Reviews (25)

An Epic Struggle told with facts and a medieval touch
This is definitely the 'definitive' biography of Scotland's greatest leader. McNair Scott tells a tale of triumph, tragedy and terror with accuracy and poise. Robert the Bruce faced incredible hardships during his life- and-death struggle against the English during his motherland's war for independence. One can feel the tension and drama of this turbulent period. The Bruce at one time was about to give up his struggle, until the famous spider in the cave revitalised his spirits by showing him endurance and perseverance. 1314 saw the Bruce smash a 25000 invading English army of Edward II with just 5000 men. His personal bravery before Bannockburn, when he put a very experienced English Knight out of his misery, set the tone for the coming battle.For the next 15 years Scottish forces always routed the invaders with Bruce at their head. None of the Platagnet Edwards desired peace, McNair Scott's points this fact out. Edward I infact set the stage for brutality and hatred when he expelled Jews from England by making up false charges against them in the 1280s. This, plus his totally imperialistic and uncalled for invasion of a peaceful country shows his mind. Those who call him the 'English Justinian' should think again.He was very adept at twisting laws for his own purposes anyway. Enough on the villain,and back to our hero. When Robert the Bruce died in 1329 he left behind a modern medieval kingdom, but when Thomas Randolph( arguably one of his best lieutenants) died the belligerent Edward III started the next three hundred some years of fighting against Scotland. Lastly, McNair Scott is on the mark when he says that whatever happened in the years after the Bruce's death and even to this day, the Scots retain a crystal clear memory of Bannockburn and the confidence it gave them , never to desert them again. I would say this book is definitely worth reading about. Not only for those who like Scottish history but those who like true courage and endurance in the face of adversity.

This was the movie to make!
The recent Mel Gibson film, "Braveheart" inspired many, including myself, with a newfound appreciation for Medieval history in general and Scottish history in particular. While the story of Wallace is certainly captivating, the movie did not do justice to the real hero of the period, Robert the Bruce.

The Bruce's legacy, so vividly illustrated in the book, of tremendous courage, resilience, leadership, and compassion is inspiring to any reader. Particularly moving was the Bruce's repeated displays of grace to his defeated enemies and political opponents. How rare in history to see such compassion from a victor in battle!

I couldn't help but think that the story of Robert the Bruce, with his ultimate triumph of Scottich independence and peace for Scotland (relatively speaking) would have made for a great Hollywood movie - at least a sequel to "Braveheart." This has all the components of a great epic; heros, villains, love and romance, overcoming great odds to win ultimate victory, betrayal, international diplomacy, graphic battlefield scenes and individual combat vividly displayed that puts the reader alongside The Bruce at his "moments of truth".

Scott's use of quotes from the actual people involved makes for a time travel experience worth taking. Putting the story in historical persectives from his contemporaries (and the Bruce himself) makes the reader appreciate the social, political, and religious issues confronting Bruce throughout his life. Many times I found myself anxious for the outcome of Bruce's campaigns, or the latest feat of bravery from the "Black Douglas" and Bruce's loyal companions.

In short, a great book, not just from a historical perspective but from an engaging, vivid journey through the life of Robert the Bruce. I must caution the male reader, however, to use more discretion that I did in quoting some of the more graphic scenes to my wife - who wasn't able to appreciate the detail in the same way I did.

An Inspiring Read
This book is very well-written and exciting to read, unlike many books on medieval history. Although the author relies heavily on source material from an epic completed 54 years after Robert Bruce's death, this book vividly brings to life the story of the Scottish struggle for freedom. Bruce's military genius and the Scots' heroic determination to fight against staggering odds combine to form a gripping tale which this reader found impossible to put down.

Very interesting read
Despite a few flaws, Ronald McNair Scott's "Robert the Bruce" makes for a compelling read. Mel Gibson's Braveheart, with its exciting over dramatized life of William Wallace, another great Scottish hero, does a disservice to this Scottish patriot who succeeded in driving the British out of Scotland and restoring his nation's independence. Far from the rather weak leader in Gibson's film, Robert was a strategic and tactical genius, both in war and in politics. Moreover, one can only be struck how, in the age before mass warfare, his individual prowess at arms turned the tide of battle in several key skirmishes.

Scott offers an excellent view into Robert's life in this short work. His background on Scotland is generally excellent and he does a good job brining several of Robert's cohorts to like -- a particular favorite of mine being Sir James Douglas, otherwise known as Black Douglas, who used clever strategy to kill out every English noble who dared take possession of his ancestral home. Other characters like King Edward and Robert's brother are also well flushed out.

The weakness of this work, likely owing to its small size at 250 pages, is that it does not offer more of these in depth character portraits. The work could also have used more background placing England and Scotland into the European milieu of the period. Particularly vexing was the relative lack of maps, confusing when you are trying to follow Robert's exploits as he moves through every small town in Scotland.

Despite these short comings, I still give this book strong recommendations for anyone looking for a good read on one of history's most brilliant diplomats and military commanders who is too often overlooked. Hopefully this work will correct the deficiency and give Robert the Bruce the appreciation he deserves, maybe even his own movie?

The Real Hero of Scotland
If you enjoyed the movie Braveheart, and would like to look more in depth in the characters and events surrounding the Scottish War of Independance, this book will not fail to intrest you. Although portrayed as a relatively minor character in that film, Robert the Bruce was military and political genious and the driving force behind Scotland's independance. ... Read more

Book Description

In this intimate account of the remarkable cultural flowering of Elizabethan England, Susan Watkins takes us to the heart of one of history's most extraordinary tales: how Queen Elizabeth I set out to capture the hearts of her people. In plays and pageants, in cameos, medallions, and portraits, in great country houses, their furnishings, and their gardens, the royal image was specifically tailored to evoke devotion. To love Elizabeth was to love England, and the queen personified both an era and a national style. It had begun precariously: the birth of Elizabeth, on September 7, 1533, instead of a male heir was a bitter disappointment to Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn. Watkins paints a brilliant picture of young Elizabeth's life, punctuated by insecurities and conspiracies, and endangered during the period of rule by her Catholic half-sister, Mary, whom she succeeded in 1558. It gave her an enduring sense that to remain on the throne she needed the love of her people, a romance kept alive by continuous regeneration in many forms--virtuous queen, chaste goddess, mighty imperial monarch. The author skillfully recreates court life, not only in the great palaces along the Thames from Greenwich to Windsor but also in the nearly sixty royal houses that were Elizabeth's inheritance. An important part of the spectacle was the royal progress to the great country houses of her subjects, from Sir Francis Willoughby's fairytale castle, Wollaton Hall, to Lord Burghley's Theobalds. An Elizabethan house was not just an architectural achievement; it was often the literal embodiment of a relationship--real or wished for--with the monarch. Throughout this book, the inspired photography of Mark Fiennes, together with portraits, paintings, tapestries, and personal objects of the period, gives the perfect visual expression of the nation's evolving love affair with its queen. Little wonder that Elizabeth's personality, so vividly memorialized here, captivates both the imagination of Hollywood and the tens of thousands of visitors to the surviving monuments of her era. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Elizabeth I by Watkins
This work has a wealth of information about Elizabeth I and
the era itself. She is portrayed as an elegant monarch, dressed
in silk and other fine clothing. A portrait of Elizabeth
depicts her stately appearance as a Tutor. Elizabeth liked to
stroll in the area of the Great Hall at Hatfield. A personal
astrolobe is depicted-a fine personal item created circa 1560.
Her coronation was a stately affair depicted in a personal
portrait considered to be priceless today. This work is perfect for historians and others interested in the period of Elizabeth. The full color portraits are valuable
in their own right.

Interesting Read!
Excellent, excellent book for anyone who is interested in Quenn Elizabeth I or the Elizabethan era. Interesting little tidbits of knowledge about court life, politics and Elizabeth's private life. The pictures are absolutely beautiful and go along so well with the the written text. Definate A+!

A wonderful book for those who love Elizabeth I
The Public and Private Worlds of Elizabeth I is a nicely written look into her personal and private life. It is very informational; from the workings of Elizabethan politics to the fashion of the time. It is informative with out getting overly academic. It is great for anyone wishing to research and/or recreate aspects of that time period. I encourage anyone who is intererested in Elizabeth I to purchase this book. One of the greatest features of this book is the full color pictures. Definitely a must have!!! A wonderful coffee table book too. ... Read more

Book Description

The Encomium Emmae Reginae is, as its title suggests, a political tract in praise of Queen Emma, daughter of Duke Richard I of Normandy, wife of King Ethelred the Unready from 1002 to 1016, and wife of the Danish conqueror King Cnut from 1017 to 1035. It is an important primary source that transports us into the heart of eleventh-century politics. This edition contains a new introduction that places the Encomium in the historical context in which it was written, and traces the career of Emma, a woman who was twice queen and who sought to preserve her position of power as queen-mother. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A great read!
If you are interested in the life of Emma of Normandy, wife of King Canute, then this book will captivate you.It is a fascinating, contemporary look at the legendary events of 11th century England.

Terrific book!
This is a detailed, fact-filled book on Queen Emma of the 11th century.It is a fascinating portrait of a queen who lived through a lot of tragedies.Not for the light reader, though. ... Read more

Book Description

Once upon a time, in 1930s England, there were two little princesses named Elizabeth and Margaret Rose.Their father was the Duke of York, the second son of King George V, and their Uncle David was the future King of England.

We all know how the fairy tale ended:When King George died, “Uncle David” became King Edward VIII---who abdicated less than a year later to marry the scandalous Wallis Simpson.Suddenly the little princesses’ father was King. The family moved to Buckingham Palace, and ten-year-old Princess Elizabeth became the heir to the crown she would ultimately wear for over fifty years.

The Little Princesses shows us how it all began.In the early thirties, the Duke and Duchess of York were looking for someone to educate their daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret, then five- and two-years-old.They already had a nanny---a family retainer who had looked after their mother when she was a child---but it was time to add someone younger and livelier to the household.

Enter Marion Crawford, a twenty-four-year-old from Scotland who was promptly dubbed “Crawfie” by the young Elizabeth and who would stay with the family for sixteen years.Beginning at the quiet family home in Piccadilly and ending with the birth of Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace in 1948, Crawfie tells how she brought the princesses up to be “Royal,” while attempting to show them a bit of the ordinary world of underground trains, Girl Guides, and swimming lessons.

The Little Princesses was first published in 1950 to a furor we cannot imagine today. It has been called the original “nanny diaries” because it was the first account of life with the Royals ever published.Although hers was a touching account of the childhood of the Queen and Princess Margaret, Crawfie was demonized by the press.The Queen Mother, who had been a great friend and who had, Crawfie maintained, given her permission to write the account, never spoke to her again.

Reading The Little Princesses now, with a poignant new introduction by BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, offers fascinating insights into the changing lives and times of Britains royal family.
... Read more

Reviews (1)

A must-read if you're interested in royalty
If you're fascinated by royalty, you need to read this classic book about the present Queen of England, Elizabeth II, and her late sister, Princess Margaret. Yes, it's an old book--but it's extremely well written, and everyone I know who's read it has been enchanted by it. Besides the intimate glimpses of the Windsors, it tells you a great deal about everyday life in Britain during World War II. The royal family suffered the same wartime privations that everyone else did. If you enjoyed "The 1940's House" series on PBS, you'll love this book. Incidentally, "The Little Princesses" was ghostwritten, and Marion Crawford was a governess, not a nanny. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Diana's love/hate relationship with the camera is evident from countless photos snatched by ruthless paparazzi. But Diana: Princess of Wales presents an adoring portrait of this widely admired and gentle woman. The book's 200-plus beautiful photographs chronicle Diana's life from early childhood through her somber funeral. The images range from a giggly schoolgirl to a still-playful mother to the perfect English rose celebrated in song.

Michael O'Mara, one of Britain's leading editors of books about the princess, chose his own favorite pictures for publication in this book, including those taken by Diana's father and by Patrick Demarchelier in the 1990s. Many of these photos were also Diana's favorites, taken with full permission. A donation from the sale of each copy will go to the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. --Gina Kaysen ... Read more

Reviews (6)

4 stars - for the pictures
This book is a memorial edition of a similar book these guys did of the Princess some time before her death. It has quite a few pictures that you'll rarely see elsewhere, probably because O'Mara is our pal Andrew Morton's publisher and they had worked with him and in effect used the Princess to get a hot seller.

Lovely
This is by far one of the best and most tasteful photographic remembrances for the late princess. The pictures, ranging from her childhood to her public duties as Princess of Wales, all show Diana as the real, beautiful, kind, wonderful, HUMAN person she was. You don't just see the public photographs of her, but also, as has been said in reviews before, personal photographs from her family albums. This is a fabulous book, and most definitely recommended!

This is a lovely tribute to the late princess.
O'Mara in his tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, uses pictures which were taken by her father, the late Earl Spencer for her years as a toddler, her childhood, and her youth. Naturally, he selects those which were her favorites. His photographic tribute begins with Diana as a toddler and goes through her untimely and tragic death. This tribute contains many photographs from her childhood and youth which I had never seen before.

In the forward, O'Mara writes: " I once wrote that Diana, Princess of Wales, was the most loved person in the world. Now that she has been tagically taken from us, I realise that my words were not strong enough. Diana was a treasure; not just a national treasure, for her light was too bright to shine in one country alone, but a treasure to be shared with the world. The unprecedented level of worldwide grief for her has shown that the people's princess had no equal and can never be replaced. ....

"In preparing this tribute to Diana I have been stuck by the warmth that beams out from the Diana in the pictures - beautiful? Naturally - but it is that straight-forward human warmth of her expression which leaves the lasting impression."

O'Mara has each picture tastefully arranged and captioned according to place, date, etc. This is truly a beautiful tribute to a beautiful, young princess who will live forever in our hearts.

This is a hardback book which measures 83/4x12 inches and contains 160 pages.

The true Princess Royal
I was lucky to go to the preauction showing of her gowns with my professor. This woman epitomizes what a 20th Century princess and Princess Royal should be. She is the true Once and Future Queen of England and Charles should be truly ashamed of himself and his selfish, immature behavior.

I think this is a very touching tribute to Diana.
I think this book is one of the best books I have ever seen! It was very informative, told the reader about her childhood, her years as a Princess, and her years of separation and finally divorce from Prince Charles. The pictures in the book are very beautiful. The pictures capture the warmth and compassion of a loving woman which the world will miss deeply. I highly recommend everyone to read this book! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Rules and Conducts for Leaders
Synopsis:
Nizam-Al-Mulk drew up a set of protocols for the governance of the empire called the Siyasat Nameh under Malek Shah. After administering the affairs as a vizier for Malek Shah for some thirty years Nizam-Al-Mulk was overthrown and impeached after he had rashly declared that his cap and ink-horn, the badges of his office, were connected by divine decree with the throne and diadem of the Sultan.
On Deliverance of Justice:
Justice is the most important virtue, and Nizam al-Mulk recommended the king hold court on two days of the week to hear complaints personally and redress wrongs so that oppressors would curb their activities from fear of punishment. Tax collectors should take only the amount due and with civility. Officers should be investigated secretly and if impropriety is found, they should be removed from office and be replaced by the learned and pious.
On Generosity:
A ruler should be generous in his acts. nothing is better than generosity, and kindness, and hospitality. Any peasant in need of oxen or seed should be given a loan to keep him viable. The story is told of how Sultan Mahmud, afraid that he was not handsome, was advised by Ahmad Ibn Hasan to take gold as his enemy so that men will regard him as their friend. Mahmud then became generous and charitable, and the whole world adored him.
On Knowledge and Wisdom:
Luqman the Wise noted that knowledge is better than wealth, because you have to take care of wealth, but knowledge takes care of you. Nizam al-Mulk believed that sound judgment is better for a king than having a powerful army. Nizam al-Mulk believed it was the perfection of wisdom not to become angry at all; but if one does become angry, intelligence should prevail over wrath. The wise have said that patience is good, but it is even better during success. Knowledge is good, but it is even better with skill. Wealth is good, but it is even better with gratitude and enjoyment.
On Armed Forces:
Nizam recommended having different races among the troops so that they would compete with each other to excel. He described Alp-Tegin's rise to power from a slave and page of the Samanids to a commander. He punished a page for taking hay and a chicken from a peasant without paying for it as he ordered. This made other soldiers afraid, and the peasants were safe. His justice led the citizens of Ghaznain to take Alp-Tegin as their king. Because the Samanids tried to destroy the worthy Alp-Tegin, they declined and were overcome by Alp-Tegin and his successor Sebuk-Tegin, who founded the Ghaznavid empire.
On Appointment of Ministers:
He wrote that two appointments should not be given to one man nor should one position be given to more than one person. He complained that many worthy people remain unemployed when some persons are given several positions each. He lamented that it used to be that those hired followed the Hanafi or Shafi'i teachings and were from Khurasan or Transoxiana; but now Taj al-Mulk wants to economize by reducing 400,000 men on the pay-roll to 70,000 in order to fill the treasury with gold. Nizam argued that a larger empire required more employees and that even more men would enable them to govern India too.
On Qualities of King
He believed the Sasanians fell from power because they entrusted important affairs to petty and ignorant officers and because they hated learned people. Thus instead of having wise officers, Buzurjmihr said he had to deal with incapable officers. Buzurjmihr Bakhtgan advised the king to banish the bad qualities from himself, which he listed as "hatred, envy, pride, anger, lust, greed, desire, spite, mendacity, avarice, ill temper, cruelty, selfishness, hastiness, ingratitude, and frivolity."The good qualities he should exercise are "modesty, good temper, clemency, forgiveness, humility, generosity, truthfulness, patience, gratitude, mercy, knowledge, intelligence, and justice."
Nizam cited the early caliph 'Umar's response to the last Sasanian king Yazdijurd Shahryar to show that the latter's empire was declining, because his court was crowded with complainers; his treasury was full of ill-gotten wealth; and his army was disobedient.
Conclusion:
Nizam told stories from history to show that a sick era replaces good times when a just king does away with evil-doers, has right judgments, and a vizier and officers of virtue; every task has the proper worker; heretics are put down, and the orthodox are raised up; tyrants are repressed; soldiers as well as peasants fear the king; the uneducated and base are not given positions; the inexperienced are not promoted; advice is sought from the intelligent and mature; men are selected for their skill, not because of their money; religion is not sold for worldly things; everything is ordered according to merit; thus all people have work according to their capability; and all things are regulated by justice and government by the grace of God.

Comparable with The Prince by Machiavelli
The book is comparable with Machiavelli`s book The Prince,
bye the exception it has short "stories" like the old testament.
The stories tells of good and bad deeds and what a ruler shall do to govern a country. It`s in a way "The art of war" by Sun Tzu concerning foreign ambassadors and representatives. It`s in a way concealing the stat of the government and to welcome them in a proper way when he crosses the border of the country.
It is very well chaperized and writen and i can see the Choran`s influenze since it was written around 1100 century.....in doing good deeds.....

But it`s a little bit expensive, i would have given 5 stars ìf the price was lower. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Facinating yet confusing
Stafford presents an facinating view of women in the early middle ages, presenting their power as well as limitations. However, the book is rather confusing when it comes to keeping track of who is who. The genealogical tables at the back of the book are less than helpful. Stafford asserts that a good part of the power of these women was based on family relations and connections, but this was difficult to follow. Still, the work does present some very interesting ideas and is worth reading.

A classic in medieval women's history
This book has been foundational in determining how we understand early medieval women's history and the role of marriage and marital politics in the period. I recommend it highly. ... Read more

Book Description

Founder of the Tudor dynasty, Henry VII was a crucial figure in English history. In this acclaimed study of the king`s life and reign, the distinguished historian S. B. Chrimes explores the circumstances surrounding Henry`s acquisition of the throne, examines the personnel and machinery of government, and surveys the king`s social, political, and economic policies, law enforcement, and foreign strategy. This edition of the book includes a new critical introduction and bibliographical updating by George Bernard. ... Read more

Book Description

The acclaimed author of The Princes in the Tower now brilliantly investigates another of Britain’s notorious unsolved mysteries: the murder of Lord Darnley, second husband of Mary, Queen of Scots.

Tall, handsome, accomplished, and charming, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, had it all, including a strong claim to the English throne, a fact that threatened the already insecure Elizabeth I. She therefore opposed any plan for Darnley to marry her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots, who herself claimed to be Queen of England. But in 1565 Mary met and fell in love with Darnley—and defied Elizabeth by marrying him. It was not long before she discovered that her new husband was weak and vicious, and interested only in securing sovereign power for himself.

On February 10, 1567, an explosion at his lodgings left Darnley dead. There were many who might have had a motive for murdering him, not least Mary herself. The intrigue thickened after it was discovered that apparently he had been suffocated before the blast. Emerging from the tragedy were more mysteries than any historian has ever satisfactorily solved.

Mary and Darnley’s marriage had been an adulterous disaster. After Darnley’s death, Mary showed favor to the powerful Earl of Bothwell, causing her enemies to accuse her of being his partner in both infidelity and murder. Mary insisted that the murder conspiracy had been aimed at her, and that she had escaped only by changing her plans at the last minute. It has even been suggested that Darnley himself had planned the explosion in order to kill her.

The murder of Darnley ultimately led to Mary’s ruin. After her deposition, there conveniently came to light a box of documents—the notorious Casket Letters—that her enemies claimed were proof of her guilt. But Mary was never allowed to see them, and they disappeared in 1584. The question of their authenticity has haunted historians ever since.

After exhaustive reexamination and reevaluation of the source material, Alison Weir has come up with a solution to this enduring mystery that can be substantiated by contemporary evidence, and in the process has shattered many of the misconceptions about Mary, Queen of Scots. Employing once more the bright writing and stunning characterizations that have made her a favorite writer of popular history, Weir has written one of her most engaging excursions into Britain’s bloodstained, power-obsessed past. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Another Fine Weir History
Mary, Queen of Scots and the Murder of Lord Darnley by Alison Weir is exactly what the title promises. That should not be a surprise but, as the book is almost six hundred pages long, it is a bit suprising. I was expecting much more tangential information to fill out the story but the author has kept the focus sharp and drives the narrative forward in a clean straight line. This is everything one will ever need to know about the murder of Lord Darnley and in that respect the book is entertaining, informative and will be a wonderful addition for all Alison Weir fans. The only caveat is that the book could have used a little more editing in spots, particularly where the author drives home her points repeatedly. This is not the best Tudor-period history book that Alison Weir has written , of which there are many and all are recommended highly, but is still much better than most out there.

Mary, Queen of Scots and the Murder of Lord Darnley
This book is very well written and has a strong voice behind it, but definitly puts the authenticity of the Casket Letters in a bad light. Overall the author did very thorough research for this book and it is packed with hundreds of details of everything from the murder to the Casket Letters. An interesting read.

Get it from the Library...
Alison Weir has often written books that sell rather widely. She is a decent writer, and upholds a strong narrative voice which - let's face it - many scholarly writers of history lack. Perhaps this is her greatest strength. It is a pity, however, that her facts are muddled and manipulated beyond recognition. Even pop history should make some attempt at accuracy beyond the well known details.
In the case of this book, Weir's research and knowledge of France is horribly lacking. Mary's childhood in France is very important to Weir's vision of Mary's adult characteristics - but at several points she makes embarrasingly incorrect statements or assumptions on both French royalty and French culture. To be frank, I felt like putting down the book after about 30 pages.
As for her analysis of the murder itself: It is clear that Weir is more comfortable with telling a story than with historical analysis. As I've mentioned above, she's a great writer, but I found nothing original or telling about her version of a rather well-known historical episode. Instead of giving the affair any historical importance, it is played out rather like a murder mystery.
In short, I have no problem with history as written by those not necissarily in the academic profession. Often these books bring more interest to the field than, let's say, Dr. Soandso from University X. On the other hand, it would perhaps bring more credability to non-academic historians if those like Weir were to truly research the context into which her historical snippit is placed.

Mary's revisited
I found this book excellent. Well researched and very clear in making the real killers appear from behind the shadows. I am very interested in this historic times and have read many new and old biographies of Mary (all of them in the research books mentioned by A. Weir) and they are not even close to be as interesting, dynamic and hard to put down as this book. I think that is difficult for us to appreciate the enormous task that a 20 year old young woman was put to endure, not only her kindom but the freedom of religion that we take for granted. She managed to be a Catholic in a country that was embracing the new religion and she managed to be fair with those whose faith was different than hers and at the same time she was able to reject the outside pressures, including that of the Pope, that wanted her to stop all oposition to her faith. This achievement alone is unparalleled at this time in history and she did it with great success. I think the author concurs with most present historians regarding Mary's inocence in the killing of her husband. Regarding David Rizzio's brother as one of the killers it seems far fetched but not impossible and for sure if he was involved he didn't do it alone.

Mary won't make the Mensa Chapter of Monarchs!
Mary Queen of Scots was a tragic figure in the history of
emerging Reformation Europe. The tall and beautiful queen was raised in the luxurious French court where she was wed for the
first time. As a Stuart and Scot she became Queen of that misty
Scottish land in which John Knox and a band of nobles were in the proces of turning the kingdom from Roman Catholic to Presbyterian.
Mary married often but without luck. Her second husband who was English and a cousin of the redoubtable Elizbeth one was Lord Darnley. He was brutally murdered by a group of nobles eager to murder the Catholic Darnley, confine Mary to domesticity and use the young son of Mary James VI as a pawn in which to wield power in Reformation Europe.
Unanswered is whether Mary assisted the plot? Did she conspire with her third husband Bothwell (who was undoubtedly involved in the gunpowder plot which catapulted Darnley to Kingdom Come?)
Are the casket letters containing incriminating letters from Mary to Bothwell and others geniune proving her participation in the murder plot? Historians are divided on this issue as Weir
makes clear.
She asserts that Mary was more sinned against and was innocent in the murder of Darnley. She asserts that Mary was raped and wed by Bothwell (who would die in madness in a Danish prison) in
a power play for to become King of Scotland and eventually even
England.
None of the characters are attractive personalities. Mary was often impetuous and foolish (e.g.-she fled Scotland for England where her putative friend in female thronedom Elizabeth had her promptly tried and imprisoned and finally executed!).
Darnley was a stupid fop eager for sex and play in the fields and in the parlors of Scotland. Bothwell was a brutal bully and womanizer who was a "rotter" of the first magnitude!
The book is long and often is quite dull. It takes a detailed knowledge of who was who in Scotland and Europe at the time. The cast of plotting, corrupt and sinister figures is vast and almost
impossible to keep straight as one reads.
I have read all of Alison Weir's books and she is a reuptable popular historian. However I would advise the Amazon reader to order the more lucid biography on Mary by Lady Antonia Fraser.
The book is well researched; Weir knows her subject well but
to the nonspecialist in the time and characters she has trouble keeping an American reader interested in whatever happens to the puppets who parade their sanguinary passiona in this six hundred page opus. ... Read more

Book Description

The first English biography of a man that has affected some of the most dramatic and historic events of the 20th century, Otto von Habsburg

Otto von Habsburg became the head of the Habsburg family at nine years old, three years after his father's exile and has spent the last eighty years as a dominant figure in European politics.Refusing to support Hitler, developing a close friendship with F.D. Roosevelt, and becoming a member of European Parliament, he's led quite a fascinating life. Today at ninty, he continues to be active, being one of the strongest advocates for a unified Europe.
... Read more

Reviews (2)

Typically (Good But Slanty) Brook-Shepherd
Brook-Shepherd's latest Habsburg effort is all him, colorful phrases and all. A large portion of the book actually summarizes much of the happenings in his previous works, THE LAST EMPRESS and THE LAST HABSBURG, though he manages (no doubt somewhat through new interviews with Otto as well as material he may have held back) enough new anecdotes to keep that material fresh for returning readers. He does tend as in his other works to interpret the words and behaviors of Habsburg "enemies" in an extremely unflattering light, whether these were overt and obvious or not. The relatively smaller amount of space devoted to them here ends up sharpening the somewhat villainous characterizations. This once again betrays bias on behalf of the Habsburg family, that B-S himself finally admits to here, at least. I am speaking mainly of Admiral Horthy and Kurt Schuschnigg, who at crucial junctures in post WW I Hungarian and Austrian history, did not step aside in the face of de facto restoration attempts by Otto's father and himself, respectively. Objective histories of these interwar countries, as well as Kurt Schuschnigg's THE BRUTAL TAKEOVER and Horthy's MEMOIRS ("ERINNERUNGEN") would give the reader, at a minimum, a more balanced picture of the difficulties and (sometimes conflicting) motivations faced by these men.

The last part of the book deals with Otto's Pan-Europeanism as well as the ups and downs of his family life and his children's personal and political fortunes. Combined with his efforts earlier, it makes an interesting and convincing case that Otto genuinely is and always was concerned with Europe's well-being in general, and that of his father's former subjects in particular, with recovering the Habsburg crowns a secondary concern.

Brook-Shepherd continues the annoying habit of holding back more info on interesting tidbits that need expounding upon. Two examples from this book are Horthy's insistence on seeing Otto while on his deathbed after WW II, and a visit from Austro-Fascist strongman Prince Starhemberg while in exile to discuss restoration possibilities. One if not both of these incidents were tantalizingly mentioned in footnote in THE LAST EMPRESS, but just as briefly mentioned here. My suspicion continues that these are deliberately not more fully discussed because the details would conflict with other, more speculative parts of the text.

These considerations aside, though--overall, UE is very enjoyable. For the Austrian history buff who craves information about the fallen dynasty after their thrones were lost, Brook-Shepherd remains the only game in town. Fortunately, he doesn't abuse the monopoly. As usual, he delivers a book that due to its style is a very breezy, informative, and sometimes emotional read.

Born to Be Emperor
This is a fine biography of a man who, but for a World War, might have been an Emperor and King. Otto von Hapsburg, born in 1912,was the son of the last Emperor of Austria-Hungary. His parents were overthrown in late 1918 and young Otto, whose own memories of his childhood are astonishingly vivid, began a life of exile.

Otto had every right to be bitter over the hand fate dealt him, but we see very little of such an emotion in his life. Instead, we see a man whose dedication to Austria and Hungary (and later to all of Europe) never wavered. He stood by his homelands and was their most fervent advocate even in the dark days of World War II and the Cold War. He was ambitious yet honorable, as we see repeatedly when he refused to have anything to do with Hitler, for example.

Otto's most important contributions came towards the end of his life, when he became one of the first members of the European Parliament. For twenty years he was a steadfast advocate of greater European unity, but within a setting in which tradition, custom, and above all established religion were not ignored. He was also a devoted family man, marrying rather late in life and fathering a large brood of children.

So although Otto von Hapsburg did not achieve the status he was born to, he nevertheless made a positive contribution to the world, something his ancestors, many of whom held more power but had far less stature, would certainly be proud of. ... Read more

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Reviews (18)

more of a history of the times than a biography of the Queen
While Carolly Erickson does a commendable job in addressing the topics of the time she spends more time on the associates of Queen Mary then with the Queen herself. Perhaps this is because of the lack of information on the Queen's early years but perhaps a more scholarly assessment of her reign and how it affected England in the long term would contribute more to the success of the book. Erickson does a very good job in presenting an unbiased view of the woman who has been degraded in 350 years of English Protestant Literature. While Mary did have her strong religious convictions that did bring many to the stake she was not a "bloody" tyrant as the Protestants would like her to be remembered. Her successor Elizabeth deserves this title more than this great Queen. Erickson however does not write enough on two famous executions during her reign, those of Lady Jane Grey and Archbishop Cranmer. It seems that these 2 proponents of the Protestant cause deserved more then the passing reference to their exections. On the whole, the book was extremely entertaning and well written. Erickson has a way to capture her audience and evoke both pathos and awe for the only Catholic Queen of England.

Good Biography of Tragic Life
In Carolly Erickson's "Bloody Mary", the life of Mary Tudor, the author provides an in-depth analysis of a monarch much maligned in her own -- and our -- time. From her early years as Henry VIII's cherished daughter, to his rejection of her and her mother (Catherine of Aragon), to the parade of wives Henry used and abused, Erickson paints a vivid picture of English court life during the mid-1500s. Sometimes, the picture is too vivid and the digressions from the main story of Mary and her trials and tribulations are too extensive. By the time Mary miraculously becomes queen in 1553, the reader is exhausted; the author also seems to have run out of steam, and all the painstaking research and background give way to an almost cursory examination of Mary's brief reign. The book also stresses Mary's Catholic piety a little too much, perhaps as a justification of the persecution of Protestants that earned her the nickname of "Bloody". On the good side, Erickson makes Mary a real person -- a very troubled real person; on the slightly negative side, Mary gets lost in the details provided on the court, the machinations, and the politics of the age. You'll need a lot of time and patience to finish this book, but the reward is an excellent interpretation of a woman who paved the way for her much more popular sister: Elizabeth I.

A Biography that Answers Many Questions
I found this book extremely interesting and absorbing to the point where I did not want to put it down. I would recommend it to anyone who, like me, wanted to find out what the foundations were of Mary Tudor's policies and also what she was really like as a person. The detail is so great that one learns even what her voice sounded like. It is as though Mary were alive again and not a figure from the 16th century. As some other reviewers have noted here somewhat critically, the book spends a lot of time discussing Mary's life before her accession to the throne. To me, this is to its' credit as an understanding of the forces, personalities and occurrences in Mary's early life are ESSENTIAL to answering questions about Mary's policies and actions as queen. I enjoyed Carolly's writing style. She is able to convey the complex interweaving of people and events in Mary's time in a manner that is easy to understand and follow along. Highly recommended, as is "Great Harry" also written by Carolly which I am reading now.

Boody Mary
After years of failed pregnancies and infant deaths, a daughter was born to Henry III and Katherine of England.She was the first female child in England's history to be given the throne as a birthright.But it would be a life of strife and emotional turmoil for Mary Tudor. After being declared a bastard for the sake of her father's notorious romances and being prosecuted for her religion, Mary gradually makes her way past all the hardships only to face a new set of challenges.

I thought this book was smart, albeit rather dull. I would reccommend this book only to readers who find this subject interesting and who have a large vocabulary. This book won't pull you in, you have to walk. In comparision to other books, this book is really quite eloquent and shows the intensity of Mary's struggle to keep her principles, yet to remain loyal to her father.

Biased Interpretation of the History
Queen Mary's life has been a craddle of loneliness, failure, hopelessness, tumult, lost hopes and sorrow... And the book represents it all in a very true historical context... However, the writer seems to have lost her objectivity during the process of research... The person she portrays is not the hated and incompetent ruler the history proved her to be... Instead, Erickson's Bloody Mary is rather a misunderstood "good leader" which is not in compliance with the reality... ... Read more

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A Book About Things
This book is not for everyone. If you wish to understand, as I did, the politics and economics of the era, you will be disappointed. You will learn more about George's amours and clothing than you ever wanted to know.

Talent and privilege gone to waste
George IV has always fascinated me as one of those monarchs who both impress and disgust. He was born George Prince of Wales eldest son of King George III and Queen Charlotte of England. to a world which offered all possible luxury and inherited a country which looked up to its royalty, yet poor george was to die for the most part despised. Mr. Parissien writes a sensitive and readable biography which shows both the causes and results this king's life. Realtionship with his parents were always strained and lacking in complete love or affection. No wonder George was only too eager to enjoy his power as regent when his old father the king was pronounced mad. Geroge's spending habits were phenominal, he would only have the very best no matter what it cost the country. Yet George was respected and loved by those in the arts especially admired by the architects of his time. One only has to look at the enterior of Carlton House or the Brighton Pavillion to realise this man's astetic sense. George's marriage was a disaster and events leading up to his niece Victoria becoming queen was nothing short of a miracle. A true caricature of his own self he gave his name to an era where good taste went hand in hand with infidelity and corruption. A highly readable book with some excellent illustrations. ... Read more

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No one in history had a more eventful career in matrimony than Henry VIII. His marriages were daring and tumultuous, and made instant legends of six very different women. In this remarkable study, David Starkey argues that the king was not a depraved philanderer but someone seeking happiness -- and a son. Knowingly or not, he elevateda group of women to extraordinary heights and changed the way a nation was governed.

Six Wives is a masterful work of history that intimately examines the rituals of diplomacy, marriage, pregnancy, and religion that were part of daily life for women at the Tudor Court. Weaving new facts and fresh interpretations into a spellbinding account of the emotional drama surrounding Henry's six marriages, David Starkey reveals the central role that the queens played in determining policy. With an equally keen eye for romantic and political intrigue, he brilliantly recaptures the story of Henry's wives and the England they ruled. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

drama, intrigue, betrayal, love, politics -- it's all here!
I first encountered author David Starkey through his "Six Wives of Henry VIII" documentary on PBS (based on this book). The documentary is informative and very entertaining -- Starkey has a gift of bringing history to life and making it fun, with his interesting anecdotes about the characters and humanizing these events. That gift is also evident in this book.

This book, upon which the documentary is based, goes into much more detail than the documentary, of course. I only read the first two chapters (which make up 80% of the book): the chapters on Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. Henry's other four wives are, of course, interesting in their own right but let's face it -- Catherine and Anne are where the real drama unfolded.

I also commend Mr. Starkey for his lack of demonstrating any bias. It is impossible to tell from his writings whether he sympathizes more with one character than another.

I particularly recommend this book if you're interested in learning how the Reformation came about (I also recommend Hillaire Belloc's "How the Reformation Happened.") Sadly, the reader realizes that, rather than being borne out of a sincere, pious desire to reform the Church, the Reformation seems to have been born out of political power struggles and desire for financial gain, instead. The book is not really just a study for six women but rather a love triangle (or "power" triangle) which altered the course of history.

A fascinating read -- a highly recommend it!!!

six wives
A wonderful book dedicated to the lives of the six Queens of Henry VIII. The majority of the book focuses on the first two wives, Catherine of Aragon, and Anne Boleyn. The reader will really connect with each of the Queens and the ups and downs they went through in royal life. David Starkey is incredibly knowledgable on this subject, and puts it all in this book for anyone who is interested to read. ... Read more

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Incredibly Researched
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.

Interesting history
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.

Good History
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.

3.7 stars; a provisional grade
Munro Price's history of how Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette confronted the French Revolution comes at a less than propitious time. In a month from now, we will see Timothy Tackett's book on the Flight to Varennes. Tackett's previous books have been known for their thorough and exhaustive research, and his newest book may be a stark contrast to Price's which, as we will soon see, is comparatively under-researched. Nevertheless this book does have something of considerable value. It has been known that the royal couple were less than thrilled with the Constitution of 1791 and were trying to deal with foreign powers which France was at war with. But what were their real plans? Price's book offers some real answers.

The answers are convincing because they are not ones that Price is fully comfortable with. Price's colleague and occasional co-writer, John Hardman, has been the most pro-Louis historian for a couple of generations, even in one book comparing Louis to a saint. It is well known that Louis' last pre July 14 prime minister, the Baron de Breteuil was given special powers to talk to other foreign powers. (His letter of authority from the king, was forged, but Price reasonably argues that the Queen was just forcing the pace on her indecisive husband. The letter would not have worked if it did not represent Louis' views, and the plans for the Flight of Varennes could not have occurred without his knowledge and support.) But what were Louis XVI and Breteuil planning for France during the Flight to Varennes and the war with Europe? On at least two occasions the royal couple destroyed valuable documentation, while Breteuil was careful to leave as little information as possible. However with some diligence Price tracked down the papers of an ally of Breteuil, the Marquis de Bomballes, and found out what the royalists were planning. The result is devastating to Louis XVI's reputation.

Recently several scholars, most noticeably Keith Baker, have argued that by refusing a bicameral legislature in 1789, the National Assembly paved the way to totalitarianism and rejected reasonable compromise. It is clear from Bomballes' papers that the king had no interest in such a legislature. Royalists rejected it in 1789, and he and Breteuil rejected it several times in 1791-92. Louis had no interest in the Constitution of 1791, which he had swore to uphold, or using its mechanisms for amending it. He did not wish to go back to the National Assembly, but to the Estates General, giving the Nobles and the Clergy certain powers of veto. He did not plan to compromise with the Assemblies, but seek to use either his own troops to overwhelm them, or use the victory of foreign troops to get what he wanted. Although often unable to make a decision, these were his basic principles, pushed and prodded on by his wife.

This is the most valuable part of the book, and there are descriptions of the Flight of Varennes, the events of August 10 and the battle of Valmy that readers will find interesting. There are also interesting accounts of the royalist players, such as Breteuil's libidinous activities, and his daughter's affairs with an emigre bishop. I have some reservations about the book. (1) There are not that many new sources outside of the Bomballes papers, giving the book a somewhat padded feeling. (2) Certain counter-revolutionary activities could use more detail. There is only a brief mention of the affair of the Marquis de Favras, though Barry Shapiro in his book "Revolutionary Justice" points out that this was a major conspiracy which compromised the king's brother, Monsieur, later Louis XVIII. Price also briefly mentions a plan involving Danton to buy the royal family's freedom, which I would have liked to hear more about. (3) There is a somewhat indulgent tone about the royal couple, as Price tries to refute the idea that they were a pair of nitwits. This is not very convincing, especially since Price believes that Louis did not realize that ejaculation was a necessary condition for conception, while Marie Antoinette's suggestions were almost always unhelpful. At one point, in writing about the royal couple's last meeting before Louis was sent to a scaffold, Price sentimentally says that the two had found a kind of love, though he has elsewhere said that the Queen was sleeping with the Swedish aristocrat Fersen. (4) On certain points, like the royal couple's failure to conceive, or Breteuil's attitude towards Necker, Price relies on limited and self-serving sources. (5) Likewise he is not very acute on revolutionary "paranoia," particularly when he has shown that the republicans were right; the royal couple were traitors, and their treason implicated everyone who tried to deal with them in good faith. (6) Price has the odd tendency to claim that the king could have succeeded if he had just been decisive enough to call on the army. This is an odd argument, because every time it was considered the soldiers showed signs of mutiny and general untrustworthiness, whether it was at the fall of the Bastille, the Flight to Varennes, August 10, 1792, Lafayette's attempted coup, or Dumoriez's treason. And this was before they knew Louis' full plans. (6) Finally this is a history of a select group of individuals. We learn nothing about monarchist ideology or the royalist press, and we learn nothing about why the king never tried to mobilize public opinion on his side. The contrast with Britain, as seen in Linda Colley's "Britons", is rather striking. ... Read more

Book Description

A lavish celebration of Britain’s most beloved Royal, offering a fascinating look at the events of 20th-century Britain as well as an endearing portrait of the Queen Mother herself. Featuring 200 photographs. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A photo portrait of Britain's most beloved Royal
This new edition of Elizabeth: The Queen Mother, a classic biography which provides a photo portrait of Britain's most beloved Royal, and which blends in a history of modern Britain in the process, provides a new text and new photos bringing her life into to modern times, and covers her recent death as well. Fans of the British Royalty in general, and the Royal Queen of Britain in particular, will relish this display and history.

Great subject, mediocre verbiage
Elizabeth The Queen Mother by Grania Forbes offers an array of photographs that are fun, but the writing is wretched. The author is one of these writers who begins every third sentence with However. And that gets reallytedious, a sign of an insecure and inept writer. While there are some finephotos which cover, naturally, the entire 20th century (the subject wasborn in 1900 and still lives!) their chronology in this book is immenselyflawed, as if seemingly by a mixmaster. You are led to believe it'schronological, then you are fooled to the point of aggravation. ... Read more

Book Description

Charles the Bold (1467-1477) was the last of the great Dukes of Burgundy.This historical and biographical work assesses his personality and his role as a ruler, and discusses his relationship with his subjects and his neighbours.It describes and analyses his policies, giving particular attention to his imperial plans and projects and his clash with the Swiss. The armies, the court and Burgundian clients and partisans are given separate treatment. ... Read more

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Fantastic Work available again at last! My fav in the series
Vaughan's series of books on Valois Burgundy have long been a staple for anyone interested Burgundian history and culture. After a long stretch of being out of print, and very difficult to find, these new editions are sure to be welcomed by many historians. Added to Vaughan's work is a fantastic new introduction written for the 2002 edition by Malcolm Vale (another historian I would readily recommend).
While these works may be older, and more recent work has been done on Burgundy, Vaughan's scholarship is still first-rate. A must for the bookshelf of anyone interested in Valois Burgundy, or Northern Europe in the late 14th and 15th centuries. ... Read more