No comments about The Public Career of Sir Thomas More.

No comments about Thomas More: History and Providence.

1 comments about Life at the Court of Queen Victoria: 1861-1901 : Illustrated from the Collection of Lord Edward Pelham-Clinton, Master of the Household : With Select.

1. A very excellent book for those interested into the aspects of Queen Victoria's court life. A definite must read. This is a rare jewel of a find.

3 comments about Isabel la Católica, Queen of Castile: Critical Essays.

1. While there are several major studies of political and social conditions during the reign of Isabel I of Spain, her letters and oratory have remained almost untouched until now. The two essays by David A. Boruchoff in this collection address this deficiency with brilliance, affording a profound understanding of the inner workings of her approach to national and international relations, and of the reservations expressed by those commonly seen as her promoters and allies. The remaining essays are more varied in their interest and quality. These range from serious analyses of religious and social minorities (Jews and Muslims), of medical practitioners within the new political order, and of Isabel's education and struggle to become queen, to more run of the mill pieces on her place in literature, art, and theatre. Nevertheless, the volume as a whole benefits from wonderfully acurate and vibrant translations of primary texts, many never before available in any form in English. Readers may therefore wish to pick and choose among the essays, but this collection is required reading for anyone wishing to know how Isabel's rule really worked, and why she was so successful.



2. Most books about the Catholic Monarchs are either apologetic or censorious, either panegyrics to the crown's magesty or cruel in condemning its abuse of power. This collection is instead a well-balanced and thoughtful reconsideration of both the good and bad aspects of an extraordinary reign, in which Isabel I of Castile had to confront, and overcome, challenges in both her public and private lives. Some of the essays published here achieve even-handedness by merely presenting the facts of Isabel's engagement in events such as the struggle to become queen, the conquest of Granada, the discovery of America, and her support for the arts and learning. But most are also critical (as the title promises) in a good way: by dissecting the way that she left her mark on history and is remembered by it. There are many new insights here, even in much analyzed areas such as the Catholic Monarchs' dealings with Jews, Muslims, and the Inquisition. But best are the chapters that examine the language of history itself, because in these (especially the first and last essays by the editor) one finds original and thought-provoking insights into problems that go well beyond Spain and Isabel herself, so as to illuminate the relationship between writing and power: history, the scepter and those who wield them.



3. This collection is an excellent introduction to the reign of the Catholic Monarch, Isabel, and especially to the works written by and about her. While the chapters on her role in religion and on her figure in theater are a bit too general, most of the essays are full of new insights, well-documented commentary, and useful leads for further reading. I was particularly impressed by the two chapters on Isabel's historiography, and that on the crown's relations with its medical officers. These were fascinating and beautifully written, and I have seen nothing on these topics in the many books and articles that I have read about Isabel, both in English and Spanish. In summation, this is a first-rate book, and a "must" for anyone interested in Spain, early-modern women, monarchs, and the way that history is really written.

1 comments about House of Godwine: The History of Dynasty.

1. This volume is based on a course the author taught at the University of London and is enhanced by her discussions with colleagues at the annual Battle Conference on Anglo-Norman Studies, which is to say she knows what she's talking about when it comes to perspectives of conquest, especially as they pertain to (in this case) the losers. Certainly, Harold Godwinson is remembered mostly for having lost his kingdom at Hastings, but the family went on to be both glorified and demonized. Where did all this status come from? The hard facts regarding the family's wealth and power survive to some extent in official records but the narrative context is all prejudicial in one direction or the other. Mason tries to correct this by tracing the role of the kin-group in Anglo-Saxon society, and the importance of the church (which Godwine and his descendants carefully supported), and the astute political maneuvering by the founder of the family during the reign of Canute, the canny Danish interloper. An expert study and a good starting point for further examination of the kingdom-as-family-business.

5 comments about Diana (Diana Princess of Wales).

1. I read this book in 2005. So quite some time has passed since emotion ran high in the wake of the untimely death of Diana, POW. Given that, it was quite a read. In a lot of ways a grand mea culpa for all the trash that was written about this woman in her own lifetime. Much of it was far more mean-spirited than anything written after her death. Despite all of its quick-drawn conclusions on things that we'll never really know the truth about -- nor should we, perhaps -- I have to see it as an interesting testament to its time. Maybe we've forgotten now, and if you weren't victim to the blaring everyday headlines about Diana in Britain you'd never know, but there wasn't a single aspect that was deemed personal or private for this woman during the last years of her life. And what did she ever do that was so wrong? To my mind her grand mistake -- to which she paid for dearly -- was to marry way too young. A Greek tragedy played out before our very eyes from 1981 to 1997. An interesting read.



2. Julie Burchill's book "Diana" is one of the most honest, get to the point, in your face books I have ever read. Not only does she paint Diana, Princess of Wales as an ordinary person in extraordinary circumstances, she gives us some insight into what her life must have really been like in the Palace. It consist of, what I consider, very passionate writing. She expresses her opinions very strongly and quite adequately. You can "feel" her words in ways that many other books attempt to but fail. Diana struck out at getting the love she so needed from the man she adored and married but in the process received the love and adoration of the world. I've read just about every book on the subject of Diana and this is by far one of my absolute favorites and one of the most thought provoking. You do not have to agree with the general feelings towards the Royal Windsor Family or appreciate the sometimes strong language to enjoy what has to be one of the most exceptional books written on Diana. Julie Burchill has does a great job in expressing the feelings many people, the world over, have felt towards this lovely, real life, Fairy Tale Princess, who unfortunately, left this world too soon.



3. I've got this book in the hardback edition and I've got to say this is one mean spirited book. Ms. Burchill writes for The Guardian, a liberal left leaning British paper and she is obviously what the British would call a strong republican. It appears to me that this book is an attack on the Monarchy from the first page to the last. Princess Diana herself would probably not have been spared if she'd gone along with the system. As with all the other Diana books you get some good photos but this one is a little too mean otherwise.



4. This book is partly a biography of Diana's life, with some color photographs, but mostly a commentary upon Diana's life in the context of the House of Windsor. The author is sympathetic to Diana's plight as an innocent girl who married for love, but found out too late that Prince Charles would not give up his mistress Camilla. The author severely castigates Prince Charles and Camilla, and the Queen and the entire House of Windsor, as callous hypocrites and morally bankrupt pretenders to the throne and the Church of England. The author concedes that Diana had some problems and weaknesses of her own, but overwhelmingly takes the side of Diana against the House of Windsor, and scathingly considers Prince Charles to be a third-rate character unworthy to be king. The author has a great way with words, sometimes angry, sometimes mocking, and sometimes wickedly funny, with a few obscenities interspersed, in her attacks upon Prince Charles and Camilla, and the House of Windsor, although sometimes written in a subtle way that would probably only be understood by someone very familiar with Diana's life and British history of the past twenty years. If the reader has a similar love for Diana, and a similar very low opinion of Prince Charles and Camilla and the House of Windsor, the book would probably be enjoyable to the reader.



5. This book is garbage. The writing is near-illiterate and the facts wrong. Save your money. "Diana: The Life of a Troubled Princess" is so much better as to be in a different world.

No comments about Mistress Peachum's Pleasure: The Life of Lavinia Fenton, Duchess of Bolton.

3 comments about Cleopatra: Histories, Dreams and Distortions.

1. The author does an excellent job of laying out all the various portrayals of Cleopatra, both historical and literary, and relating them to women's status in society at the time.
   The book is filled with clear examples of the author's points, and her theories are backed up with documentation.
   Cleopatra comes across as a very human "character" whose actions can be interpretted in many ways, depending on who is telling the story.
   Lucy Hughes Hallett gives the reader several "historical" Clepatras, ranging from a "Nile vamp" to a romantic heroine dying for love. The author stresses the point that various periods in history have used the Cleopatra legend for different purposes, everything from instilling national pride to selling shampoo.
   The book in no way presents a one-sided version of the queen's story. If anything the reader is presented wth an array of contradictory elements and allowed to pick and choose the ones he wants to incorporate into his own version of Cleopatra.
   I found the book well written, intelligent and thought provoking.



2. I beg to differ with the previous reviewer. Hughes-Hallett's Cleopatra is a fascinating--and sociologically astute--work. Hughes-Hallett is looking at Cleopatra's image as it has been created and recreated through the ages. She begins with a review of Cleopatra's story through the eyes of her Roman enemies (specifically Octavius--later Caesar Augustus) and explains how Octavius' "propaganda machine" used certain images and concepts to discredit Cleopatra. Like all propaganda, the images tell us more about Octavius and the world he lived in than about Cleopatra.

   Likewise, when, in the next chapter, Hughes-Hallett describes the images Cleopatra used to promote herself, we learn more about the religion and society surrounding Cleopatra than any specific biographical information.

   The book moves on through history: Cleopatra in Shakespeare, for instance. It is not a biography, and Hughes-Hallett makes it quite clear that it is not meant to be a biography. What we know about Cleopatra is very little. Instead Hughes-Hallett's book explores what Cleopatra has meant to the different ages in which her myth and story have been told. Like many famous women throughout history, she has been both villified and romanticized.

   I would rank Hughes-Hallett's book with Marina Warner's From the Beast to the Blond (although it is not as erudite) for its exploration of story and history and how the two mix together.




3. I've done extensive reasherch on The Life, as well as the comon veiws, of Cleopatra VII. Out of all of the books I have read, this has to be the worst. Do not let the sub-title "dreams and distortions" distract you. This book looks at Cleopatra as her enemies veiwed her, as a witch and a whore. I would not recomend this book for anyone who is truly interested in the life of the great Cleopatra VII. Don't waiste you time and money on this poor excuse for a biography. I would, though, like to recomend a historical novel, on Cleopatra by Margret George. Although it is technicly non fiction, it is extreemly historicly acurate as well as I great book to read.

   ~* Mikisha Anne ...

5 comments about The Last Days of Glory: The Death of Queen Victoria.

1. Can a book about someone's death be entertaining? You bet, if the subject is Queen Victoria and it deals with the pomp and circumstance of her death. Extraordinary research, well-written. Very human, including royal family conflicts and imperfections. If you like the Victorian period, by all means, read this book.



2. 
   I like a book that is focused and keeps its tone throughout. With content like this I'm sure it took discipline to weed out the many stories of people and events that brought the world to this date. For instance, just enough is devoted to the Kaiser and John Brown is appropriately dealt with in the appendix. The tone stays the same through the final days, to the funeral preparations and then the funeral ritual itself.
   
   It had been so long since a monarch's death, that no one could remember the protocol. There were big issues and smaller decisions. How to inform the populace? How long should a mourning period last? (Various aspects of the economy had to be considered.) Would Edward hire the Queen's personal staff? Hymns had to be chosen, and a favorite had to yield to the politically correct one of the time. So many outpourings from at home and abroad. Special request floral designs. Visiting dignitaries. What to call the Princess of Wales before installation? QV left very detailed instructions, but soon to be installed King Edward now had the veto.
   
   Rennell gives us all the above and more. He sticks with his topic and brings together all the pertinent material. Very good job.



3. Basically this book is just an overview of the last three weeks of Queen Victoria's life, and not very interestingly written either, being rather simplistic and jumping back & forth in style.
   
   For a much more comprehensive and fascinating view of Queen Victoria's last days, I recommend "Ask Sir James" by Michaela Reid, which is a biography of Ms. Reid's grandfather, Sir James Reid, Queen Victoria's doctor. Despite its being a book not strictly about Queen Victoria, "Ask Sir James" is really chock full of interesting information and tidbits of personal history regarding the last 20-odd years of the Queen's life, her personality and her health, and is a much better and more interesting book than "Last Days of Glory". Don't waste your money on Rennell's book; go to the source it's based on!



4. A surprisingly entertaining book. Surprisingly because Rennell writes quite a dry book, not sensationalising the story of Victoria's death, or attempting to get too personal. Rather, he takes the reader through Victoria's last days, her death and the funeral, relating aspects from the point of view of those close to Victoria and the press. He never directly writes political analysis, but rather hints at it, only occasionally drawing parallels with the modern British monarchy. By taking one small episode - lasting only a year really - Rennell manages to explore various facets of Victorian life and it's legacy.

   The most striking point in this book is the fact that no-one seemed prepared for Queen Victoria's death, which is amazing considering the woman was in her eighties! But it also entertainingly covers the small facts - the internal squabbles within the large and extended royal family; the fact the Queen was a bit of a glutton until her final illness; the boy who flicked a match and set fire to a man's hat while the public watched the funeral procession move through London. Rennell manages to steer a course between the academic and the `dumbing down' sometimes prevalent in modern day `popular history'. Rather, he just sticks to the facts and supposes his readers are intelligent enough to understand and interpret them.




5. When I first saw that this book was published, I was skeptical that enough information could be gathered about Queen Victoria's death to make for interesting reading. Was I wrong! The Last Days of Glory: The Death of Queen Victoria by Tony Rennell contains not just lots of interesting information, but also all the high drama required of a good Victorian novel. The cast of characters is unbelievable. They include: 1. a robust queen whose rapidly failing health is kept from her public until the last minute 2. a reluctant heir who would rather go fox hunting and spend time with his mistresses than attend his mother's deathbed or assume the throne 3. a passel of children and grandchildren who hover about and argue with each other 4. an obnoxious, arrogant and overbearing grandson (Kaiser William II) trying to make nice with his British cousins (who all loathe him) while trying to muscle his way into the death scene 5. a personal doctor who is second guessed at every opportunity, is never allowed to physically examine the queen and who serves as a spy to the Kaiser 6. a bishop who tries to interject too much "churchiness" into the death scene and is finally asked to leave 7. a head dresser who has promised the queen to sneak a large number of objects and mementos into the queen's coffin (without her family's knowledge) including several from the queen's devoted Scottish servant, John Brown (also rumored to be her secret husband) 8. a large number of heads of state who scheme and plot and politic against each other at the funeral, even though most of them are related to each other 9. an Empire of British subjects who have never known another sovereign and 10. a large group of faithful but bumbling government officials who have no clue how to bury the old monarch or install the new one because they haven't had to worry about such things for over 63 years.

   Add to this story a lost effigy for the burial sarcophagus and over 100 daily newspapers scrapping for every little tidbit of information, and you have a saga most fiction writers could only dream about. To make the story even more interesting, we learn about the changes in the Empire and the world during the course of Victoria's reign. Telegrams have revolutionized communication, telephones are in their infancy, and no one really believes that the new horseless carraiges will become popular because they're too expensive. Queen Victoria's death takes place at the dawn of a new millennium, so the end of the 19th Century and the end of the Victorian Era occur together. Also, the British Empire will never again be as great or as grand as it was during Victoria's reign. It all makes for fascinating reading.

   The only flaw I could find in The Last Dayas of Glory involved a historical fact. The Russian Tsar and Tsarina, Nicholas and Alexandra (Victoria's favorite granddaughter) got married after Nicholas became tsar and not before. But other than this minor error, I find no fault here. Tony Rennell's book is a nice surprise and well worth reading.

No comments about Henry V: The Rebirth of Chivalry (English Monarchs. Treasures from the National Archives) (English Monarchs: Treasures from the National Archives).