Book Description
The first book to examine the life of Henry Fitzroy, the only illegitimate child ever publicly acknowledged by Henry VIII.
Customer Reviews:
A Book for aficionados of the Tudor period.......2006-07-08
Dying at the age of 18, Henry Fitzroy is, in the end, a person of little or no historical significance. There was the potential that he could have become historically significant, but he didn't; this may make him a little interest to general history readers. On the other hand, as the king's acknowledged son, there is also considerable documentation about his life, and it did intersect with some of the flashpoints of history. For the reader interested in the period, his story fleshes out the life and upbringing of a high-ranking male. Murphy also checks upon some of the minor, disputed details of the question of the succession.
What is very interesting about biographies like this is that they bring out the details of the period better than biographies of the famous. The latter are so filled with political and social events that very often the subject isn't developed as a person, even when there is copious information. In a way, that is a shame. It would be nice to have "personal" biographies of such people where the already heavily documented major historical events are a background to their daily life. I had read a great deal of information about the Tudors before I learned that Henry played cards with (and lost to!) his cellarer, or that Anne Boleyn, obviously a woman after my own heart, insisted that he move his fighting cocks so that she could sleep in in the morning.
One problem that I do have with Murphy is that she struggles so hard to make him seem more important. If his neighbors were bringing him gifts when he was 12, I think it is more likely to ingratiate themselves with him and his father, not because he was personally doing a fabulous job of managing his estates. His life wasn't one that was eccentric or fascinating or wittily told that I would recommend it to everyone, but I think that people really interested in the period will find it improves their general understanding.
Interesting topic, but the writing didn't grab me.......2006-02-15
I love Henry...love any book about him, his wives, his children, I have all of them. This one caught my eye because it was written about one of his children you rarely hear anything about other than his mother's name and that he died relatively young. I was excited to start reading, but found the presentation wasn't grabbing my attention, and I found myself not being as interested in the information presented as I thought I would be. I suppose you could call the presentation as text-bookish. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy non-fiction, especially historical non-fiction, but this one just didn't keep me interested.
The Lost Son.......2005-06-16
Among the more grandiose plans amongst the ministers of Henry VIII's administration was to legitimize Henry FitzRoy and marry him to his legitimate half-sister Mary (i.e. Bloody Mary). It has been rumored amongst historians that this idea was in fact direct from the King's mouth. According to 16th century standards, siblings who shared the same father (but perhaps not the same mother) were considered 'full-blood' siblings. Siblings who shared the same mother but different fathers were those considered "half". Just a little tidbit of historical nonsense.
Passably Competent Account of a Little Known Bastard.......2004-09-02
Henry VIII while famous for his six wives, did not stop there: among his many extracurriculars was Elizabeth Blount, a young lady who bore him a son, Henry FitzRoy, who was later made Duke of Richmond. The Bastard Price was born well before Ann Boleyn had come on the scene, was publicly acknowledged as the "natural son" of the King and showered with titles and offices. As such, it would not have taken much - or at least it would have taken less trouble than it might have seemed, certainly less trouble than Boleyn marriage brought - to "legitimize" Richmond and thereby solve the most pressing crisis of the late 1520s and early 1530s, namely, Henry's failure to sire a male heir. Murphy does a reasonable job of walking us through the permutations and combination of this would-be scenario, and one is left pondering the possibilities: could the English Reformation have been averted through a bit of subtle intrigue and a quick marriage to Blount? Though the story is interesting, the book itself is a bit slow and assumes quite a deal of background knowledge.
The man who was allmost Henry The Ninth of England.......2002-07-22
This book is a must read for those interested in Tudor Royalty.It reveals an entirely different view of Henry VIII and the problems[real and imagined]he faced concerning his desire for a legitimate male heir to the Throne of England.The politics surrounding Henry VIII and his Court are well researched and presented in a clear way which involves the reader with the Duke of Norfolk and Anne Boleyn's backers and Family[Seymour] as they fought for power and the favor of the King.
Book Description
ONE MAN… TWO LIVES…
For over six years, Reginald Brooks has managed to pull it off. Having two families, leading two lives.
Now, the pretending must stop.
But how?
THE GREAT PRETENDER…an electrifying tale of how one man tries to untangle his life, setting a full-fledged arena of wife against husband, lover against lover, friend against friend, and family against family.
Once you begin this engaging tale, you will witness how one man's decision to pretend ricochets through the lives of several people. For some, escape could seem to be a most welcome solution…
Reginald Brooks—a polished marketing VP who shrewdly built a dual life around his work. But without warning, that life begins to come apart at the seams and Reginald makes a decision that could threaten his very future, and the lives of those he loves most…
Tracy Brooks—Reginald's wife of nearly 20 years. While the cat's away, the mice will play. She's got secrets of her own to protect…
Renee Jameson—the younger woman with the killer body who managed to turn Reginald's head long enough to become pregnant…
Franklin Bevins—a UPS executive and Reginald's best friend since the carefree days of childhood. Reggie has never made a life-changing decision without Frank's input; a practice they may soon live to regret…
Olivia Brooks—Reginald and Tracy's eldest daughter. Family isn't very high on Olivia's list of priorities. With her primary focus on a man, Olivia seems nonchalant about the significant changes in her family's life until a shocking demand gets her full attention…
Valerie Brooks—the younger of Reggie and Tracy's two daughters. A curious teen on the verge of adulthood when a hard knock lesson brings her questionable habits to a screeching halt.
From the plush streets of Miami to the glamour of New York City, follow the families of Reginald Brooks as their lives of sex, love, hate and surprise unfolds to an agonizing climax!
This debut novel by Millenia Black is anticipated to spark a tantalizing blend of emotions, and may even leave you wondering if perhaps you know someone who might be…THE GREAT PRETENDER.
Download Description
"Do you really know the person you love? What warning signs are you willing to ignore? What can you forgive? In her smashing debut novel, Millenia Black puts a daring new spin on modern family drama by exploring its secrets and lies-as the perfect man comes undone by the consequences of a double life. Let a new battle of the sexes begin."
Customer Reviews:
Great First Effort!!!.......2007-05-16
I think that Ms. Black did a splendid job with her first effort, it sure kept me listening. She kept you guessing as to what was happening and who was next to act out on some human emotion that all us humans deal with in our own ways.
While it is true that this was an extreme set of circumstances (I find it interesting that there was plenty of money to go around to all the concerned parties), it could still be an event that we could all be reading about in tomorrow's headlines.
I read in one of these reviews that the reader thought that Reggie did not seem to take responsibility for what he had done. I think the whole book is about his taking responsibility for what he had done. There is no way that he would have thought that Rene would go off the deep end; I don't think anyone saw that coming. Even her own mother and sister did not realize what she was up to.
One last thing: Does anyone else think that Frank was a snake? I think that it was Frank that was the Great Pretender. It was Frank that convinced Reggie to set up housekeeping with Rene in the first place, that was all Frank's idea of how to handle things when she announced she was pregnant in the first place (I don't think that was an accident on her part either). It was also Frank that pursued Tracy. The whole situation could be traced right back to Frank. He is lucky he wasn't facing my late husband, he would not have walked away.
Great Book -
Play By Your Own Rules.......2007-01-25
After reading this story I realized the sad part about this book is that it might be someone's reality. Maybe yours, her's, his, or mine but it is someone's reality. Aside from that, this book is wonderful and creative! Cheating plots are done all the time, but this type of double life scenario is very uncommon. Millenia Black has put a daring new spin on modern family drama by exploring its secrets and lies.
In here we meet married executive Reginald Brooks who has been living a double life--with two families in two different Florida cities. But after nearly a decade, he decides it's time to "come clean" with both women. But the results may be tragic as the so called the "perfect man" comes undone by the consequences of a double life.
Reggie is a brave soul because I don't think a lot people could have pulled off what he did and he certainly hurt a lot of them, including himself, being a "pretender." The story was believable and the rest of characters were well developed. It was definitely a page turner and kept my interest from beginning to end. It had an unfortunate and unexpected ending and I was very saddened by the actions taken by the other woman, although I could understand her hurt over living a complete lie. I was also shocked that the initiator of all of the problems couldn't handle what he had placed on others for so many years.
The author made you feel as if you were a "fly on the wall" in every scene of the book. I agree with the other reviews that this should be made into a movie's you have to be careful about who you deal with...if it doesn't feel right, nine times out of ten, it's not right. It broke my heart at certain parts, while other occasions made me think. Millenia Black did a great job with her debut and is well recommended.
Riveting--An Emotionally Provoking Read! .......2007-01-21
This was one of the best reads I've had in a long time. Indeed, it was A REAL PAGE-TUNER! Characters were despicable, but so flawed and believable that I found them completely relatable. The drama was very intense and the story line well-plotted. I was reluctant to ever book this book down--except during highly emotional moments! The heart-pounding suspense near the end was especially thrilling and a complete emotional ride! Its dramatic sequences and non-stop action had my emotions raging--almost bursting!--that I actually had to put the book down a couple times, (to take deep breaths), and calm myself. When it was all over, I was totally bushed and too emotionally drained. Yet I never wanted the story to end! Despite their follies and selfish attitudes, I actually came to care for these characters. They represented so much of reality: of real-life people in real-life situations.
For a first novel, this was a brilliant effort. The idea that a "perfect" man could live a double life was intriguing. How he dealt with the consequences--all the lies, secrets, deceptions, and bitter betrayals--even more enthralling! Black did a convincing job portraying every woman's worst nightmare!! This is definitely not for the faint of heart. Yet for those who can stomach such a scandalous subject...READ ON!
Millenia Did Her Thing... .......2007-01-18
with "The Great Pretender"! Especially, for this to be her 1st time out. She is a great writer who clearly takes you into the minds and emotions of all her characters, so you can't help but connect with them. Even when they're dead ass wrong! The story plays out perfectly and will keep you eagerly turning the pages.
Good,But..................2007-01-10
This book was a good read but I felt that the author gives too many un needed details and she dragged the story out,I feel more than it needed to be.
Book Description
In 1491, as Machiavelli advised popes and princes and Leonardo da Vinci astonished the art world, a young man boarded a ship in Portugal bound for Ireland. He would be greeted upon arrival as the rightful heir to the throne of England. The trouble was, England already had a king.
The most intriguing and ambitious pretender in history, this elegant young man was celebrated throughout Europe as the prince he claimed to be: Richard, Duke of York, the younger of the “Princes in the Tower” who were presumed to have been murdered almost a decade earlier. Handsome, well-mannered, and charismatic, he behaved like the perfect prince, and many believed he was one. The greatest European rulers of the age—among them the emperor Maximilian, Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, and Charles VIII of France—used him as a diplomatic pawn to their own advantage. As such, he tormented Henry VII for eight years, attempting to invade England three times. Eventually, defeated and captured, he admitted to being Perkin Warbeck, the son of a common boatman from Flanders. But was this really the truth?
Ann Wroe, a historian and storyteller of the first rank, delves into the secret corners of the late medieval world to explore both the elusive nature of identity and the human propensity for deception. In uncovering the mystery of Perkin Warbeck, Wroe illuminates not only a life but an entire world trembling on the verge of discovery.
Customer Reviews:
So promising, so ultimately disappointing.......2006-10-29
When I first saw the synopsis of this book, I was very excited. The mystery of Perkin Warbeck (was he or wasn't he the younger of the Princes in the Tower?) has one that has always intrigued me. Besides, being a staunch Ricardian who firmly believes that Richard III is innocent of his nephews's murder, I thought to myself, if there's even a possibility that Perkin WAS Richard, Duke of York, then it goes to prove that the Princes in the Tower were not murdered at all, by their wicked uncle or anyone else (theories abound on who that someone else may have been, or if there ever was a double murder).
On that last point I very quickly found out that Ms. Wroe thinks no such thing. In the first pages she describes Richard III as having been cut down "like a dog" (when in reality he fought bravely against overwhelming odds due to great treason, and his death caused a "great heaviness" in York and the North). That was the first disappointment. Still, it was moot to the story of Perkin himself, so I ploughed on.
Well, you do need to hang in there tight, the book is overlong and overladen with totally irrelevant details (who cares about trade between Senegal, Portugal and Spain, what does the Aeneid have to do with the story, why spend so much time on Margaret Duchess of Burgundy's illuminated Book of Hours and her "visions", etc.?). When it does come to Perkin Warbeck himself, the narrative is thoroughly confusing. It takes some mental gymnastics to keep it all straight, between the boatman's son, the boy who was Brampton's attendant, the Prince who showed up in several royal courts of Europe, and who did what to him when. Same goes for his wanderings before he gets to Scotland. The narrative just doesn't flow. The sheer dryness of the writing, the contrived prose, the irrelevancies and the confusion make for the other disappointments.
The only (almost) straight piece of narrative is when "Richard, Duke of York" does try to invade England after having married one of the King of Scots' kinswomen, up to his capture and "confession". Here I have another bone to pick. Ms. Wroe's contends that, since this confession was made just before he died, it must be true. I don't see the logic of that. Being tried as a commoner, he was probably "coerced" (to put it mildly) into confessing to almost anything. Bertram Fields, in his book "Royal Blood", devotes a chapter to Yorkist pretenders who tried to overthrow Henry VII, in which he casts serious doubts about Warbeck's confession and points out some inconsistencies that might impugn its reliability.
Well, I give the book 3 stars simply as a reward for so much painstaking research. It's a pity that, so as not to have her time and effort wasted, Ms. Wroe crams all the results of that research, relevant or not, into her book, making it unwieldy, hard to follow, and a very dry read. The stars also go to having tackled an obscure historical figure and tried to shed some light in a 500-year-old mystery.
If you're a history buff and are interested in the small footnotes of history, by all means read the book. If your interest is more in history-as-entertainment and an easy read, seek elsewhere. There are other non-fiction books on the period that are a lot more digestible.
Much ado about nothing........2006-07-31
I found the Perfect Prince to be a well written and superbly research book on Perkin Warbeck affair that plagued King Henry VII of England duirng the last decade of the 15th century. The research goes deeply into this blond pretender who claims to be Richard, Duke of York who somehow survived his days in the Tower of London while his older brother was murdered. The level of deception proves to be so great that many great monarchs of Europe gave their support of him and many English men great or small gave their support as well as their lives for him.
Ann Wroe investigates this interesting sideshow of European history, trying to determined the true nature of this blond fellow who fooled so many, often with their lives and his origins. The study of motivation of Perkin Warbeck, aka: Ricahrd, Duke of York proves to be an interesting and indepth look. One of the important side subjects of this book remains the fate of the princes of the tower, a subject that continued to interest many during the last decade of the 15th century as well as up to the 21st century.
If there was a weakness in this book, I believed it had a lot to do with the fact that the book was over written. Too many petty details were brought out in the book, too tedious at times in some sections. I thought the book could have been edited more tightly.
Still, this book proves to be an interesting read although it tailored to a specific subject matter. Anyone who got any interest in the fate of the Princes in the Tower should read this book. Of course, Henry VII make a dour subject matter but this booka also reflects upon his rule as well.
Rambling and incoherent.......2006-04-01
I am a history buff and an avid reader of anything written about the Wars of the Roses, and in particular, anything written about Richard III and the mystery of the Princes in the Tower. This book, however, was hard to finish. The narrative style is so rambling and incoherent that it is difficult to follow. Facts, dates, and quotes are muddled, sentance structure is meandering and the author never seems able to make a point. How this book got past a copy editor, I'll never figure out.
Incredible Book.......2006-01-25
If you like real mysteries and have a taste for all the problematical aspects of real history and research, this is an incredible, masterful book. It is one of the most satisfying books I have ever read - satisfying on many levels and in many ways.
I am surprised by some of the negative reviews. Obviously, there are people who did not read the book with suffient care and attention. For example, to quote Wroe on Perkin's final confession, as if this is her last word, is to show a woeful understanding of her style and the way the book works. This is not a short book, but it is a truly fine book. If you liked Barbara Tuchman's _A Distant Mirror_, you will love this tale as it is better written, more complex and mysterious, and about a historically more significant person.
REVIEW OF ANN WROE'S THE PERFECT PRINCE BY JOHN CHUCKMAN.......2005-04-25
The subject of this book is one of those remarkable stories of someone who may have been a prince escaped from murder or a clever and well-tutored imposter. This is the Anastasia story of England in the late 1400s. Was the subject of this book Richard Plantangenet, Duke of York, second son of Edward IV, or one Perkin Warbeck (a name with various spellings including Werbecque) from Tournai in what today is Belgium? Ms. Wroe, while telling an interesting story and enlightening us on many of the story's complexities, does not solve the mystery.
A bit of the background to the Prince Richard/Warbeck story is known to many through Shakespeare's wonderful play, Richard III, where Richard's nephews, the sons of Edward IV, are murdered in the Tower at Richard's command. But Shakespeare was concerned with drama and human character and notoriously inaccurate in his histories. The legend of a hideous, spidery Richard III is no more valid than the story of Anne Boleyn, mother of Elizabeth I, having bizarre markings plus an extra finger on one hand, a story which served the interests of Henry VIII in demonizing his legally-murdered wife.
Shakespeare's Richard was the creation of several writers, notably Sir Thomas More, a truly nasty piece of work always ready to burn "heretics" alive and yet coming down to us in popular history as the noble "Man for All Seasons." More wrote to please and flatter the Tudors.
Richard's character is today regarded as heroic, and it is not certain at all that he had the young princes murdered, as indeed it is not certain that the princes were murdered. Richard's terrible death on Bosworth Field marked the start of Henry Tudor's reign as Henry VII, father of tyrant Henry VIII and grandfather of the redoubtable Elizabeth Gloriana.
Wroe's book has a number of faults. First is a stylistic tendency for a dreamy drifting-off from the narrative with paragraphs of associations and tidbits of obscure fact. You might call this illustrating the manuscript. Some find it appealing, and so do I when it is not overdone, but it can be irritating, as it sometimes is here, reminding me somewhat of the excesses of Fernand Braudel in The Identity of France.
For someone concerned with a display of detailed and even obscure scholarship in the early part of the book, Wroe, in the latter part, offers some almost naively simple scenes. In speaking of Warbeck's confession at his execution, for example, Wroe says, "The last thing they [the condemned] did was to speak falsehoods. It is almost unthinkable that Henry would have forced such a thing on Perkin, or that he would have agreed to do it."
Nonsense. Invariably at public executions of important or notable persons, they confessed their guilt, just as virtually all accused did at Stalin's show trials. The King's powers were too sweeping for it to be otherwise. In the case of treason, individuals were hung before being taken down, still alive, to be disemboweled and castrated, then to be drawn and quartered. A nod from the King allowed death to occur mercifully on the gallows. Also in the case of treason, the condemned person's children could be turned into paupers through confiscation of all property, or they could be treated with some degree of leniency. The wife and any relatives faced terrible possibilities were the death not an acceptable one (Warbeck left a wife and a son in England).
The book's index is inadequate, a considerable fault in a book about an era in which spelling was almost guesswork. The name Warbeck, for example, is not listed alphabetically for at least a cross-reference.
Still, this is a book worth reading, and, at times, it flows nicely.
Book Description
February 1964: The Beatles step onto the tarmac at JFK International Airport and turn the country on its head. It's the advent of rock and roll's uninterrupted reign, youthful rebellion, and overt teenage sex. It's also the deathblow for the pop music of another generation -- the songs of Pat Boone and Georgia Gibbs -- and all its perky, white-bread conformity.
Not two years later, Karen Schoemer is born, and comes of age with rock and roll. While her parents might enjoy the new music, the cultural upheaval passes them by, and they cling to the promises made by the music they loved as teenagers, the sweet, innocent 1950s pop of Patti Page, Frankie Laine, and the like. But having courted and wed against a backdrop of ideals peddled by this music -- finding true love, living happily ever after -- Schoemer's parents, like so many people, are crushed by disappointment when love doesn't deliver what the songs promised. Fifties pop falls quickly off the charts; their marriage eventually falls apart. In Great Pretenders, a lively, provocative blend of memoir and music criticism, former Newsweek pop music critic Karen Schoemer tries to figure out what went so wrong, way back in the hazy past, for her parents' marriage and for the music of their youth. To find the answers, she embarks on a strange, lonely journey in search of some of the brightest stars of the 1950s.
Schoemer's search started when, twenty years after her parents' divorce, the new Connie Francis box set appeared on her desk at Newsweek. Now a successful rock critic dispensing post-punk opinions to the hipoisie, she was about to toss aside this relic when she was struck by the cover image of Francis, which bore an uncanny resemblance to her own mother; on a whim, she played one of the CDs. For all their cloying, simplistic sentimentality, songs like "Where the Boys Are" had an undeniable power -- "the sound of every teenage girl in every bedroom on every lonely Saturday going back a thousand years." It was the music of her parents' long-lost adolescence, and much to her surprise, it moved her.
Thus Schoemer, arbiter of Gen X cool, found herself falling into the saccharine thrall of 1950s pop music, that pariah of the rock establishment. Even as her colleagues tried to steer her away from the terminally uncool genre, she tracked down seven former pop idols of the late 1950s and early 1960s: Connie Francis, Fabian, Pat Boone, Patti Page, Tommy Sands, Georgia Gibbs, and Frankie Laine. As she became privy to their inner lives and immersed herself in their music, Schoemer revised her own notions about the fifties at the same time that she explored her family's vexed dynamic. The result is a wonderful romp through an unappreciated chapter in music history and, more important, through her own past.
Full of humor, insight, and unflinching honesty, Great Pretenders bucks the received wisdom, explores the intersections of our private lives and pop culture, and broadens our understanding of a crucial moment in our history.
Download Description
"Full of humor, insight, and unflinching honesty, Great Pretenders bucks the received wisdom, explores the intersections of our private lives and pop culture, and broadens our understanding of a crucial moment in our history.
Customer Reviews:
Strange Indeed.......2006-10-16
It'a an ambitious look with a complicated thesis and perhaps only a really theoretically comfortable writer might have pulled it off, someone like Greil Marcus or the late Lillian Roxon for example. Basically we have been led to believe that pop music entered a steep decline after Elvis joined the army and before the Liverpool invasion of December 1963. Schoemer argues that it was not as bad as all that, which isn't that much of a thesis, but it's interesting to think about. She reproduces a typical top 100 pop list for a week in 1959, and a mere survey of the list proves her very point that American pop music, even in what was supposedly the worst of times, had a richness and a depth and a freshness that you just can't associate with the second rate.
Wasn't it CS Lewis said that the health of a country depends on the richness and multiplicity of its minor writers--not its great superstars, but the everyday writers in the background? Schoemer has something of the sort to prove here, and yet her book lacks the requisite concision and force to make its case. Two huge problems get in the way. Number one, her own personal saga (and her problems with her mother) might be the single dullest storyline of any work of creative non fiction of the past 20 years. Reading this book, you just can't believe she held down a professional job (music critic at NEWSWEEK?) for she comes across as a self-obsessed blogger.
Problem number two, is that she decides to hone in on seven pop stars of the period, which might have been an OK strategy, had she been able to bring even one iota of insight into any of them. Patti Page comes off best, but Schoemer's just not prepared enough to do a proper interview. Patronizing isn't the word. She wastes their time with her ill-defined "Tell me what you meant to girls of my mother's generation" questions. It could have been a really good book, instead it's a great pretender.
Know your subject.......2006-07-31
Through the first 30 pages of this book, I was rolling right along with the author's premise and intrigued by her point of view. Then came this: " . . . jazz coronetist Sidney Bechet." Now I suppose one could have meant "clarinetist", or even may have mistakenly thought Bechet played cornet, or even conflated the two, but from that point, I found it difficult to take seriously anything in the book, given either the author's or editor's carelessness in regard to this point. Furthermore, I was constantly distracted by mental images of someone trying to play a coronet: can't blow into it, so I guess you'd have to bang it like a tambourine (which this pair would probably render as 'trampoline.')Hardly a book goes by in which you can't find some egregious editorial error of this sort. One would think Simon & Schuster could pay enough to obtain competent editorial help. As for Ms. Schoemer, as a would-be music critic of the stature to which she aspires in these pages, she simply should have known better.
As noted elsewhere in these reviews, instances of this sort keep cropping up, and I found my interest (and Ms. Schoemer's credibility) slowly dwindling. Too bad---given the subject and Ms. Schoemer's interesting take on it, this could have been a pretty good read; as for me, I'll just go play my coronet.
MORE THAN NOSTALGIA.......2006-07-10
I picked this book up because I'm a closet fan of this kind of music (I actually own a couple of Pat Boone LPs). I wound up a fan of Karen Schoemer, the reformed rock critic whose wry, witty manner brings both an off-beat look at the other side of '50s music and a writer who weaves interesting, honest memories with the interviews (and aren't memories what vintage music's all about?).
Karen grew up in plush New York suburbs and saw the grit of classic rock (Springsteen especially) as an escape from both sterile surroundings and her parents' messy divorce. Yet through many years as a free-lance rock critic for Newsweek and the New York Times, she never forgot the white-bread '50s pop hits that somehow stayed with her even after countless interviews with punk and grunge types. So she chose to embark on a quest for meaning in her life through meetings with stars from her mom's (and my mom's) generation. To my delight, the formula worked.
Seven '50s stars made Karen's cut, with the "holy grail" in the form of, oddly enough, Connie Francis- whom she finally meets at her retirement home in South Florida. She also talked to big-band era singers- Frankie Laine, Patti Page, even the all-
but-forgotten Georgia Gibbs. Pat Boone, mentioned earlier, proves to be irrepressible, while two minor teen idols- Fabian and Tommy Sands- fill out the collection. In all seven pieces, Karen's a participant, not an observer. This may turn purists off, but she's very entertaining and has surprising twists in both the interviews and listening. Sands, for instance, was best-known as Nancy Sinatra's (short-lived) husband; his only huge hit, "Teenage Crush", sounds what she calls "grotesque" yet once Karen hears Tommy's uneasy renditions of Sinatra-type standards, she's unexpectedly moved.
That's the essence of "Great Pretenders"- the discovery of real musical and emotional nuggets in a framework that doesn't sound too promising. "Give me more bad music"? "Connie was a virgin!" "Patti Page: for those who thought Ella Fitzgerald was a little too taxing." Yes, Karen sounds like a snide know-it-all, but she's better than that. There's real warmth here as she appreciates this music for what it was- and how, after so many years, it can win over even a wannabe hipster.
"Great Pretenders" isn't your average book of rock criticism; it's not a memory-lane piece; it isn't chick-lit either. It's part musical autobiography, part road trip, and all Karen Schoemer- a woman you'll either hate (if you want nostalgia) or, like me, you'll enjoy for her spunk. Whoever said "I hate spunk" never met her- and the soundtrack's great (if cheesy) too!
BTW- I always loved Pat Boone's "Speedy Gonzales".
An idea with lots of potential comes up short.......2006-07-05
Normally I am caught up in books discussing much more serious subjects. It was time for a break. So when a friend told me he had just finished up Karen Schoemer's "Great Pretenders: My Strange Love Affair With 50's Pop Music" and offered me his copy I simply could not resist. In fact, I had almost purchased the book myself a couple of months ago. It was a book I had high hopes for and I wound up reading it in a single day. As one who has been collecting popular music for more than 40 years I hoped to gain some additional insight into the music of the early 1950's. Very little has been written about this period and much of what you do find is extremely negative. Most of the so called "enlightened" rock critics immediately dismiss the music of such artists as Pat Boone, Connie Francis and Patti Page as trite and superficial. Yet this music certainly struck a chord with millions of Americans in the early fifties. Karen Schoemer wanted to find out why and she certainly seemed to have the credentials. She wanted to know why her parents, her mom in particular, loved this stuff. So she decided to write a book about this era. She began this project back in 1999 and admittedly struggled with the concept over the next several years. In the end she wound up interviewing seven of the era's biggest stars. She chatted with Patti Page and Frankie Laine, Georgia Gibbs, Fabian, Tommy Sands and two of the biggest stars of early 50's pop Connie Francis and Pat Boone. Much to her surprise she discovered that most of these folks were anything but the stuffy, uptight people she expected to find. As of matter of fact she really did like most of them. And as her work on the book proceeded she found herself enjoying this music even more. She suddenly decided it was OK to enjoy this stuff despite what the so-called critics thought of it. Not everything she listened to had to be hip or loud or socially relevant. Karen Schoemer had discovered what made this music so attractive to her parents generation.
"Great Pretenders" is a mighty strange book. I craved to learn more about the songs and about the artists Karen had a chance to speak with. Instead I came away frustrated that I did not find out as much about these people and their careers as I had expected. In general, I found "Great Pretenders" to be pretty unfocused at times and I certainly could have done without the frequent references to the authors personal life. For a project in the works for 7 years I would have to classify it as somewhat of a disappointment. In spite of all of its shortcomings I still managed to finish "Great Pretenders". I just happened to be in the mood for some lighter reading and it fit the bill perfectly.
Though it was not a total waste of my time in the final analysis this is a book that clearly misses the mark. As such it is not a book that I can recommend.
Strictly from badsville.......2006-04-16
As a major enthusiast of the late '50s/early '60s teen sound, I was excited to check out this book. Unfortunately, Schoemer's attitude toward the music she's writing about is apparently the same attitude held by the vast majority of music critics, albeit wrapped in a different package. My first problem with this book is that the author doesn't seem to know what she's writing about. Several times in the introduction, she refers to "teen pop," but only a few of the performers she features are truly teen pop. If she'd taken the time to research the teen sound instead of namedropping her hip indie rock pals, maybe she would have figured out that teen pop and pre-rock 'n' roll pop are not the same thing.
I was also confused by her desire to write about this music before actually listening to any of it. From reading the introduction, I was able to gather that this book was some sort of response to her relationship with her mother. If that's the case, she should have written an autobiography. I was particulary upset by the chapter about the great Tommy Sands. Schoemer makes a big deal out of how much she wants to interview Tommy, and I can't blame her -- I'd love that opportunity myself. However, we soon learn that she's never even heard Tommy's music, and her main reason for wanting to interview him was because her mother liked him. She buys a CD of his Steady Date album, and describes his song "Teen-Age Crush" as "grotesque" and decides that the only way she can "enjoy" his music is to think of it as being so bad that it's good. This is an insult to both Tommy and the countless people who truly enjoy his music.
While I appreciate the fact that Schoemer wants to revive interest in talented artists such as Tommy Sands, Fabian and Connie Francis, I wish that the author would have written this book because of a true love for their music. Instead, she seems more interested in herself and proving other music critics "wrong." Since Schoemer is supposedly a music writer, I would have hoped that she'd realize that music is not about being "wrong" or "right," but about simply loving the music. Unfortunately, that is not the case with this book.
Average customer rating:
- Great part of the trilogy
- This book has it ALL!
- Earl/King Harold vs. The Norman Pretender William!
- Wonderful!
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The Norman Pretender
Valerie Anand
Manufacturer: Charles Scribner's Sons, NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
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The Ruthless Yeomen (Bridges Over Time, Book 2)
ASIN: 0684160994 |
Customer Reviews:
Great part of the trilogy.......2005-08-30
The follow-up to Anand's "Gildenford" is a stunning success. This story follows more closely the life of Harold II, leading up to the Norman Conquest of 1066. All of the original characters are back: Brand, Edith Swanneck, William, etc. This is a great buy.
This book has it ALL!.......2004-05-24
BUY THIS BOOK! Anand weave a remarkable story and tells the tale of the search for an heir upon the death of Edward the Confessor. Harold, Earl of Wessex and brother to the Queen, or William, Duke of Normandy and originally named heir... who should be the rightful king of England when Edward dies? Well, just to keep it intersting there is the long lost cousin, the bi-polar younger brother of Harold (Tostig), and the Viking leader Harold Hardrada to contend with also. In a story almost too good to be true, it is remarkable to realize that it is true...or at least based on historical fact. As for Anand's ability to stick to history - well, it's commendable. Certainly, there are characters who have no known historical basis, but they are created to be as realistic as possible and only help to make the story flow. Brand Woodcutter is back from the extraordinary first book (Gildenford) along with several other memorable personas. I was lucky enough to get this book before the few remaining used book dealers realized the treasure they held - and jacked up the price unreasonably. However, if you can find a dealer who appreciates this book for the story it tells and is willing to part with their copy - BUY IT. Personally, I will not part with mine - I know I'll enjoy it again in years to come. Any publishers reading this - you are OUT OF YOUR MINDS if you don't bring this book out in print again.
Earl/King Harold vs. The Norman Pretender William!.......2002-09-02
The exciting tale of the Norman Conquest of 1066 is once more brought back to life. This book begins where "Gildenford" by Valerie Anand, an incredible author, left off. It is just as engrossing as her first novel in this trilogy.
The story begins with Harold's eventual rise to fame, glory, and finally, later on, tragedy. Ringed with a traitor and a brother for friends, who needs enemies, right? Well, Brand Woodcutter, from the first novel ends up being one of Harold's staunchest friends, while his brother Tostig becomes the greatest betrayer of all. Then, we have Duke William of Normandy, who has his sights on the crown of England at any and all costs.
From history, we know that William succeeds, but the circumstances and events that lead up to it were incredible to believe, but true nonetheless. This is an extraordinary adventure into what life must have been like for these amazing figures from the past that still haunt the present day. If you enjoy this historical period you won't want to miss reading the first of the trilogy, "Gildenford" followed by this book "The Norman Pretender," and ending with "The Disputed Crown." Sadly, yes, they are all out-of-print, but very well worth finding!
Wonderful!.......2000-07-15
Though the title refers to William of Normandy, this book revolves around Harold of England. The author really brings the characters to life and also creates some fictional ones as well. This is an easy-to-read, in-depth book that anyone would enjoy.
Book Description
Here is a beautiful publication of new factual information and 1043 color illustrated examples of highly popular styles. Important and prolific designers of costume jewelry including Chanel, Schiaparelli, Boucher, Miriam Haskell, Monet, Sarah Coventry, and many more are well represented. Current prices are included to aid the collector. This will be a most useful reference for collector and dealers, and the current value ranges will aid and inform all.
, 382 color photos, 8 1/2'' x 11'' , Price Guide/Index
Customer Reviews:
A good general overview and price guide.......2005-10-30
Given the endless variety of costume jewelry, choosing which pieces to include in a reference book must be an overwhelming task. While not an encyclopedic reference, for its 150+ pages "The Great Pretenders" provides a good, basic overview. There is an adequate sample of just about every type of popular costume jewelry. The pieces are well photographed and realistically valued. If you need a basic costume jewelry reference for buying and selling, this is a worthwhile book to own.
Average customer rating:
- Excellent account but biased outlook
- A British civil war
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'45: Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Untold Story of the Jacobite Rising
Christopher Duffy
Manufacturer: Cassell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Scotland
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The Jacobite Wars
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Bonnie Prince Charlie
ASIN: 0304355259 |
Book Description
The '45 Rising has been romanticised over the centuries in many books and films, and still arouses strong emotions in Scotland, but this is the first comprehensive history ever. It is based on original research in all available archives, including Swedish, French and German records. These make nonsense of the many popular histories based on self-serving accounts written by a few of the key participants. But it is no dry academic analysis. Christopher Duffy, the world's greatest authority on 18th century warfare, writes a vivid narrative that overturns many accepted 'facts' about The '45. His text is supported by numerous maps and a comprehensive guide to the key sites that can be visited today.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent account but biased outlook.......2006-08-25
Overall, I found Christopher Duffy's book on the Jacobite Rising of 1745 to be an excellent accounting of the events. The author reflects on his massive knowledge of 18th century warfare as he writes. He joined Stuart Reid in downplaying Lord George Murray while upgrading Prince Charles' abilities and leadership skills. The book reads like a revisionist point of view due to that stance. The author also considered all the options available to Prince Charles and his allies and discussed their options with clarity. The author's military aspects of the book proves to be superbly written, analysized and research. Its a thick book so military narrative proves to be detailed. The author also gives plenty of background material on Jacobites conspiracies prior to 1745 for a better understanding of the situation. The reader will get a clear and understandable perceptive of the military affair of the Jacobite revolt of 1745. In this aspects, the book is one of the best ever written.
Where I have a bone to pick with Mr. Duffy lies in his political assessment and his pro-Jacobite leaning reflecting that. While he's never openly biased regarding military matters, he seem to be very biased politically toward Charles and his Jacobite revolt. In choosing to called the British government troops and generals "Hanoverians" is pretty cheap and historically inaccurate. George II is second king of the new dynasty. His right to British kingdom is beyond doubt much like Henry V stood clear of his father, Henry IV who took the throne from Ricahrd II. Catholic House of Stuart have no true claims anymore and Jacobite forces were rebels forces fighting against a legal British government and her troops. Mr. Duffy also forgot (which seem bit weird to point this out) at what ease Prince Charles' grandfather, King James II was driven out from his throne during the Glorious Revolution of 1688. That itself should remind the author that Britain will never tolerate a Catholic ruler. Even if the Jacobite won London, chased George II out, it would only be matter of time before the nation aroused itself against a Catholic prince and then there will be another "Glorious Revolution". Outcome of the the 1745 revolt was doomed to began with. It was only matter of time. What surprised me a little is why someone like Christopher Duffy don't seem to understand that.
The book reflects strongly on the military aspects of the campaign but poorly on the political aspects due to the author's lack of perception. Considering that the author is considered to be one of the foremost historians of this period and an Englishman, I found his lack of perception puzzling. Still, the book come highly recommended because its more of a military history book and that is where the book remains strong. The political aspects appears to be reflect the author's personal opinion and thankfully, it not reflected too often in the book. "Hanoverian" term remains one of the consistence reminder of author's biased.
A well read individual on this subject should benefit greatly from reading this book. (I leaned toward 4 Stars instead of 3 due to military narrative of the book.)
A British civil war.......2006-07-09
Christopher Duffy has written a thorough and readable history of the Jacobite rising of 1745-6. He explains the historical context for the rebellion and in great detail describes the events and the battles which took place. In doing so he exposes many of the myths which have developed over time about Bonnie Prince Charlie, his army and his cause. Duffy shows that the Jacobites were made up of people from all over the British Isles not just Highlanders; that this was not straightforwardly a fight between England and Scotland, for many Scots supported the Hanoverians and many English supported the Stuarts. The rebellion was thus a British civil war, a conflict between dynasties.
One of the best aspects of the book is the analysis of how nearly the Jacobites succeeded. Duffy shows that the rising was not some hopelessly romantic, doomed from the start attempt to restore a lost cause. The Jacobites reached as far as Derby in the English Midlands and if they had pressed on to London, as Prince Charles wanted, they might have won. Duffy shows that there was little in their way, and that the outcome although far from certain, offered a realistic chance of success. The decision to retreat from Derby was therefore truly momentous for from that moment the rising was bound to fail eventually.
In his account it is clear where Duffy's sympathies lie, though he never ceases to be objective. It is obvious that he considers the Jacobite cause, of restoring the Stuarts, to be essentially just and that the George II, the Elector of Hanover was the real usurper. It is certainly true that "young pretender" had a better hereditary claim to the throne than the man who was sitting on it. In general Bonnie Prince Charlie comes out well from Duffy's account. He is shown to be an able military leader who inspired his forces and very nearly won a kingdom.
Duffy's book is well illustrated and has many useful maps. There are a number of typographical errors, but nothing that gets in the way of understanding the text. This is probably the best account of the '45 available, written by a military historian who really understands the period.
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