5 comments about Grace Kelly: A Life in Pictures.

1. I have to admit I was a bit disappointed in the size of this addition to the "Life in Pictures" series (my own fault for not reading the dimensions before buying). The other "Life in Pictures" books I have purchased have been large, oversized productions that bring to life the lives of their subjects by way of extravagantly sized photos with captions in a comfortable font. The print in this book is literally 1/16th of an inch tall. Also, it is very oddly arranged. The photos skip around the Princess' life in a haphazard manner. The arrangement made no sense to me, and I would have preferred a chronological order.
   
   That said, the scope of the photos is expansive in its inclusion of many private photos of the Princess and her family, as well as gorgeous portraits, unposed snapshots, and film stills. As a result of this book, I feel as though I know Princess Grace more intimately than ever before. The biographical section at the beginning of the book is a good overview of many of the important events of her life, and there are many quotes included, both by Princess Grace and about her. But the main story here is the pictures, which encompass so many of the moments, both private and public, of her life.
   
   Overall, this comprehensive collection is a wonderful look at the life of Princess Grace. Although it is a bit small in size for a book primarily telling a story through pictures, I believe most will be satisfied with the scope of the photos included.



2. This is one of my favorite books. A must have for all Grace Kelly fans. The pictures are beautiful and it tells the story of Grace and Rainer. This is ONE GREAT BOOK!



3. My wife is a Grace Kelly fan. I tend to buy her any book I come across about Princess Grace. I feel that this is a good book to add to a collection of Princess Grace books but it is not the definitive book on Grace Kelly.
   
   This book is authorized by the Grimaldi family and as compared to other books it has the feel of prior restraint. The closeness with the family gives us pictures cannot be found in other books; however the text adds nothing to the life of the Princess. It feels that the authors had censored themselves. I was not looking for a tabloid account but perhaps a more realistic account would have been better.
   
   A lot has been said about inaccurate facts, typographical errors, and editorial gaffes. I still believe despite all of its shortcomings that this is a book worth buying.



4. Best image selection, best layout, moving foreword by Prince Albert.



5. This is a beautiful book. It begins with a brief (and fairly shallow) biography. The majority of the book features over 180 photographs from Grace Kelly's life, from infancy through to her funeral, in both colour and black and white, interspersed with quotations by or about Grace. The reproduction and layout of the photographs and the quality of the paper stock are both high and the result is a lovely coffee table book. Most of the photos are stunning and many are ones that I have not seen before.
   
   Having said that, my impression was that the book had been compiled hastily and without care. Some quibbles:
   - Some dates are incorrect. For example there is a photograph of
   Princess Grace meeting John F Kennedy dated May 24, 1964 - which seems unlikely given that it was 6 months after his assassination! Elsewhere there are two photographs of the same event (Grace's arrival in Monaco for her wedding) one of which is dated April 12 1956 and the other April 14 1956.
   - The photographs are not always displayed in chronological order. For example, midway through a number of photos from the height of her film career in the mid-fifties comes a shot of Her Serene Highness attending a party in 1977. I found this annoying and detrimental to the idea that we were following the span of her life - especially as the majority ARE chronologically arranged.
   - While most of the photos are gorgeous, some appeared to have been chosen simply because they were previously unseen rather than because of any photographic merit - photographs that were out of focus or badly composed. Others were colour photographs reproduced in black and white, probably to sit better alongside other black and white images, but I would have preferred to see them as originally taken.
   
   This is still a lovely book and would be a great gift for a Grace Kelly fan. It is just a shame that more care was not put into its compilation and it is for this reason that I give it only 3 stars.

1 comments about The Murder of Charles the Good (Records of Western Civilization Series).

1. The events of 1127 surrounding the murder of count Charles the Good of Flanders, provided an opportunity for the forceful assertion of independence by Flemish cities. The author, Galbert of Bruges, provides a vivid event-by-event first hand account as history is unfolding. He chronicles the crisis that directly caused the murder of Charles the Good. An event that was caused in part by the Count's attempt to reduce the powerful Erembald clan to their legal place as serfs along with the interference of the Barons, who initially support the Erembald clan but seized the advantageous position as the instrument of revenge for the Count's murder in order to seize his wealth. They besieged the supporters of the Erembald clan, camped out in Bruges, only with the permission of the Burghers of the city and the entire region whom in the power vacuum that ensued, forcefully asserted their independence and economic interests.
   
   The translator's introduction and notations are immensely revealing and insightful. She (James Bruce in this case is a woman's name) explains the rise of the commercial agglomerations of burghers and their vital need for peace in order to prosper in trade. This lead to the Church's peace and eventually the count's circumvention the Church and proclamation of a Count's peace since he also reaped the benefits of the growing trade in the form of tolls and taxes. The rebellion and murder that ensued is a result of the dislike by the traditional powers, the barons and others and powerful peasant families of the Count's use of 'new-men' in his circle of advisors.
   
   She also elaborates extensively on the key medieval concept of the importance of the oath that helped to maintain the social order. The burgher's assertion of semi-independence introduces a new participant in the exchange of oaths. The burghers gain such power that they draft charters and elect their own counts and, defy the king of France who wanted a share of the ex-count's wealth as well.
   
   This rise of Communes is not just a feature of Flemish society but also occurs in northern France as recorded by the equally interesting and revealing account of Guibert of Nogent (published under the Title - Self and Society in Medieval France). But, Guibert's account of the Rise of the Commune of Laon is nowhere as precise and historical as Galbert's. Not much is known about the author except that he was a notary in Bruges. His bias is very minimally apparent since he does sympathize with and call himself a member of the Burghers of Bruges.
   
   The translation is impeccable, the introduction is immense and revealing, and the footnotes are extremely extensive (sometimes over the top). Galbert of Bruges', The Murder of Charles the Good, is a riveting first-hand account that is fun to read and of great historical importance.

No comments about Memoirs of the Reign of King George III: The Yale Edition of Horace Walpole`s Memoirs (4 Volumes) (The Yale Edition of Horace Walpole`s Cor).

5 comments about Elizabeth the Great.

1. I have an old copy of the book, which I have reread a couple of times. This is the most readable biography of Elizabeth I that I have read.



2. This book is incredibly well written. It also has the ring of truth. It is not just a biography of Elizabeth I, though it does that superbly, with great insight and scholarship, and always with documentation so that there is a tie-in to actual happenings. But this book also writes in depth about the key people around Queen Elizabeth, so that they too come alive, and sets them all firmly in a vivid and well-described background. This book is fascinating, literate, and a great read, especially for those of us who have an interest in this period in history and its characters.



3. A truly excellent book for someone who, like me, wants to find out not only about the events of Elizabeth's life but also what Elizabeth was like as a person. The writing style is clear and very enjoyable and makes Elizabeth seem alive again. As a schoolboy in England, I studied the Tudor Period, but this book goes way above and beyond what one is taught at school level. I learned so much more about Elizabeth's life and personality, that it has given me a whole new level of respect for someone who I had already held in high esteem. Highly recommended.



4. This excellent book paints an unforgettable portrait of Elizabeth I, "Good Queen Bess" to her loving subjects. Her fascinating life and vibrant personality are caught with great truth and clarity. Elizabeth Regina-LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!



5. This book is not a 'life and times' volume. It is single-minded in its telling of Elizabeth's life. I found the book to be captivating. I keep it on my desk at work for those rare days when I don't go out to lunch. I know that I can always open the book to any page and find an interesting story ahead.

5 comments about The Road from Versailles: Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and the Fall of the French Monarchy.

1. I got this book to learn a little about a topic I didn't know that much about. That I came away feeling that I was well-versed in the most esoteric of historical controversies is a testament to the quality of the work. The author has painstakingly researched the issues involved in the French Revolution. Everywhere in the book where a controversy is discussed, the author makes his conclusion, provides the evidence for his conclusion, and why he doesn't believe in alternative explanations. This comprehensive approach allows the reader to understand history not from the usual "because I say, it is so" approach, but to have a sense of how other theories might co-exist.
   
   The narrative shows how close run a thing the French Revolution was and how many directions it might have taken. It also shows the struggles of two highly flawed individuals (the irresolute King and his stubborn, crafty wife) placed in the most complicated of situations. Most importantly, it focuses on Mssr. Bretieul, a French noble, who steadfastly negotiated on their behalf among foreign capitals for many hopeless years.
   
   The book differs from others in that it shows the Revolution from an almost exclusively Royal point of view. Those looking for an overview of the Revolutionary side will be sorely disappointed. But, those who want to see insight into the minds of the royals, who fumbled and bumbled into an escalation that destroyed the tradition of ages, will revel in the fascinating story.



2. This book is a true pleasure to read. It focuses on a relatively small number of personalities and describes what they did- always backed up with research- and the consequences of their actions. The author's style is crisp, focussed and dignified, bereft of obscure or uncommon words that save you the frustration of constantly referring to the dictionary. It makes the principal charcters come to life.
   
   The narrative quality is consistent and sustains your interest throughout. It is neither exhaustive, nor exhausting to read. I recommend it highly.



3. Author Munro Price has shown that intense research combined with informative speculation is consistent with successfully piecing together a very confusing and torrid sequence of events in Western European history. Price, through what appears to be pains taking information gathering, relays a brilliant account of the lives of some of the French Revolution's most influential players. He brings to light, to those not in the academic world, the Baron de Breteuil and his tremendous influence on the policy of counter-revolutionary France. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, the recipients of the brunt of the Revolution, were shown both in their glory and in the flaws that led to their eventual demise. Price has not failed to impress with his clearly thought out formulations of the mindset and personal weaknesses of Louis XVI and, in contrast, the inner strength of Marie Antoinette. This book is easily followed and is difficult to put down. I recommend to anyone interested in this monumental period of political change in Europe.



4. This was an interesting and very readable book - I was sorry to see it end. It was obviously painstakingly researched and contains a lot of little known information about Louis and Marie-Antoinette and particularly their attitude toward the revolution which eventually killed them. It includes details about Marie-Antoinette's actions and attitudes that the general public may be surprised at - she was not just another pretty face who let events unfold - instead she apparently became stronger and took an active part in events.

   Even though the death of the king and queen were inevitable I found myself rooting for their escape. The book almost reads like a novel, but is a true and absorbing story.




5. The Road from Versailles is more than another retelling of this laboriously studied part of the French Revolution. It is a well-written narration, with excellently crafted literary panache and skill that really translate into a rousing read for any reader. More than that however, author Munro Price offers some very good new sources that lend a lot to his ideas concerning the last days of the Bourbon monarchy. His interpretation avoids the trap of dry repetitive narration/research and instead relies on new sources of information to explain the authors somewhat unique viewpoint.

   The Road from Versailles begins in familiar territory. As the reign of Louis XVI continued, France fell further and further into failure, both economic and militarily. France was reeling from numerous failures abroad, most notably the defeat at the hand of the British in North America during the French and Indian War. Economically, the country was an absolute disaster. Even the royal government itself was not sure of the nations finances, and the system was bleeding funds chronically. People wanted someone to blame for their conditions, and they found a good candidate in the Austrian princess Marie Antoinette. Her heritage and her penchant for finery quickly gained her the ire of the French public. As disasters mounted, the monarchy came under attack from all sides. It was clear that, politically, Louis XVI would have to alter his role. How to do this was the big question. Rapidly, the question became moot as the street violence exploded.

   Munro concentrates on the minor, or supposedly minor, character of Breteuil, a royal minister. Using new documents, Munro suggests that Breteuil was much more involved than previously though, especially concerning the various royal plots to aid the royals in their escape from Paris. One of the best parts of the book is its emphasis on what was happening outside of France, as numerous plots were being hatched to either evacuate the royal government or to reestablish its power by military force. The decisions and actions made and taken by the royal family are also examined. Munro tries to explain Louis XVI inaction and floundering a little too much, I thought. I believe the simple answer is that Louis was a very foolish person, who had little political comprehension besides the absolutionist system he was born into. Marie is shown as quite active, but not as devious as proposed in the some other works. Munro does a great job of explaining his conclusions to the reader in a way that is accessible to both popular and academic readers. A very good work of history.

4 comments about King's Counsellor Abdication and War: The Diaries of Sir Alan Lascelles.

1. This was a very good book, and Sir Lascelles's viewpoint of WWII (from 1942-1945) was incredible interesting; I really enjoyed the insights about how the invasion of Normandy was planned.
   
   The only disappointment I had with this book is the fact he did not write much about the Abdication and none at all about their Majesties trip to U.S. or the begining of WWII.



2. When Diana and Sarah Duchess of York spoke of the "grey men" of the royal household, they spoke of men like Lascelles. From the promo material for the book, I expected a little more spice, especially regarding his disdain for Edward VIII. This period - the abdication year - by far more potentially interesting than the dark years of the war (except for those obsessed with the "greatest generation") is only touched upon briefly. I can't belive he didn't have more to say. Well, anyway, as a first hand source of life at the palace it certainly provides some insight. If you are looking for something really new... this isn't it.



3. Tommy Lascelles saw it all, but was raised in the grand tradition of the English Gentleman so censored himself way to often in writing his diary. So much has, therefore, been lost. Still, I highly recommend it for the "feel" it gives to a now gone era.



4. I question the selection of these diaries. Too much has been left out, I believe. It might have been better to do a diaries AND letters book. There is so little about the abdication that it shouldn't be in the title. This man was so knowledgeable that far better material must exist somewhere. As it is, it is almost boring, which is saying a lot for someone who led a far from boring life.

No comments about Los diamantes de la corona/ The Diamonds of the Crown (Ensayo-Historia/ Essay- History).

2 comments about Royal Charles: Charles II and the Restoration.

1. If you enjoy biographical works that are not only full of information but convey a sense of the actual character, this book is for you. Immensely readable account of a king with more than the usual share of strengths and weaknesses, surprisingly varied interests, and even a sense of humor as well as irony. Admittedly I find Restoration England to be one of the single most historical periods and Charles II is its poster child. This books is an excellent means to getting a broad view of the period and this interesting ruler.



2. In this wonderful book, Antonia chronicles the doings of the 17th-century royal Stuart family in such detail that I for one feel as though I lived among them. At this locus in space-time we probably know more about Charles II than did his own family. We know, for example, that he was a paid French agent for most of his reign.
   
   That Charles II was the man for the job and the times and may have been Britain's best king is hard to dispute. He was certainly the first people's king. His handling of government foreshadowed the checks and balances developed more formally in the next century, but he did not formulate it into a doctrine. That is simply the way it happened.
   
   The Stuarts acquired the throne of Britain through Mary, Queen of Scots, who descended from a Tudor. Elizabeth Tudor had her executed, but not before she married had a son with the unfortunate alcoholic, Darnley. The boy was taken from his mother to be raised a Protestant and became James I on the death of Elizabeth, who died without heir.
   
   The reign of James I (of King James Bible fame) was happy and prosperous and his son, Charles I, was looking forward to the same. History did not smile on this upright but unlucky king. Society bolted under him, so to speak, and threw him from his horse. The Swiss reform crept down the Rhine and across the channel and lodged in Britain as numerous sects of Puritanism. Meanwhile, the creeping disease of enclosure, the seizure of formerly public lands by private individuals interested in raising sheep and selling wool, and the subsequent forced evacuation of those lands, was slowly but surely building a fury in the common man. Charles I found that he could not govern.
   
   Successive parliaments called in the hope of financial relief became ever more unruly until at last they refused to be dismissed! Not the brightest man, though a decent one, Charles I failed to see the impending end of absolute monarchy. He made a fatal mistake, sending soldiers into parliament to arrest 5 MPs, who evaded him anyway. The English Civil War was on. The king ultimately surrendered to parliamentary forces. He might have been spared, but he refused to cooperate in any way with the diminution of the divine right of kings. The parliamentarians played their trump card of executing the king (1649), a blunder on their part. His death aroused mainly grief and horror.
   
   Faced with overwhelming adversity, Charles II was not overwhelmed. He shone like the star he was. There are few other teen-age generals in history, but that is what he became fighting for his father, and alone after 1649. Often seen in the front line leading the charge, he was born under a lucky star, surviving somehow. Even Cromwell admitted that his last battle, the Battle of Worcester, was the hardest fought of the war. The king went dodging through the countryside, hiding out in a huge oak while the soldiers beat the bushes for him. He escaped to France and then other points, with the help mainly of ordinary people.
   
   Charles' exile whetted his talents and forged his future. He and ragamuffin court were often without knowledge of the source of their next meal. He kept on wheeling and dealing, unsuccessfully. He lifted their spirits by creating a sort of ongoing pool party, which moved from country to country and estate to estate. They derived their emotional support from this circle of intimacy, which went on after the king was restored.
   
   And he was restored. Cromwell died. His son, "Tumbledown Dick", was not up to the job of being the lord high protector of the Commonwealth. The army had kept Charles under constant surveillance wherever he went. They knew that he was an extraordinarily talented man. To avoid disintegration of the government and renewed conflict between factions, General Monck convinced parliament to restore Charles, rather suddenly, with but short notice, in 1660.
   
   And what a resoration it was! A fleet of refurbished ships sailed from Holland and a small army of royalists dressed in the very finest uniforms money could buy paraded through the streets of London with the king flanked by his brothers, all at the center of a roaring crowd. The king knew exactly what they wanted and he spared no expense to give it to them. He had thoroughly learned that God may give kings a divine right to rule, but only through the medium of the people.
   
   The party went on. Charles and his wife and mistresses and a total of 12 illegitimate children lived happily together in Whitehall Palace. The queen, a Portuguese princess, was unfortunately barren, but the king did not desert her on that account. He was content to pass on the succession to his brother, James II. The author compares this arrangement to that of the cruel Henry the 8th, who executed his successive wives so that he could get on to the next one. The king owned horses, dogs and yachts. Sometimes he raced his own horses. He associated freely with all walks of life. He despised to put on royal airs.
   
   Meanwhile a steady stream of sparks flew from the flint of his creative genius. He forgave his enemies (except the regicides). He was as often in parliament as the MPs themselves, arguing his point of view himself. He created the first standing army in Britain, using its offices as a means to reward friends and placate enemies. He founded the Royal Society, built the observatory at Greenwich, built a hospital, personally assisted in fighting the great fire of London, and hired Christopher Wren to rebuild the burned area.
   
   In politics the king and parliament often disagreed. He called them when he needed money. They passed laws and granted or refused the money. All the same old issues still existed, but now neither side was willing to start a civil war over them. King and parliament in fact checked and balanced each other, even though no constitution defined them. Seeking to be less dependent on parliament, the king made a secret treaty with Louis the 14th, by which he would become a pro-French advocate in exchange for a large annuity. It wasn't as bad as it seems. The king's mother was French. Family connections were already in place. The king had to agree to become Catholic, which he only dared to do on his deathbed, after apologizing for taking so long to die.
   
   This work by Fraser might as well have been an epic poem, lacking only the versification. We laugh or weep as it soars into sublimity or pathos and we yawn at the tedious details of the king's devious machinations. A word of warning. The author takes a totally royalist view. She has no space or inclination to present the details of the rebel cause. Reading this book, we wonder why those stubborn parliamentary fools held out against such a jolly good fellow as the king. Perhaps the lives of the Stuarts were so interesting and momentous as to compel their biographers to loyalty.

No comments about Kalakaua: Hawaii's Last King.

4 comments about Iron Jaw: A Skipper Tells His Story, Charles N. Bamforth 1895-1975.

1. "Iron Jay" is classic American stuff; a great reading experience and absolutely absorbing from a social/historical perspective. Truly a working man's autobiography, the story sustains a tension that makes it intriguingly essential reading. Captain Bamforth's spirit is extraordinary -- chaotic and poetically tender in one quick flash. At one point you're in love with the man, idealist and poet; the next moment he looms up at you in patriarchal horror.



2. I wish everyone would get their own copy. I gave up waiting for those who borrowed mine to part with it so I bought a second copy that I will NOT loan out. It is a must for my library of favorites.

   Suzanne Seller




3. As the Skipper's granddaughter, I dutifully picked up this book... and then found myself turning pages late into the night!

   Throughout the book, Captain Bamforth's voice comes through as authentically human and intensely engaged in the world around him, revealing an honest naivete, an unflappable work ethic, a remarkable sense of satisfaction in the rich details of his travels, and the challenges that his chosen life at sea imposed on his family and home life.

   Some have said that my grandfather's stories are the stuff of legend. Keeping his crew alive for six days after his ship was torpedoed in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean certainly falls in that category. At the same time, I think what's fascinating is the day-to-day perseverance of a very ordinary man, grappling with and embracing his understanding of right and wrong, of loyalty and betrayal, of life and peril in the 20th century. It is this testament of a hard-working man that, through its sincerity, becomes extraordinary and perhaps legendary.




4. An enjoyable and informative book. The narrative gives insight into the many aspects of being a sea captain far beyond the mere steering of a ship.