This book offers a refreshing look at the validity of the English monarchy through a fun, romantic story. The romance of Emmalissa and Will is a delightful undercurrent as Will tries to establish himself as the rightful heir of the throne. Their romance soon takes center stage, as often happens, in his quest for truth. If, in fact, there is any validity to this tale, it puts to question the premise on which the monarchy is founded -- lineage. At a time when the monarchy has become less popular, it would be interesting to know what the royals have to say about Harry's Son. This delightful, light story would make an interesting movie. A movie clothed in romance and intrigue that could question the roots of a nation's monarchy.

The book keeps you spellbound and not wanting to stop reading until finished. Provides enough historical facts to almost make it seem non-fiction. A very well-written and fascinating look into the English Royal Family. Very good.

I truly enjoyed reading "Harry's Son"! The author does an exceptional job of weaving historical facts and fiction to create, quite seamlessly, a really good novel. I liked the short, fast-paced chapter format, the political ideas expressed, and the very appropriate tie-in with today's monarchy. I highly recommend it!

In all my experience with fine woodworking I haven't had the pleasure to read a book that so well written that it is as exquisite as the pieces within. This book is a must for every serious furniture maker or perhaps collector who wants to learn and appreciate this magnificent craft. How did I miss this one?

Recognizing that Queen Anne furniture is one of the timeless and most beautiful designs, I realized, on starting my first project, that I hadn't the foggiest idea of the history, the elements, or the construction techniques of Queen Anne furniture. This book has it all. The sections on history and the making of the cabriole legs in themselves make this book a "must have," both for the collector and for the cabinetmaker. To top it off, there are scaled plans for several projects, and some time-saving techiques for construction. If you get only one book on Queen Anne furniture, this is the one.

Norman is obviously as incredibly talented an author as he is a cabinetmaker. I couldn't say enough about how great a job he did with the content of this book and drawings. I only wish he would write another one for each of the 18th century styles( Federal, Chipendale, etc) This is definately the bible for 18th century reproduction cabinetmakers. Please write another one Norman!

Anne Boleyn was accused of essentially the same catalog of crimes used against every powerful woman since (and probably before) Jezebel - sexual infidelity, witchcraft, heresy, capriciousness and foul temper. As Ives explains, she may not have been physically the most beautiful woman at court, but her intellect, sophistication and worldliness (she had served at the Austrian and French courts) made her by far the most attractive. What is incredible about her courtship with Henry is the sheer number of missed chances to get a proper annulment of Hal's earlier marriage to Katharine - which, of course, would have removed the impetus for the English Reformation, and all the carnage that followed. What makes this a great read is Ives' ability to translate renaissance history into modern terms: Anne's rise and fall were inextricably linked to larger political and religious forces in Henry's court: her demise was the direct product of a temporary court alliance between the hard line crypto-Protestants (Thomas Cromwell et. al.) and the equally hard line Catholic sympathizers (Norfolk, plus the former followers of Thomas More). Once Anne was off the scene, they happily returned to their ideological trenches and resumed ploting against each other. Anne's was a vibrant life in a world which punished the vibrant and the intelligent.

I found this an excellent read when I was studying Anne Boleyn. While never becoming too bogged down in details, it tells her story compellingly and with the necessary human touch which makes Anne's story so engrossing.

Focusing on faction as one of the major causes of Anne's downfall, we are taken from her contested date of birth to her final end, through the whims of the king, life at court and her dubious romances. Ives gives the legends a brisk working over and gives the facts clearly with all the available evidence. This is THE book on Anne to read and I strongly recommend it to anyone studying her life.

Scholarly but not stuffy, Eric Ives' book is the best biography by far I have read of Anne Boleyn. It is packed with original research and serious scholarship but at the same time is readable and easy to follow. The average intelligent layperson would enjoy reading this. Ives, Antonia Fraser and Alison Weir are all MUST READS for Tudor scholars and history buffs.

This is the book that introduced me to Jean Plaidy. I have since read at least 30 of her books, and none of them contain the tawdry, psuedo-historical fiction so common today. Being a dedicated anglophile, Jean Plaidy's works have become a starting point to a better understanding of English history. Her bibliographies have become useful aids in this endeavor. "The Lady in the Tower" takes the reader on a journey through the life of one of the most famous women of the Renaissance, Anne Boleyn. I personally enjoyed how she acquired her education, her sparkling wit and her unquestionable finesse at the French court under the tutelage of Marguarite, the tantalizing sister of Francis I of France. I also appreciated the lessons Anne learned early on in life by the treatment of Queen Claude, the experience of her sister Mary, and the skillful management of King Francis. This is also the story of a middle-aged man who had known limitless power for twenty years, and then sees his will thwarted for the first time by God (no sons), his first wife (by not instantly acceding to his wishes as she always had), his trusted Chancellor (Wolsey who simply could not singlehandedly change the political realities of his day) and, finally, by the first exciting woman to say him nay FOR YEARS. The reader sees how not just Anne changes, but also how Katherine of Aragon, Henry & the entire court metamorphose into the unrecognizable shells of the optimistic youths they once were. It's the story of aging, of reaping what we sow.

I've always loved Jean Plaidy's books and I'm so happy her Tudor series is being reprinted. The Lady in the Tower is the story of Anne Boleyn. It begins and ends in the Tower with Anne, tired, wiser, and almost ready to die; trying to figure out where things went wrong. Once she was a king's beloved, now that same king was so sick of her that he'd signed her death warrant. How did she fall so far and so fast? Thus, the incredible story begins.
Most biographies, fictional or not tend to skip over her years in France but this one spends quite a lot of time on them and it's to good effect. Anne's life in France helps to explain her actions in England. This is a sympathetic portrait that shows Anne as impetuous, thoughtless at times, and too ambitious but not the evil, scheming seductress that she's been painted as. Brilliant. If you've never read Jean Plaidy, this is a good one to begin with.

'The Lady in the Tower' is a fascinating, fictionalized first person account of the life of Anne Boleyn, doomed second wife of King Henry VIII. The book begins with Anne's childhood as the youngest lady-in-waiting to Mary, young bride of France's Louis XII and sister of Henry VIII. Anne enjoys her life in France until her older sister, also named Mary, tarnishes the Boleyn name with her numerous liaisons with gentlemen of the court, including the man who succeeds Louis as king, Francis I. Anne and her sister are sent home to England, where Mary becomes Henry's mistress and the Boleyn family becomes much more significant because of this. Anne becomes a lady-in-waiting to Henry's wife Katherine, who has fallen out of the King's favor due to her inability to produce a surviving son. Henry is now looking seriously for a new, younger wife, and he finds the perfect woman--Anne. After a courtship that lasts several years, mainly because of the difficulty involved with divorcing one of Europe's most important women, Henry's marriage is finally annulled, and he and Anne marry. Eight months later, she gives birth to a healthy baby--girl. Anne is enthralled with her new daughter, but also dreads her husband's reaction. Henry is upset--after all, he has married this woman mainly to get a son--but decides that this new daughter, Elizabeth, is rather charming, and he and Anne still have plenty of time to have sons. But Anne never does deliver a live son. She has also failed as Henry's wife in other ways: she refuses to accept his dalliances with her ladies-in-waiting, for instance, and is very quick-tempered. What's more, Henry has found another woman, one who is meek, gentle, young, and healthy--and about to become his third wife. Henry does not care to got through the hassle of another divorce, though, so he has only one choice: death. Anne is arrested under trumped-up charges of adultery (including with her own brother), and is sentenced to death by beheading. As the book is written in the first person, we get to hear the thoughts she has a few hours before her execution. Most are of her life with Henry and of her daughter, who will grow up to become Queen Elizabeth I--a fact which, had Henry foreseen it, may have spared Anne's life. I heartily recommend this book to anyone who loves Anne Boleyn, Jean Plaidy, or both.

I read a lot of dry English history books and that's okay with me because since I'm writing novels on each queen of England, it's expected.
However I was pleased to find out that the letters were not hard to read and very interesting. Also, the author gives a lot of background info on each queen so that even a beginner could read this book and follow the names. She explains what's going on in each letter and that makes it much easier.
Well worth your money!

This is a fascinating look into the lives of the women of the kings of England from Medieval to Tudor times. These women were amazingly diverse, their letters ranging from kindly requests to their husbands on behalf of others to arrogant demands to their sons; from mundane business like household expenses to true slices of history, like Eleanor of Aquitaine's desperate plea to the Pope for her imprisoned son and the love letter that sent Catherine Howard to the executioner's block. There are also interesting summaries before each woman's letters of their place in history and the lives of their husbands and sons. Not to be missed by anyone interested in the periods involved.

The book that I chose to read for my third critical reflection was called The Pirate Queens. The book was based on the true story of the final voyage of female pirates Anne Bonney and Mary Reade. It portrays the scenario of how Bonney and Reade's ship The Vanity was overtaken by a government sent ship headed by Captain Albion. The story was one of war, pride, and deceit. The crew of The Vanity, consisting of all men, turne their back on the female pirates and chose not to assist in defending the ship. As a result, the ship is seized and burned and the entire crew was put to death. Bonney and Reade, however, were spared due to the fact that they were expecting children. At this particular time in history it was unthinkable to murder an unborn child regardless of the crimes of the mother. This book is a good read for young children for many reasons. For one, it is easy to read and understand. The author, Jane Yolen, does a great job of describing the scene in an easy to understand, entertaining way. There were several parts of the book that are written in rhyme which is something that I always enjoyed as a child because it made the text easier to follow. Also, ever couple of pages the book returns to a recurring phrase which emphasizes The Vanity's beauty, power, and presence as one of the great ships of the time. The literature is presented in a scroll fashion on the left page. This gives the book a feeling of the time it is describing. The background in which the words are written are a dull yellow which is consistent with how an old manuscript would look presently. Another fabulous aspect of the book is the illustrations. I am not in any way exaggerating when I say that the illustrations within this book are among the best I have ever seen. Each picture takes up the entire left side of the page. These pictures are extremely detailed in every aspect. David Shannon, who illustrated the book, did so with an acrylic paint on an illustration board. As a result is has a very rustic and real look to it which adds greatly to the overall appeal of the book. Each picture is very dark. This also gives the reader a feel for the time since lighting was at a minimal almost anywhere in the world, especially on sea. All of the pictures also have a phrase which describes who or what the picture is illustrating. For example there is a picture in the middle of the book which shows an enemy ship, called The Albion, approaching The Vanity. The caption reads, "The Albion engages the Vanity in battle." The idea that this book is good based solely on the fact that children would like it cut the potential of this book short. Often the idea of whether or not the book will appeal to children is what I focus on. Here, I think it is important to point out that this book is interesting enough to stand alone regardless of its intended audience. Overall, based on the illustrations alone, I think that this book is the best I have reflected upon to this point. Their is a lot of aesthetic appeal that really catches the eye and allows for a great deal of fantasy. This along with the interesting story that accompanies it are both reasons to share this adventure young children of both genders. The idea of pirate life will fascinate young boys while the fact that the two main characters were women will keep young girls interested.

I first read this book when I was about 12 and reread it about 10 more times throughout my life (I'm now in my late 30's), the last time being 2 years ago. It is an extremely well-written piece of biographical fiction and lets you empathize with all the characters, even Napoleon who is usually portrayed as a horrible person. I would like to own my own copy since I know I will want to read it more times in my life and may not find it easy to get a copy. Please let me know who has a paperback of the book and how much you'd like for it.

The original book was my mother's and luckily I ended up with her copy. I am now looking for copies for my 3 sisters since they are always trying to borrow mine. I'm afraid I won't get my book back if I lend it to one of them. All 4 of us read this book as teenagers and all 4 of us loved it. The story of Desiree Clary and Napoleon ignited a love of history in all of us and turned us into avid readers. While the ending is not as detailed as the rest of the book if you're like us you will be researching to find out what happens in Desiree's life and family after the end of the book. This is a great book for getting your teen interested in reading.

Desiree came alive on every page and my heart broke for her again and again. I read this when I was a young married wife. I had the opportunity to go to Sweden and walk on the property of her castle and remember how cold it was for her. I always thought of the terrible decision she had to make as a mother and have often wondered what I would have done. Napoleon became a very real person off the pages of history because of this book. What a joy to read this again. I have possession of my own copy that I found at a used bookstore.

Anne Rice has reached the ultimate boundary of thrills with the vampire chronicles. I felt I was one with the characters. Each page brought forth Anne Rice's imagination on paper. One of the best series of the decade. Diana.J

These 3 books were amazing... a friend on-line pushed me into reading the first, and I eventually borrowed the second and third from my English teacher... I couldn't stop! Lestat, Louis.. they're wonderful characters. Marius, Pandora, the same. But Armand has always been my favourite. Always has, always will. I am absolutely AMAZED at the way Anne Rice writes, and I am drawn to her books like a pencil to paper!

It was great! These books were so wonderfully emotional and dark, I could practically see in my mind's eye Lestat and Louis, and I could feel the strength of the old ones.

I didn't know Anne Rice untill three weeks ago. I read her book 'Interview with a vampire' and i didn't stop reading untill i read it out. I love the story and the way she wrote it. The story is emotional, and sometimes a bit scary, but always beautiful, just like all of her other books. Anne, we love you!!

I found this documentary of vampire life simply enthralling. Anne Rice writes so convincingly that her tales appear to be nothing less than absolute truths. Everything the modern vampire needs to know and understand is here. Unfortunately, I felt that the film of "Interview...", using Tom Cruise as Lestat did not do this literary masterpiece justice. As a film in it's own right, it is amazing, but after reading the rest of the Vampire Chronicles, it becomes blatently obvious that Cruise is unsuitable for the role he attempts to assume. The books are irresistable; impossible to put down. If you have not yet read them............what are you waiting for???

The Vampire Chronicles is one of the best set of books written! Anne Rice takes you into the world of the undead and it leaves you completly speechless. The characters in the book become real and very unforgetable! It leaves you spellbond and very much at the edge of your set. You can't wait to start the next book. I really loved it. 'Memnoch the Devil,' was one of the best also. I truely hope that there will be more books to this set. The entire set is a must to read and own.

I am a huge fan of the historical fiction genre, and I must say the is the most delightful book of this type I have ever read. I join with the other reviewers bemoaning that there is not a sequal to this book...

This book is the best historical fiction i have ever read. I am so upset that there isn't a sequel or at least aanother book like it. I have re-read this book so many times that i know it by heart.

I was about 14 or 15 when I first read this book; I checked it out from the local library several times, got in trouble with my mom because of the lurid cover, mourned when some other patron checked it out and never brought it back. Firmly believing that _Kathryn_ was The Best Book in the World, I searched for it high and low, and every time I went to a used bookstore, even many years later, I would at least cursorily scan the Romance section to see if I could find this. Thank the Gods for the Internet!

Opening _Kathryn_ again was like sitting down at Ye Olde Pub with wonderful old friends--the savvy and ever-surviving Kathryn with her knack for keeping her head--literally--at Henry VIII's court, and John de Gael, the outrageously dressed, rakish pagan lord who delighted in being the only man who dared to argue with King Hal. Having sampled some very fine literature, I no longer hold with the opinion that _Kathryn_ is The Best Book in the World, but even as the years have made me more snobbish about prose style, they have also made me realize just how good _Kathryn_ truly is for its genre--I've read enough historical romances by now to realize that this is a gem among them.

First of all, the romance between the leading characters is deeper and more realistic than that found in most romance novels. Most romance novels tell of whirlwind courtships, and end with a hasty wedding taking place while the couple is still in the first throes of infatuation. We never get to see how two people can grow older and wiser together. But Kathryn and John are different. They first fall in love as hormonal young people, but fate and the King separate them. We see them grow stronger through adversity; we smile at the new loves that show them joy again, and when they finally reunite as lovers, it is the triumph of two tenacious and passionate adults, not the whim of a couple of besotted kids. Second, the paganism (which mostly went over my head at 14) is done magnificently. What could have been saccharine and cheesy is instead mysterious, dangerous, and often tragic--think of British sacred/sacrificial king lore here. Finally, _Kathryn_ is notable for its fascinating glimpse into Henry's court. All of the historical personages come vividly alive in Abbey's hands. It was this book, long ago, that sent me off to the History section of the library to figure out what was real and what was fiction. I was heartbroken at first when I found no trace that Kathryn Chase had ever lived, but then I was sucked in by the real history, and to this day my friends tend to think I'm a total weirdo whenever Henry VIII comes up; no one can figure out why I bothered to learn all the little details.

So, if you like historical romances, and if you can find a reasonably priced copy of _Kathryn_, don't hesitate to snap it up; it's hard to find these days. Then, pour yourself a glass of the beverage of your choice, find a comfy chair, and prepare to fall in love with Lady Chase.