History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Four Queens: The Provencal Sisters Who Ruled Europe

Average customer rating:

Poor depiction of medieval history
THE FORGOTTEN TALE OF FOUR REMARKABLE MEDIEVAL WOMEN
Wanted to like this one but....
A sloppily written and very bad book
Excellent

Four Queens: The Provencal Sisters Who Ruled Europe
Nancy Goldstone
Manufacturer: Viking Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0670038431
Release Date: 2007-04-19

Book Description

Four accomplished sisters who rose from near obscurity to become the most powerful women in Europe

Set against the backdrop of the turbulent thirteenth century, a time of chivalry and crusades, poetry, knights, and monarchs comes the story of the four beautiful daughters of the count of Provence whose brilliant marriages made them the queens of France, England, Germany, and Sicily.

From a cultured childhood in Provence, each sister was propelled into a world marked by shifting alliances, intrigue, and subterfuge. Marguerite, the eldest, whose resolution and spirit would be tested by the cold splendor of the Palais du Roi in Paris; Eleanor, whose soaring political aspirations would provoke her kingdom to civil war; Sanchia, the neglected wife of the richest man in England who bought himself the crown of Germany; and Beatrice, whose desire for sovereignty was so acute that she risked her life to earn her place at the royal table.

A compulsively readable narrative, Four Queens shatters the myth that women were helpless pawns in a society that celebrated physical prowess and masculine intellect. A riveting historical saga for fans of Alison Weir and Antonia Fraser.

Customer Reviews:

Poor depiction of medieval history.......2007-08-25

Ms. Goldstone omits a lot of facts from medieval history, particularly surrounding the canonization of Louis IX, his first crusades, his father's relationships with the English king, and the role all 4 sisters played in the political, economic and cultural life of their country. She also does not provide the reasons why Marguerite refused to support the canonization in the first place. She hs completely omitted the relationship between Sanchia and her elder sisters. Sanchia was treated the same way as her younger sister Beatrice, belittled and humiliated because she was not a queen while her sisters were. She fills in the blanks by putting names of relatives, w/o really explaining their roles in history and their influence on the affairs of France, England, Sicily, Provence, etc. After reading each chapter, I constantly wanted to ask "So what?" What was the influence on Boniface of Savoy, Thomas of Savoy and Beatrice of Savoy on the affairs of her daughters' kingdoms? Did they bring any reforms, what was their relationship with the Church? This "dump" of insignificant information makes the book very hard to read. It's overwhelmed with names but lacks explanation of their roles in the lives of the 4 queens and their impact on the history of France, England, etc.

She has failed to explain the kings' relationships with their vassals, There is no mention of the state both King Louis and King Henry have inherited their respective kingdoms. No mention of their relationships with the Parliament or Magna Carta, etc. She has failed to even mention the role of Templars in the Crusades!!!

Ms. Goldstone'language and the choice of words is rather poor, leaving the book disorganized and its chapters badly written. Her constant quoting of Matthew Paris and, sometimes, of Joinville, left me wondering if she has encountered any other contemporaries' notes in her search, for there are plenty.

In the back of the book, Ms. Goldstone mentions sources she used while writing her book. Her detailed description of each source made me wonder if she knew she was unprepared or was lacking enough references, thus making her write explanations of who said-when-what-how-why is this important to mention.

I realize that not everyone has a Ph.D. in history and the lack of it should not prevent individuals from writing a fine narrative piece on a historical topic. However, when you write it - do it like a professional, invest time in your research, learn your subjects/main actors. Otherwise, you will sound like an unprepared middle-school student, who pretends to act like historian.

THE FORGOTTEN TALE OF FOUR REMARKABLE MEDIEVAL WOMEN.......2007-06-05

Historians have long ignored or understated the contributions of women so Nancy Goldstone's FOUR QUEENS, the previously untold story of four 13th century sisters who rose from minor nobility in Provence to become queens of France, England, Sicily and Germany, comes as welcome and long-awaited relief. Marguerite, married at just 13 to Louis XI of France, stood her own in a court dominated by her powerful mother-in-law, Blanche of Castile, and ultimately led her husband and his army home from a disastrous Arabian crusade. Eleanor, wife to the ineffectual Henry III of England, deftly played-off rebellious barons and craftily preserved the throne for her son in spite of the civil war she helped ignite. Beautiful and gentle Sanchia married Richard of Cornwall, the richest man in Europe who effectively purchased the Kingdom of Germany. Feisty young Beatrice, wed to Charles of Anjou, led an army through the Italian alps in her determination to saved her besieged husband and secure him the Sicilian throne. Praised by eminent Princeton historian Theodore K. Rabb as "deeply researched," FOUR QUEENS is written with a light and accessible touch, equally at home on the shelf of the serious scholar as it would be on the nightstand of a harried mom who wants a few pages of intellectual stimulation before falling into bed. Brava!

Wanted to like this one but...........2007-06-04

she continually overemphasizes the political roles of the four daughters of Raymond Berenger V, the Count of Provence, and as a genuine medievalist, she should know better.

A sloppily written and very bad book.......2007-06-03

This is an extremely sloppily written and bad book. It is written in the childish style that some popular historians seem to find it necessary to adopt because they think their audience is too stupid to understand anything else - usually an underestimation of said audience. Moreover, the author has clearly not bothered to do any form of basic research to get her facts right. To take but a few examples: In chapter 7, we are told about Richard of Cornwall's crusade in 1240. He is said to have met Emperor Baldwin II of Constantinople "who had lost his empire" (p74). Actually, the Latin Empire of Constantinople (Baldwin's empire) was around until 1261, which is when he lost it. Three pages later, we are told that "The French, too, had sent an army to retake Jerusalem only the year before," in other words in 1239. Retake from whom? Jerusalem was in Christian hands from 1227 to 1244. She also seems to have no idea of the relative importance of the Kingdom of Sicily within the domains of the Holy Roman Emperor. At this stage, less than a third through the book, I gave up, rather than waste any more time on such rubbish. Zero stars would be a better rating.

Excellent.......2007-06-02

I didn't know much of the story of the Provence sisters, but this filled that knowledge gap. For people interested in the Middle Ages as more than just the time between the Roman Empire and the Renaissance, this is a valuable resource. For people interested in powerful families, you can't go wrong with four sisters who all become queens! Excellent book!

Average customer rating:

Boring
Complex and passionate
So disappointing.
Very good read
If you like the first one. . .

The Courtesan: A Novel
Susan Carroll
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0345437977
Release Date: 2005-07-26

Book Description

Skilled in passion, artful in deception, and driven by betrayal, she is the glittering center of the royal court–but the most desired woman of Renaissance France will draw the wrath of a dangerous adversary.

Paris, 1575. The consort of some of Europe’s most influential men, Gabrielle Cheney is determined to secure her future by winning the heart of Henry, the Huguenot king of Navarre. As his mistress, Gabrielle hopes she might one day become the power behind the French throne. But her plans are jeopardized by Captain Nicolas Rémy, a devoted warrior whose love Gabrielle desires–and fears–above all. She will also incur the malevolence of the Dark Queen, Catherine de’ Medici, whose spies and witch-hunters are legion, and who will summon the black arts to maintain her authority. With the lives of those she loves in peril, Gabrielle must rebel against her queen to fulfill a glorious destiny she has sacrificed everything to gain.

Alive with vivid period detail and characters as vibrant as they are memorable, The Courtesan is a sweeping historical tale of dangerous intrigues, deep treachery, and one woman’s unshakable resolve to honor her heart.

Download Description

Chapter One

Gabrielle Cheney peered through the slits of her mask, picking her way carefully along the path overgrown with weeds. The courtyard of the Maison d’ Esprit was silent as a ceme- tery and twice as eerie. The moon cast a pale light over moss- blackened fountains and broken statuary. Some headless saint presided over the withered remains of a rose garden. The flowers were long gone, but the thorns were not, one branch catching at the hem of Gabrielle’s cloak.

As she bent to free herself, she was beset by the troubling sensation that had afflicted her all evening. The feeling that she was being followed. Straightening, she curled her fingers over the hilt of the sword hidden beneath her cloak and whirled around. The iron gate and stone wall were nothing more than vague outlines in the fog-bound night. But as she stared, another figure took shape, that of a tall proud warrior.

Her hand fell away from the sword and she uttered a soft choked cry. Not of fear, but more of despair because she had seen the silhouette of this man far too many times in her dreams. She took a step forward only to check the motion, knowing it would do her no good. There would be no smile to greet her, no strong arms to welcome her because he didn’t exist, this phantom man. All she would find was empty space and silence.

Ghosts left no footfalls and memories cast no shadows, except perhaps on the human heart. She watched the figure of the man evaporate into the mist as he always did. Gabrielle had never once seen his face, but she knew beyond certainty who he was.

Nicolas Remy, the captain from Navarre. Whether it was his ghost she kept seeing or only a figment of her own tormented imagination, the effect was always the same. Gabrielle’s heart constricted with sorrow and guilt.

“Oh, Remy,” she murmured. “I’ve asked your forgiveness a thousand times. What more do you want from me? Why can’t you leave me in peace?”

She knew she would never gain any answer to that question, at least not in this damp, misty courtyard. With one last glance behind her, Gabrielle turned and hastened toward the house.

The stone manor loomed ahead of her, splintered wood and a great hole where the front door should be, gaping like the jagged mouth of some fierce beast ready to devour her. But Gabrielle feared the ghosts of her own memories far more than she did the sinister aspect of the house. Besides she knew the truth behind the legends of the Maison d’Esprit far better than the superstitious Parisians who blessed themselves every time they had to pass those rusting gates.

Easing past the shattered remains of the door, she entered the house, the darkness swallowing her. The boarded-up windows blocked out what pale moonlight there was to be had. Gabrielle stripped off her mask and reached beneath her cloak for the large pouch fastened to her belt. She groped until she found the candle set in its small brass holder, along with the tinderbox she had brought. After much fumbling between flint and wick, she managed to coax the taper to light.

The tiny flame spluttered to life, casting a small circle of illumination. Gabrielle moved deeper into the room that yawned before her, the grit crunching beneath her feet. Holding up the candle, she surveyed the wreckage of the once-magnificent great hall. The bishop had done very handsomely by his mistress until the witch-hunters had come.

A beautiful high table of carved oak had been pulled from the dais and overturned, the broken remains of chairs and stools littered nearby. Tapestries had been dragged from the walls and sliced to ribbons, the musty scent of rotting wool heavy in the air. Even the iron candelabrum had been wrenched from the ceiling and left with its chain snaking around it. Everything was coated with thick cobwebs as though time had sought to weave a shroud for this house. <

Customer Reviews:

Boring.......2007-08-29

After reading the first book in the trilogy and loving it, I eagerly started this one. It was so bad I read about 1/3 and haven't picked it up again.

Complex and passionate.......2007-08-08

Three years have passed since we last met the ladies of the Faire Isle. Gabrielle Cheney's fled to Paris, at last reacting to her feelings about her horrific rape, but sadly in the worst possible way - she's become a courtesan in the court of the Dark Queen, Catherine de Medici. If she can't control men lusting after her beauty, at least she can `use' them herself. No man has her love like Captain Remy - nicknamed the Scourge - and he died in the bloody massacre on St. Bartholomew's Eve three years ago. ...Or did he? To her stunned surprise he's very much alive, and still the battered soldier of her heart. Ah, but romance isn't that easy. Remy`s incredibly torn. He loves and adores Gabrielle, but is desperate that his king - a captive in Catherine's court - escape and rule Navarre. However, the king wants Gabrielle (and his country, of course, but everything in due time), and Remy - an honourable soldier - must bow to his king's desires! The powerful, dangerous Catherine de Medici craves the fabled Book Of Shadows, a book rumoured to contain the blackest secrets of magic known to mankind. She'll do anything to get it, and to maintain her foul, evil reign, and her hold over Gabrielle and Remy. Then there's Simon, the youthful witch hunter from The Dark Queen. He's now adult, a scarred, terrifying threat to all the daughters of the earth, hunting them down for trial (and death). ...Well! It's best to just dive into this book, stunning in its romance, and enriched with the tapestry of real history woven around the incredible plot.

So disappointing........2007-04-06

This was a book club choice, and as an example of a book I would likely never have chosen myself, it was perfect. If you're looking for a historical novel, however, pass on this one. Sure, there are historical characters in it, but the book isn't about any of them. The book is a romance novel, full of angst, longing, yearning, needing, and burning, unrelenting passion. Clothes get ripped off, lips are crushed by violent, demanding (and ultimately answered, of course) kisses, and the whole thing is wrapped in a bunch of personal history and shame that just drags out the drama. Get most of these folks on a therapist's couch for some group discussion for about 45 minutes and there wouldn't be a book here.

Beyond that, the writing is just clunky. Character development and history (such as it is) comes at the reader with no subtlety at all. Taking a positive spin, this is a really quick read because you can skip big chunks of each page.

If you're looking for some light beach reading, this isn't the worst you could find. Even though this isn't set in the same period, I kept finding myself wishing I was just reading Mists of Avalon again instead of this, if I was going to read about "wise women" and witchcraft, so if that's what drew, I would suggest Mists instead.

Very good read.......2007-02-18

I thoughly enjoyed this book, as much or more than "The Dark Queen." The characters were more flawed in this one, and I liked Remy and Gabrielle the best from the beginning. I am a fan of this series; much more than the "Bridefinders."

If you like the first one. . ........2007-01-04

If you enjoyed The Dark Queen you will enjoy this piece. I always seem to think the first one is best and hence the second installment is still wonderful and exciting. It still has adventure converged with a love story and a sense of healing. I love the themes of the book.

Average customer rating:

.
Beautiful Love Story
Well done
LOVED IT!
Has some icky flaws, some romantic sap, but it still a very good book (4.5 stars)

Courtesan: A Novel
Diane Haeger
Manufacturer: Three Rivers Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1400051746
Release Date: 2006-07-25

Book Description

Amid the disapproving gossip of the Court, a royal romance defies all obstacles.

The Court of François I is full of lust, intrigue, and bawdy bon temps—a different world from the quiet country life Diane de Poitiers led with her elderly husband. Now a widow, the elegant Diane is called back to Court, where the King’s obvious interest marks her as an enemy to the King’s favourite, Anne d’Heilly. The Court is soon electrified by rumors of their confrontations. As Anne calls on her most venomous tricks to drive Diane away, Diane finds an ally in the one member of Court with no allegiance to the King’s mistress: his teenage second son, Henri.

Neglected by his father and disliked by his brothers, Prince Henri expects little from his life. But as his friendship with Diane deepens into infatuation and then a romance that scandalizes the Court, the Prince begins to discover hope for a future with Diane. But fate and his father have other plans for Henri—including a political marriage with Catherine de Medici. Despite daunting obstacles, Henri’s devotion to Diane never wanes; their passion becomes one of the most legendary romances in the history of France.

Also available as an eBook

Customer Reviews:

........2007-09-21

This book was wonderful. At times I had trouble putting it down. I would get this in hard back to have to read again and again!

Beautiful Love Story.......2007-06-28

Diane Haeger brings to life the passion of a French King and his life time love, Diane de Poiters. She uses their real life love letters and french history, breathing life in to a long lost royal court. She puts a good spin on the age gap between the two lovers. She describes Catherine de'Medici and the politics surrounding that marriage perfectly. Tragic and beautiful all at once. A pleasure to read.

Well done.......2007-06-08

A new look at an old favorite (pun intended). This novel makes Henri and Diane sympathic and interesting. The passion is there but so are the interesting people

LOVED IT!.......2006-09-24

I am an avid reader of all of Haeger's historical fiction and have enjoyed all of them, this one no exception! I get so wrapped up in the characters that I'm sad when I near the end of the book. One of my favorite things about her books is that you can research the characters and see paintings of what the actual people looked like and buy more books about them.

Has some icky flaws, some romantic sap, but it still a very good book (4.5 stars).......2006-08-04

In spite of the fact that this book was the first novel of the queen of sappy historical romance novels this is a pretty good book. Historically, it's not totally accurate, but hey, it is fiction.

This is the story of a King of France, Henri, and his long time mistress, Diane. Now, when I say long time, I mean like almost 30 years long time. This kid was in love with this woman when she was governess. Did I mention the 16 year age difference? I had the misfortune to read a historical non-fiction book about their situation called "The Serpent and the Moon" which is written by a descendent of Diane, and of Henri's wife Catherine de Medici. I say misfortune because it was one boring book, but it did provide many historical facts. Such as, the relationship between Henry and Diane probably did not become sexual until he was almost twenty, not when he was 14 or 15 and she was 31 or 32, as in this book.

That's the major problem with this novel actually; it glorifies a relationship that really just reminded me of the whole Mary Kay Laterno scandal. So that part of the novel was fairly icky and a little creepy. The one thing I really dislikes about this book (aside from the sap) was that the first 100 pages are totally devoted to Diane lusting after almost pubescent boys because her marriage was loveless. I mean, get some control lady! He's your daughter's age! It makes much more sense that the sexual aspect of their relationship developed later on. If you want a good argument for that read "The Serpent and the Moon" but don't say I didn't warn you.

But other than that this is solid historical fiction that is, at times, quite mesmerizing. The relationships of those involved are often nowhere near as interesting as the politics and court life of the time, which is a welcome relief from the endless sappy speeches of Henri and Diane. Catherine is a fascinating, if always maligned character, and the backdrop of renaissance France is perfectly done. As a novel, this is definitely something I would read again. I really liked it for all its flaws, and it made me want to read more of Ms. Haeger's work, even though I didn't really like "The secret wife of King George IV" all that much. This is a far better, more developed novel with a setting and backdrop that is fascinating and puts you right in the thick of things.

If you can cut through the minimal sap and the marginal pedophilia in this book you'll probably love it. Four point five stars.

Average customer rating:

The Dark Queen
The Dark Queen(my opinion)
quick, light read. not what i expected.
An Enchanted Adventure!
Dark Fluff

The Dark Queen: A Novel
Susan Carroll
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0345437969
Release Date: 2005-03-29

Book Description

From Brittany’s misty shores to the decadent splendor of Paris’s royal court, one woman must fulfill her destiny–while facing the treacherous designs of Catherine de Medici, the dark queen.

She is Ariane, the Lady of Faire Isle, one of the Cheney sisters, renowned for their mystical skills and for keeping the isle secure and prosperous. But this is a time when women of ability are deemed sorceresses, when Renaissance France is torn by ruthless political intrigues, and all are held in thrall to the sinister ambitions of Queen Catherine de Medici. Then a wounded stranger arrives on Faire Isle, bearing a secret the Dark Queen will do everything in her power to possess. The only person Ariane can turn to is the comte de Renard, a nobleman with fiery determination and a past as mysterious as his own unusual gifts.

Riveting, vibrant, and breathtaking, The Dark Queen follows Ariane and Renard as they risk everything to prevent the fulfillment of a dreadful prophecy–even if they must tempt fate and their own passions.

Download Description

She is Ariane, the Lady of Faire Isle, one of the Cheney sisters, renowned for their mystical skills and for keeping the isle secure and prosperous. But this is a time when women of ability are deemed sorceresses, when Renaissance France is torn by ruthless political intrigues, and all are held in thrall to the sinister ambitions of Queen Catherine de Medici. Then a wounded stranger arrives on Faire Isle, bearing a secret the Dark Queen will do everything in her power to possess. The only person Ariane can turn to is the comte de Renard, a nobleman with fiery determination and a past as mysterious as his own unusual gifts. Riveting, vibrant, and breathtaking, The Dark Queen follows Ariane and Renard as they risk everything to prevent the fulfillment of a dreadful prophecy–even if they must tempt fate and their own passions.

Customer Reviews:

The Dark Queen.......2007-06-03

Wow. When i first got this book i thought it was going to resemble Philippa Gregory's 16th century English Historical books, only in France instead of England. I couldnt have been more wrong! But i am not dissapointed! This novel is more a romance novel than a Historical fiction, although it does teach you a few things here and there. And it actually didnt have much to do with The Dark Queen, as its title suggests. I loved this book. The entire thing! I could hardly put it down. I would deffinitely recomend this book. The love story tugs at your heart and puts a smile on your face!

The Dark Queen(my opinion).......2007-05-13

I haven't finished the book yet(being very busy),but I liked it from page 1 and I am going to read the sequels too,in due time.

quick, light read. not what i expected........2007-02-13

I mistook this for a historical novel, but it is really better described as a historical romance. Additionally, it was much more fantasy than anything remotely factual. It was enjoyable enough, but i won't get the 2 sequel stories.

An Enchanted Adventure!.......2006-07-30

I found The Dark Queen by Susan Carroll to be a whole lot of fun. It's a historical romance set in 1572 when Catherine de Medici rules the throne in France.

Airiane Cheney is Lady of Faire Isle, a title bestowed upon her after the death of her mother, and a Daughter of the Earth (a healer). She takes the her mother's former role reluctantly, and continually questions how well she can aid those around her, having little faith in herself.

A captain arrives on Faire Isle and seeks out Airiane's help to prove that the queen, Catherine de Medici, has murdered another queen, Jeanne of Navarre, through the use of poisonous gloves. She agrees to help and we quickly find ourselves deep in a plot of intrigue.

She must contend with the Dark Queen's solders seeking out the gloves as well -- evidence must always be destroyed you know. There are also witch hunters out on the prowl and as a Daughter of the Earth, they see her and those like her as witches too. As their guardian, she must protect and care for her younger sisters, Gabrielle and Mirabelle, too. Plus, there is the dashing Comte de Renard, who is vying for her attention and filled with his own dark mysteries as well.

Yes, this story is one that's chock full of adventure, mystery, humor, love, and all those great moments in between.

A wonderful book indeed!

Dark Fluff.......2006-07-19

This is delightful, summertime fluff. The characters are interesting, the bad guys are creepy and the history (Catherine de Medici and St. Bartholomew's Eve) is real. The fantasy the author spins around the events leading up to the slaughter is an enchantment in itself. Only the language itself falls short of the story. The dialogue is sometimes stilted and the sporadic use of French feels forced. All in all the book is a good bet for a pool side read.

Agincourt: Henry V and the Battle That Made England

Average customer rating:

Approachable History
Agincourt: Henry V and the Battle that Made England
History the way it should be written
Excellent read
Agincourt: A great medieval battle in France leads Henry V of England to greatness

Agincourt: Henry V and the Battle That Made England
Juliet Barker
Manufacturer: Little, Brown and Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

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Western | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0316015032

Book Description

From a master historian comes an astonishing chronicle of life in medieval Europe and the battle that altered the course of an empire.

Although almost six centuries old, the Battle of Agincourt still captivates the imaginations of men and women on both sides of the Atlantic. It has been immortalized in high culture (Shakespeare's Henry V) and low (the New York Post prints Henry's battle cry on its editorial page each Memorial Day). It is the classic underdog story in the history of warfare, and generations have wondered how the English--outnumbered by the French six to one--could have succeeded so bravely and brilliantly. Drawing upon a wide range of sources, eminent scholar Juliet Barker casts aside the legend and shows us that the truth behind Agincourt is just as exciting, just as fascinating, and far more significant. She paints a gripping narrative of the October 1415 clash between outnumbered English archers and heavily armored French knights. But she also takes us beyond the battlefield into palaces and common cottages to bring into vivid focus an entire medieval world in flux. Populated with chivalrous heroes, dastardly spies, and a ferocious and bold king, AGINCOURT is as earthshaking as its subject--and will confirm Juliet Barker's status as both a historian and a storyteller of the first rank.

Customer Reviews:

Approachable History.......2007-09-15

Juliet Barkers' Agincourt: Henry V and the Battle that Made England is a one of those rare history books where the characters and context all come to life. Immensely readable and highly informative I recommend this book to anyone wishing to know more about the history of England and the English speaking peoples. The only negative comment would be that, on occasion, there is too much detail about minutia, usually minor characters. However, that is just a quibble. Overall I highly recommend this book.

Agincourt: Henry V and the Battle that Made England.......2007-06-07

This is a fabulous read. Showing a high degree of respect to her sources, Barker treats the subject with integrity - provides the historical facts while educating the reader on conflicting conclusions of other historians. She also shows how contemporary reactions differ from a more modern reading of history.

This book also provides good insights into dynastic change in England primarily, but also in France.

I couldn't believe how hard it was to put the book down.

History the way it should be written.......2007-06-04

This is an outstanding book that manages to do the seemingly impossible: It's a scholarly, heavily annotated study that is also fast-paced and exciting. It's literally a stay-up-late page-turner.

The book does require some "unlearning." That is, what most people know about the Battle of Agincourt is based on vague memories of Shakespeare's play or film versions. The real story is actually better and more exciting than those. The battle was not fought in isolation; Barker's book allows us to see and feel the complexities of the social, political, and military situation in Europe at the time of the battle, and these complexities require some unlearning of what most of us think we know about that time.

The political situation at the time was hellishly complex, and at the time of the battle, Henry V knew for a fact that he was not only King of England, but King of France, too. Of course, since his father had deposed Rickard II to become King, his claim rested on shaky ground. In addition, the King of France knew for a fact that he was King, though France was plunging into civil war at the time over that claim. In addition, everyone involved was convinced that God was on his side. In short, the pot was boiling when Henry V decided to invade France to assert his claim. The Battle of Agincourt was the culmination of the struggle.

The book is divided into thirds. The first third details-- and I mean DETAILS-- the background, describing the lines of succession, the political and economic institutions of the day, and the basis of chivalry. The second third details the battle, both in military terms and in human ones. This is one of the most vivid accounts of what it must have been like to be in combat then that I have ever read. The final third details the aftermath and the long-term effects of the battle.

Barker is an academic historian, and she is very careful to offer sources for her conclusions, particularly when they differ from popular thinking. But she doesn't let this get in the way of keeping her story moving. It's actually easy to forget that this is serious history, but the annotations are always there for the checking.

The one thing that would have improved the book for me would be more and better maps. The two that are included just don't have sufficient detail. The genealogy charts for the British and French royal families could have been more detailed, too. It can be a challenge to keep track of the various dukes, barons, etc.

This is an outstanding book. It will reward someone engaged in serious historical studies and someone who just wants to read more about the battle after seeing Kevin Branagh's Henry V. I recommend it very highly.

Excellent read.......2007-02-21

I cannot begin to imagine the difficulty in writing history that can be read easily. Authors who are able to do this have a special gift. I have bought many books over the years that are dry as dust and hard to chew. The author of this book does an excellent job in making the nitty gritty details stay alive and the pages easy to turn.

Agincourt: A great medieval battle in France leads Henry V of England to greatness.......2006-10-20

Agincourt is the lastest book by noted Bronte biographer Juliet Barker. Barker received her Ph.D. from Oxford in Medieval History; needless to say she is an expert on Agincourt!
Henry V (reigned 1413-1422) was the greatest warrior king in British history. His victory over his French enemies at Agincourt on Oct. 25, 1415
led to an overwhelming victory. High ransom paid for French hostages added to Henry's coffers; the fame of England's victory was celebrated
in minstrely, poems, songs and most famously in Shakespeare's history play Henry V. (Later made into a famous film by Laurence Olivier in 1944 as the British along with their allies were planning for the D-Day landings in France.
Barker is excellent in limning the characters of such renowned figures as Rauol de Gaucourt the gallant French soldier who defended the town of Harfleur until it was forced to surrender. He was later imprisoned in England. Henry V comes across as a pious, good king who could exert cruelty and diplomacy in equal measures in the governing of his kingdom (he considered himself to be king of both England and France),
The book details how a medieval army was paid, fed, quartered; taught the arts of war and chilvary and what weapons were utilized (the English archers won the battle as they slaughtered the French attacking them in a rainy, misty dawn across muddy fields). The English had about 6,000 troops but triumphed over the vast French forces facing them.
The French were divided by hatreds and factions being poorly led. The English troops were led by Henry a military genius and charismatic leader.
Juliet Barker has done a fine job making this 600 year battle come alive for the reader.

Mary, Queen of Scots: Queen Without a Country, France, 1553 (The Royal Diaries)

Average customer rating:

Good FICTION book
Queen of Scotland, lived in France
Mary, Queen of Scots
some history about this book . . .
She is not Bloody Mary

Mary, Queen of Scots: Queen Without a Country, France, 1553 (The Royal Diaries)
Kathryn Lasky
Manufacturer: Scholastic Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Royalty | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0439194040

Amazon.com

Sent from her native Scotland to live in the court of her future father-in-law, King Henry II of France, young Mary, Queen of Scots, spends her time attending balls, hunting and hawking, learning Latin and fractions and music, and playing with her future husband, Francis. In Kathryn Lasky's fictionalized diary of the 11-year-old queen, readers will get a piquant taste of 16th-century life in Europe. Mary is quite aware of her role as the betrothed to France's royal family. Playing chess together one day, Francis comments to Mary, "Did it ever strike you, Mary, that we are not so much children and sons and daughters of parents as we are pieces on a gigantic chessboard called Europe? You are given to me to help checkmate England." As with the other titles in the Royal Diaries series (Elizabeth I: Red Rose of the House of Tudor, etc.), a fact-packed historical note, epilogue, paintings, and family tree provide just enough additional information to whet the appetites of readers for more about the ill-fated queen of Scotland and France. (Ages 9 to 14) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

Mary is only nine months old when she is crowned Queen of Scotland succeeding her father King James V. Because of political conflicts, she is forced to be separated from her mother and her country from the age of five. For the benefit of forging an alliance with France, the youngster is betrothed to Francis, the son of King Henry ll of France and his wife, the vicious and jealous Queen Catherine de Medici. Mary is sent to France to live in their care until she is old enough for the marriage to take place. It is at their home, the beautiful Chateau St. Germaine, that we first meet the irresistibly charming Mary at 11 years old. Keenly intelligent, she excels academically, and shows a talent for dance, music and poetry. She's an expert horsewoman, skilled at archery and hawking.

Customer Reviews:

Good FICTION book.......2006-10-19

THis book is a good read. I've found though that many books in this series are incomplete. They fail to metion any parts of their deaths. I for one don't like this. In History Mary Queen of Scots was killed by her cousin Elizabeth I of England. I also noticed that in the last grand duchess, they again failed to show why she ended up as the last grand duchess. I enjoyed reading this book. In reality, the book isn't a history lesson and shouldn't be read as such. Finally, it is an incomplete account based on a certain author's view.

Queen of Scotland, lived in France.......2005-11-07

I'm a big fan of the Royal Diaries series and own this book, which i think is very interesting. It tells you alot about the life of Mary Queen Of Scots, where she lived, ect. I acually didn't know she had lived in France before i read this book. Historicly corrrct, interesting and fun to read; this book also mentions Elizabeth I, whom a diary in this series has also been written after. I definetly recomend this book.

Mary, Queen of Scots.......2005-10-28

Alright, here is some information about the history of this family. This is not completly about this book, but scince so many people are getting their history wrong, i chose to write a review just for that reason.

Mary is the cousin of Elizabeth I of England. Mary became Queen of Scotland before she was even 2 years old, (rather odd!) but was raised in France.

Mary was a betrayer, and did not appriciate Elizabeth's kindness at all, and was plotting against her with the Spanish. Elizabeth warned Mary but she chose not to listen. Elizabeth ordered for Mary to be executed, and so it was done on February 8, 1587. She was executed.

Mary is the great - grand daughter of Henry VII. Here are some of the people she is related to:

- King Henry VIII (Son of Henry VII, Father of Elizabeth I and Mary I, married to Anne Boleyn, her Great - Uncle)

Second Cousins , Mary I, Elizabeth I, King Edward VI , Lady Jane Grey (i think), ect.

Margaret Tudor (Daughter of Henry VII, Sister of Henry VIII, her great - aunt)
************************************************************

That is just a small percent of the history of Mary. Thank you.

some history about this book . . . .......2005-10-27

Mary, Queen of Scotts (Mary Stuart) is the Great- Grand daughter of English King Henry VII. She is the second - cousin of Elizabeth Tudor, Daughter of King Henry VIII. She was Queen of Scotland, and was exiled from Scotland for many years, and lived in England at the palaces of her Cousin, Elizabeth. Mary betrayed Elizabeth greatly, and planned to kill the Queen. She talked behind Elizabeth's back, and even though Elizabeth was kind to her, Mary acted very ignorantly towards Elizabeth! Because she planned to kill to Queen, she was ordered to be be-headed by Elizabeth. THANK YOU!

She is not Bloody Mary.......2005-10-05

The book was very intresting like all the Royal Diaries I have read so far. [...] SHE IS NOT BLOODY MARY that in fact was Elizabeth I's half sister Mary TUDOR not Mary STUART( who is the man character in this story)

chiao!

Average customer rating:

Well, I liked it!!
While a bit predictable, still a satisfying conclusion
just an average read
This book deserves an 'A'
Meh...

The Silver Rose: A Novel
Susan Carroll
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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Avon ANEW CLINICAL 2-Step Facial Peel

ASIN: 0345482514
Release Date: 2006-03-07

Book Description

From Brittany’s fog-shrouded forests to the elegant dark heart of Paris’s royal court, one woman must challenge a country’s destiny–and her own dangerous fate.

France, 1585. She is the youngest and most powerful of the “Sisters of Faire Isle,” women known far and wide for their extraordinary mystical abilities. Skilled in healing and able to forecast the future of those around her, Miri Cheney has returned to her ancestral home to take refuge from a land devastated by civil war–and to grieve for her family, driven to exile. But she cannot hide from the formidable new power threatening to seize control of France from the dread “Dark Queen,” Catherine de Medici–a diabolical woman known only as the Silver Rose. Miri has no choice but to turn to the one man she distrusts as much as she desires: Simon Aristide, the charismatic witch-finder who is now himself the hunted, and who has reluctantly made an unholy pact with Catherine. Miri must defy throne and family to save all that she loves most–and command a future greater than she could ever imagine.

Vibrant with stunning historical detail, alive with characters as richly passionate as they are compelling, The Silver Rose is a sweeping, exquisitely wrought tale from a mesmerizing storyteller.

Download Description

Chapter One

The storm hovered in the distance, the gathering clouds like a herd of wild gray stallions about to rampage through Port Corsair and steal away the serenity of the summer afternoon. As Miri cantered her pony into the small harbor town, she straightened in the saddle, her nostrils flaring as she scented the air. The storm was one, perhaps two hours away at most by her reckoning. The rocky coast of Faire Isle usually took the brunt of the tempests hurled from the sea, but not even the heart of the small island would be immune to the force of this one.

The brisk wind blowing leeward threatened to wreak havoc with her hair, but her pale blond tresses were tightly bound in a braid that fell to the small of her back. Hair so severely confined might have left another woman’s face too harshly exposed, but it only served to emphasize the striking mold of her cheekbones. There was something a little fey in her expression, the reflection of a woman who kept mostly to herself, more comfortable with the creatures of the forest than she was with her own kind.

Tall and thin, she wore a belted, ankle-length gown, the soft gray hue adding to the ethereal illusion that she was a lady who could easily vanish in a puff of mist. Her skirts and petticoats bunched uncomfortably about her knees as she rode astride. The fashion for sidesaddles had never been adopted by the practical women of Faire Isle. Miri would as soon have dispensed with a saddle altogether and donned a comfortable pair of masculine breeches as she had been wont to do as a child. But she feared that she already created enough of a stir when she ventured into town these days.

As Miri slowed her pony to a walk, she braced herself for the familiar onslaught of faces peering at her over cottage fences. Some simply stared; others nodded their heads in uneasy recognition. An apple-cheeked woman weeding her garden ventured to wave, but as Miri went by, the woman immediately turned to whisper to her daughter.

Miri held her head high, but the whispers, the stares thrust her back through the years to another gloom-ridden summer day . . .

The drum beat out a relentless tattoo and her heart seemed to thud in tempo as she was dragged toward the town square by the grim-faced witch-hunters in their black robes. The halter they had fastened about her neck abraded her skin raw, but she tried to keep her chin up, remember who she was, the daughter of the brave Chevalier Louis Cheney and the Lady Evangeline, one of the wisest women Faire Isle had ever known. But she shrank from all those staring eyes, the faces of people she’d believed were friends and neighbors.

She was a true daughter of the earth. How could they think that she was a witch who had made an unholy pact with the devil? Why would anyone want to hurt her? She twisted her head and directed a pleading glance toward the youngest of the witch-hunters. Although he swallowed hard, his dark eyes growing moist, Simon kept marching and doggedly beat the drum . . .

Miri shuddered and thrust the memory back into the dark recesses of her past where it belonged. She was no longer that frightened and bewildered child, but a woman of six and twenty, all too familiar with the ignorance and cruelty to be found in the world. So much had changed in her life since that dark summer day she’d survived her arrest for witchcraft, except perhaps for one thing. Many still suspected her of practicing sorcery.

“Filthy little witch!”

Miri flinched in spite of herself at the shrill cry. She shifted in the saddle, glancing about her for the source of the angry outcry only to realize that the epithet had not been hurled at her.

A group of some half-dozen women was clustered near the common well, engaged in a heated conflict. Miri’s first instinct was to

Customer Reviews:

Well, I liked it!!.......2007-02-18

Although Miri wasn't my favorite in any of the previous books, I liked her much better in her "own" book. She finally showed some courage to admit her desires and follow her heart. I would have liked to hear more about Gabrielle and Remy; it seems our author favors Ariane and Renard. Overall, this was a good series and I would recommend it.

While a bit predictable, still a satisfying conclusion.......2006-12-09

Filled with the imagery and passion of its predecessors, The Silver Rose follows the story of Miribelle Cheney, the youngest of the three Cheney sisters. While the synopsis lists her as the most powerful of the trio, I have to disagree. Infinitely patient and gentle, Miri is the antithesis of the powerful, jaded Gabrielle and the nurturing and fiercely maternal Ariane.

Miri joins long-time friend, turned nemesis, turned ally, Simon Aristide in a hunt for the elusive Silver Rose. During the twists and turns of the pursuit, Simon and Miri discover their mutual weakness for each other and a love that grows stronger with each breath. The two are impeded by the valiant, and often overdramatic, Martin Le Loup, a fiery admirer of Miri. Together, Miri, Martin and Simon face down the fearsome creature, Cassandra Lascalles, whom, predictably turns out to be the helmsman of the order of the Silver Rose.

While this book is predictable in its outcomes and plot twists, it still strikes the heart of the romantic within. As with the earlier novels, love conquers all in the end, bringing to an easy conclusion, the trials and tribulations of the Cheney women.

just an average read.......2006-08-17

I really found myself saying...is this over already! I was disappointed because the liner notes described an altogether different book. I expected a more sophisticated story line.

This book deserves an 'A'.......2006-06-30

I was one of those who didn't read the trilogy in order. I got a hold of 'The Courtesan' first, then 'The Dark Queen', then 'The Silver Rose'. I've read most of Susan Carroll's newer books but the Chenney sisters trilogy were her best work so far. The whole 3 books were flawless, including 'The Silver Rose' (which I finished @ 1am with a satisfied sigh).

In each of the previous books, we got to see both Miri & Simon at a different stage of their lives, the younger time. Finally in 'The Silver Rose' we got to understand why they did what they did (particularly Simon) and what sort of consequences they had to endure for their actions. I must say that Susan Carroll did a wonderful job of redeeming Simon in this book, and I thought Miri's choice for Simon (over Martin) was true to Miri's character. They both share their love for animals and farm life, while Martin is more of a city guy. All in all, this was a well written, multi-layered, historical romance novel which I truly enjoyed. Some of previous reviewers mentioned their disatisfaction over certain unresolved issues like the missing book of shadows, etc.. but I thought it's better to end this way. After all, this is not your typical straight forward romance novel where everything is tied up beautifully with pink ribbons in the end. So I think it's only right that a story about 3 witches ..er... wise women.. ends with something left for imagination as well.

Needless to say, I will eagerly wait for Susan Carroll's next book.

Meh..........2006-06-27

I must state this before I go on about this book: I never really liked Miri. She was my least favorite of the Cheney sisters, and I always thought she was too naive and, honestly, boring.
So I wasn't too thrilled to read her book. It was OK, it really was. But I just couldn't understand why the amazingly "powerful" Miri was in love with Simon- he bascially ruined her family's life (by having them exiled from their home that's been in the family for centuaries). I just coudn't make sense of it. And she had Wolf- who ADORED her. Personally I think she should have gone with him, but that's just me.
As for substance wise, the book was a bit predicatable (like it has been said before), there wasn't much that suprised me (except that it wasn't the Dark Queen with the Book of Shadows). I did think Cassandra was going to come back for Wolf, but nothing really happened between them. I expected her to basically kill him, but she only imprisoned him for an hour or two.
Basically, this book can't match the Dark Queen (Adriane is my favorite sister) & the Courteasean (very good plot).

Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France

Average customer rating:

Tough book to get through, but worth it
A very interesting book
An informative read for Renaissance history buffs
Great and precise account of a decisive woman
REVIEW OF LEONIE FRIEDA'S CATHERINE DE MEDICI BY JOHN CHUCKMAN

Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France
Leonie Frieda
Manufacturer: Fourth Estate
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Historical | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0060744928
Release Date: 2005-01-18

Customer Reviews:

Tough book to get through, but worth it.......2007-10-07

I found this book tough going, and it glossed over whole stretches of time in order, no doubt, to cover Catherine's life in less than a thousand pages. Overall, though, I enjoyed sections, and I'm interested to read more about this fascinating Queen.

A very interesting book.......2007-04-05

Caterina Maria Romola di Lorenzo de' Medici was born in Italy in 1519, and in 1533 was married to King Henry II of France. When Henry died in 1552, Catherine moved from the shadows to become the all-powerful Queen-Mother, the ruler of France in all but name only. However, in an era of schemes and machinations, Catherine gained a reputation as the ultimate schemer, a woman without scruples or bounds. This is the story of Catherine de Medici from birth to death.

Overall, I found this to be a very interesting book. The author wanted to humanize Catherine, and to show her as an able power-politics player in an age when it was played by the best. In a way, she succeeded ably. Catherine is shown not to have been "the Maggot from Italy's Tomb" (as Jules Michelet termed her), but rather a mother seeking to help and protect her children in a very dangerous world. But, she only had so much to work with.

In fact, the author shows that Catherine was unable to give affection to her children, something they had to go to their father for, and while she might have been forced into the role of schemer, she embraced the role without scruple. Was she "La Nouvelle Jezebel?" Reading this book, I think so.

Yes, this is a very interesting book, one that goes a long way towards bringing Catherine to life, and making her understandable to the modern reader. I enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it!

An informative read for Renaissance history buffs.......2006-12-19

I highly recommend this book to people who want to know more about the Medici family and its illustrious member who became the Queen of France.

Catherine de Medici had 10 children: three became French kings, one became Queen of Spain (as wife of Philip II). Her youngest son was a serious candidate to wed England's Queen Elizabeth.

The Queen Mother was a lavish spender who insisted on mounting extravagant "magnificences" in total disregard for France's precarious financial state. She would even impose taxes on the ever-suffering populace to finance her exercises of excess. She formed her own company of scantily clad dancing girls ("the flying squadron") which proved quite popular.

Catherine was not a hardcore religious type (like Spain's Philip II) but attended Mass regularly. She was not threatened by the rise of Protestantism and sought to meet their demands by peaceful means. She was superstitious: when a seer predicted the death of her husband King Henry II at a tournament, she begged him not to compete (he did anyway and was killed in an accident).

She presided over eight Wars of Religion: civil wars between Protestants fighting for their right to worship freely, and Catholics trying to keep the country from splitting apart. The author discusses Catherine's many diplomatic efforts to resolve the difficulties peacefully. But treacherous behavior among hardcore Huguenots eventually hardened her attitude, culminating in the disastrous Massacre of St Bartholomew of 1572, which killed as many as 30,000 men, women, and children all over France.

Catherine loved architecture, ate heartily (she was fat), and was an enthusiastic horseback rider. She adored her husband Henry II even though he preferred to spend his time with a mistress. She worshipped her son King Henri III, a transvestite who frequently ignored his royal duties to spend time with his young male companions ("mignons").

Catherine was not what contemporary thinkers would call a "good mother." While she worshipped Henri, she ignored her other children. At the outset of the Massacre of 1572, she put her daughter Margot in mortal danger by allowing her to stay at the Louvre, even though the building was about to be overrun by assassins. Years later, Catherine even proposed "eliminating" Margot in order to allow her husband Henri of Navarre to marry a woman who was more capable of bearing children.

I would not call this a "sympathetic" biography. While the author emphasizes Catherine's diplomatic efforts, the Queen Mother clearly lived up to the Medicis' darker reputation by approving numerous political assassinations.

This book is full of interesting information, and also contains several full-color illustrations.

Great and precise account of a decisive woman.......2006-07-01

When i picked up this book my expectations were not that high but from the moment i started reading i was captivated by the authors way of telling the story.The author does a very good job in describing Catherine and her struggles from an early childhood until she became the Queen of France. The author's style is flawless and goes straight to the point in describing all the plots and treaties that happened in that time and their importance towards Italy,France and Spain.This is a great book that not only highlights Catherine struggles to keep the dinasty afloat but also because she makes us undestand all the main characters and their problems.Excellent work!!

REVIEW OF LEONIE FRIEDA'S CATHERINE DE MEDICI BY JOHN CHUCKMAN.......2006-02-04

This book is an interesting failure. It is well worth reading and contains many interesting passages, but Ms. Frieda fails in her stated aim of creating a more sympathetic understanding of Catherine de Medici and the difficulties under which she labored.

Catherine is widely seen as a talented, scheming and ruthless power-behind-the-throne figure, doing almost anything to promote and protect her children which included two Kings of France. Catherine's era overlaps that of a truly great queen, England's Elizabeth I, so her story includes figures such as Mary Queen of Scots and Philip II of Spain and includes the great waves of violence that crashed across Europe following the Reformation. You just can't come up with better historical material.

Ms. Frieda does a creditable job of telling her story, at times rising to gripping narrative as when she describes events around the Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre, an orgy of killing in which something on the order of ten to twenty thousand Huguenots were slaughtered, many having their throats cut in their beds.

Ms. Frieda's explanation of Catherine's role in the Massacre is that she only wanted to have a small group of leaders killed while conveniently gathered for the wedding of Henri of Navarre, a Protestant of Valois blood, and Catherine's daughter, Margot. Ms. Frieda's thesis is that what was to be a small "surgical operation" got completely out of hand with Paris mobs taking to killing anyone even suspected of being a Protestant, as though killing a group of guests at a royal wedding, had it gone no further, would have been just fine.

Ms. Frieda is not the first to put the thesis forward, but it fails utterly to soften our view of Catherine. There is little proof supporting Frieda's interpretation, but, in ordinary common law, if you commit a crime that generates a still bigger crime, you are not free of guilt. Beyond that, no one knew better than Catherine, after all her terrible experience with French Catholic-Protestant relations, what a seething place Catholic Paris was. To have Admiral Coligny, a much-admired Huguenot, and other high officials assassinated at that time in that place was criminally stupid, apart from all considerations of ethics and proper statecraft.

She wheedled her mentally-unbalanced son, Charles IX, into agreeing to the vicious plan, in part out of her sick jealousy over Coligny's friendship and influence with the King. When Charles, in one of his maniacal rages, finally roared his infamous "Kill them all" order, shouldn't the supposedly careful and subtle Catherine have understood how the words could be misinterpreted?

One can't avoid seeing Catherine as the classic over-protective, hot-house mother, willing to forgive her bloody awful darlings anything, willing to do almost anything for them. Such people always do a great deal of harm in ordinary life and even more when they are in high places. This sick trait of Catherine was compounded by the fact that there was raging madness in her Valois-de Medici brood. Charles IX, Henri III, and her daughter Margot, who married the future king, Henri of Navarre, were simply mad, unfit to rule even in ordinary times, but these were not ordinary times. There was Catherine working feverishly for their interests, effectively against the interests of France as a whole.

Other unsavory aspects of Catherine's character come through even in this book. Her horrible execution, many years later, of the Count de Montgomery, the man who accidentally killed her husband, Henri II, in a jousting entertainment, is just one. Henri, who had insisted on another joust, had publicly forgiven the man as he lay dying. Catherine waited for many years to take her bloody revenge. Frieda says this is one of the only examples of her taking vengeance, but that statement comes after having dismissed many convenient deaths, widely suspected at the time to have been poisonings.

Read this book and others - it contains an excellent bibliography - to decide for yourself how best to interpret Catherine's work. You will, in any event, be exposed to interesting times, and you will be glad you aren't living in them.

Average customer rating:

Almost interesting.
Rather Disappointing
Not Linda's best by far, but an excellent story nevertheless.
Nice story, painful French
An excellent read!

Daughter of Silk (The Silk House #1)
Linda Lee Chaikin
Manufacturer: Zondervan Publishing House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 031026300X

Book Description

A young silk heiress is caught in the dangerous tide of French history during the reign of the evil Queen Mother, Catherine de Medici. Uncovering a diabolical plot, Rachelle joins forces with the handsome rebel Marquis Fabien de Vendome—but will they be in time?

Customer Reviews:

Almost interesting........2007-09-06

I have read several Linda Chaikin books, but this one had so many historical characters and incidents, then a ton of French words thrown in. I finally gave up after 200 pages. It was just too much work to follow the story with the French dictionary, a map of France so you could follow their travels, three family trees, and a two-page list of the characters. If I wanted history, I would just get a history book. I really was looking for historical fiction, emphasis on the fiction. Two stars for all the research that had to have gone into this book. Just no flow to the story.

Rather Disappointing.......2007-01-01

So I was so looking forward to this book. I started to read it and my first thoughts were WHAT??? This doesn't seem to be in L. Chaikin's style at all. I found the characters 2D. They didn't have anything about them that drew me. I found Rachelle rather sappy. Fabien well wasn't very competent. I like stories where they don't have everything happen right but this was just plain retarded. I also like stories w/real history but I felt the story was overwhelmed by the history and just plain rambling of this person and this or such.

Not Linda's best by far, but an excellent story nevertheless........2006-12-18

Linda L. Chaikin has a way of seamlessly weaving together romance, suspense, and history, and she doesn't disappoint in "Daughter of Silk". The plot is exciting and compelling, and it keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The romance is slightly rushed, but I enjoyed it anyway, and I'm anxiously awaiting the next book in this series!

Nice story, painful French.......2006-12-17

This book was a quick and easy read. I like how Ms. Chaikin incorporated so much historical fact into her story, the plot line was consistent, and the characters engaging.

However, I couldn't handle her "use" of French. I'm not sure why, but she used many French words in the story rather than English. Simple words such as uncle, or cousin. The latter was consistently misspelled throughout. If you have had even an introductory course in French, then you understand the feminine/masculine conjugations. These grammatical and usage rules were ignored, not only in the spelling, but also with the choice of words. All of the errors were unnecessary as she could have easily said the word in English. The French words and sayings in the book that needed to be written in French were done so correctly, so I wonder how someone who understands it's "chaise longue" rather than "chaise lounge" doesn't understand simple conjugations.

I felt that her attempt at using French words for no reason (those that didn't need to remain in French for idiomatic or cultural reasons) was pretentious, and not even done properly. This upsets me because other than the errors (almost guaranteed one every other page), I really enjoyed the book. The story line and characters hooked me, and even though I'll cringe again when reading the sequel, I know I'm looking forward to it's release.

An excellent read! .......2006-11-17

Linda Chaikin always seems to come through with another great book just when you think her books couldn't get any better. I found Rachelle a refreshing heroine who had actual depth. And who couldn't love Fabien? While Madame Le Serpent practically gave me shivers. And her son? Almost gave me nightmares! I love reading books with adventure and realistic villains. I had not known much prior about the Hugenots but now find myself facinated with that period of time and the courageous people who fought for their faith, even risking their life. I would recommend this book to anyone who gets sick of sappy Christian romance sometimes. I LOVED THIS BOOK!

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