tudor period and before. But within this limitation, the history of state jewels (including some silver-gilt ceremonial service items) is told in detail.
  
  Perhaps the most fascinating parts of the book describe and show the history of crowns used by monarchs over time. The current Imperial State Crown was created less than 100 years ago (1937). The book goes step-by-step through previous versions, trends in "fashion," and includes a full slate of previous crowns, most of which now look like gossamer webs of gold, lacking their precious stones.
  
  This book has just enough well-written text to be highly informative while earning its "coffee table book" status through page after page of genuinely gorgeous photos.
  
  This book cannot be recommended enough for anyone interested in the topic. Anglophiles everywhere must buy and read it.
• 
  Dean

  This is about as comprehensive a book on the Crown Jewels as you can hope to find. Written by an author who knows of what she speaks, and packed full of engaging text, tons of interesting facts and figures, and some gorgeous close up photography that show the pieces off to their maximum. A book that can be enjoyed by novice and expert alike, and should be.
• 
  Sandy

  I really don't want to even give this book a one. It had a tremendous amount of history on the crowns and septres but I wanted more info on today. I wanted to see all the jewelry and tiaras. Way too much info so I actually didn't even read more than the first page.
• 
  Kristine Lenda

  This book did not really cover all the aspects I wanted, but my geeky heart really enjoyed reading this book none the less.
• 
  Mark Lennon

  Great facts, photos and stories about the famous jewels in British History.
• 
  Yves

  Scholarly but entertaining with a lot of detail that was fascinating to read. Well worthwhile!
• 
  Lucy

  This book is not as comprehensive as its title would indicate. It covers primarily the crown jewels of Great Britain with a few other examples for comparison. However, it covers these jewels in much greater detail than I've seen before. There's a good history of how the jewels have been and are used, focusing primarily on regalia worn by kings and queens, especially at coronations. There are several items I don't remember ever seeing before and I certainly haven't seen pictures as detailed and close-up as some are. There are pictures of paintings showing how things were used or worn, especially several coronation portraits I don't remember seeing before.
  Beautiful. Fabulous. Highly recommended for those interested in jewelry and/or the British royal family, past and present.
  
• 
  E.S. Ivy

  Since it only covers the "crown jewels" used during the coronation or passed down for several generations specifically in the ownership of the crown (to be passed down from sovereign to sovereign only), including the spurs, cruets, chalices and such. I thought I would miss the tiaras. But there is a lot of history here as well and seeing the pieces associated with it is fascinating.
  
  This book has gorgeous photos. I never realized that the stones in St. Edward's crown were mounted on enamel - which to me looks like painted china. The book also ends up giving a partial history of how jewelry making progresses - moving to the open settings and different cuts of stones.
• 
  Jason Walker

  This is truly a gift book for anyone interested in the royal accouterments of the United Kingdom. It is filled with spectacular photography and accessible prose. I know certain people who are angered by the very fact that the Crown still exists, but if you set aside any thought of the tyranny of monarchies, the items and the history attached to them is immensely interesting presented here in a single volume. Many of the items can be viewed online, but this book brings it all together.
• 
  Tara

  Very detailed in just the right places. It incorporates some detail about historic events but only those necessary to understand the significance of these items. The photography was beautiful, and the writing was well edited and concise. Highly recommended.
• 
  Samuel B. Shaw

  Gorgeous pictures of the gorgeous Crown Jewels. Interesting read on the history of the regalia too.
• 
  Julie

  Incredible close-up detail pictures! I wrote a term paper on the Crown Jewels in high school, but there wasn't very much info available back then. This was awesome! Now I must go and visit them.
• 
  Jennifer

  Before reading this book I had no idea that a punch bowl and ladle were part of the British Crown Jewels.
• 
  Carolyn Page

  Beautiful pictures and illuminating history of the crown jewels of Great Britain.
• 
  Mary

  A fascinating history
• 
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