No comments about Nicholas II: Emperor of All the Russias.

3 comments about Napoleon : The Man Who Shaped Europe.

1. What shocked me above all, reading this book was the complete lack of objectivity manifested by the author. It seems Napoleon can do no wrong and this is emphasized by the constant need for the author to justify the Emperor's actions, by way of asking rather childish questions and making easy assertions, bordering on sophism. The overall feeling we get is Mr. Weider's need for historical "revenge" and the need to clean Napoleon's name. The autor wants to make us see Napoleon as a martyr, a man who was not a conqueror and made war out of strict necessity. This book is neither intended for neophytes, as it glances too rapidly over key historical moments, nor is it intended for experts, because of its biaised approach to the main protagonist and simplistic approach to events. The writing style is dry, almost newspaper-like and fails to carry the reader. Finally, although Mr. Weider theory of assassination is interesting, recent discoveries have discarted his theory. Overall, a deception.



2. I find Napoleon fascinating and the book excellent. From what I read, I certainly now believe Napoleon was misunderstood and his death misdiagnosed. Ben Weider has changed history forever with his groundbreaking evidence that Napoleon was murdered and his research shows that there is still much to learn about Napoleon. I learned a great deal about not only Napoleon, one of the world's leading men, but of the happenings in Europe during his era. When I first saw this book available for sale, I could not wait to read it. I am really pleased that I bought it!!



3. Napoleon: The Man Who Shaped Europe by Ben Weider helped me understand Napoleon better than any other book. It is so clearly written and very compelling, I just couldn't put it down. Numerous biographies of Napoleon are available, but this work is the most straightforward, convincing biography I've ever read. Napoleon Bonaparte's character and achievements have always divided critics and commentators, but in this new book by Ben Weider, I felt I have "met" a Napoleon that is totally different from all the other books I've read. Weider has established his credentials as one of the most evocative of popular historians. It's a must read!!

No comments about Imelda: Steel Butterfly of the Philippines.

1 comments about Queen Victoria: Fifty Golden Years ; Incidents in the Queen's Reign (English Heritage) (English Heritage).

1. I thought this book was going to be bigger, and less stylized. I came to appreciate it better, though, because of that reason. Its produced very much like it was released in 1887, with that high-Victorian feel, and its size makes it easy to store on a shelf or on a coffee table.
   
   If you admire the Victorian age, or better still, Queen Victoria herself, this is a book that is fun to own and display!

1 comments about Louis XVI.

1. John Hardman's superb biography of this much-maligned king has many virtues. First, it offers a sorely needed examination of the personality and motivations of Louis, and does so with a refreshing lack of bias. The reader encounters the king without prejudice--a man who was much more intelligent, self-aware, and courageous than one might think, given the constant Louis-bashing that characterizes most accounts of the final days of the old regime.
   
   Second, Hardman offers a concise and clear overview of the numerous interacting forces that ultimately spelled disaster for both Louis and, in the end, France itself. Louis bears the blame for much of this, but he was also a product of his time and lineage. In a number of situations, he could have turned the course of history had he seized the initiative. He didn't, and paid with his head, as did tens of thousands of his subjects. Ultimately, however, the roots are to be found in the social and political structure of early modern France itself.
   
   Finally, Hardman gives the reader an excellent synthesis of the historiography of both the twilight of the ancien regime and the dawn of the French Revolution. These various interpretations, consisting of both primary and secondary sources, give insight into how those momentous years have been interpreted through the centuries.
   
   All in all, an excellent and necessary book about a kind but unfortunate man.

No comments about Diana, A Cultural History: Gender, Race, Nation and the People's Princess.

1 comments about Charles I: The Personal Monarch.

1. I bought this book after a trip to England, trying to figure out how Charles had so mismanaged his relationship with the House of Commons that he became the only British King to literally be killed by it. This book takes you on an amazing journey. Charles disguises himself and slips out of England, going to Madrid to check out a potential bride in Spanish Royalty. It doesn't work out, and soon after he marries Henrietta Maria of France. She speaks French, and is Catholic. He, of course, is the great defender of the Church of England. Yet they grow to love each other. But in these Puritan times, there are many who are anti-Catholic, and who think that Charles will make the island nation Catholic. The Scots want him to make it Presbyterian.

   His fights with the House of Commons lead to the English Civil War, which the Royalists lose. But when the radicals in Parliament can't get what they want; approval of a court (with no legal footing) to try and then execute Charles, they do something that seems unthinkable today: they kick out everyone who voted against them. Now the fix is in, yet the judges summoned by Commons to participate, refuse. Still, as the drama builds, that does not stop those intent on killing the king. Amazing Charles handles his last months of life with great dignity, once turning his back to his advisors so they will not see his tears fall. The day before his beheading, he is allowed to see his children, in scene that is emotional for any parent to read. What happened in London in a bleak January in 1649, and all the events leading up to it, create a story that should be read by everyone in the United States and Great Britain.

No comments about Queen Elizabeth I (British History Makers).

5 comments about Crown of Venus: A Guide to Royal Women Around the World.

1. I have read the book writen by Mr. Jeffrey Lee and I think I must congratulate him for his enormous and interesting work done. His book approach us the figures of some current Queens and explains their roles and current position. A very interesting book for those who try to know a little more about the monarchies around the world. I specially recomend the part of the book devoted to H.I.M. Empress Farah Pahlavi of Iran. She is, according the opinion ot the author and my own one, the most stood out royal woman. Reed it, please, you will enjoy and learn many things about many women who will win over you and your hearts.



2. A very good book! This was my first Internet ordered book and I am very happy with it. I found a beautiful website when looking for Queen Elizabeth... and from there I got my copy of this book. I liked the essay on Sirikit of Thailande and Mathilde of Belgique, and hope there is a French translation of the book since I couldn't understand some parts. Please email me ... if anyone knows if I can get a French copy for myself and my family!



3. The author of this book has done a beautiful job of bringing together so many important women from around the world into a collection like this. There is very interesting information about Farah Diba, Regina Noor, and of course our beloved Sofia of Spain. The best part is the background given for each monarchy Before the author goes into the life of the woman he tells about her country and its royal family's history. I should have liked to see more on Rania of Jordan and Beatrix of Holland, two very important figures the author left out. I want to thank the author for telling the stories of so many women I knew so little about, and also to my friend Elena Bencomo, who will love this book.



4. I am interested in all the women of the monarchies around the world. But I would like to be presented with the information I desire in a clean, flowing way. Into the author's mind the information goes; jumbled it comes out. Has this guy even graduated 10th grade English? But, beside that, I see a promising young artist. I am expecting to see more verbiage, though, before anything of worth is produced. Thank you for reading my review.



5. I think this book was Awesome and I admire the authors style of writing.

2 comments about The Life of David Brainerd (The Works of Jonathan Edwards Series, Volume 7).

1. David Brainerd's recorded life speaks my heart and breath--my longings for my heavenly home. This is a must read for all as it washes away the deceiving beguilement of trendy Christianity.
   
   Traveling through his pages of life, you witness his true mission that of only knowing Christ and Him crucified, 1 Corinthians 2:1-2. He was one of few who despised this vile world with its entertaining ways.
   
   His soul displayed was that of a faithful, humble, loyal pastor who ministered to the natives in isolated areas of New England. He never set himself above these socially rejected ones who he found to be quite refreshing in contrast to snobbish white folk. He became known among fur trappers as "the man who trapped Indians with love."
   
   Below are experts from David Brainerd's diary. The initial are the quotes of "His Heart." The following are observances of "His Natives."
   
   His Heart:
   
   "I know I long for God and conformity to His will, in inward purity and holiness, ten thousand times more than for anything here below."
   
   "God was so precious to my soul, that the world, with all its enjoyments, was infinitely vile. I had no more value for the favor of men, than for pebbles."
   
   "Spent the day mainly in conversing with friends; yet enjoyed little satisfaction, because I could not find but few disposed to converse on divine and heavenly things. Alas, what are the things of this world, to afford satisfaction to the soul! In secret, I blessed the God for retirement, and that I am not always exposed to the company and conversation of the world. Oh, that I could live in the secret of God's presence!"
   
   His Natives:
   
   "Discoursed from John 4:13, 14. There was a great attention, a desirable affection, and an unaffected melting in the assembly. It is surprising to see how eager they are to hear the Word of God. I have oftentimes thought that they would cheerfully and diligently attend divine worship twenty-four hours together if they had an opportunity so to do."
   
   "I never saw any appearance of bitterness or censoriousness (being critical) in these, nor any disposition to `esteem themselves better than others.'"



2. This is a rare, almost forgotten document depicting life in pre-Revolutionary America during the period when religious enthusiasm swept the colonial frontier. From 1743 to 1747 Brainerd had been a missionary to the Indians. Riding alone, thousands of miles on horseback, he kept a journal of daily events that he continued until the week before he died, at the age of twenty-nine, in Edwards' house. First published in 1749, the book became a spiritual classic in its own time. As the first popular biography to be published in America, it went through numerous editions and has been reprinted more frequently than has any other of Edwards' works. But what has not until now been known is that Edwards made drastic alterations in the original text. He shaped the narrative events to fit his own needs, presenting Brainerd as an example of a man who by example and deed opposed the rationalist, Arminian stance. Because the Yale edition is the first to print that portion of Brainerd's manuscript that survives, set in parallel columns with Edwards' text, these alterations can readily be discerned.