Wednesday, August 1, 2012

The Lost Prince by Selden Edwards


THE LOST PRINCE. Selden Edwards; Dutton Adult Books; 2012; 448 pp.; ISBN: 9780525952947.

 
Eleanor Burden returns from Vienna in 1898 with three priceless treasures, “a manuscript, an exquisite piece of jewelry, and a hand-written journal. Each would change her life, she knew, and each would play a part in determining her destiny.”  The latter part of this quote is surely an understatement, to say the least, for thousands and thousands of people will be affected by this woman who has been granted some invaluable factual information.  

The manuscript will make Gustave Mahler, composer and musician, famous. The jewelry will be used to finance an investment that she “knows” will reap millions of dollars in profit through the forthcoming years.  

The journal is a gift from a mysterious but tragically lost love who had traveled through time to the past and left this account of hugely significant events to come, like the formation of car companies, the sinking of the Titanic, WW I and WWII. But it also contains evidence of certain people who will nurture the world through their money, culture, or teaching. It involves J. P. Morgan, Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Arnaud Esterhazy, Frank Burden, and many more notable, fascinating characters. 

Just what is the role of Elizabeth and others and what is she to do when the plan begins to unravel with a seeming disastrous outcome? 

This is one of the most intriguing, riveting, educational, inspiring….stories this writer has read in years.  I couldn’t put it down and was totally engrossed in its amazing successes, failures, strengths, weaknesses, and more.  It is well-written, well-researched, and stunning in its presentation. Are we the powerless recipients or dynamic creators of destiny? The Lost Prince is a must read and sure to be a number one bestseller.