No comments about Country Days.

No comments about Barnes Wallis: Dambuster.

1 comments about Elizabeth I.

1. Elizabeth I is, perhaps, the English monarch that has caught the interest of more people than any other British ruler has before. David Loades has managed to write a detailed record of her reign and life that covers not only the facts, but also presents and analyzes the many hypotheses that historians have come up with over years of research.
   
   The opening chapter of the book details the circumstances of Elizabeth's birth and goes on to explain how she eventually was recognized as the rightful heir to the throne. The following four chapters describe the events of her rise to power, and the middle section covers her forty-year reign. The final chapter examines the reasons for Elizabeth's success.
   
   The book is written in a very analytical manner, especially on Elizabeth's motives for the actions she took as queen of England. It also provides a substantial amount of background information on other important figures, such as Henry VIII, Mary, and Catherine.
   
   On the whole, David Loades' biography is a thorough and fascinating read for those who want to delve into the intriguing story of Elizabeth I.

1 comments about Mon Cher Papa: Franklin and the Ladies of Paris.

1. Claude-Anne Lopez has given us a delightful and careful examination of a man too often classed as "quaint" and "lecherous". With subtle strokes, the portrait of Franklin the man-complex, the dreamer who builds, the lover who waits - emerges complete with vanity, pride, anxiousness, humility, generosity and fervor all intact.
   Ms. Lopez's works (she has written many) are as important to understanding Dr. Franklin as is his own (as we call it) "Autobiography".

2 comments about U2: The Early Days.

1. the Early Days is an excellent history of the band from their formation in 1976 up to their record deal with Island in 1979. The pictures are extremely rare and the text provided by the guy who's been there since the beginning. A must have for die-hards.



2. You absolutely MUST own this book if you are a serious U2 fan. Several pictures in this book cannot be found elsewhere. This book also gives great insight to the humble beginnings of this incredible irish band.

3 comments about Wives of the Kings of England: From Hanover to Windor.

1. A very interesting book of royal wives. This also included the Duchess of Windsor which was very interesting.



2. I am appalled. I did never receive this book. Why are you considering that I received this book? This book has never been with me. I ask you an explanation.
   
   Andres E. Rodriguez



3. As an American, I was only given a cursory glance at British History in Public School (which isn't much). As a lover of History (especially British) I've noticed so many studies have been about the various ruling Monarchs and very little (if anything) is mentioned about the wives. Mark Hichens has done a wonderful job of giving his research a tone that is in no way boring.
   
   The book covers the wives from George the First through George the Sixth. While I had heard of both Queen Elizabeth (wife to George the Sixth) and the infamous Wallis Simpson, I knew only what I had seen on television. It was very interesting learning more about both of these women and shed a whole new light on them for me.
   
   The other seven Consorts, Sophia Dorthea of Celle (wife of George I), Caroline of Anspach (wife of George II), Charlotte of Mechlenburg-Strelitz (wife of George III), Caroline of Brunswick (wife of George IV), Adelaide of Saxe-Coburg Meiningen (wife of William IV), Alexandra of Denmark, (Wife of Edward VII) and Mary of Teck (wife of George V).
   
   With the exception of Caroline of Brunswick, all of these women were devoted & faithful to their husbands (despite that most, of these husbands were either unfaithful or idiosyncratic or both, with them). While they enjoyed the trappings of "royal life", I wonder how much of their true-self they gave up for that. Mary of Teck & Elizabeth of Galmis seemed to enjoy a true love & faithfulness with their respective husbands. But most of the others existed at the whim of their husbands fancy. And in some cases the wives were more intelligent and/or had more common sense than their husbands.
   
   While I certainly don't feel sorry for any of them or the circumstances of their lives, this book gave me a different view on the Consorts I had heard of and educated me in the ones I didn't know.
   
   The book is an enjoyable read and is one that I intend to keep. If you are looking to find out more about these women or are looking for a reference book for studies, these is an excellent book to have on hand.

1 comments about Patrick: Saint of Ireland.

1. Written by Joyce Dunham and nicely illustrated by Diana Mayo, Patrick: Saint Of Ireland is an ideal picturebook biography introducing young readers to the life of Patrick, Ireland's patron saint who returned to the land of his captivity preaching a message of Christian love and faith. Presenting the three-leafed shamrock as a metaphor for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Trinity of God, Patrick spread his teachings despite opposition from those who worshiped pagan gods. A powerful rendition of a man whose faith left its mark on history and a highly recommended addition to family and parochial school library collections.

No comments about Kings and Queens of Britain's Modern Age: FROM HANOVER TO WINDSOR: 1714 - TODAY.

No comments about Geoffrey of Burton: Life and Miracles of St Modwenna (Oxford Medieval Texts).

No comments about Masters of the English Reformation.