2 comments about Prince of Wales: A Biography.

1. I love this book. Even though it is a few years outdated, before the official divorce of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, it is still enthralling nonetheless. Mr. Dimbleby approaches the life of Prince Charles in nothing but respect, for a change. He opens up Prince Charles for you, and you learn about all of the good he does. It is amazing how much Prince Charles has done for unemployed and underprivaledged youths and areas. Through all of the tabloid-al journalism, you really get a good taste of the true Prince of Wales. I recommend this book to all royalists and monarchists and anyone wanting wanting true information instead of the tampered information often portrayed on tabloids.



2. Gift books have a habit of piling up on me before I have a chance to read them. This book was somewhere in the pile at the time of Diana's death. At that point, I blew the dust off and hunkered down to read it. It's certainly not fast reading. I found it very informative although I have to admit I didn't read every word. It did give me a much better insight into the lives and functions of the British Monarchy. As for the story of Charles and Diana, it's obvious that they should never have married.

4 comments about Chesterton.

1. This work is written by a radical who opposes Church teachings. Wills allows his own opinions to influence his scholarship. See much better accounts by Chesterton himself, Ahlquist, or many other reliable biographers.



2. There's no new ground covered here, which is a major flaw for a work by an "historian; moreover, the author's writing style is hackneyed, and that's in its most readable passages. Also, Chesterton was an Orthodox Catholic, where the author of this work is not - their perspectives are at polar ends. Chesterton probably would have been appalled to have such an adversary of the Church to be so bold as to write about his life.

   If you want to know Chesterton read his "Autobiography of G. K. Chesterton".




3. Chesterton is one of the most towering intellectual writers of the 20th century. Garry Wills does an amazing feat in exploring the literary development of Chesterton (instead of a normal biography as the events of one's life.) Reading Wills' book really illuminates the genius of Chesterton through his works and is a must read for all Chesterton fans.



4. G.K. Chesterton has to be one of the most towering figures of the 20th Century. He has a paradoxical quote for almost every subject. This, however, is not a typical biography of events tempered with anecdotes to keep the reader's interest. Rather, Garry Wills ventures to chart Chesterton's intellectual development through his works. After reading Wills' [literary] biography, you have to wonder how society has forgotten perhaps the greatest writer of prose, not to mention greatest mind, the past century has seen. Read this book and marvel...

3 comments about Mary of Guise in Scotland, 1548-1560: A Political Career.

1. Ritchie's skillful narration of this difficult and controversial period has provided by far one of the best books as yet available on the politics of sixteenth century Scotland, but is also a must-see for anybody interested in the dynastic politics of France and England.

   16th century Europe is one of the most fascinating periods in history, populated by some of the such colourful and well-known figures as Henry VIII, Mary, Queen of Scots, Elizabeth I and Bloody Mary. It is also a century, as the names listed above suggest, that features a large number of women in positions of power. Mary of Guise, mother of Mary Queen of Scots, was another of these powerful political women.

   The side-effect of the colourful nature of the lives of some of these women is that sixteenth-century history books often read like little more than romantic fiction. They play up the history of personalities (often based on poor research and quasi-psychological guesswork), but ignore the serious side of the women who ruled some of the most powerful kingdoms in Europe.

   Pamela E. Ritchie does not make this mistake. Her book is a serious study of a serious woman, and is based on meticulous and extensive research. But the book is no turgid academic tome, and Ritchie manages the difficult trick of providing a thoroughly readable and engaging study of the career and ambitions of a fascinating woman. Mary of Guise has traditionally been written off in Scotland as the main agent of an unpopular French/Catholic domination of Scotland that took place in the 1550s, which was overturned by the popular revolution of John Knox's Reformation in 1560. Ritchie shows this was not the case. Instead Guise, for most of the 1550s, enjoyed considerable support from Scots, and her plans for a dynastic union of the French and Scottish crowns by the marriage of Mary Queen of Scots to the Dauphin Francois was supported by Catholic and Protestant Scots alike. Guise, above all, was a skilled politician who carefully balanced the difficult circumstances of the dynastic conflicts of sixteenth-century Europe to best pursue the interests of her own family (les Guises) and her daughter, the monarch of Scotland. That her regime collapsed in 1560 as a result of a rebellion brought about as much by the role of a new protestant regime in England as any deep-seated popular hatred of the French influence in Scotland, should not obscure the successes of her time in power.




2. Ritchie's skillful narration of this difficult and controversial period has provided by far one of the best books as yet available on the politics of sixteenth century Scotland, but is also a must-see for anybody interested in the dynastic politics of France and England.

   16th century Europe is one of the most fascinating periods in history, populated by some of the such colourful and well-known figures as Henry VIII, Mary, Queen of Scots, Elizabeth I and Bloody Mary. It is also a century, as the names listed above suggest, that features a large number of women in positions of power. Mary of Guise, mother of Mary Queen of Scots, was another of these powerful political women.

   The side-effect of the colourful nature of the lives of some of these women is that sixteenth-century history books often read like little more than romantic fiction. They play up the history of personalities (often based on poor research and quasi-psychological guesswork), but ignore the serious side of the women who ruled some of the most powerful kingdoms in Europe.

   Pamela E. Ritchie does not make this mistake. Her book is a serious study of a serious woman, and is based on meticulous and extensive research. But the book is no turgid academic tome, and Ritchie manages the difficult trick of providing a thoroughly readable and engaging study of the career and ambitions of a fascinating woman. Mary of Guise has traditionally been written off in Scotland as the main agent of an unpopular French/Catholic domination of Scotland that took place in the 1550s, which was overturned by the popular revolution of John Knox's Reformation in 1560. Ritchie shows this was not the case. Instead Guise, for most of the 1550s, enjoyed considerable support from Scots, and her plans for a dynastic union of the French and Scottish crowns by the marriage of Mary Queen of Scots to the Dauphin Francois was supported by Catholic and Protestant Scots alike. Guise, above all, was a skilled politician who carefully balanced the difficult circumstances of the dynastic conflicts of sixteenth-century Europe to best pursue the interests of her own family (les Guises) and her daughter, the monarch of Scotland. That her regime collapsed in 1560 as a result of a rebellion brought about as much by the role of a new protestant regime in England as any deep-seated popular hatred of the French influence in Scotland, should not obscure the successes of her time in power.




3. The key to the contents of this book is in its subtitle - "1548-1560 A Political Study".

   The author has done a lot of original research into Scottish politics during the minority of Mary, Queen of Scots and in reality this is what you'll find in this book and it takes up 99% of the first half of the book.

   We get to see Mary de Guise in a more biographical form in the second half of the book. However, if you buy this book expecting to read a biography of Mary de Guise you will probably be disappointed. While Mary's political actions are dealt with in great detail, in the end you feel you really don't know that much about her. Instead you know more about how King Henri of France felt about Scotland, or the importance of various treaties than you do about Mary herself.

   This is a first rate book for those who want to know the ins and outs of the various political schemes in Scotland from 1548-1560 but less successfully gives us a real feel for the personality of Mary of Guise. On the plus side the author has included a number of quotes from original documents in both their original French and with English translations for those of us not fluent in the French language and all the sources are well footnoted.

5 comments about Richard Branson, Virgin King: Inside Richard Branson's Business Empire.

1. I'm with the above Arabian Night.
   I'd like to make dinner with you and dance real slow.
   But I would be happy with a job and honored to serve you :)
   What'd yah say, big boy?



2. A good book detailing the rise and riches of Richard Branson. A truly good book for entrepreneurs.



3. Though Branson's achievements are impressive and many, the book is heavy with praise and lacks the depth and detail I was interested in reading about.



4. Richard..Iam the only Arabian RnB, Soul and blues singer in UK and globally too! You have one talented artist here who has gutts too and faith in himself but need help..forget financing me..just hear me sing email me please and let us talk...



5. I was given this book as I'm a great fan of Richard Branson. I used to think - "Wow, what a great man". Now I think - "Hmm, what an interesting guy - I'd like to chat with him over a beer!". The book is well written and held my attention well, The author at first paints a picture of Richard as a somewhat ruthless man, but by the end of the book it is easy to see that the author has an admiration for him which goes beyond his ability to make a million. The book is also an interesting insight into the workings of the music and airline industries. If you have a strong opinion about Richard Branson, love him or hate him, I'd recommend this book.

1 comments about The Insatiable Earl: A Life of John Montagu, Fourth Earl of Sandwich 1718-1792.

1. Lord Montagu, the Earl of Sandwich, is often derided for three reasons. First, because as Secretary of State under Lord North he was responsible - in part - for the British conduct of the Revolutionary War. Second, because he prosecuted a fellow called Wilke for obscenity, prompting a series of celebrated insults by the aforesaid Wilkes and his followers. Third, and most memorably, because he invented the sandwich to enable him to practice his gambling habit without leaving the card tables - in other words, to enable him to be the stereotypical 18th century rake.

   As Rodger's illuminating life of Montagu reveals, none of those criticism are fair. His conduct of the American war was, for the most part, efficient and thoughtful, and he successfully masterminded the naval defense of Britain at a time where a Franco-Spanish invasion was a real possibility. In particular, the record exculpates him from responsibilty for the failure of the Saratoga campaign, and actually shows that it was Montagu who should take much of the credit for the subsequent British naval recoveries of the early 1780s. As for Wilkes, he was a worthless scoundrel who deserved all the punishment he got, along with a lot more.

   Finally, he was no rake: his financial affairs, though complex, were not those of a compulsive gambler, and he only ever had one mistress, who, for all purposes, was a de facto wife to whom he was devoted (his actual wife went mad and didn't live with him). Culturally, he was chiefly responsible for the revival of Handel, and took a leading role in promoting cricket. An portrait of an attractive and interesting figure, and a spirited demolition job on his detractors.

No comments about The Master's Cat.

5 comments about The Beatles: A Diary.

1. "The Beatles : A Diary" is a comprehensive and enjoyable look at rock n' roll's greatest band, from the births of all of the Beatles through their 1970 break-up. Accompanied with nearly 300 photographs, this oversized tome is a must-have that exceeds any other book on the Beatles I have seen. Listing so many details of their career in diary form, this book includes record releases, recording sessions, and a list of all of their concerts. One thing that stands out for me is that the concerts are in their own font so that the gigs all stand out and are easy to find. I expect to get many more hours of enjoyment out of Barry Miles' wonderful book and wholeheartedly recommend it to any fan of the Beatles, or anyone just wanting to get to know these rock pioneers.



2. I found this book to be a great source of quotes concerning the Beatles, although much of the information was a little old but that's got to be there since it's a chronological account, and of course much would seem same old same old because i have read so incredibly much on some of my favorite people...i would definitely recommend this book for an aspiring fan or the die-hard like myself. Enjoy!



3. Miles joins the ranks of such copy-cat authors as Mark Hertsgaard with his "Diary". This book is far from being "an astonishingly detailed chronology of gigs, venues, quotes, and memorable facts about the world's most famous band". Miles has simply taken the contents of Mark Lewisohn's extensively researched "Chronicle" and added pictures.

   Aside from being a great-looking "coffee table" book, it is hardly worth the price. The book contains no great revelations, nor does it have any details that have not been covered ad nauseum in the any of the hundreds of books already written about the Beatles.

   If you can live without the big pictures, I strongly suggest locating a copy of any of Lewisohn's books.

   - Paul, NYC




4. This book covers most everything that happened to the Beatles and even has quotes. The book has many pictures of the Fab Four that I had never seen before. I enjoyed the way the book was set up. No matter if you are a hardcore Beatles Freak or a first time listener you can still enjoy the book.



5. This book was worth it's price because the author included a photo that I have never seen in any Beatle's related publication. The photo shows John Lennon and George Harrison leaving a home with what appears to be Elvis Presly standing at the doorway. The Beatles met Elvis at his home in Los angeles in 1965 and the author placed this photo alongside his description of this event. Unfortunately there is no caption alongside the photo. This was their only encounter and no photographs were taken of this historic meeting. The author did not elaborate on this photo and appears to have left it to the imagination of the reader. It would be great if the author cleared this matter up.

2 comments about Journals and Letters: Burney, Frances (Penguin Classics).

1. Frances Burney was in her day one of the most successful novelists in England and in later years Jane Austen was to be one of her fans. I haven't read her novels but on the basis of these letters and journals I have certainly become interested.

   This book contains extracts from her letters and diaries stretching from 1768 to 1839, from childhood to old age. Her experiences in that time are very well summarised in the review above. I think that her experience as a novelist does show through in these letters which actually do read like scenes from a novel. Some are comic such as a humourous conversation between her friend George Cambridge and an Italian singer comparing the merits of their countries. Or the party attended by the Russian Prince Orlov who when showing off a valuable jewel which impresses the English ladies present, he asks them if they want anything else they "might strip him entirely". Other scenes are very dramatic such as her near drowning at Ilfracombe or her letters about the illness of King George III (in whose court she served at the time). There are also her various experiences in France and Belgium where she followed her husband who was a French aristocrat.

   Another thing which makes these letters read like a novel is her ability at characterisation. This is especially clear in the cases of her friend Dr Samuel Johnson and her employer King George III. She records conversations she had with them so that we get a very good picture of what they were like as people. Though friends with Johnson she does not hide his tendency to sometimes be an argumentative bully or his strange mannerisms.

   So overall these are a wonderful picture of what life was actually like in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The Penguin edition has a comment on the back comparing this book to the diaries of Samuel Pepys and I fully agree.




2. I was drawn to read this book by falling in love with a portrait of the author. She had a serenely pleasant face that radiated calm and good sense, and suddenly I wanted to know more about her. When I discovered that her diaries and letters cut a broad swath from 1778 to 1838, I was hooked.

   Here is a woman who was an intimate of Dr Johnson, James Boswell, Joshua Reynolds, the Thrales, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, the Bluestockings, George III and Queen Charlotte -- to name just a few. She was the first woman novelist who did not die in penury (like Aphra Behn and Charlotte Lennox): Her EVELINA, CECILIA, CAMILLA, and THE WANDERER are still readily available after more than 200 years. For five years, Miss Burney served as wardrobe maid for Queen Charlotte until illness forced her to resign. Her descriptions of the court of George III show the monarch at the beginnings of the madness that later debilitated him and contain some of her best prose.

   By then, the French Revolution was in full swing, and scores of French nobility made their way to safety in England. When she met General d'Arblay, adjutant to the exiled Marquis de Lafayette, it was love at first sight for this 40-year-old woman who had never been married. Despite the opposition of her father, Fanny married d'Arblay and lived happily with him until his death more than 20 years later. Sadly, she also outlived her son from this marriage.

   Fanny followed her husband to France during the Consulate and met the rising young Napoleon, Talleyrand, Louis XVIII (during Napoleon's exile at Elba), and other notables. She succeeded in raising a family near Paris despite the fact that, for a good part of that time, France was at war with England. At Waterloo, she helped by helping to create bandages for the wounded.

   This is a book to read slowly and savor the feeling of another time. Fanny outlived the 18th Century "Age of Reason" and saw the birth of Romanticism and the beginning of the reign of Queen Victoria. I would like to have known her. Reading her diaries, I feel I do; and I feel even more drawn to her than before.

1 comments about Samuel Johnson: The Life of an Author.

1. Lipking has written a "writer's life," examining Johnson not from the viewpoint of celebrity, but as a history of his writing, and "career development" as an author. Lipking's thesis is that the transformations Johnson underwent in his career went a long way in shaping what we think of authors, and in that interest spends the bulk of his time examining Johnson's written words. While one may initially think this approach is redundant with Kernan's ("Samuel Johnson and the Impact of Print"), in fact Lipking is far less concerned with the publishing industry and more concerned with Johnson's writings themselves. A more direct comparison might be made to DeMaria's "Samuel Johnson," but even there the comparison is weak. Like Lipking, DeMaria analyzes Johnson's writings, but Lipking is less concerned about context, and concentrates far more on the writings.

5 comments about The Queen & Di: The Untold Story.

1. 
   Seward should be ashamed of herself for this enormously biased gossip rag. It's quite easy to trash the Princess now... after all, the dead have a much more difficult time defending themselves.



2. This book is definitely biased in favor of the House of Windsor. It appears that the author thought it prudent to align herself with the powers that be rather than report an accurate historical account. There are too many contradictary sources to believe that this is an accurate portrayal of the relationship between the Queen and Princess Diana.



3. I find Ms. Seward's writing to be painful to read. For an editor of Majesty magazine, I expected her to have class in her manner of writing and respect in her depiction of the British royal family. She would have been well suited as a writer for the tabloids instead. Her manner of retelling is very gossipy, and biased. She can't seem to help but include her spiteful opinions of the late princess. I find her to be a very disrespectful person to be writing such a book. If you are looking for historical background or a respectful account of the Queen and the late princess, this is not the book to read.



4. If you are like half of the population and interested in all the gossip about the House of Windsor and the late Princess of Wales, then this book should be one that you should read. This book is about the relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana. This book, to my belief, is a piece of evidence on why we as the public should respect Her Majesty, and why we should understand what their relationship is truly about. The book describes Diana's first State duty with the entire Royal Family in November 1984 at the State Opening of Parliament. Diana was having her hair being done for the event and insisted that she wore her hair up knowing that it was not long enough and looked different. The next day Diana's hair was on the headlines not the Queen, on which should have been a day of her publicity. This was the beginning of the popularity contest between these two women.
   The author Ingrid Seward, is editor of Majesty magazine. She has written many books about the Royal Family that has kept her in the bestsellers list for twelve years.
   This book all and all will give you a better knowledge about both women and will teach you the inside story of what happened behind the palace walls of two remarkable women and there relationship that is so widely known and questioned by the public.



5. Thank you, Ms. Seward for writing a fair and reasonable book. It's gratifying to read a work that illuminates how hard our queen tried to accomodate the late Princess of Wales and what a truly lovely person she is. Elizabeth II is a great queen -- history will bear this out -- and I think we often take her far too much for granted. God bless and keep her!

   As a British subject currently residing the states, I remain astonished at the rabid interest our royal family holds for Americans.