Review: The Betrayal of Mary, Queen of Scots: Elizabeth I and Her Greatest Rival

The Betrayal of Mary, Queen of Scots: Elizabeth I and Her Greatest Rival The Betrayal of Mary, Queen of Scots: Elizabeth I and Her Greatest Rival by Kate Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Williams has a strong grasp of the topics at hand. Both women were very strong and difficult personalities. The title of the book is very provocative but accurate. This book may not be for those who are overly critical of the Queen of Scots. I believe this is a fair assessment of the life and death of Mary. It is not a lengthy book and I would still recommend the biographies by Antonia Fraser and John Guy as the go to on Mary's life.

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Review: The Prince

The Prince The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

'Machiavellian' is one of those words you hear about in conversation occasionally and may never have really understood beyond the negative connotation. However, if you finally read this book you will wonder why it took you such a long time to read such a monumental piece of literature. This is essential reading for those interested in not just history, politics or leading a country - but for everyone. This book makes you question what you believe is right and wrong - and you might just start finding yourself realising how truly terrifying that is. I couldn't put this book down when I got it - I ended up missing my train station because it was that good I didn't even notice where I was. Machiavelli tells you how a Prince gets the result that is desired without letting the conundrum of hurting others affect achieving that end.

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Review: Joan of Kent: The First Princess of Wales

Joan of Kent: The First Princess of Wales Joan of Kent: The First Princess of Wales by Penny Lawne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book caught me by surprise. Rarely do medieval woman ever have a personality that we can see through the centuries. Using the information available Lawne develops the image of Joan as a strong woman who knew what she wanted and wasn't afraid to assert it. Joan was of strong royal blood and despite her first marriage and questionable marriage status she married the Black Prince and they were invested in Acquitaine as Prince and Princess. It proved difficult for the couple to rule in mainland Europe due to poor support from the French and the English. Their son eventually came to the throne of England as Richard II. Highly recommended.

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Review: Queens of the Conquest: England’s Medieval Queens

Queens of the Conquest: England’s Medieval Queens Queens of the Conquest: England’s Medieval Queens by Alison Weir
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Weir is described as a popular historian by some of her snobby critics. What she excels at as bringing to the attention of general readers topics which are generally not really accessible to them. Queens of the Conquest is a quality addition to Weir's vast collection of books and one wonders how she has the time to do what she does. Lesser known Queens like Adeliza of Louvain are discussed. My favourite being the topic of Empress Maud who realistically was the first Queen Regnant of England but wasn't crowned. I'm looking forward to the sequel.

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Review: Peter the Great: His Life and World

Peter the Great: His Life and World Peter the Great: His Life and World by Robert K. Massie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book caught me by surprise. Massey gives you a detailed image of Moscow and the personality of a strong king. I highly recommend this book.

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Review: The Borgias: The Hidden History

The Borgias: The Hidden History The Borgias: The Hidden History by G.J. Meyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Meyer has really differentiated himself in this book as we enter into the world of the Borgias where we have to question most of what we think we know. He tries to convince the reader the paternity of the various children long said to be his were not actually his. Now it sounds almost as delusional as a day out with the Richard III Fan club. However the evidence he presents does provide doubt especially since the contemporary documents of the period can be very untrustworthy for a multitude of reasons. I really liked this book about a flawed man that accomplished much more than could be ever expected of a Spanyard in Rome.

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Review: Daughters of the Winter Queen: Four Remarkable Sisters, the Crown of Bohemia, and the Enduring Legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots

Daughters of the Winter Queen: Four Remarkable Sisters, the Crown of Bohemia, and the Enduring Legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots Daughters of the Winter Queen: Four Remarkable Sisters, the Crown of Bohemia, and the Enduring Legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots by Nancy Goldstone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Elizabeth Stuart is the beautiful daughter of James VI and his queen Anne of Denmark who recently came to the throne of England. Elizabeth turns down many catholic suitors to marry a nobody from the Palatinate who James promises to make a king. After successful election to the throne the short lived monarchs are forced into exile in the Netherlands forever to be known as the Winter King and Queen. The family struggles with Catholic conversions, poverty and Charles I and the civil war in England. This book is a topic I haven't seen before. Nancy Goldstone is the Queen of popular history. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

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Review: Victoria The Queen: An Intimate Biography of the Woman Who Ruled an Empire

Victoria The Queen: An Intimate Biography of the Woman Who Ruled an Empire Victoria The Queen: An Intimate Biography of the Woman Who Ruled an Empire by Julia Baird
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love watching the ABC and seeing this book by a familiar name was a nice surprise. It is quite a large book which is a bit intimidating, I usually favour earlier periods of history but I wanted to give it a go. I found this book very easy to get through. Baird has a strong knowledge of the events going on and manages to bring Victoria to life. This book surprised me in that I actually found Victoria to be more of a normal person than perhaps she ever wanted to be. Her reliance on Albert was what was expected of women at the time but it caused resentment amongst her ministers. Victoria was stubborn though and a good judge of character. The death of Albert paralysed her but she managed to find her way back to reality and even love again. I highly recommend this book, It took me only a few days to get through.

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Review: The Prince

The Prince The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

'Machiavellian' is one of those words you hear about in conversation occasionally and may never have really understood beyond the negative connotation. However, if you finally read this book you will wonder why it took you such a long time to read such a monumental piece of literature. This is essential reading for those interested in not just history, politics or leading a country - but for everyone. This book makes you question what you believe is right and wrong - and you might just start finding yourself realising how truly terrifying that is. I couldn't put this book down when I got it - I ended up missing my train station because it was that good I didn't even notice where I was. Machiavelli tells you how a Prince gets the result that is desired without letting the conundrum of hurting others affect achieving that end.

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Review: The Maid and the Queen: The Secret History of Joan of Arc

The Maid and the Queen: The Secret History of Joan of Arc The Maid and the Queen: The Secret History of Joan of Arc by Nancy Goldstone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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