2 comments about King Charles II.

1. This is what popular historical writing is all about - a readable, knowledgeable, enjoyable book. Fraser provides a superb introduction to the varied life and dramatic times of king Charles II. Her background information is clear and reliably accurate, she provides a great deal of insight into the person of this most personable of kings, and her bibliography is a launching place for further explorations. One could only wish to be able to submit a list of suggestions for new books...



2. antonia fraser does full justice to the topic so that you come away with a new clear and unbiased picture of a very approachable english king she uses exelant language and has a skill to keep her reader interested this book is well worth the read antonia frazer does an amazing job as usual

3 comments about Eleanor of Aquitaine: Queen of the Troubadours.

1. Jean Markale, a controversial French author retired to Celtic Brittany, has a background in writing about ancient, iconic feminine qualities. Markale's earlier titles suggest how he might approach Eleanor of Aquitaine. He had already written: 'Women of the Celts' (1987), 'The Great Goddess: Reverence of the Divine Feminine from the Paleolithic to the Present' (1999), and 'Cathedral of the Black Madonna: The Druids and the Mysteries of Chartres' (2004).
   
   Regarding those mysteries of Chartres with its womb-like labyrinth and Black Madonna, Queen Blanche of Castile encouraged the funding-drive for Chartres' new cathedral: she also donated windows. Blanche was a grand-daughter of Eleanor of Aquitaine whom the old queen personally selected and escorted across the Pyrenees to marry the heir to France. Young Blanche (12) and Eleanor (78) travelled north together from Burgos to Poitou in the spring of 1200. Months in private company with Eleanor must have helped to form and harden young Blanche's character. Markale knows the royal family lines through many centuries, and one suspects that he had been closing in on Eleanor as a subject for years before he wrote this book.
   
   In her time Eleanor of Aquitaine embodied, and knew that she embodied, iconic feminine qualities (the 'feminine ideal'?) that Markale treats in 'Eleanor of Aquitaine: Queen of the Troubadours'. Modern society celebrated these qualities in, say, Jackie Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana. And Eleanor? In his third section, Markale shows how a troubadour press corps amplified Eleanor's persona. Here, with her coterie of troubadours, comes the twelfth century's "great goddess" and "reverence of the divine feminine." Markale may be controversial, but not necessarily wrong. He is entertaining and he captures the labyrinthine spiritual complexities of Eleanor's times.
   
   Robert Fripp,
   Author, Power of a Woman. Memoirs of...Eleanor of Aquitaine
   
   P.S.: Why did Markale's English-language publisher use an image of a woman clad in fashions of the early 1500s to adorn the cover of this book? The illustration (she may be Eleanor of Spain) does nothing for a fine book.



2. Eleanor of Aquitaine has been noted for her political achievements - yet here the focus is on her spiritual influence, nature and side, which considers her as a figure restoring a feminine face to medieval religious life, representing female power and leadership. Collections strong in medieval studies, both at the high school and college level, will find this a different kind of biographical coverage which examines the spiritual representation of Eleanor of Aquitaine.



3. Jean Markale presents us with a very in depth look at Eleanor of Aquitaine, mother of King Richard the Lionhearted and King John and wife to both the King of France, Louis VII and the King of England, Henry II.
   
   The book is in three parts. The first part of the book is an in depth biography of the Queen, from her early youth thru her death. For those who would not be familiar with Eleanor, this section of the book is a must read. Mr. Markale does a wonderful job of making this a most interesting read, including all the references and all the stories that make this woman one of the most interesting historical figures of the time.
   
   The second part of the book takes a look at the instance of her divorce from Louis VII of France. While there is much speculated about this, it is the single most important piece of history at the time. It set the stage for the events that followed.
   
   There is much discussion here about what the duties of a Queen were at the time. The discussion follows the concept of "courtly love" or "fine amor" and also discusses the "indiscretions" that were alleged of Eleanor. There is evidence presented that there may have been many things going on at the courts at that time, and there is evidence to suggest that Eleanor was not only aware of it, but that she played it to her advantage. She was a maker of history, not just an observer.
   
   The final part of the book looks at the phenomenon of the Troubadours of the time, and how they played an important role in not only creating the literature and developing the culture of that time, but also how they played a part in communication and how they were responsible for the myths that were developed. There is some very interesting discussion of how one story of Tristan and Iseult becomes the story of Arthur and Guinevere. And how all these stories are most likely about Eleanor herself, or at least inspired by her.
   
   For the history alone this book is worth the read. Jean Markale is a wonderful weaver of story and history, and his style never bores. It is a credit to John Graham, the translator, that the material is kept as Mr. Markale intended; to weave the story, to look at the plots, subplots and court intrigues and yet still be interesting and involving the reader in the thoughts, the plot twists and assisting the reader to understand the conclusions that Mr. Markale draws. The last part, on the Troubadours, is an added bonus to the book looking at yet another aspect of the history at that time. It plays an important role as to how we see Eleanor today.
   
   If you are into medieval history at all, you will not want to pass up this book and it's valuable content. Eleanor is a singular figure causes history to change at this point in time and her impact cannot be ignored. And the presentation by Mr. Markale is just the vehicle you need to make it interesting and enjoyable to read. medievalcrusadesbabe

3 comments about Churchill and Chartwell: The Untold Story.

1. Mr. Buczacki provides a nice, well-written history of the various houses and gardens directly associated with the long life of Winston Churchill. In doing so, the author also reveals important elements of the non-political side of this most remarkable man.
   
   Many general histories of Churchill speak in passing of the domestic trials imposed after the purchase of the family's most important home, Chartwell. Reading this book gives one a keen understanding of what Mrs. Churchill endured as Chartwell and its grounds were slowly, slowly brought into good shape.
   
   If you have a friend who is interested in English landscaping and gardens, this is a book to consider. If that friend also is an admirer of Sir Winston, then it is a must purchase.



2. a great book one of the must have for any churchill library . great anecdotes good pictures .recommended by the churchill society



3. I am a huge fan of Winston Churchill (I'm even tackling Martin Gilbert's eight volume biography at the moment!). Since WSC loved Chartwell so much, and spent so much of his time there, I come to this subject with some interest. My wife visited Chartwell a couple of years ago -- what a treat. That experience only heightened my interest and great appreciation for the house and its history. Leaving no stone unturned, this book provides a complete (if sometimes a bit dry) history of the house. It also has some great photos of the house at various points in history. If you want to know nearly everything about this ancient, though modern, house and home to WSC then this is the book for you.

1 comments about Charles I.

1. A readable and balanced portrayal of Charles, showing his virtues as well as his faults. Charles was the wrong man for his circumstances, but not totally evil or inept at everything. He learned the wrong lessons from his life experiences, and in the end his private virtues such as loyalty to his servants meant he could not compromise when it was necessary. This biography gives good insight into Charles and what went wrong.

5 comments about O Come Ye Back to Ireland: Our First Year in the County Clare.

1. When I traveled to Ireland two years ago and felt like I'd "come home" from the beautiful scenery (I never knew there could be *that* many shades of green) to the friendly people, to the rather mystical appearance of a Dolmen-shaped cloud in the sky just after we had viewed Dolmen in north County Clare, the experience was one I will not only never forget but hope to repeat sometime soon. During this time it was County Clare which spoke to me most of all.

   Niall Williams, born in Dublin and Christine Breen, from New York, have left their Manhattan home to move to County Clare and into the cottage where Chris's grandfather was born. The struggles and triumphs of their first year are engagingly told in this wonderful little book. I was able to be transported back to the rural west of Ireland I learned to love in just a few short days.

   In leaving their jobs and friends in Manhattan, Niall and Chris took a very big risk. To go to a place with no central heating, a telephone out of the early 20th C., and to one of the wettest summers on record took real courage. They quickly fit right in with their neighbors and by the time they host a New Years Eve party they are definitely one of "them."

   If you're an armchair traveler, someone who's visited the Emerald Isle, or just hope to someday, this is a story to cherish. I have also now read their book of travel essays and am awaiting arrival of their other two books which I have recently ordered.

   Although I am too old to do what Niall and Chris have done, it's great to live vicariously through them! Well done!




2. I am planning a trip to Ireland and always enjoy reading some books set in the place I am visiting. This story of a couple who moves to Ireland definitely gave a feel for the place. Both the material poverty but social richness.



3. Before I knew it, I was done with this book and on-line ordering all three of Niall Williams' next books. Rather than just another quaint book about "the Irish", this book weaves a funny and entertaining story of two Americans trying to fit-in in rural west Ireland. From learning the customs to waiting to get a party-line phone, there was a smile on every page.



4. This book was interesting as I am married to an Irish woman and we travel to Ireland often. The descriptions of everyday life in Ireland are grand and are usually explained as compared to life in the states. It's not a very humourous book, but worth resding if you long for Ireland.



5. Easy read, entertaining and educated me about what County Clare was like a few decades ago. Took place in the area my grandmother came from so was especially interesting to me. On a recent trip to Ireland, I met one of the authors, Christine Breen. She gave us a tour of Kiltumper Cottage which was center stage of the story. Fascinating lady. And such a treat to see the cottage I read about! Highly recommend this book!!

1 comments about King Edward II: Edward of Caernarfon His Life, His Reign, and Its Aftermath 1284-1330.

1. Roy Martin Haines is a life member Clare Hall, Cambridge University, a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, and the author of numerous scholarly works concerning British history. In King Edward II: His Life, His Reign, And Its Aftermath, 1284-1330, Haines presents a scholarly, exhaustive, painstakingly researched, in-depth, and authoritative account of the days and rule of Edward of Caernarfon (1284-1327). King Edward II inherited a war with Scotland, yet his lack of skill in the art of war would eventually precipitate Scotland's independence. Ultimately, Edward would also become the first anointed king of England to be dethroned since Ethelred in 1013. King Edward II is an informed, informative, and very highly recommended contribution to personal and academic British History & Biography reference collections.

1 comments about Mary Tudor: The Spanish Tudor.

1. you won't find a "bloody Mary" here because this book deals with the relations between Spain and England during the 1500's. Mary was the daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon.Seeing as Spain and England would go to war on numerous occasions culminating in the Spanish Armada defeat in 1588,Queen Mary's selection of a husband from Spanish royalty,seems like it would have been very unpopular in 1554. And indeed it was,one has to wonder if the objection of the English to Phillip of Spain had less to do with his Catholicism and more to do with his suspected Spanish sympathies.Sometimes a royal marriage between 2 rival nations can unite,but in this case it aggravated the rivalry.In this book the burnings and religious persecutions are downplayed deliberately to focus on the political rivalries between France,England, and Spain and about a dozen or more other countries. Indeed it is hard to keep track here.Still though it must have given Mary,secret delight to see Archbishop Cranmer burned however because he was the main prosecutor of Mary's mother,Catherine of Aragon and Cranmer sent her packing in humiliation.Headstrong Mary or "Bloody Mary" as she is known made in retrospect an unwise marriage in the Spanish union,and when you're the head of a nation,that can be a disaster.being the child of Queen Catharine of Aragon(of Spain),Mary saw her reign as a vindication of her mother and her catholic faith.All this at atime when England was becoming a world power and the main competitor was Catholic Spain.This book seems to see Mary's reign as a brief step backward and the Queens inability to govern because of infighting over numerous issues of religion and politics.It would take the reign of elizabeth 1 ,Mary's half sister to finally get england moving again.Other books however have been written that stress Mary's achievements,but this book focuses mainly on the Spanish/English conflict over European hegemony.As Oscar Wilde said,"people who have to go back to their childhood as the reason for their problems are boring"but in Mary Tudor's case this quote would not apply. The first 1/2 of this book is pretty much devoted to Mary's traumatic childhood where she is exposed to huge amounts of cruelty from her father and his cohorts.Her mother and her religion were Mary's only balm.when she became queen by accident,the results were not surprising.with Ann boleyn's title of "the great whore" and Mary tudor's "Bloody Mary",how is it everyone but henry the eigth gets a bad nickname yet he himself doesn't.At least Henry the Alehound maybe.Seems he was even bloodier than his daughter,sending people to the block on a whim,and his reputation even more tarnished than Ann Boleyn's could ever have been."Great Harry"!I don't think the author even hints the title.

No comments about Dante (Blackwell Guides to Literature).

5 comments about A Drink with Shane MacGowan.

1. This book was a major disappointment for me, I write annoyingly. It seems the "author" had a deadline to meet and threw this trash together at the last minute, I write this time frustratingly. If you like reading an adverb at the end of every sentence this is the book for you. The author has an amazing subject to work with here and chooses to simply mail it in. I can't believe the publisher let her get away with this. If I ever meet this author I will ask for my money back quickly. I teach third grade and most of my students write better than this garbage. I wish I never bought it, I end this review disappointedly.



2. I love all things pogues/Shane, but this was rather dull. i would recommend it if i could get it at the library.



3. "A Drink with Shane MacGowan" is just that. It's a series of Shane MacGowan interviews by his closest companion, girlfriend/wife of over 14 years, Victoria Mary Clarke. Arranged like a play, in 8 acts, Clarke goes into the depths of the mind of the former singer and leading force of the Pogues, Shane MacGowan over various discussions.
   
   The book is a great read that takes you back to his childhood in Tipperary, Ireland, thru his teenage years in London and on the road as the singer of the Nipps and of the Pogues.
   
   Shane MacGowan is a great read because he is honest about his opinions and himself. He doesn't try to please people in this book. He talks about his life from his point of view.
   
   I found many hilarious anecdotes throughout the book such when he recalled Lisa Stansfield breaking his nose and how the Pogues lovely bassist, Cait O'Riordan knocked Matt Dillon down a flight of stairs during the shooting of a the video "Christmas in New York."
   
   The book doesn't talk enough about the songs he wrote. Early in the book, there's a wonderful passage where he discusses the lyrics to "The Dunes."
   
   At times, MacGowan goes off on tangents that aren't clear. But these are mainly sections where he attempts to make a distinction between traditional Irish instruments and replaced instruments (such as the accordian).
   
   MacGowan has a very comical side in his psyche in the form of contradictions. At times, he'll come off as crass, invigorated by the very thought of violence, yet at the same time, intensely religious, but in a "Taoist/Roman Catholic" sense.
   
   He really sheds a lot of light on his proud Irish heritage and made me reflect on my own Irishness proudly.
   
   MacGowan's most interesting sequence in the book came from his contempt of the music industry. At one point he discussed about how pop hits were mundane and boring and blamed that because those with the power like mundane and boring music. To further illustrate his point, he compared a mundane and boring pop song to a mundane and boring murder.
   
   That particular sequence I found hilarious. It also says something to me when it only took me three days to read this 358 page book. With a very bad flu mind you.
   
   Anyway, if you have no one to go to a pub with. Go to the pub anyway, order lagers and read this book. Its company is as good as any great drinking moments with your best friends.
   
   
   Do not read this literally. I mean, he was and may still very well be a drug addict despite his denials. I think some of his "expertise" should be read more humorously such as when he repeatedly emphasizes that "Brandy" is the worst of all drugs.



4. I love the Pogues. I love to read about music. I love to read about the creative process, especially from songwriters. And I consider Shane MacGowan to be a brilliant songwriter. This book, however, is a stream of drunken conversations about his life, his opinions, explanations that he's not really that much of a racist, bragging about his ability to bed fans, etc. The main problem, though, is that his songs boil down his experiences to the essentials, giving brilliant snapshots of certain times, places and characters. These rambling, unedited accounts almost seem like an attempt to give merit to his detractors that say he's not much more than a mouthy drunk. The DVD "If I Should Fall..." balances the two very well. This doesn't even try.



5. I was so looking forward to reading this, however Victoria Mary Clarke (hereafter VMC) chose this to be her sounding board on her self importance. Practically every chapter had some form of self praise "Victoria nodded attractively" "Victoria shook a prada cladded foot" "Victoria nibbled a digestive biscuit attractively" (not word for word quotes)
   
   What should have been a riot of a read was sullied by an amateur shot of VMC trying to grab the limelight
   
   Terrible

5 comments about Almost There.

1. I love this book. While her first, Are you Somebody, was so full of darkness, this is full of hope. It is a book about redemption. She is not there yet, but almost there. She writes BEAUTIFULLY. A real wordsmith. The way she writes alone makes it worthwhile. I am in my 30s and male, and I found that I could relate to the themes she raises. They really are universal.



2. Yes, ma'am, this `analyze my life and then tell-all' book seems like the sort of fare on which Oprah could chew for several shows. It was ready-made for her book club and would have instantly been embraced by her angst-loving fan base, but somehow it stayed outside that sort of recognition. But that's not a cheap shot, I mean it, this is a book for those who like the sort of reading material common in Oprah's book club. So Oprah readers, go get this!
   
   I don't know if I was supposed to, exactly, but I found this book gloomy, and mostly only liked the rare parts where Irish Times writer Nuala O'Faolain wasn't speaking so personally. Her reports on the state of Northern Ireland, her experiences in America (page 195, " 'America' was always the word for promise." Boy have I ever heard that before...) the compare and contrast moments that dealt with Ireland in relation to other places she's been, these were a lot more likely to hold my interest, I found, than her oft-murky forays into her own allegedly bleak childhood, her controversial romantic life, or her stark realizations at her own failings, failures, and foibles.
   
   Still there's something endearing about a woman whose best mate is her dog, Molly, and whose singlemost passion in life seems to be her readiness to delve into self-deprecation as if it is also her salvation.
   
   I don't regret reading Almost There, but I don't plan on seeking out any of Nuala O'Faolain's other published books, either.



3. I could really relate to her life's reflections in relation to her own personal experiences as well as her perspective on universal family situations. Nuala's frank proclamation revealing her loneliness was quite powerful. The fact that she read this book on CD herself with wit and prose makes me want others to listen to her gift of gab.



4. first off i want to say i shouldn't complain too much as i bought an autographed hard copy of this book for just $1.00 . Thank God for small favors . to begin with i really was enjoying this book in the beginning and too quick to imagine myself buying her first memoir .
   
   what bothered me the most was her having an illicit affair with a man who even she described as not being educated, nor really a " looker " . yet time and again she would drive miles, hours, and pay for their trysts .
   he'd bring hard candy ....lol.
   like, didn't she wonder why she never heard nor saw this gink on holidays such as xmas . not even a card ? I think she knew in her deepest being. she's just the type of woman for some reason needs to be exploited as that's all she feels she truly deserves . it was sickening .
   
   she's lucky to have found someone who cares . but, i didn't give a damn about her during this entire fiasco of a book . she saw the inside of more motels then " the gideon bible " .
   
   my advice to her ...go back to column writing . she ought be ashamed to have her siblings read this as well as everybody else .
   
   i don't believe in bookburning ..but, i'm tempted .



5. This is my first book by this author and thus have nothing else to compare this memoir to. My first impression was her honesty, with herself and with others: her alcoholic mother, her own drinking (a bottle of wine a night), her relationship failures both with men and women, and her regrets in life. Had she been an American publishing this book it would have been a sensation, but alas, because she is Irish and Catholic and an unknown in the US, the book made little waves here.
   
   She mentions her first book "Are You Somebody" a lot in this memoir and this seems to be a sequel. It's the book that shot her to fame, which brought her interviews in the more progressive US Northeast where many Irish live. She ponders her success almost to the point of insanity, rather than enjoying her success for her efforts. It's that typical Catholic guilt feeling.
   
   Her honesty with her seemingly gay relationship had me at first stumped. I almost stopped reading after her first mention of her ex-partner leaving her, but I overcame that after I continued her chapter. Then I realized that subject is just too tabu in the US. So I congratulate her for bringing that subject out in the open.
   
   Her candor of her first book caused some heartache to others in her life, others who may have hurt her in the past. Was she trying to get even with them by publishing the events as they happened according to her? She's honest and covers the other person's point of view, which was a courageous act. Most people who write memoirs mention the people who hurt them, but few take the time to ask themselves why they hurt them, or the reasons for the behavior. Different people, different perspectives, says Nuala. Who's right?
   
   It's definitely not an easy read or one that one laughs out loud reading. It's one more of the "Damn, that hurt!" reaction that, after more thought, allows the reader to gain greater respect for the author, and allows the readers to look deeper into themselves.