A very interesting work on the relationship between George I and his mistress, Melusine von Schulenburg, and the succession of George to the throne of...moreA very interesting work on the relationship between George I and his mistress, Melusine von Schulenburg, and the succession of George to the throne of Great Britain in 1714. I only knew faint snippets of the story, and found the story of George's disgraced and discarded wife, Sophia Dorothea to be the stuff of tragedy. All sorts of interesting details about royal life at the time, the way illegitimate children were handled, and the shadowy world of the mistress. Four stars overall, and recommended.
Set in seventeenth century Spain, this book follows the stories of two women, born on the same day, but in very different circumstances. Francisca is...moreSet in seventeenth century Spain, this book follows the stories of two women, born on the same day, but in very different circumstances. Francisca is the daughter of an impoverished silk farmer, accused of witchcraft and imprisoned by the Inquisition. Maria Luisa is the queen of Carlos II, and a niece of Louis XIV, miserable in her marriage and desperate to have a child. The author scrambles up history, over-focuses on the nastier aspects of the time, such as torture, a fixation on breast milk, and seeing how depraved and low everything is. I hated this novel and can only give it two stars. NOT recommended at all.
There are times when a book truly sucks, and this was one of them. Massie uses mostly fictional sources, and over-glamourizes his subjects, focusing m...moreThere are times when a book truly sucks, and this was one of them. Massie uses mostly fictional sources, and over-glamourizes his subjects, focusing more on racy stories than anything factual. Pity, as this one could have been so much more. I can't honestly recommend this one, as I found myself getting more annoyed the more that I read. There are far better books about the Stuarts out there. Given that the author is a newspaper tabloid journalist, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Not recommended at all. Just two stars.
This turned out to be a less-than-appealling read for me. Companion edition to a television programme on the BBC, historian Lucy Worsley takes the rea...moreThis turned out to be a less-than-appealling read for me. Companion edition to a television programme on the BBC, historian Lucy Worsley takes the reader on a tour and history of four rooms in the modern home -- the bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchen. Unfortunately, the author squanders the opportunity to educate by focusing on how nasty, dirty and vile the past was. I would suggest Bill Bryson or Judith Flanders' much more complete books in place of this one which was dull and pretty boring. Only three stars and not recommended.
Interesting, if dry, look at an actual murder case from the 1600's in England. The Earl and Countess of Somerset are charged with the murder of Sir Th...moreInteresting, if dry, look at an actual murder case from the 1600's in England. The Earl and Countess of Somerset are charged with the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury by means of poison and possibly witchcraft. While I did find the story interesting, the writing was fairly dry and and I kept getting sidetracked. Those of you who are sick of the Tudors and want something else that's historical, might find this one interesting. Four stars, somewhat.
This one I can cheerfully recommend to anyone interested in learning about the servant classes who worked on the great English estates. It's informati...moreThis one I can cheerfully recommend to anyone interested in learning about the servant classes who worked on the great English estates. It's informative, smartly written, and full of little things that I had not known before. If you liked the films Manor House, Gosford Park or Downton Abbey, you'll probably want to find this book. Very much recommended and a keeper for me.
This one by Karleen Koen shifts from the world of the Verneys to that of France of Louis XIV. The heroine is Louise a young maid-of-honour in attendan...moreThis one by Karleen Koen shifts from the world of the Verneys to that of France of Louis XIV. The heroine is Louise a young maid-of-honour in attendance to Henriette -- Minette -- the wife of Philippe d'Orleans, and sister-in-law to Louis XIV. Lots of scandal and intrigue, with a plot that uses (yet again!) the Man in the Iron Mask cliche. I found it alright, but there were some serious flaws in this one for me.
A beautifully crafted book with mostly photographs of jewelry and paintings of miniatures, and how they were used in jewelry and objects d'art. This o...moreA beautifully crafted book with mostly photographs of jewelry and paintings of miniatures, and how they were used in jewelry and objects d'art. This one I really do recommend for those who are into painting miniatures, making jewelry, and historical reinacting, as it does show jewelry that was worn to show political alliances, romantic entanglements, and memento mori. The items made with human hair are incredible, if a bit creepy at times. I will try to get a longer review up. Oh yes, and I was rather stumped by the exclusion of any of the exquisite miniatures of Hans Holbein, but it took me a moment to figure it out. Very much recommended. (less)
Enjoyed this one very much. Katherine is very different than most historical heroines, and she was a breath of fresh air to this series. Very much rec...moreEnjoyed this one very much. Katherine is very different than most historical heroines, and she was a breath of fresh air to this series. Very much recommended.
Compiled from the records of the Spanish Inquisition, this is much more than just a cookbook. The stories of Spanish Marranos (secret Jews) are given...moreCompiled from the records of the Spanish Inquisition, this is much more than just a cookbook. The stories of Spanish Marranos (secret Jews) are given here, along with their recipes and customs, in a book that is both delicious (with the food) and haunting (for the stories) inside. Very much recommended.
Out of the three novels that I've read about Artemisia, this one is my favourite, and the one that is the best written. This is the one to go to for a...moreOut of the three novels that I've read about Artemisia, this one is my favourite, and the one that is the best written. This is the one to go to for a good read, and some understanding of the sensationalistic rape trial that marred Artemisia's youth, but may have been what turned her into such an expressive artist.
The second novel by Lisa See that I read. I loved this combination of love and ghosts, told with sly wit and smarts. Not too long to read, and very mu...moreThe second novel by Lisa See that I read. I loved this combination of love and ghosts, told with sly wit and smarts. Not too long to read, and very much worth the effort.
A fairly good book about Restoration England, about a ne'er-do-well doctor and his redemption through the king's court, a young madwoman, the Plague a...moreA fairly good book about Restoration England, about a ne'er-do-well doctor and his redemption through the king's court, a young madwoman, the Plague and the fire of London. Good read, but the movie is even better. (less)
A look at tulipomania in the Netherlands in the 17th century, set around the lives of three sisters. Rembrandt and Vermeer make appearances. I really...moreA look at tulipomania in the Netherlands in the 17th century, set around the lives of three sisters. Rembrandt and Vermeer make appearances. I really enjoyed this one, as I had the sense of 'being there' throughout the novel.
One of my favourite historical fiction reads, set in Paris of Louis XIV's reign. Genevieve is witty, smart -- and marked for murder. When she is unexp...moreOne of my favourite historical fiction reads, set in Paris of Louis XIV's reign. Genevieve is witty, smart -- and marked for murder. When she is unexpectedly saved by none other than arch-poisoner Catherine Voison, Genevieve finds that her life takes on a very unexpected twist. I've read this one about a half-dozen times and find out something new each time. It's smart, entertaining and great good fun. Recommended for anyone who is sick of historical romance and wants something different.
A novel about Frances Stewart, a woman that King Charles II wanted to make his mistress, but she was the one who got away. Fun, if longwinded -- I won...moreA novel about Frances Stewart, a woman that King Charles II wanted to make his mistress, but she was the one who got away. Fun, if longwinded -- I wonder if this one is going to get reprinted someday as it's been out of print for a while. (less)
A tale of several generations of women involved in the palace of Versailles, full of romance and splendour. One of my favourites of Laker's novels.
Fo...moreA tale of several generations of women involved in the palace of Versailles, full of romance and splendour. One of my favourites of Laker's novels.
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