1 comments about Queen Victoria: Fifty Golden Years ; Incidents in the Queen's Reign (English Heritage).

1. I thought this book was going to be bigger, and less stylized. I came to appreciate it better, though, because of that reason. Its produced very much like it was released in 1887, with that high-Victorian feel, and its size makes it easy to store on a shelf or on a coffee table.
   
   If you admire the Victorian age, or better still, Queen Victoria herself, this is a book that is fun to own and display!

3 comments about Royal Charles.

1. Royal Charles is a delight to read and Fraser makes reading history enjoyable.



2. King Charles II, never short of female admirers during his lifetime, certainly has found another fan in Antonia Fraser. The man who fathered fourteen illegitimate children, yet failed to sire an heir to his throne, was tall, charming, and in his own strange way, handsome - although, as Fraser tells us, his olive complexion and Medici looks were not considered to be conventionally good looking. Despite contemporary denials, he was also a convinced Catholic - even though he only formally confessed on his deathbed. Fraser takes us through the many wild turns of Charles' life - early years as the established heir apparent in the court of Charles I, teen years as a minor player in the English Civil War, hero of the siege of Worcester, months as fugitive from the Cromwellians following his father's beheading (and Britain's most wanted man), early adulthood in exile in France and Flanders, glorious Restoration in 1660 and subsequently King of a mini-golden era. While this is by no means an uncritical biography, Fraser argues persuasively that Charles was the master politician of his generation, and she seduces us into cheering on Charles' various attempts, late in his reign, to govern without Parliament. Fraser doesn't assume prior knowledge of English history, so is a great starting point for a first-time encounter with the English Restoration period, yet Fraser's erudition provides enough satisfaction too for seasoned history lovers.



3. This is possibly one of Fraser's best historical biographies. Charles II, king of the glorious Restoration Period in English history, was a figure of legendary proportions, daring, physically commanding, surviving times of great danger after Cromwell's rule, living in tumultuous times of great scientific discovery, literature and some not-very successful wars against the Dutch.

   The backdrop of Restoration society is fascinating, bawdy yet considering Shakespeare's plays too crude, wildly sexual, a time of tremendous change in England after the demise of the Tudors. It was a golden age of art and literature and the King was a dramatic figure, enjoying the embraces of comedian Nell Gwynn as well as a number of other famous mistresses, researching in his own laboratory, hunting, racing and swimming. His death at 55 seems a young age, but for those times, he survived to a respectable age and unlike many other kings, died in his bed. If you are interested in Restoration period literature, this is a fun read to set the backdrop for that interesting and fruitful period of European history.

No comments about The Divorce of Catherine of Aragon: The Story as Told by the Imperial Ambassadors Resident at the Court of Henry VIII. In Usum Laicorum.

4 comments about Philip II (European History in Perspective).

1. For anyone with an interest in Philip II of Spain or the convulsive times Europe was going through in his age, this is an absolute must. The author's mastery of the subject is obvious and his writing is never heavy or boring. The book is superb, simple, clear,discretly erudite. Mr. Williams writes to please and interest the reader, not to impress the world with his knowledge. His book should be compulsory reading for French historians, most of whom are pompous bores.



2. A very easy-to-read book, well written, comprehensive, well researched. It does not challenge other biographies of the Prudent King, like those classic ones by G. Parker and H. Kamen, on any significant point, but/and is a nice choice if you are a casual reader, or a student. Well structured and vividly written, with what the Greeks call "a sensitivity towards the subject", and a sensitivity towards the reader, I might add, this is a nice biography in all.



3. Very good and interesting biography on Philip II. It was very easy to read and will written. Becoming the most powerful person in Europe at the time. The amount of land and countries he ruled over is impressive.



4. This version of Philip falls into so many shallow traps repeating the errors and outright lies of Philip's enemies, it is frustrating to read. He makes blanket statements which are just "let me tell you what to think about this" without backing them up.
   
   
   Having read at least five other bios of Philip, my estimate of this one is that it no where near does justice to the man, his spirit, character or reasons for his decisions.
   
   Walsh's is the most interesting and best researched, even forgetting that it was written long ago. He has the most love for his subject. He really shows Philip's heroic character and immense pressures, along with flaws.
   
   Kamen's is an interesting read, though it almost ignores the Catholic aspect of Philip.

5 comments about Diana : Story of a Princess.

1. Tireless humanitarian and inspirationally anti-establishment figure? Or beautiful but shallow woman who loved nothing more than a good photo-op and seeing her soap-operaish life grab headlines? Most of us lean heavily toward one of the above perspectives of Princess Diana. Unfortunately, it seems that books dealing with the late princess also tend to be written in this black-and-white way.

   Yet in "Diana: Story of a Princess," authors Craig and Clayton offer material that paints a refreshingly different portrait of Diana. It certainly isn't black-and-white; instead, it emphasizes the complex and elusive character of this eternally puzzling person.

   The biography begins with Diana's childhood, and although it may initially seem a slightly dry chronicle of Spencer family history and aristocratic titles, it quickly beomces much more compelling. It is obvious that the authors have put a tremendous amount of research into the book-this research translates into well-detailed account of every pivotal moment in her life. "Diana, Story of a Princess" is, if nothing else, a complete "life portrait" that Diana fans won't want to be without.

   In my mind, however, this bio is much more than a simple chronicle of events because of the widely varying views and accounts presented about the princess. Everyone knows how Diana was a victim of the Charles-Camilla relationship, but does anyone know the disadvantages Charles faced as he entered the marriage? We all have heard of what a selfless charity worker Diana was, but did we ever know of her supposedly "darker" side during this sort of work? This book explores both "sides" of these issues and others. Through facts, first-person accounts, and their own intelligent, interesting, and balanced commentary, the authors attempt not to trash Diana or transform her into a saint, but simply to raise and explore questions about her true character.

   Overall, this biography is certainly a success. It manages to be generally informative and intriguing-while avoiding the pitfalls of being too one-sided or sensational.




2. I have never read any of the Diana biographies ~~ but I happened to see a copy of this book on the clearance rack at a bookstore and thought, why not? I was mesmerized from the first page.
   
   I was 11 when Princess Diana exploded on the scene. I watched the wedding that day ~~ and sighed over the fairytale of it all. I was 27 when she died ~~ and watched her funeral. So maybe I wasn't as keen on Diana as some of the others were, but she was an icon of my youth.
   
   This book is a fair book describing her life before she married Charles and after her divorce. It showed a side to their marriage that brought understanding on their marriage (she was too young, I thought to be married into the Royal family, who I feel is removed from the realities of their country) and how it disintegrated into the public mess that I remember reading about in college. The authors took pains not to point fingers at either one of them in the blame for their marriage's failure ~~ they reminded us that their marriage is just like any other marriage ~~ set out with high hopes and expectations, only neither was equipped to deal with the other or how to fix their problems.
   
   Then reading about how Diana manipulated the media to her advantage as well as to the advantages of her causes ~~ shows a savvy business woman who does understand the consquences of good media coverages. It was an interesting read on that account.
   
   To paint Diana in a black and white picture is not fair to her because this woman, according to the authors, was a paradox. She showed many facets of her personality that kept her interesting to all that knew her, whether they liked her or not. She was portrayed as a caring mother, a compassionate charity worker, a high-strung wife, and so on. In my opinion, she's a refreshing change from the stiff-lipped royalty in England. This book shows her growing up in the 16 years of limelight and it's a fascinating read.
   
   2-1-05



3. I've read lots about Princess Diana. This book like so many others paints Diana as a shrew and Charles as a victim. What no one seems to care about is that Charles entered his marriage with a girlfriend on his arm. Camilla did not appear "sometime after the marriage broke down".
   Too many times before the wedding and on the honeymoon Charles failed to reassure Diana regarding his real relationship with Camilla.
   He never gave Camilla up.
   That alone accounts for 99% of the problems that faced the Wales.
   Another sour point in the book is the Tiggy situation. I thought royal nannies stayed in the background. But not Tiggy. Tiggy was everywhere to be seen. Most books support Tiggy as "great" and Diana is horrible. I'm confused as to the Christmas Party where Diana sidles up to Tiggy and whispers "sorry to here about the baby".
   Everyone(and I mean everyone in the whole room heard the whispered comment. That seems strange to me. Also I've had people "hit me between the eyes" with an off-the-wall statement like that. And all I say is "beg pardon".
   I don't have to be helped from the room nor consult a lawyer.
   Seems way over played to me.
   The authors seem to dismiss Diana's good deeds as play acting for good press.
   If you are a Diana fan. Look elsewhere for a book to read about the princess.



4. As autobiographies go this was a rather interesting effort. I must say the authors treated all sides fairly when addressing the various complex issued that made up this woman's world.
   
   This book opens with her childhood and stops on various parts of her life which helped to create the woman she later became. With care and compassion the life of this woman is explained--giving insight to a world few enter or understand. Not every situation puts Diana in a glowing position which is fair as she was at time tempestuous, sassy, sad, and manipulative. In any event this is an entertaining read regarding one of the world's most beloved people. This is truly a book worth reading.



5. 
   She was born into a wealthy aristocratic family, grew up in a privileged society, and at the young age of 20, married the Prince of Wales. Her magnetic personality and good looks attracted much attention from the media. She became an instant celebrity and a massive target for tabloid gossip. A few controversies surrounded her, but after her death in 1997, she became a public icon to many people.
   
   But what makes the story of Diana Spencer so special? Is it her rebellious attitude towards the "establishment"? Her committed volunteer work for various charities? Her tragic death in Paris? My answer is: all of the above... and then some. Yet, as the authors point out, Princess Diana played a significant role in society. Aside from being a pretty face who lived lavishly, she was also an admirable spokesperson for humanity, a philanthropist, and a loving mother to her children. At a time when most people (from all levels of society) feared having any contact with AIDS patients, Diana openly embraced them for the world to see, showing what compassion is all about. Such simple gestures had a profound impact on society, as many people began changing their opinions on AIDS patients.
   
   Diana's frequent visits to hospitals and shelter homes combined with her amicable personality easily made her a fan favorite. Her involvement with the Red Cross, and especially her efforts in bringing awareness about landmines, proved to be a huge success. However, Diana - just like everyone else - had her flaws; she had her good days and bad days. During bad days, according to the authors, she was insecure, emotionally unstable, sometimes manipulative, and often a jealous wife. The latter, was mostly due to her husband's affair with his "friend" Camilla Parker Bowles. Speaking of Charles, he too receives a fair amount of attention in this book. Diana's rollercoaster marriage to the prince is closely examined. The authors also write about Diana's own relationships and affairs with other men, most notably, her relationship with Dodi Al-Fayed.
   
   While it would be all too easy to for the authors to choose sides, they seem to be fairly neutral throughout the book. They stick to the facts and minimize any personal feelings they may have for Diana. Their treatment of the paparazzi also seems well balanced. They write about how reporters constantly chased the Princess and invaded her privacy by snapping pictures of her. However, they do not "bash" the media. As a matter of fact, many reporters are quoted in this book. The authors also explain how the media cold-heartedly "used" Diana to their advantage, and how Diana herself "used" the media to her advantage. It was an odd relationship. They also write about the paparazzi's role in her fatal car crash: are they to be blamed for it? Did they cross the line? What really happened on that night in Paris? This book will give you some answers.
   
   This is an insightful book, well-researched and balanced. If you want to know who Princess Diana was, this book will do just fine. I recommend it.

No comments about The Life And Administration Of Robert Banks V3: Second Earl Of Liverpool, Late First Lord Of The Treasury.

5 comments about Sting: The Secret Life of Gordon Sumner.

1. I had never had the opportunity to read any type of in depth articles or biographies about the life of Gordon Sumner prior to this biography. For this reason, I am rating this book with 5 stars. If you've been hungry for something for quite a few years, and you've finally been given a small taste of it, it is going to be quite satisfying. This small piece of such a great mans life was certainly satisfying for me.



2. This is by far the worst book ever written about Sting. Just by reading it you can tell that the author does not like Sting at all. Sting himself even said the book was (bad)and that none of it is true. So if you are a Sting fan or just want to learn more about the man, don't buy this book, get the "all this time" dvd and you can actually see what of person he is.



3. After Sting has published his own autobiography Broken Music this month, this so-called "complete biography" on Sting has made itself superfluous....Sting beats Wensley Clarkson in style, authenticity and truthfulness. Readers may look at it as a kind of reference to Broken Music, but they'll discover quite quickly that Wensley Clarkson nearly got everything wrong which, of course is to blame partly on questionable sources - British tabloid papers.



4. This writer's 1999 rendering of Sting's life is pitiful. Its "Hardline"/docudrama treatment of Sting's experiences make what would be a compelling, intriguing topic an absolute bore. Do not read this book.



5. If you're looking to learn about Sting, this is not the book for you. It reads like a cheap tabloid story, quoting anonymous sources for wild accusations, being downright mean to its subject (and also Sting's former bandmates in The Police, Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers). While Sting may have his share of skeletons in his closet and has no doubt lived a wild life, there is little in this book to lead you to actually believe the stories Clarkson tells. Reading this book also left me feeling vaguely uneasy and embarassed, as if I was taking part in spreading and giggling over naughty, mean-spirited gossip like teenage girls in a schoolyard. It's just that juvenile. NOT recommended.

1 comments about Mary of Scotland.

1. It is a beautifully romantic play about Queen Mary - the young ill-fated queen of France and Scotland. The playwright writes parts for woman as well as he does for the men. It's a wonderful role for any young talented actress who is interested in a period piece. Though Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth were cousins and fairly close in age, they never met in real life. However, Maxwell Anderson wrote a climatically potent scene between Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth near the end of his play. Although a period piece, you can identify with all the different characters and their complexities. There is no "small" role in this play. Each character has purpose and personality. The play is written in layers within layers and therefore may take a couple of reads to truly appreciate the beauty of it. Enjoy!

3 comments about Henry VIII: The Mask of Royalty.

1. More than four centuries after his death, Henry VIII remains one of the most fascinating monarchs in English history. As a result, numerous biographies have been written about him - and his equally famous six wives. But only Lacey Baldwin Smith's biography does justice to both subject and reader. He avoids the easy trap of portraying Henry as a misogynistic tyrant who twisted religion and politics in the pursuit of personal gratification. Such a treatment, sadly popular in current biographies, is an insult to any student of history. Instead, Smith brings Henry alive in the context of the turbulent sixteenth-century; he is seen as both man and king, troubled soul and tyrannical monarch. When you have finished this brilliant and learned work, you will have a new and profound understanding of Reformation England - and its contradictory leader.



2. sucke



3. If you love the Tudors, and you already have your basic facts down, you'll really enjoy this orignial look at Henry VIII. Profesor Smith allows a look at Henry VIII as a person, revealing a personality that may have belonged to this great King. Definately worth the read.

No comments about The Magnificent Monarch: Charles II and the Ceremonies of Power.