HRE Charles V

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

It just struck me, when I was having a conversation about The Other Boleyn Girl vs. Henry VIII as Told by his Fool (Margaret George), that I have never read a book, non-fiction or historical fiction, about the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.

Does anyone know of one that's any good?

A man who inherited half of Europe would seem to be a natural subject for biography or historical fiction, if not both.

[Chrissie]

hej, thanks Susanna!

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

No prob - I was really curious after you asked the question.

[Sara W]

Hhhmm, I don't know of any book, but you make a good point! All my (limited) knowledge of him comes from my Tudor books with Charles as a background figure. Jean Plaidy wrote a book about Philip II of Spain, but that's as close as I get. Then you have books about his mother Juana de la loca. I can't believe I don't know of a book about Charles!

[Chrissie]

Sara, was Philip II by Plaidy good? Yeah, it is strange, Charles V, the big guy - here has to be a book. He is so important in Belgian History. The yearly Omnegang festival in Brussels, where everyone walks around on stilts, began under his rule. I think I remember that. I will have to search B&N and Amazon. However then you never know if it is a good author.... I prefer having a GR friend recommend a book. Off to check Plaidy's Philip II.

[Sara W]

Chrissie wrote: "Sara, was Philip II by Plaidy good? Yeah, it is strange, Charles V, the big guy - here has to be a book. He is so important in Belgian History. The yearly Omnegang festival in Brussels, where every..."

I did like Plaidy's book on Philip II. I think it's called The Spanish Bridegroom. All I ever knew about him was his relationship with Mary of England, so it was nice getting more information. I have a used copy, so I'm not sure if it's in print, but I'm sure you can find a used copy on amazon or B&N.

[Chrissie]

I checked out B&N and found that Plaidy also wrote a book entitled The Scarlt Cloak about Philip II. You have it under your books to read. Boy has she written alot! I have added The Spanish Bridegroom.

[Sara W]

Chrissie wrote: "I checked out B&N and found that Plaidy also wrote a book entitled The Scarlt Cloak about Philip II. You have it under your books to read. Boy has she written alot! I have added The Spanish Bridegr..."

Ha ha, yeah, I have that book, but I don't think I've even looked at it so I had no idea it dealt with Philip as well! She wrote a TON, and I own almost all of them (well, those under the Plaidy name - I'm not as big of a fan of her Victoria Holt or Philippa Carr novels). Since a lot of them are out of print, I buy them used, and I always see if the seller has other titles that I don't own when I buy the one I'm looking for. I think I have a slight problem! :)

[Mandy]

I walked into Barnes and Noble today on a whim - normally I try to stay out of there...too easy to spend a fortune!
Anyway, on the first table I stopped at was a book called Defenders of the Faith Charles V, Suleyman the Magnificent, and the Battle for Europe, 1520-1536. It's new - came out a month ago. No reviews here on Goodreads, but there are a couple over at Amazon.
It looks really interesting - thought I'd mention it :)

[Chrissie]

Susanna and I were talking about Charles V and then she started this thread. I checked out the book you saw and it does sound very interesting. Kirkus has reviewed it at B&N and states that it is very thorough but perhaps a bit dry. I think it sounds fascinating. I got on to Charles V because of reading the Last Queen by Gortner. Thanks you for the tip, and I thought maybe we could be GR friends!