I wanted a book to share with my 5th grader, to give an overview of the English monarchy and a feeling for the scope and sweep of British history. Instead, this book gives only a rather disjointed look at a small selection of monarchs, and does not manage to connect people and events in any kind of meaningful timeline. I didn't expect in-depth analysis, but was definitely disappointed with the isolated, and rather fuzzy, snapshots of history that this book presents.

Do you know which king wasn't a king, refused the crown, and called himself Lord Protector? Who was England's first properly crowned queen, not just the king's wife? Which queen served the longest, 63 years, and what was so good about "Good Queen Anne?" Why did George V change his last name to Windsor? And when Edward IV died, what happened to the princes in the Tower of London? Find the answers to these and many, many other intriguing questions in Kenneth Davis' Don't Know Much About The Kings & Queens Of England. Written in an easy to read, question and answer format, and complemented by S D Schindler's playful and humorous artwork, Mr Davis fills his book with fascinating history, engaging fun facts, and entertaining trivia about twenty-four of England's most interesting kings and queens, and the times in which they lived. Perfect for youngsters 9-12, this is the latest entry in Mr Davis' marvelous Don't Know Much About series, and as he tells the reader in his introduction, "...this one proves that real history about real people is a lot more fun than a bunch of simple dates and facts. And the true stories of some of the most famous monarchs of England are much more fascinating than you'd ever imagine."

I read this book for a history class I was taking. My assignment was to write a book review. My paper was 5 pages. So I will try to keep it short. This book is easy to read for enjoyment, it only took me a few days to finish. However, if you are reading it for research purposes, forget it. You truly need to be familiar with the genealogy of the royals in the 16th century to follow the author. I found myself trying to sketch out family trees for all the characters involved so I could keep up with which Henry was related to which Mary. Don't be turned off, it is enjoyable and interesting to read about the real lives of these women and their true ambitions.

Lisa Hopkins gives us history from a different point of view in this unique book that focuses on the noble women of the sixteenth century. The book is, of course, nonfiction, but it reads like a soap opera complete with women who have affairs, go crazy, experience failed marriages, miscarriages and every emotional crisis you can imagine. Hopkins gives us a new perspective on how women were used to consolidate the power of the patriarchal male hierarchy of the time. She illustrates how instrumental some women were. She tells the story of women who were the sisters, mothers and daughters of kings and finishes with the unique and diverse histories of women who were rulers in their own right. This book is an enjoyable read for anyone interested in the history of the time. It is integral for the bookshelf of anyone that values women's history in particular.

This is a very readable book about the long history of Russia under the Grand Princes and Czars. It contains many interesting facts about rulers you never knew existed. My only complaint is that it only has 5 maps and only 3 of them are helpful. A history book should have maps to help readers visualize the wheres, whens and whys. And a book about the 1000 year history of Russia under the Czars should have many maps. This book lists many cities and towns that were important throughout Russian history but it doesn't show on a map where they are/were located. This book goes into great detail about battles between Russia and the Khans, Ottomans, Swedes, Poles, Napoleon and the British. However, it does not provide maps to allow the reader to follow the battles. I had to find another book of maps to be able to fully understand what was going on. Hopefully, the next time the authors write a book or update this one they will take into consideration the reader's desire and right to know where things are happening.

Fairly well written and detailed it unfortunately lacked the graphic information needed to complete the thought. Several times it would mention a certain region or town without giving the reader the map leaving you guessing to where the event had occured.

More pictures of the major players would have been welcomed as well, if possible.

Czars: Russia's Rulers for More Than One Thousand Years is a great book. It is so well written, which makes it incredibly entertaining. It encompasses every facet of the Russian's fascinating history. This book I will definitely read again. Usually, I would find the Russian history complicated and rather dull, but this book makes it interesting. It is an overall masterpiece.

Guenevere, Queen of the Summer Country provides some different and interesting takes on the Camleot legend. In this book Guenevere is a Queen in her own right. She meets Arthur, the new High King when he rescues her from the marriage plans of her evil cousin Malgaunt. There begins the story of Arthur and Guenevere. Merlin is portrayed here as magical, and willing to do anything to make and keep Arthur king. Morgan Le Fay is both mad and witch like. Morgause is not heard from much. In a different twist Guenevere and Arthur have a child, Amir. The story of the child directly impacts why Guenevere risks all for Lancelot's love. The story does provide more human faces for most of the characters, and at times you can understand Guenevere, Arthur and Lancelots pain and longing. However a good deal of the love scenes were written in a 'romance book' style that was very distracting for me, and veered from the usual tone of the book. Towards the end I skipped over most of these scenes. I did enjoy the book enough to purchase the second book in the trilogy, The Knight of the Sacred Lake.

I was a little leary of reading this book - the reviews did not sound all that great. I am fascinated and passionate about the Arthurian legend and have read various wonderful fictional series as well as non-fictional accounts of the "real" Arthur and the characters associated with him. What has always seemed to fascinate me the most was the "religion" of the legends - primarily the "Great Mother" Goddess worship - the female rule - and it's real relationship to the introduction of Christianity in religious history. It is fascinating to me that this is in fact a very real part of Christian history and heritage - and it was portrayed in this book in a potent manner despite it's simplicity.

This was basically a very simple book to read - but this in no way distracted me from loving it. It very passionately portrayed Gwenevere as the queen she was revered as. I did not understand the various reviews which described her as cold and unfeeling. She was the ruling queen of her people - she was a strong woman - sensual and bold in her own right - capable of the greatest love and compassion. Love is the tragedy of her story. I loved her character. I loved her spirit. I loved her story in this book.

It is true that this book adds no new "twists" to the old legend - the same characters appear (though not always in the same roles) fighting in the same battles - in their hearts as well as their battlegrounds - but for those who read a story such as this because of a love of the romance, chivalry, magic and mystery of the legend it will not be a disappointment. The re-telling of this story through Genevere's eyes and heart was simply a good "twist". It has the same aura (though not quite) of the incomparable Mists of Avalon - a high compliment coming from me! I look forward to reading the sequels.

I've always been a huge fan of Arthurian legend, so I was tickled to pick up Guenevere: Queen of the Summer Country. The first in a trilogy, this books follows Guenevere from her reign as Queen of the Summer Country, through her marriage to Arthur, wars, childbirth, and finally her affair with Lancelot. I expected this book to be another regurgitation of the same old legend, but there were some very interesting twists. I found the characters to be very three dimensional and interesting and came to deeply care for, or despise, all of them. I also enjoyed the fact that the story comes from Guenevere's point of view. I found her to be a strong character, but alas, a little frustrating (as in most Arthurian legend). I look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy and anticipate more twists and turns.

All those who want Scotland to choose a different path from that of England should hesitate before choosing to believe the claims of the author of this book. To cut a long story short, base your policies on fact, not fiction.

This book is totally ridiculous, and I'm glad that children have not been taught history from it. There are plenty of decent books on the Jacobites, and this is NOT one of them.

I bought it, I read it and it conquered me. For the preview before this one, the fact do speak for themselves. Further, after a little research, I actually found out that other writers in previous years had actually come up with similar details of history (re landmass of Scotland being the first formed on this planet and the oldest hills being found in Perthshire). Anyway, that aside, the fact that the royal house of Stewart is alive and well is nothing new. People in Scotland have been aware of it for years. Latterly, Westminster tried to impose Anne Windsor as potential Queen of Scots and the outcry against the idea from grass roots Scotland was so strong that the idea was quietly abandoned. Further, letters pointing out that the Scots have their own monarchy (ie Prince Michael of Albany)were abundant. The Stewarts are back and obviously here to stay. Whatever one may think, Scotland will probably become independent by the year 2007 and the Stewart Prince will be King. A nation in the making with a great potential worldwide. For Scotland to be represented by its own constitutional royal house will be momentous for all, least of all the Scottish diaspora of 42 million people. Cannot wait for this event to take place.

"The Forgotten Monarchy of Scotland" by Prince Michael Stewart of Albany. Passionately written and researched by the the author, who`s passion is fueled by the fact that it is his own family and personal identity he is establishing in the face of a two century old conspiracy who`s source is one of the most powerful governments on earth.

Forgotten Monarchy is a minutely detailed reacessment of the history of Scotland and the emergence of the Royal Scottish family. We have all heard the old adage that history is written by the victors, well, here in Prince Michael`s book are told the details concealed by the English who wrote the victor`s history we were all taught in school. One of these surprising details is the revelation that the Stewart dynasty did not become extinct as the textbooks would have us believe.

Not just dry stories here, the details have modern significance and particularly relevant to a Scotland recently voting to have their own Parlament , not had since 1707.

Of major importence to the book is the detailing of Westminster`s conspiracy against the Stewarts in exile. Included are documents that prove that Bonnie Prince Charlie had prodigy, and they were recognised as such by governments and Royal families of Europe throughout the 19th century.

In places, Forgotten Monarchy reads like a mystery, it has everything you could want in a good mystery, conspiracy in high places, destruction of documents, attempted political assassinations. It all sounds unnervingly very modern but this conspiracy started in the 18th century and has continued to this day, fairly successfully I might add.

There are those who have publicly maintained that the claims of Prince Michael and his family are all fantasy, made up of whole cloth. If they have the courage to actually check out the documentation presented in this book they just might change their tune.

Finally, Forgotten Monarchy is an engaging story of a 17 year old man raised in Belgium who moved to Scotland in 1976 becau! se he felt that his destiny lay there in the land of his forebeares.

The last 22 years have been quite an experience for Michael Stewart, for most Scots as well as the rest of us in the english speaking world, had no idea the Stewart family had survived in exile.

Shortly after arriving in Scotland, young Prince Michael paid a visit to Lord Lovat, who also had no knowledge of the Stewarts in exile. When the Lord Lovat realised who this young man at his door was, he asked "What on earth are you doing here?"

The 17 year old`s reply is best told in his own words; "I could think of no better reply than to quote the well remembered words of Prince Charles Edward, and answered..........I am come home"

Where do I begin? The High Queen is a moving and powerful sequel to the awesome book The Child Queen. I am an avid reader of fantasy books, especially those based on Arthurian legend, and these have to be not only among the best, but probably the most emotionally-charged. Both books are the basic Arthurian legend as told by Guinevere, but be warned, there are a few twists, (not giving anything away), Nancy McKenzie presents her own Mordred, one who is much different from the evil bastard son most may expect. I adore Ms. McKenzie's Arthur, he is portrayed here as the great man of legend, a man who will truly bring peace and justice to the world, while at the same time the reader is forced to fall in love with Lancelot, just as Guinevere does. The true beauty of this book is that as Guinevere struggles with her love for both Arthur and Lancelot, the reader does too. WARNING: The ending of this book is so powerful, I finished it at 4 in the morning and just sat and cried my eyes out. This is the first and really the only book to really make me CRY. At the end I really cared for each of the characters and almost couldn't bear to have it all end. Even knowing the legend and what happens could not prepare me for the ending Ms. McKenzie created. I was truly moved. Please read this book and it's companion, The Child Queen. If you like novels based on Arthurian legend, fantasy books, or would like to try something new, try these. You won't be sorry, I promise!

I read The High Queen after having read The Child Queen (it's prequel) and I could not put either book down. I am normally a very slow reader, but I got through these books faster than I have any others. I admit that McKenzie's books are not "high art," but as someone who is enthralled by the Arthurian legend, I found them immensley enjoyable. McKenzie writes so that the reader often feels as though she were in the novel. I certainly found this to be true. McKenzie's descriptions of the characters and events stayed mostly true to the traditional legend while still "humanizing" Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot, and all the rest. The characters became people rather than just bits and pieces of the legend. Again, I have read plenty of other books with more symbolism, meaning, and "depth," but I have enjoyed no others to the extent of The Child Queen and The High Queen. I really wish McKenzie would publish another book; I would love to read it.

I recently read the combination of Nancy McKenzie's two books, The Child Queen and The High Queen, and until recently the stories by Persia Woolley were my all-time favorites. This book is incredible. I have read this book 3 times, because it is always a wonder to me how the characters grow and the times change. The first time I finished it, I cried and was melancholy for days. This book so completely depicts all of the characters, I easily and immediately felt a part of Camelot and a part of this story. I cannot recommend this book highly enough!

I have recently finished King and Goddess, and I was not that impressed with the book. I have always enjoyed historical fiction as a way to learn about history without being bored to tears. Judith Tarr's book falls somewhere in the middle. The book is about Hatshepsut, an Egyptian queen who crowns herself King of Egypt. Although I am sure that the real Hatshepsut was an interesting person, this book does not really capture that aspect of her character. Egypt typically had male Kings, not female. One would expect a terrible uproar or at least some plotting to get Hatshepsut off the throne, however; in this book, the Egyptian reactions are minimal. The book is entertaining, much like watching a miniseries, but it does not seem to capture the spirit of Egypt. I did enjoy the characters, Hatshepsut's Nubian bodyguard, Nehsi and her lover Senenmut. Unfortunately, the book was too much about people and not enough about history. It was similar to Diana Gabeldon's series, where the time the characters lived is just to make the story more interesting. If you want to learn about Hatshepsut, read a different book. If you are looking for an entertaining story about a woman who happened to crown herself King of Egypt, read this book.

This wasen't the best that I have ever read but it did keep me reading. I did enjoy the ending, who did he think he was dealing with anyway?

I really like historical fiction, and especially Egyptian historical fiction. It's amazing that we know so much about a people whose dynasties were contemporary with biblical history.

But Judith Tarr's version of the life of Hatshepsut, the female Pharoah, is so far from the historical "facts" that it is less satisfying as a novelized history than just a fiction story. However, if you ignore the lack of historical basis, you can enjoy a nice novel about life in an ancient palace, with intrigues, poisoning, secret lovers, ambitious courtiers and all the other things that make for a good "beach book." While not the best Egyptian historical novel I've ever read, "King and Goddess" was exciting and pleasant for casual reading.

This stories in this box set are boring subsets of the originals...The stories have nothing to do with the originals. Don't buy these...we returned them immediately and are out the shipping costs.

I was very pleased when I received this book pack. A nice size, sturdy box, and beautiful illustrations. Small print but perfect "read to me" books.
I know the little princess in my life will be pleased!

Luke's adventures continue as he learns about the Seers and their scientific discoveries in their underground sanctuary near Stonehenge. Although he realizes that the national religion is pure bunk, Luke wants to use it to further his own ambitions. But he is too young and restless to wait for years until the Seers--who study and recreate ancient Technology on the sly-- are ready.

The hot-headed hero sets off on his own to explore the lands beyond the volcanic barrier to the England of the medieval Future. Seeking the mythical city of Klan Gothlam in the country of the Wilsh, Luke meets a fair princess and a huge sea monster. Again he must evaluate an entirely new lifestyle, but despite the dangers of this journey, Luke must confront the greatest challenge to his Crown Prince status when he returns home. Not on a par with PRINCE IN WAITING: a good story but unevenly paced.

Maybe I'm losing my "magic" but this book just didn't impress me. I envisioned many stickers and lots of pages geared for make believe play. One small sheet of stickers in the back of the book, and busy pages throughout. Not alot of room for imagination.
But then, I'm an adult. Maybe my 5 year old niece will think differently.