Biography: royalty Books

Book Synopsis'A story told with verve and passion' The Times, Book of the Week'An alternative and engaging biography...accessible and unpretentious' The Telegraph'A stunning portrayal of two of the most powerful women in European history' Tracy Borman'Exciting and compelling, packed full of tantalising details of diplomacy and court life, Paranque succeeds both in bringing history to life, but also in putting flesh on the bones of these two extraordinary women and rival queens' Kate Mosse'A smart and stylish portrait of two of Europe's most remarkable rulers, a compelling profile of female power and - that rarest of things - a truly original book about the Tudor period' Jessie ChildsIn sixteenth-century Europe, two women came to hold all the power, against all the odds. They were Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici. One a Virgin Queen who ruled her kingdom alone, and the other a clandestine leader who used her children to shape the dynasties of Europe, much has been written about these iconic women. But nothing has been said of their complicated relationship: thirty years of friendship, competition and conflict that changed the face of Europe. This is a story of two remarkable visionaries: a story of blood, fire and gold. It is also a tale of ceaseless calculation, of love and rivalry, of war and wisdom - and of female power in a male world. Shining new light on their legendary kingdoms Blood, Fire and Gold provides a new way of looking at two of history's most powerful women, and how they shaped each other as profoundly as they shaped the course of history. Drawing on their letters and brand new research, Estelle Paranque writes an entirely new chapter in the well-worn story of the sixteenth century.Trade ReviewBursting with fresh perspectives, this is a vibrant retelling of a story you thought you knew. * Dan Snow *Excellently told, this thrilling, lyrical story of two extraordinarily powerful women offers the missing piece in our understanding of Tudor England and Renaissance France. * Suzannah Lipscomb *Blood, Fire and Gold is a treasure house of historical detail that transports readers back to a time when court intrigue was quite literally a matter of life and death-especially for the women thrust into its dark heart. Spellbinding in its scope; cinematic in its rendering. Estelle Paranque is the perfect guide to this world, and an exciting, new voice in narrative history. * Lindsey Fitzharris *Utterly absorbing and beautifully crafted, Estelle Paranque navigates her way through the intrigues and power struggles of the English and French courts with an expert hand. Through her gripping narrative, she brings two extraordinary women who experienced love, heartbreak, triumph and disaster masterfully to life. Blood, Fire and Gold is pacy, colourful, and above all compulsively readable. A stunning debut. * Nicola Tallis *

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom #1 New York Times bestselling author Christopher Andersen comes a vivid and unsparing yet sympathetic portrait of one of the most complex and enigmatic figures of our time: Charles, who has taken his place on the throne after being the oldest and longest-serving heir in British history. Since the day Charles Philip Arthur George was born, he has been groomed to be King. After more than seventy years of waiting, he finally ascends the throne.The King examines the private life of this historically important and controversial figure, set against the grand, thousand-year sweep of the British monarchy. This richly detailed biography covers it all, from his military training to his marriage to Lady Diana, through their separation and her tragic death to his marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles. In the process, it provides a balanced but fully honest look into the life of the new monarch. This book will tell you what the King—a man who has remained something of an enigma, shrouded in speculation and intrigue—is really like.The King is the first biography of Charles since he has become monarch and serves as an authoritative chronicle of his life.

Read more less

Book SynopsisAncient Egypt is one of the great wellsprings of human civilization, first developing around the city of Memphis on the Nile River in the fourth millennium BCE. Egyptian life was centred on a complex system of religious rituals, with the pharaoh (king) seen as a living god among the people. Mighty pyramids, tombs and monuments were built to celebrate the pharaohs, many of which can still be seen in all their grandeur today. Arranged by dynastic period, Pharaohs offers a compact history of the reign of these god- kings, from Menes, who united the north and south kingdoms, to the Ptolemaic Queen Cleopatra, who was defeated along with her lover Mark Antony at the Battle of Actium (31 BCE) by imperial Rome. Along the way the reader will learn about the Great Pyramid constructed by Khufu, the last of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world; Queen Hatshepsut, a rare female pharaoh whose name means “foremost of noblewomen” and who launched a massive building programme at Luxor; the young pharaoh Tutankhamun, whose tomb was discovered intact in the Valley of the Kings, complete with the fabulous trappings of his divine status; and Ramesses II (“the Great”), who is thought to have enslaved the Israelites, built the magnificent temple of Abu Simbel, and defeated the Hittites at the Battle of Kadesh (1274 BCE) riding his trade-mark chariot. Carefully researched, superbly entertaining and illustrated throughout with more than 180 photographs and artworks, Pharaohs is an accessible history of the kings who ruled Ancient Egypt for more than 4,000 years.Trade Review“Jestice has presented a beautiful, concise book designed to enlighten . . . Pharaohs: The Rulers of Ancient Egypt for over 3000 Years has an engaging narrative for the beginner worthy of its extensive color illustrations.” -- Robert S Davis * New York Journal of Books *Table of ContentsContents:Introduction1: The Great Age of the God Kings Menes: unifier of Upper and Lower Egypt Qa’a: Ruled very long, his tomb is the last one with subsidiary tombs. Neferkasokar: Old Kingdom legends claim that this ruler saved Egypt from a long-lasting drought. Djoser: Commissioned the first Pyramid in Egypt, created by chief architect and scribe Imhotep. Sneferu: Reigned 48 years, giving him enough time to build the Meidum Pyramid, the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid. Khufu: Built the Great Pyramid of Giza. Khufu is depicted as a cruel tyrant by ancient Greek authors. Menkaure; A legend claims that his only daughter died due to an illness and Menkaura buried her in a golden coffin in the shape of a cow. Teti: According to Manetho, he was murdered. Neferkare: Possibly the longest reigning monarch of human history with 94 years on the throne.2: Royal Decline & Recovery Qakare: Built a pyramid at Saqqara inscribed with the last known instance of the Pyramid Texts. Sehertawy: First member of the dynasty to claim a Horus name. Tepia: Nominally a Theban nomarch (Tepy-a) but may have ruled independently. Wahankh: Conquered Abydos and its nome. Mentuhtep III: Commanded the first expedition to Punt of the Middle Kingdom Amenemhat: Assassinated by his own guards. Khakaure: Most powerful of the Middle Kingdom pharaohs Sobekkare: the first female pharaoh Senusret III (1878–1839 BC) was a warrior king, leading his troops deep into Nubia, and built a series of massive forts throughout the country to establish Egypt's formal boundaries with the unconquered areas of its territory. Amenemhat III (1860–1815 BC) is considered the last great pharaoh of the Middle Kingdom.3: Reimagining Egypt in a Wider World Second Intermediate Period (c. 1782–1570 BCE) Awybre: Famous for his intact tomb treasure and Ka statue Smenkhkare: marked by two colossal statues Sobekemsaf II: His tomb was robbed and burned during the reign of Ramesses IX. The Seventeenth Dynasty and a war of liberation: The two last kings of this dynasty were Seqenenre Tao and Kamose. Ahmose I completed the conquest and expulsion of the Hyksos from the Nile Delta, restored Theban rule over the whole of Egypt.4: The Age of Egyptian Empire New Kingdom (1570–1069 BCE) Ahmose I: conquered north of Egypt from the Hyksos. Thutmose III: Famous for his territorial expansion into the Levant and Nubia. Under his reign, the Ancient Egyptian Empire was at its greatest extent. Amenhotep III The Magnificent: Father of Akhenaten and grandfather of Tutankhamun. Ruled Egypt at the height of its power. Built many temples and monuments, including his enormous Mortuary Temple. Amenhotep IV: changed the state religion from the polytheistic Ancient Egyptian religion to the Monotheistic Atenism, centered around the worship of the Aten, an image of the sun disc Tutankhamun: He is thought to have taken the throne at around age eight or nine and to have died around age eighteen or nineteen, giving him the nickname "The Boy King." Tutankhamun was a weak ruler suffering from multiple health issues.5: An Age of Decline or Transformation? Ramesses II the Great: C ontinued expanding Egypt's territory until he reached a stalemate with the Hittite Empire at the Battle of Kadesh in 1275 BCE Ramesses III: Fought the Sea Peoples in 1175 BC. Possibly assassinated (Harem conspiracy). Third Intermediate Period (1069–664 BCE) Pasebakhenniut I: Ruled for 40 to 51 years. Famous for his intact tomb at Tanis. Known as "The Silver Pharaoh" due to the magnificent silver coffin he was buried in. Shoshenq I Meriamun: Possibly the biblical Shishaq Piye: King of Nubia; conquered Egypt in his 20th year; full reign at least 24 years, possibly 30 years Late Period (664–525 BCE) Nekau I: Was killed by an invading Kushite force in 664 BC under Tantamani. Wahibre: Fled Egypt after Amasis II (who was a general at the time) declared himself pharaoh following a civil war. Ahmose II: He was the last great ruler of Egypt before the Persian conquest. Psamtik III: Ruled for about six months before being defeated by the Persians in the Battle of Pelusium and subsequently executed for attempting to revolt. Darius III: Upper Egypt returned to Persian control in 335 BC. Nectanebo II was the last native king to rule Egypt. The Persian Empire was conquered by Alexander the Great in 332 B.C.6: The End of Independent Egypt Aluksindres (Alexander the Great): Macedon conquered Persia and Egypt. Ptolemy I Soter Ptolemy IV: Died in unclear circumstances, possibly by fire in the palace or murder. Cleopatra III: Murdered by her own son Ptolemy X. Ptolemy XI: Young son of Ptolemy X Alexander; installed by Sulla; ruled for 80 days before being lynched Cleopatra VII: Ruled jointly with her father Ptolemy XII, her brother Ptolemy XIII, her brother-husband Ptolemy XIV, and her son Ptolemy XV. Committed suicide after the defeat at Actium. Ptolemy XV Caesar: Infant son of Cleopatra VII; aged 3 when proclaimed co-ruler with Cleopatra. Last known ruler of ancient Egypt when Rome took over.Index

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the bestselling author of The Time Traveller''s Guide to Medieval England, comes the story of King Edward III, who - like Elizabeth and Victoria after him - embodied the values of his age, forged a nation out of war and re-made England.He ordered his uncle to be beheaded; he usurped his father''s throne; he started a war which lasted for more than a hundred years, and taxed his people more than any other previous king.Nineteenth century historians saw in Edward the opportunity to decry a warmonger, and painted him as a self-seeking, rapacious, tax-gathering conqueror. Yet, in this first full study of the King''s character and life, Dr Ian Mortimer unveils that behind the strong warrior king was a compassionate, conscientious and often merciful man - resolute yet devoted to his wife, friends and family, and the father of both the English nation and the English people.''A fascinating portrait. At times, the reader seems almost able to reach across time and touch this man'' - The EconomistTrade ReviewAn excellent biography; entertaining as well as informative -- Allan Massie * Daily Telegraph *A fascinating portrait. At times, the reader seems almost able to reach across time and touch this man * The Economist *In producing this fine biography, Mortimer has succeeded magnificently, and has gone a long, long way towards restoring Edward III to his proper place as one of the great makers of this nation -- Alison Weir * Daily Mail *Ian Mortimer...has virtually single-handedly put medieval history back in the hands of ordinary readers, combining scrupulous research with a wonderfully iconoclastic approach to storytelling -- Dominic Sandbrook * Daily Telegraph *

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Ground-breaking ... One of the greatest international bestsellers of the post-war period'' Andrew Roberts, Daily Telegraph''Reads like an engrossing novel'' Sunday TimesAn infant queen. A teenage widow. Beautiful, flamboyant Mary Queen of Scots had a formidable intellect but her political sense - formed at the absolute court of France - plunged her country into a maelstrom of intrigue, marriage and murder. Upon fleeing to England she was held captive by her cousin Elizabeth I. In this classic biography, reissued for the fiftieth anniversary of its publication, acclaimed historian Antonia Fraser relates the enthralling story of Mary''s life and untimely end.Trade Review[A] ground-breaking biography ... One of the greatest international bestsellers of the post-war period, Mary Queen of Scots ... launched Fraser's now award-studded career, and single-handedly created a new publishing genre ... The true golden age of British biography really began with the publication of Mary Queen of Scots and it won't end so long as Fraser keeps tapping away on her ancient Smith Corona -- Andrew Roberts * Daily Telegraph *Lady Fraser brings intuitive insight and humble self projection to this period without losing historical balance. She gives us imaginative vitality and the historical edifice at once -- Norman MacKenzie * International Review of Scottish Studies *Before biography was fashionable, Antonia Fraser made the past popular * Guardian *Fraser is at her best here, lucid, authoritative and compassionate * Sunday Times *This is a fine biography, sympathetic without sentimentality, and with a keen awareness of the texture of its subject's world * Literary Review *Lady Antonia Fraser tells Mary's story movingly and yet with scholarship, insight and balance. It is the sort of biography of Mary which has long been needed * The Scotsman *The irreplaceable classic biography -- A. N. Wilson * The Spectator *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe story of how Elizabeth II became queen.'Rich with princess anecdotes... Williams's book weaves the Second World War, vast social change and the royal upheaval of abdication and celebration of coronation into energised, nostalgic storytelling' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH'Fascinating insights into Elizabeth's relationship with her sister also make this a worthwhile, enjoyable read' DAILY TELEGRAPHWe can hardly imagine a Britain without Elizabeth II on the throne. It seems to be the job she was born for. And yet for much of her early life the young princess did not know the role that her future would hold. She was our accidental Queen.As a young girl, Elizabeth was among the guests in Westminster Abbey watching her father being crowned, making her the only monarch to have attended a parent's coronation. Kate Williams explores the sheltered upbringing of the young princess with a gentle father and domineering mother, her complicated relationship with her sister, Princess Margaret, and her dependence on her nanny, Marion 'Crawfie' Crawford. She details the profound and devastating impact of the abdication crisis when, at the impressionable age of 11, Elizabeth found her position changed overnight: no longer a minor princess she was now heiress to the throne.Elizabeth's determination to share in the struggles of her people marked her out from a young age. Her father initially refused to let her volunteer as a nurse during the Blitz, but relented when she was 18 and allowed her to work as a mechanic and truck driver for the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service. It was her forward-thinking approach that ensured that her coronation was televised, against the advice of politicians at the time.Kate Williams reveals how the 25-year-old young queen carved out a lasting role for herself amid the changes of the 20th century. Her monarchy would be a very different one to that of her parents and grandparents, and its continuing popularity in the 21st century owes much to the intelligence and elusive personality of this remarkable woman.Trade ReviewRich with princess anecdotes... Williams's book weaves the Second World War, vast social change and the royal upheaval of abdication and celebration of coronation into energised, nostalgic storytelling * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *Fascinating insights into Elizabeth's relationship with her sister also make this a worthwhile, enjoyable read * DAILY TELEGRAPH *A well-written account of the Queen's early life * THE LADY *This is an accomplished history, told with literary grace and intellectual confidence * BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE *It is a fascinating story * GOOD BOOK GUIDE *An airy, affectionate and anecdotal account of Princess Lilibet's upbringing and ascension to the throne * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *It was deft of Williams to concentrate upon little Lilibet as her subject, and this was my favourite of the many royal books which have been published in the last six months * SPECTATOR *A well-written account of the Queen's early life. * THE LADY *An airy, affectionate and anecdotal account of Princess Lilibet's upbringing and ascension to the throne. * THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *Fascinating insights into Elizabeth's relationship with her sister also make this a worthwhile, enjoyable read. * THE DAILY TELEGRAPH *This is an accomplished history, told with literary grace and intellectual confidence. * BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE *It is a fascinating story * GOOD BOOK GUIDE *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERA Daily Mail Royal Book of the Year, 2021'Darkly compelling...hundreds of eye-popping details...Gripping ... damning portrait of the Windsors' Daily Mail 'Book of the Week''Briskly written and compulsively readable...' - A.N. Wilson, TLS'Meticulously researched' - Spectator'Entertaining... convincing... timely. Urgent reading for royals' - Evening StandardDecember 1936. The King of England, Edward VIII, has given up his Crown, foregoing his duty for the love of Wallis Simpson, an American divorcée. Their courtship has been dogged by controversy and scandal, but with Edward's abdication, they can live happily ever after. But do they?In Traitor King, bestselling historian Andrew Lownie draws on hitherto unexplored archives to uncover the dramatic world of the Windsors post-abdication. Lownie reveals a couple obsessed with their status, financially exploiting their position and manipulating the media. Filled with treachery and betrayal, this is a story of an exiled Royal and the Nazi attempts to recruit him to their cause. And of why the Royal family never forgave the Duke for choosing love over duty.Trade ReviewLownie expertly captures the extravagance (they never travelled with fewer than 73 pieces of luggage), the sense of entitlement, the snobbery, the vanity, the selfpity, the bone-idle laziness, the fundamental uselessness of their lives as outcasts. 'I never saw a man so bored,' said one acquaintance. Should this be required reading in a certain household in Montecito, California? * Daily Mail History Books of the Year *Meticulously researched * Spectator *Briskly written and compulsively readable...Does Andrew Lownie persuade me that it is worth telling the story again, and that he has made out the case for his unforgiving title? The answer is an unambiguous yes. -- A.N. Wilson * TLS *Entertaining... convincing... timely. Urgent reading for royals * Evening Standard *Darkly compelling...hundreds of eye-popping details...Gripping though it is, this is an unrelentingly damning portrait of the Windsors * Daily Mail *Compelling... a devastating portrait of the duke and duchess... a timely point of comparison when set against the ongoing trials and tribulations of the House of Windsor * The Tablet *Lownie reveals Edward not as a dupe of the Nazis, but an active and culpable collaborator...The list of individuals interviewed and archives consulted is formidable. The more impressive then, that this is a wonderfully readable and succinct story * BBC History Magazine *Thoroughly researched and compelling narrative of one of the most controversial periods in royal history. -- Andrew MortonAndrew Lownie has a remarkable ability to fashion a compelling narrative from raw archive text and personal reminiscence. His Traitor King (Blink, £25), about the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and their questionable cohorts, is every bit as absorbing as his earlier history of the Mountbattens. -- Andrew Lycett, Spectator Books of the Year'definitively answering some of the enduring mysteries ...Lownie fearlessly yet fairly provides the answers. Lownie appears to have red every book ever written about the Windsors and drilled deep into unpublished archives as well...Lownie has dug into the couple's complex love lives just as deeply...The full ghastly truth about them has remained obscure until now, partly thanks to a judicious cover-up by the British Establishment...' -- History TodayMeticulously researched and with so much new material on one of the most controversial Royals of the 20th century. Lownie reveals shocking new aspects to the life of Edward, Duke of Windsor, and firmly placed the Duke as a traitor to his country. -- Aspects of Historythis "explosive new royal biography" (front-cover blurb) by the highly regarded author of books about Guy Burgess and the Mountbattens,.. a biographer as serious and scholarly as Andrew Lownie ...Lownie gives heft to George Orwell's famous observation that the England of that time was a family, but one "with the wrong members in control" * Times Book of the Week *"Andrew Lownie's compelling volume... an unflattering portrait of this entitled couple." * Daily Mail Books of the Year 2021 *Through meticulous research Lownie makes a convincing argument for the duke's treachery...Edward is revealed for what he was: a traitor to the British people and an ally to Hitler....Academic in its tone and shocking in its contents Lownie goes where no royal biography has gone before. It sheds new light on British history and during the Second World War and would make for a stellar tv series. * The Lady *Compelling and conclusive. * Clive Irving, bestselling author of The Last Queen *Andrew Lownie does not pull his punches. His well researched biography of the former Edward V111, before and after his abdication, will shock even the most loyal royalist. * Sir Christopher Ondaatje, author of The Last Colonial *An absorbing and easily digestible book * Telegraph *This readable, damning synthesis confirms that Edward's abdication was the free world's good fortune. * Wall St Journal *Compelling and conclusive. Wallis Simpson performed a great service to the Windsors by removing Edward VIII from the throne. As Andrew Lownie definitively proves, he was totally unfit to be king and his willingness to be Hitler's satrap would have finished the monarchy. * Clive Irving, bestselling author of The Last Queen *Lownie has uncovered an array of new sources regarding the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and he exhibits a sovereign command of the existing biographies. Tackling the most sensitive subjects-the Duke and Duchess' sexuality, their pro-Nazi views, their problematic behavior during the war, and the complicated nature of their relationship-Lownie has painted the most convincing portrait of the couple to date. The results are fascinating. * Jonathan Petropoulos, author of Royals and the Reich: The Princes von Hessen in Nazi Germany *"Lownie gathers convincing evidence of Edward's collaboration with Germany and amasses a wealth of new material, including intimate details about the Duchess's affair with American socialite James Donahue. Royal watchers will be riveted." * Publishers Weekly *Lownie's well-researched and comprehensive book proves there's more to learn about the couple. Readers will find not salacious gossip but careful analysis and an accurate portrait of an unpleasant, grasping, manipulative couple trying to find purpose in their lives. Edward later publicly renounced the worst Nazi offenses, but his friendships, comments, and antisemitism reveal another truth. Crisp prose, meticulous research, and careful objectivity make Lownie's biography accessible to all readers. * Library Journal *'Does anyone want to read yet another book about the Duke and Duchess of Windsor? Perhaps not, but if you tackle this most recent one, there will be no need to read any more on the subject. Among the dozens of biographies, memoirs, diaries, novels, documentaries, interviews, musicals, dramas, and films that have emerged over the last eighty years, none-until Andrew Lownie's book Traitor King-has fully uncovered the devastating truth of what the two were really up to in their collaboration with Hitler and the Nazi Party' * Criterion *'...admirably detached and well supported by evidence....an agreeably unsentimental approach to the narrative.' * Jonathan Keates *

Read more less

Book Synopsis''Certain to become the definitive work'' DOUGLAS SMITH''Elegantly written and magisterially researched'' ROBERT SERVICE''Masterful . . . a chilling lesson'' VLADISLAV ZUBOKThe definitive story behind the self-destruction of the autocratic Romanov dynasty, by the world''s foremost expert.When Tsar Nicholas II fell from power in 1917, Imperial Russia faced a series of overlapping crises, from war to social unrest. Though Nicholas''s life is often described as tragic, it was not fate that doomed the Romanovs - it was poor leadership and a blinkered faith in autocracy.Based on a trove of new archival discoveries, The Last Tsar narrates how Nicholas''s resistance to reform doomed the monarchy. Encompassing the captivating personalities of the era, it untangles the struggles between the increasingly isolated Nicholas and Alexandra and the factions of scheming nobles, ruthless legislators, and pragmatic generals who sought to stabilize the restive Russian empire either with the Tsar or without him. By rejecting compromise, Nicholas undermined his supporters at crucial moments. His blunders cleared the way for all-out civil war and the eventual rise of the Soviet Union.Definitive and engrossing, The Last Tsar uncovers how Nicholas II stumbled into revolution, taking his family, the Romanov dynasty, and the whole Russian Empire down with him.

Read more less

Book Synopsis'What a fabulous book - a must for any royal watcher! It's elegant, stylish and gloriously illustrated. I didn't want it to end. I loved the original and innovative approach to the subject, and the new insights I gained. I cannot recommend it highly enough.' Alison Weir'Vogue, like the royal family, has been through many evolutions of its own, and to view Her Majesty's life though the record of our pages is truly a document of history.' - Edward Enninful, Editor-in-Chief of British VogueFive monarchs (crowned and uncrowned); one abdication; one royal investiture; a jewel box of jubilees and many, many royal marriages... British Vogue has borne witness to a century of royal history. As another reign begins, The Crown in Vogue is the magazine's 'special royal salute' to the House of Windsor. Vogue's first star photographer, Cecil Beaton, was entranced by the House of Windsor and the admiration was mutual. A younger star photographer, Antony Armstrong Jones, left Vogue to marry the Queen's sister and returned as Lord Snowdon. The Queen's cousin, Vogue's Lord Lichfield proved an insightful photographer of royal style along with many of Vogue's fashion photographers including Horst, Norman Parkinson and David Bailey. With visual treasures from Vogue's unrivalled archive and contributions through the decades from the most perceptive of royal commentators - from Evelyn Waugh to Zadie Smith - The Crown in Vogue is the definitive, authoritative portrait of Queen Elizabeth II's magnificent reign - and of royalty in the modern age.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe third volume of Alison Weir’s magisterial history of the queens of medieval England.‘Weir’s history books are as gripping as novels’ The TimesMedieval queens were seen as mere dynastic trophies – yet, as Alison Weir shows in this group biography, many of the Plantagenet queens of the High Middle Ages dramatically broke away from the restrictions imposed on their sex.Using personal letters and fascinating sources, Weir evokes the lives of these five extraordinary women: Marguerite of France, Isabella of France, Philippa of Hainault, Anne of Bohemia and Isabella of Valois. At the same time, she recreates a truly astonishing period of history – the turbulent, brutal Age of Chivalry.‘Places the reader in the midst of…complex, gripping events, telling the stories of five royal wives who lived through them’ BBC History‘Weir is an excellent storyteller’ SpectatorTrade ReviewWeir... paints a rich image of the lives these queens led... this book shines a light on the turbulent but often forgotten stories of the queens of this important period in English history. * BBC History Magazine *Weir's character sketches of all five women are engaging, her attention to detail and itineraries comprehensive. She is an excellent storyteller: descriptions are vivid and her knowledge of the sources is extensive. * Spectator *Stunning... [Weir has] brought those five queens to life like never before. I just raced through it - it has all the drama and suspense of a novel. -- Tracy Borman, praise for QUEENS OF THE CRUSADES[A] historian who has achieved popularity without sacrificing scholarly precision... She writes with the dramatic intensity of a novelist. -- Gerard DeGroot * The Times - praise for QUEENS OF THE CRUSADES *The book that I most anticipated this year was Alison Weir's Queens of the Crusades... Told with all of Weir's characteristic verve and exceptional eye for detail, this book should find its way into every history lover's Christmas stocking. -- Tracy Borman * BBC History Magazine *Books of the Year 2020* - praise for QUEENS OF THE CRUSADES *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE SUNDAY TIMES NO. 1 BESTSELLER 'Explosive' The Sun 'Accounts from insiders who have never spoken before' The Times 'Bombshell' The Mirror The British Royal Family believed that the dizzy success of the Sussex wedding, watched and celebrated around the world, was the beginning of a new era for the Windsors. Yet, within one tumultuous year, the dream became a nightmare, with the infamous Megxit split and bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview. In the aftermath, and with the recent passing of the Queen, the Royal Family's fate seems persistently threatened. The public remains puzzled. Meghan's success has alternatively won praise, bewildered and outraged. Confused by the Sussexes' slick publicity, few understand the real Meghan Markle. What lies ahead for Meghan? And what has happened to the family she married into? Can the Windsors restore their reputation under a new monarch? With extensive research, expert sourcing and interviews from insiders who have never spoken before, Tom Bower, Britain's leading investigative biographer, unpicks the tangled web of courtroom drama, courtier politics and thwarted childhood dreams to uncover an astonishing story of love, betrayal, secrets and revenge.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA vivid and revealing portrait of the real relationship between King Charles III and his mother, by the esteemed royal biographer, Ingrid Seward -perfect for fans of the popular Netflix TV seriesThe Crown.

Read more less

Book Synopsis'A triumph – a Game of Thrones in the Dark Ages' TOM HOLLAND. The magisterial biography of Oswald Whiteblade, exiled prince of Northumbria, who returned in blood and glory to reclaim his birthright. A charismatic leader, a warrior whose prowess in battle earned him the epithet Whiteblade, an exiled prince who returned to claim his birthright, the inspiration for Tolkein's Aragorn. Oswald of Northumbria was the first great English monarch, yet today this legendary figure is all but forgotten. In this panoramic portrait of Dark Age Britain, archaeologist and biographer Max Adams returns the king in the North to his rightful place in history.Trade ReviewA triumph. The most gripping portrait of 7th-Century Britain that I have read... A Game of Thrones in the Dark Ages' -- Tom Holland, The TimesAn engagingly populist and evocative book that makes a bold and effective attempt to bring a particularly obscure period in northern British history to the general reader * Literary Review *This early ruler had a life, and a legacy that rivals any fable * Independent *Gripping, hugely enjoyable and deeply scholarly. * History Today Books of the Year *

Read more less

Book Synopsis Now a major film, this is a dramatic reinterpretation of the life of Mary Queen of Scots by one of the leading historians of this period. Trade Review‘A biography that reads as thrillingly as a detective story’ Miranda Seymour, Sunday Times ‘A masterpiece, full of fire and tragedy’ Amanda Foreman 'Rarely have first-class scholarship and first-class storytelling been so effectively combined' John Adamson, Daily Telegraph

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Pulitzer prizewinning biography of Peter the Great, the ruler who brought Russia from darkness into light. Against the monumental canvas of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Europe and Russia, Robert K. Massie unfolds the extraordinary story of Peter the Great. A volatile feudal tsar with a taste for barbaric torture; a progressive and enlightened reformer of government and science; Peter the Great embodied the greatest strengths and weaknesses of Russia while being at the very forefront of her development. Robert K. Massie delves deep into Peter's life and character, chronicling the pivotal events that transformed the boy star into a national icon. His portrayal of the complexities and contradictions of this most energetic of Russian rulers brings a towering historical figure unforgettably to life.Trade ReviewEnthralling. As fascinating as a novel and more so than most * New York Times *Urgently readable... The work of a master of narrative history' * Newsweek *Exceptional * New Yorker *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAnne Boleyn is one of the most divisive figures in British history. Her love-match with Henry VIII and her subsequent execution at the Tower of London after only three years of marriage have made her the subject of heated debate and speculation. Everyone wants to know how she really felt and how and why she became queen: was she a ruthless schemer or was her death simply a tragic consequence of court politics? Unbiased descriptions of Anne are difficult to find: most were written after her death. Anne was effectively written out of history for the rest of Henry VIII’s reign, and that of his son, Edward VI. Her name was literally chiselled out of the fabric of Hampton Court, her badges and heraldry replaced by those of Jane Seymour. Historians continue to battle over her reputation today and the fascination with the life and death of Anne Boleyn lives on. This objective and informative book brings clarity to our view of Anne Boleyn, perhaps the most influential and important queen consort England ever had.Trade Review'highly informative…this is a fascinating read which really helps us understand Anne's role and importance…Pitkin books are just as collectable as ever!’ * Parents in Touch *

Read more less

Book SynopsisSarah Gristwood celebrates the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II and how her enduring popularity was tantamount to her many supporters. The twists and turns of her life follow her teenage years during the war, marrying the Duke of Edinburgh and her ascension to the throne. An internationally admired figure, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was the most high-profile monarch in the world, who endured wide-ranging popularity. Spanning from 1926 to the end of her reign in 2022, Elizabeth: The Queen and the Crown reveals the story behind Britain's longest-reigning monarch's extraordinary life. Sarah Gristwood follows the twists and turns of Her Majesty’s life and its key turning points – including her teenage years during World War II, meeting and marrying Prince Philip of Greece, later the Duke of Edinburgh, and her accession to the throne in 1952. Split into chapters covering different periods of her life, from ‘Apprenticeship (1926–1956)’, ‘Being Queen (1956–1986)’ to ‘Change, Celebration and Commemoration (1986–2022)’, the book charts the extraordinary events in the Queen's life alongside the everyday duties of her role as monarch.

Read more less

Book SynopsisOn 31 August 1997, the world was stunned by the tragic death of the most popular and photographed woman of the modern age: Diana, Princess of Wales. The outpouring of public grief at this tragically early death was unprecedented in modern times. Now, more than 20 years on, Diana: The People's Princess celebrates both her life and her legacy. A dignified and unexploitative celebration of Diana's life, Diana: The People's Princess commemorates this remarkable woman's life from her childhood to her tragic premature death at the age of 36. With authoritative text and a vast array of photographs, this updated edition includes new material on the aftermath of her death, including her legacy as a mother – Princes William and Harry and their involvement in perpetuating and protecting her memory – and the continuing work of the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The book is brought right up to date with the marriage of Harry to Meghan Markle, who some compare to the Princess of Wales. Diana: The People's Princess is a respectful, sensitive and poignant tribute to this elegant, charming and sympathetic symbol of our times. Table of ContentsForeword By Sir Trevor McDonald. Diana's Early Life. Diana and Charles. Diana the Devoted Mother. Diana: Queen of Hearts. Diana and Friends. Goodbye England's Rose. Diana's Legacy.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe funny and tragic, bestselling biography of The Queen's sister, Princess Margaret, perfect for fans of Netflix's The Crown.A GUARDIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR A TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR A DAILY MAIL BOOK OF THE YEARI honked so loudly the man sitting next to me dropped his sandwich' ObserverShe made John Lennon blush and Marlon Brando clam up. She cold-shouldered Princess Diana and humiliated Elizabeth Taylor. Jack Nicholson offered her cocaine and Pablo Picasso lusted over her. To her friends Princess Margaret was witty and regal, to her enemies, she was rude and demanding. Ma'am Darling looks at her from many angles, creating a kaleidoscopic biography, and a witty meditation on fame and art, snobbery and deference, bohemia and high society.Trade Review‘Ma’am Darling is fascinating. Brown has done something amazing with Ma’am Darling: in my wilder moments, I wonder if he hasn’t reinvented the biographical form’ Observer ‘A biography teeming with the joyous, the ghastly and the clinically fascinating’ Hannah Bett, The Times ‘Consistently hilarious and eye-opening’ Tim Adams, Observer ‘Heaven’ India Knight, Sunday Times ‘The only royal biography of the year worth handing the Queen’s head over for, Ma’am Darling is a modern and unconventional portrait of an old-fashioned princess as distilled and pickled through the genius of Craig Brown’ Helen Davies, Sunday Times ‘Craig Brown has brilliantly drawn together the component parts of a complex woman’ The Oldie ‘A playful, impish approach…Brown gives us lots of wonderful incidental detail…The deftly amused writing constantly tugs the corners of your mouth upwards’ Evening Standard ‘A cross between biography and satire that perfectly displays Brown’s rare skills as journalist and parodist’, Mark Lawson, Guardian, Books of the Year ‘Hugely entertaining … brilliantly written, with a wonderful sardonic edge but also a thoughtful, at times even moving tone’ Spectator ‘If you want a book that will have you punching your pillow in helpless laughter, this is it. Moreover, he has invented an entirely new genre, of which it is a masterpiece … The list of the Princess's 'rumoured' lovers – up to and wickedly including Dusty Springfield – sparked my decision to buy this book as a Christmas present for everybody I know, and for those I don't.’ Country Life ‘Hilarious’ Sunday Telegraph ‘Brilliant’ Evening Standard ‘Craig Brown achieves the impossible by finding a tone in which to write about monarchy. Not bitchy, not snide, not angry, but not fawning nor deferential either. Just funny.’ David Hare, Guardian

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn a land where Kings still rule, I am a Princess. You must know me only as Sultana, for I cannot reveal my true name for fear that harm will come to me and my family for what I am about to tell you.Think of a Saudi Arabian princess and what do you see? A woman glittering with jewels, living a life of unbelievable luxury. She has gold, palaces, swimming-pools, servants, designer dresses galore. But in reality she lives in a gilded cage. She has no freedom, no vote, no control over her own life, no value but as a bearer of sons. Hidden behind the veil, she is a prisoner, her jailers her father, her husband, her sons.''Sultana'' is a member of the Saudi royal family, closely related to the King. For the sake of her daughters, she decided that it was time for a woman in her position to speak out about the reality of life for women in her country, whatever their rank. She tells of her own life, from her turbulent childhood to her arranged marriage - a happy one, until heTrade ReviewUnforgettable in content, fascinating in detail - a book to move you to tears -- Fay Weldon, Mail on Sunday (Pick of the Year)Anyone with the slightest interest in human rights will find this book heart-wrenching... It had to come from a native woman to be believable -- Betty Mahmoody, bestselling author of Not Without My DaughterStartling, frank and vivid * Sunday Express *Gripping... fast-paced, enthralling * Publishers Weekly *Princess is a mind-boggling look at the everyday life of a contemporary woman in the 21,000-member-strong royal family... absolutely riveting * People magazine *

Read more less

Book Synopsis"The most wonderful, incredible woman and just a great Queen. There will never be anyone like her again." Dame Joan Collins"The ultimate woman of girl power #QueenElizabeth II." Geri Halliwell The Queen: 101 Reasons to Celebrate Her Majesty is a collection of all the things that made Elizabeth II a national treasure, from the profound impact she had on 21st-century politics, to her superhuman ability to keep on waving and her fabulous collection of headscarves.Did you know that she established a whole new dog breed, the dorgi, a cross between a corgi and a dachshund? Or that in her lifetime she gave out more than 75,000 Christmas puddings?With beautiful illustrations and humorous observations, this book is a joyful celebration of a monarch who will go down in history as one of the greatest of all time.

Read more less

Book SynopsisOn a perfect Spring morning at Windsor Castle, Queen Elizabeth II will enjoy a cup of tea, carry out all her royal duties . . . and solve a murder.'Like an episode of The Crown - but with a spicy dish of murder on the side' (DAILY MAIL)______________________The morning after a dinner party at Windsor Castle, eighty-nine-year-old Queen Elizabeth is shocked to discover that one of her guests has been found murdered in his room, with a rope around his neck.When the police begin to suspect her loyal servants, Her Majesty knows they are looking in the wrong place.For the Queen has been living an extraordinary double life ever since her coronation. Away from the public eye, she has a brilliant knack for solving crimes.With her household's happiness on the line, her secret must not get out. Can the Queen and her trusted secretary Rozie catch the killer, without getting caught themselves?Miss Marple meets The Crown in The Windsor Knot, the first book in the 'Her Majesty The Queen Investigates' mystery series by SJ Bennett - for fans of The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, Agatha Christie and M.C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin.______________________PRAISE FOR THE WINDSOR KNOT:'Hilarious, affectionate, and so well observed . . . I loved it' - JOANNE HARRIS'A total joy' - NINA STIBBE'A highly original and delightfully charming crime series' - ADELE PARKS'Possibly the most adorable crime novel out this year' - RUTH WARE'Charming, cosy and respectful' - GUARDIAN'Gently hilarious and utterly charming' - AMANDA CRAIGTrade ReviewMiss Marple with a crown in a heartwarming tale * Sunday Express *A total joy * Nina Stibbe *Hilarious, affectionate, and so well observed... I loved it * Joanne Harris *Possibly the most adorable crime novel out this year. If The Crown were crossed with Miss Marple, sprinkled with a dash of Murder She Wrote and adorned with some particularly gorgeous end-papers, then the result would probably be something like this charming whodunnit * Ruth Ware *Gently hilarious, discreetly compelling and utterly charming, The Windsor Knot adds detection to the mystique of monarchy. It's Miss Marple meets The Crown * Amanda Craig, bestselling author of The Golden Rule *A delightful read -- Nicki Chapman * BBC Radio 2 *A witty whodunnit...just the tonic for these unsettled times * Good Housekeeping *I loved every page of this book...I do hope that Her Majesty has a few more cases which she's been keeping under the crown. The Thursday Murder Club was a cracker. The Windsor Knot is better * TheBookbag.co.uk *The first book in a highly original and delightfully charming crime series...gloriously funny and oozes affection * Adele Parks *This version of Her Majesty - shrewd, sensible and inquisitive - has much in common with Alan Bennett's royal creation in The Uncommon Reader, and the resulting book, with its mixture of real and imagined characters, is charming, cosy and respectful * The Guardian *This entertaining novel, written with wit and brio, will appeal to royalists and murder mystery lovers alike * Daily Express *SJ Bennett brilliantly sets up the Queen as a detective...She is Miss Marple with a crown * Daily Mirror *Full of authentic details, the plot is smart and twisty and the whole thing is wonderfully (oddly) believable. Absolute perfection! * Isabelle Broom *Bracingly fresh yet endearingly familiar, The Windsor Knot is a dead cert for the winner's enclosure. It gallops along at a cracking pace, is laugh-out-loud funny and completely convincing, peppered with delicious royal detail and in-jokes. Priceless and charming - a jewel in the crown * Veronica Henry, Sunday Times bestselling author *This witty, impeccably plotted tale is a delightfully refreshing read! * The People's Friend *[A] warm and witty murder mystery...A delightful and respectful tribute to Windsor's canniest - and most discreet - amateur sleuth * Woman & Home, Book of the Month *A deftly layered, surprisingly convincing and tongue-in-cheek whodunnit that will keep you guessing -- Sarra Manning, Literary Editor * RED *A witty take on royal life, this sparkling debut takes cosy crime to the next level * My Weekly *One to watch . . . Miss Marple meets The Crown * The Bookseller *A novel plot with surprises along the way...A fantastically fun whodunnit * Candis *What a hoot! * Saga *In this delightful and suspenseful whodunit, author SJ Bennett pulls off the prodigious feat of transforming Queen Elizabeth into an amateur detective. For those of us who love The Crown but think it should have a little more murder in it, this is perfection * Peter Swanson, author of Rules for Perfect Murders *Feels like an episode of The Crown - but with a spicy dish of murder on the side * Daily Mail *What a refreshing delight this murder mystery is! The plot itself is tightly woven, with subtle clues scattered to tantalise and keep you guessing...It's sharp, funny and satisfying, and I'm happy to say there's a whole series planned. I can't wait! * National Federation of Occupational Pensioners Magazine *Really intriguing and funny, such a brilliant concept, the kind of thing we need in these dark and difficult times -- Phil Williams * Times Radio *A clever tale woven around one of the most well-known women in the world...a wholly enjoyable romp...I'm curious to see what the nonagenarian monarch and her extremely engaging assistant private secretary will get up to next * CrimeReview.co.uk *Delightfully clever, funny and utterly charming...guaranteed to hold readers in its thrall * Lancashire Evening Post *The quirkiest, funniest and most-needed crime novel of the year - do not miss * Fabulous, The Sun on Sunday *Our supersleuth monarch... playing Miss Marple with a crown in a heartwarming tale * Daily Record *Storytelling perfection - charming, funny and utterly endearing. I'll never be able to think of the Queen the same way again! * VICTORIA SELMAN *

Read more less

Book Synopsis**Explore the fascinating history of the real Downton Abbey as the Crawley family saga makes its way on to the big screen with Downton Abbey, the major motion picture**''Bright, breezy and unpretentious'' Guardian''A loving and faithful portrait of Almina and her world'' Countryfile magazine* * * * * *The story of the real Downton Abbey, told by Lady Fiona Carnarvon, chatelaine of Highclere Castle where the phenomentally successful TV series was filmed.Lady Fiona Carnarvon became the chatelaine of Highclere Castle - the setting of the hit series Downton Abbey - eight years ago. In that time she''s become fascinated by the rich history of Highclere, and by the extraordinary people who lived there over the centuries. One person particularly captured Fiona''s imagination - Lady Almina, the 5th Countess of Carnarvon. Almina was the illegitimate daughter of banking tycoTrade Reviewbright, breezy and unpretentious in style. * Guardian *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Secret Diary of Queen Camilla - a hilarious royal parody.

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the crowning of Charles III, thirty-nine coronations have been held in Westminster Abbey since the Norman Conquest. Only two monarchs – Edward V and Edward VIII – were uncrowned, and a further twenty or so Scottish monarchs were crowned elsewhere, usually at either Scone Abbey or Holyrood Abbey.In The Throne, Ian Lloyd turns his inimitable, quick-witted style to these key events in British royal history, providing fascinating anecdotes and interesting facts: William the Conqueror’s Christmas Day crowning, during which jubilant shouts were mistaken by his guards as an assassination attempt; the dual coronation of William and Mary in 1689; the pared-back ‘Half Crown-ation’ of William IV; and the televised spectacle of Elizabeth II’s 1953 ceremony.Detailing everything from the famous Coronation Chair made for Edward I and the Crown Jewels to the infamously uncomfortable Gold State Coach – this is a truly spectacular celebration of British culture and the ultimate pomp of royalty.

Read more less

Book SynopsisPart of the Penguin Monarchs series: short, fresh, expert accounts of England''s rulers - now in paperbackOn Christmas Day 1066, William, duke of Normandy was crowned in Westminster, the first Norman king of England. It was a disaster: soldiers outside, thinking shouts of acclamation were treachery, torched the surrounding buildings. To later chroniclers, it was an omen of the catastrophes to come.During the reign of William the Conqueror, England experienced greater and more seismic change than at any point before or since. Marc Morris''s concise and gripping biography sifts through the sources of the time to give a fresh view of the man who changed England more than any other, as old ruling elites were swept away, enemies at home and abroad (including those in his closest family) were crushed, swathes of the country were devastated and the map of the nation itself was redrawn, giving greater power than ever to the king. When, towards the end of his reign, William undertook a great survey of his new lands, his subjects compared it to the last judgement of God, the Domesday Book. England had been transformed forever.

Read more less

Book SynopsisCleopatra''s palace shimmered with onyx and gold but was richer still in political and sexual intrigue. Though her life spanned fewer than forty years, it reshaped the contours of the ancient world. Famous long before she was notorious, Cleopatra has gone down in history for all the wrong reasons. Stacy Schiff boldly separates fact from fiction to rescue the magnetic queen whose death ushered in a new world order, a generation before the birth of Christ. Rich in detail, epic in scope, Schiff''s is a luminous reconstruction of a dazzling life.Trade ReviewUnder [Schiff's] pen, the mirage of Cleopatra shimmers down the deserts of time and suddenly stands before us, in new and thrilling sharp focus ... full of well researched context and much learned speculation -- Jan Moir * Daily Mail *We see a great queen painted in dazzling colours in the twilight of a dazzling kingdom ... new life is breathed into an indisputably authentic icon * Sunday Times *An inspired combination of carefully parsed texts, new research and pulse-quickening descriptive writing ... formidable and spellbinding achievement * Guardian *[Schiff] has done her homework and writes elegantly and wittily, creating truly evocative word pictures. * Independent *Schiff has produced a highly literary, imaginative, coherent narrative, "restoring context" to the sources she delves into in an intelligent way. Her writing is energetic, evocative... She also has an unerring nose for what is interesting * Daily Telegraph *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe bestselling historian finds a new way to look at the most famous English royal dynastyTrade Review‘Sarah Gristwood’s book is a masterclass in marshalling a vast canon of research into a riveting, pacy page-turner… Here are the Tudors – and a good few others – as you have never seen them before.’ -- Alison Weir‘One of the most important books to be written about the Tudors in a generation.’ -- Tracy Borman, author of The Private Lives of the Tudors‘This book stands out on the crowded bookshelves… [Gristwood] does a superb job in distilling the vast amount of modern scholarship on this topic… The Tudors in Love also expertly tells the story of a two-way love affair — that of the Tudors with their imagined past and ours with the Tudors.’ -- Gareth Russell, The Times‘Just when we think we know everything about the Tudors, along comes a book that turns that all on its head… The prose is as seductive as the subject matter. Be prepared to fall in love.’ -- BBC History Magazine, Books of the Year 2021‘With verve and erudition Gristwood takes us to the dark heart of courtly love and exposes the deadly Tudor dance of sex and power.’ -- Leanda de Lisle, author of Tudor: The Family Story‘Meticulously researched and beautifully crafted into a narrative that reads like a romance, prepare to see the Tudors as you’ve never seen them before. The Tudors in Love is a magnificent work of art painted by one of our most exceptional historians. Nobody writes like Sarah Gristwood, truly stunning.’ -- Nicola Tallis, author of Uncrowned Queen‘Captivating and entrancing, the exquisitely detailed The Tudors in Love explores the entanglements of love, sex, marriage and politics in the Tudor dynasty, revealing how the famously spectacular love affairs intersected with political propaganda and the business of governing, and how the medieval game of courtly love became pressed into the business of shoring up a brand-new monarchy. Full of insight and fascinating.’ -- Kate Williams, author of Rival Queens‘One of the most important books to be written about the Tudors in a generation. The seductively rich prose and endlessly engaging narrative bring an entirely fresh perspective to this celebrated dynasty. By placing courtly love on an equal footing with war, politics and religion, Sarah Gristwood unlocks the Tudor mindset – with fascinating and often surprising results. Never mind the Tudors, I’m in love…with this book.’ -- Tracy Borman, author of The Private Lives of the Tudors‘A highbrow chronicle.’ -- Daily Mail‘Reading The Tudors in Love feels like having a cipher to decode the letters that passed between Mary, Queen of Scots, and her Catholic conspirators. For the first time there are satisfying answers to such conundrums as why Henry VIII took six wives (and executed two of them) and why the male favorites of his daughter Elizabeth I worshipped her as a goddess, even in old age.’ -- Wall Street Journal, Best Books on the British Monarchy'Passionately written.' -- The Economist‘The ideas and analysis are fascinating.’ -- Tudor Times‘It is rare that a book doesn’t just offer new knowledge (previously ignored facts or under-reported quirky episodes) but new ways of thinking. This is what The Tudors in Love does: it invites and encourages an entirely new way of considering how these well-known figures interacted with one another… there is much here that will be new. This marvellously readable book is like discovering a Rosetta Stone, whereby we don’t just discover what people did and how they did it but come to understand the language of courtship and love as something quite alien to modern conceptions and expectations.’ -- Aspects of History, Best Books of 2021‘The Tudors in Love provides a unique lens on this period and shows how courtships shaped everything, down to power and politics… this fascinating read presents Tudor history as you’ve never seen it before, and provides a compelling insight into the evolution of the social codes of romance.’ -- This England‘Sarah Gristwood is one of our finest historians, and a great writer. Her latest book is a masterclass in marshalling a vast canon of research into a riveting, pacy page-turner. She takes us on a virtuoso romp through the loves and tropes of medieval and Tudor royalty, all seen from the novel perspective of courtly love… here are the Tudors (and a good few others) as you have never seen them before… Gristwood’s inimitable style is elegant, her approach concise, measured and incisive.’ -- Alison Weir, Catholic Herald

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe personal side of James II and VII has long been obscured by the propagandastorm emanating from the Glorious Revolution of 1688, one of the great foundingmyths of modern Britain. Justine Brown unveils James the man, teasing out a freshdimension. The Private Life of James II details the romantic adventures of a trueCavalierhandsome, courageous, loyal, pleasure-seeking, lusty, determined andsoulful. The Stuart spare briefly experienced a golden childhood before, aged nine,he was flung headlong into the English Civil Wars of 1642-1649. After escapingEngland in disguise, he endured the execution of his adored father, Charles I, andyears of exile on the Continent. In 1660 the Duke of York returned to his native landin triumph. He rode into the capital at the right hand of his brother, Charles II. Jamesfully embraced the role of Restoration rake, headed up the Royal Navy, fought theFire of London with gusto, and was a great patron of theatre, painting, and music. The darling of the peop

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhat do you think of my ladies?' Queen Elizabeth I is said to have asked a visitor to her court. Thevisitor, an experienced courtier, is said to have given the perfect answer: It is hard to judge of starsin the presence of the sun'. Although overlooked for centuries, as the eye of history has been on the chivalrous and stately menwho surrounded the Virgin Queen, the women of the Queen's world, who attended upon her inpublic and in private, were of no less influence and sway than the more famous men around her. Indeed, the women of the Queen's inner circle were far more than just attendants. They were theQueen's friends and confidantes, her all-important support network in a treacherous political world,and by blood or by bond they were her family'. This book tells their stories, the stories of theQueen's ladies, gentlewomen and maids who, between them, served her from the cradle to thegrave. From governesses to laundresses, this book features them all, with a comprehensive overview of themain positions of attendance accompanied by a biographical index of all the women known to haveserved the Queen over the course of her life and reign, from the matronly ladies who headed hernursery to the vivacious maids who dazzled her court with their wit and beauty.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book commemorates the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, reflecting on her 70-year reign with stunning visuals and insights into royal traditions.

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Stunning... Weir has brought those five queens to life like never before. I just raced through it - it has all the drama and suspense of a novel' Tracy BormanCrusading queens, queens in rebellion against their king, queen seductresses, learned queens, queens in battle - the Plantagenet queens broke through medieval constraints to exercise power and influence, for good and sometimes for ill. Beginning with the formidable Eleanor of Aquitaine whose marriage to Henry II sows the seeds for some of the most destructive family conflicts in history and ending with Eleanor of Castile, the grasping but beloved wife of Edward I, Alison Weir's ground-breaking history of the queens of medieval England provides an enthralling new perspective on a dramatic period of high romance and sometimes low politics, with determined women at its heart.Trade ReviewStunning... [Weir has] brought those five queens to life like never before. I just raced through it - it has all the drama and suspense of a novel. -- Tracy Borman[A] historian who has achieved popularity without sacrificing scholarly precision... She writes with the dramatic intensity of a novelist. -- Gerard DeGroot * The Times *The book that I most anticipated this year was Alison Weir's Queens of the Crusades... Told with all of Weir's characteristic verve and exceptional eye for detail, this book should find its way into every history lover's Christmas stocking. -- Tracy Borman * BBC History Magazine *Books of the Year 2020* *As in previous books, the exceedingly knowledgeable author's prodigious research is impressive. Another treat for Weir fans. * Kirkus Reviews *This meticulous group biography of the first five Plantagenet queens of England brushes away long-standing legends. Weir skillfully documents the political, religious, and cultural issues of medieval England and France. * Publishers Weekly *

Read more less

Book SynopsisMay of Teck, only daughter of a noble family fallen from grace, has been selected to marry the troublesome Prince Eddy, heir to the British throne. Submitting to the wishes of Queen Victoria and under pressure from her family, young May agrees. But just as a spark of love and devotion arises between the young couple, Prince Eddy dies of influenza. To her horror, May discovers she is to be married to the brother, Georgie, instead, a cold and domineering man. But what can she do? From the author of The Prince of Mirrors comes this gripping account of the life of Queen Mary, one of the most formidable queens of Britain.Trade Review'Clark takes an iconic and forbidding figure and transforms her into a passionate, loving and damaged woman' -Simon Russell Beale; 'This is a heart-breaking tale and no mistake. A beautiful and lyrical tale told with deft brilliance' -John Sessions; 'Atmospheric and vividly imagined. 'Valhalla' brings to life a woman who had otherwise seemed frozen in history; its theme of royal duty still all too relevant' -Margaret Drabble; ''Valhalla' is a beautifully crafted novel that succeeds in bringing Queen Mary vividly to life' -Elizabeth Mac Donald, author of 'A Matter of Interpretation'

Read more less

Book SynopsisNOW REVISED AND UPDATED TO INCLUDE THE CORONATION 'To Charles, being monarch has nothing to do with power - he believes his role is to lead. It is up to others whether they choose to follow.' When Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022, it sent shockwaves around the world. The longest reigning and oldest monarch, at ninety-six years of age, she had just publicly celebrated her Platinum Jubilee in June 2022. The Queen's death meant the passing of the Crown to her son, HRH Charles, Prince of Wales, her controversial, earnest, and outspoken heir, who had long lived in the shadow of her mystique. King Charles III's own life has been marred by scandal and myth, but who is the real man behind the Crown? In this revised and updated edition, renowned royal correspondent and author Robert Jobson examines the life of our new King, and his passions, purpose, and motivations. Published in paperback alongside the King's 75th birthday, Our King considers the life of the man and the monarch, reflecting on how his values and beliefs continue to shape him as he carries out this monumental role.

Read more less

Book SynopsisSex, intrigue and adultery in the world of high politics and huge wealth in late eighteenth-century England.Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire was one of the most flamboyant and influential women of the eighteenth century. The great-great-great-great aunt of Diana, Princess of Wales, she was variously a compulsive gambler, a political savante and operator of the highest order, a drug addict, an adulteress and the darling of the common people.This authoritative, utterly absorbing book presents a mesmerizing picture of a fascinating world of political and sexual intrigues, grand houses, huge parties, glamour and great wealth always on the edge of being squandered by the excesses and scandals of individuals.Trade Review‘Mesmerizing’Antonia Fraser, Literary Review ‘Well-written, extensively researched and highly readable… Gripping’Stella Tillyard, Mail on Sunday ‘An outstanding debut by a young biographer fully in control of her sources, and with an easy and elegant writing style’Roy Strong, Sunday Times

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe extraordinary tale of Philip Augustus, one of medieval Europe's greatest monarchs, and the part he played in the downfall of four Plantagenet kings of England.Philip II ruled France with an iron fist for over 40 years, expanding its borders and increasing its power. For his entire reign his counterpart on the English throne was a member of the Plantagenet dynasty, and Philip took on them all: Henry II, Richard the Lionheart, John and Henry III. And yet we know so little about medieval England's greatest enemy. Historian Catherine Hanley, author of the critically acclaimed 1217, redresses this imbalance, bringing Philip out of the shadows in this fascinating new history. Delving into French medieval archives, Nemesis explores Philip's motives for attacking England and in doing so we learn not only about him but discover so much more about England's most colourful and controversial of rulers the Plantagenets.When Philip first succeeded to the throne in 1180, Henry II of England, thanks to his Angevin and Norman ancestry as well as his wife's inheritance of Aquitaine, ruled more of France than Philip himself. By the end of Philip's reign in 1223, the pendulum of power had swung the other way. Nemesis reveals how Philip exploited the constant familiar squabbles of the Plantagenets to secure his grip on France, his wily political manoeuvring combined with a mastery of the medieval battlefield turning France into a powerhouse of Europe.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe subject of a BBC TV series on Charles I The prize-winning biography of Charles I * Winner of the HWA Crown for Best Work of Historical Non-Fiction 2018 ** Times Book of the Year ** Shortlisted for the Catholic Herald Biography Award 2019 *Less than forty years after the golden age of Elizabeth I, England was at war with itself. At the head of this disintegrating kingdom was Charles I, who would change the face of the monarchy for ever. His reign is one of the most dramatic in history, yet Charles the man remains elusive. To his enemies he was the ''white tyrant of prophecy: to his supporters a murdered innocent. Today many myths still remain.It is an epic story of glamour and strong women, of populist politicians and religious terror, of mass movements and a revolutionary new media: one that speaks to our own divided and dangerous times.''This is the most gripping piece of revisionisTrade ReviewA revelation... White King is that rare thing, a page-turning history that gently but insistently also asks provocative questions about a period on which our opinions have been all too fixed. Charles does not emerge with his reputation restored, but he emerges whole -- Mathew Lyons * Financial Times *Fascinating -- Andrew Marr * Evening Standard *Humane and scholarly... De Lisle's deeply and originally researched book brings Charles alive not in kingly isolation but as a father and a husband. Both biography and subject deserve our fullest attention -- Dan Jones * Mail on Sunday *Engaging, well-researched and beautifully written... Emphatically not another book about the civil wars, this instead offers a nuanced and detailed examination of one of our most complex monarchs. It is probably the definitive modern work about Charles I -- Alexander Larman * Observer *De Lisle, who has long been an original voice in popular Tudor studies, is generous to Charles, but too sharp a reader of evidence to ignore his flaws... Pellucid, compelling and enriched by fresh evidence... Sympathetic but scrupulous to the last -- Jessie Childs * Sunday Telegraph *

Read more less

Book SynopsisPaul Strathern studied philosophy at Trinity College, Dublin. He has lectured in philosophy and mathematics. He is a Somerset Maugham Prize-winning novelist; author of two series of books - Philosophers in 90 Minutes and The Big Idea: Scientists who Changed the World; as well as Mendeleyev's Dream (shortlisted for the Aventis Science Book Prize); Dr. Strangelove's Game: A History of Economic Genius, The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance; The Artist, the Philosopher and the Warrior, Death in Florence: The Medici, Savonarola and the Battle for the Soul of the Renaissance City and, most recently, The Spirit of Venice.Trade ReviewAn excellent history...an entertaining, if ultimately dispiriting tale of the rise and fall of an ambitious banking family -- Ian Thomson * Sunday Times *Strathern has done his research thoroughly, and tells a good story well * Sunday Telegraph *A great overview of one family's centuries-long role in changing the face of Europe * Irish Independent *

Read more less

Book SynopsisA life of Matilda—empress, skilled military leader, and one of the greatest figures of the English Middle AgesTrade Review“Impressive study.”—Kathryn Hughes, The Guardian“A fine example of the genre.”—Tony Barber, Financial Times“A lively and authoritative account.”—Katherine Harvey, Times Literary Supplement“This volume is designed for a wide readership and deserves to find one.”—Sean McGlynn, The Spectator“A lively and illuminating biography.”—Peter Marshall, Literary Review“[A]n excellent and provocative study that straddles the line between the scholarly and the popular.”—Lois Huneycutt, Royal Studies Journal“An accessible and engaging history.”—Rod McLary, Queensland Reviewers Collective“The biography of Matilda I’ve been waiting for: as clear-sighted, forthright and formidable as the Empress herself. Catherine Hanley combines lucid scholarship with page-turning narrative; military expertise with a fine-grained understanding of the challenges facing a twelfth-century woman who sought to rule. The result—authoritative, human, and utterly compelling—is a triumph.”—Helen Castor, author of She-Wolves“Ambitious and compelling. Matilda brings the female ruler alive for a new generation of readers, capturing her early experiences as the young bride of the Holy Roman Emperor, her difficult marriage to Geoffrey of Anjou, her bitter rivalry with her cousin King Stephen for the English throne, and her vitally important role in supporting the accession of her son King Henry II.”—Louise J. Wilkinson, author of Eleanor de Montfort“A lucid and long-needed study of Matilda, the mother of the Plantagenets, England’s longest ruling dynasty, and a pivotal figure in the power struggle that followed the death of her father, Henry I. It is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand this remarkable woman and the tangled politics of those years when ‘Christ and his saints slept.’”—Derek Wilson, author of The Queen and the Heretic

Read more less

Book SynopsisReaders of Princess Sultana's extraordinary biography Princess were gripped by her powerful indictment of women's lives behind the veil within the royal family of Saudi Arabia.Trade ReviewWomen with everything but freedom... gripping revelations * Daily Mail *Brutality hidden behind the veil... more horrific stories * Sunday Express *If it didn't come from within palace walls, no one would believe it... Sad, funny, and gripping * Daily Mail *Sasson's sequel is yet another page-turner... An eye-opening account * Publishers Weekly *

Read more less

Book SynopsisIn Princess, readers were shocked by Sultana''s revelations about life in Saudi Arabia''s royal family. Royal women live as virtual prisoners, surrounded by unimaginable wealth and luxury, privileged beyond belief, and yet subject to every whim of their husbands, fathers, and even their sons. Daughters of Arabia featured Sultana''s teenage daughters, determined to rebel but in very different ways.And now, in Desert Royal, Sultana''s fight for women''s rights in a repressive, fundamentalist Islamic society, has an extra sense of urgency. The threat of world terrorism, the gathering strength of religious leaders and the discontent of impoverished Saudis are threatening to topple the comfortable world Sultana has known. But an extended family ''camping'' trip in the desert brings Sultana and her relatives face to face with their nomadic roots, and nourishes her will to carry on the fight for women''s rights in all Muslim countries.This updated e

Read more less

Book SynopsisBestselling biography of the enduringly fascinating Wallis SimpsonOne of Britain''s most distinguished biographers turns her focus on one of the most vilified women of the twentieth century. Historian Anne Sebba has written the first full biography by a woman of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor. ''That woman'', as she was referred to by the Queen Mother, became a hate figure for ensnaring a British king and destabilising the monarchy. Neither beautiful nor brilliant, she nevertheless became one of the most talked-about women of her generation, and she inspired such deep love and adoration in Edward VIII that he gave up a throne and an empire for her. Wallis lived by her wit and her wits, while both her apparent and alleged moral transgressions added to her aura and dazzle. Based on new archives and material only recently made available, this scrupulously researched biography sheds new light on the character and motivations of a powerful, charismatic Trade ReviewThe publication of this intriguing reassessment of her [Simpson's] controversial life could not be more timely ... an illuminating and absorbing read * DAILY MAIL *Madonna's new film fictionalises the affair between Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, while this life tells the true story * DAILY TELEGRAPH *Commendably restrained ... Sebba's real coup is the discovery of letters between Wallis and Ernest, dated long after she had become involved with Edward * INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY *A well-rounded and often moving portrait * CAMBRIDGESHIRE JOURNAL *Madonna's new film fictionalises the affair between Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, while this life tells the true story * DAILY TELEGRAPH *The publication of this intriguing reassessment of her [Simpson's] controversial life could not be more timely ... an illuminating and absorbing read -- Katherine Whitbourn * DAILY MAIL *Commendably restrained ... Sebba's real coup is the discovery of letters between Wallis and Ernest, dated long after she had become involved with Edward * INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY *A well-rounded and often moving portrait * CAMBRIDGESHIRE JOURNAL *

Read more less

Book SynopsisAvi Shlaim was born in Baghdad in 1945; grew up in Israel; and received his university education at Cambridge and the LSE. He is a Fellow of St. Antony's College, a member of the British Academy and a Professor of International Relations at the University of Oxford. Previous books include Collusion Across the Jordan: King Abdullah, The Zionist Movement, and the Partition of Palestine (Winner of the Political Studies Association's WJM Mackenzie Prize, 1988), War and Peace in the Middle East: A Concise History (1995) and The Iron Wall: Israel and the Arab World (2000).

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less