Posts
Pages: 338
Published: September 15, 2011
Publisher: Simon and Schuster ltd
Source: For review
#1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory and two historians present a must-have non-fiction book for both fans and scholars.
My thoughts:
I have actually never reviewed non-fiction before, and in the end I have not read much either, since my non-fiction mostly consists of uni textbooks (and none that exciting as this one). After having read all 3 books by Philippa Gregory it was interesting to read this book since this one is all fact and thoughts about these three women. But how to review is the question. I can't say I did not like something that happens since it is what happened. So I looked at is this way, was it boring and made me fall asleep? The question to that is no. It was never dry.
Philippa Gregory has written the first part about Jacquetta and she tells the story from cradle to grave. The little that is known about this fascinating woman. I do love any woman who went her on way at a time where your father, husband, brother or king ruled you. Sure many other women went their own way, but I just like how she married so far beneath her status, she must have loved him so and I am a sucker for that.
The next part is by David Baldwin and he tells the story about Elizabeth Woodville. I will always like the Woodville family and they are just so slandered, it is horrible. They were certainly not the first family to gain lands, titles and money when someone from their family caught a king's eye. And even if her husband was a terrible womanizer I will always like their story, lust at first sight ;)
The last part is by Michael Jones and it is about Margaret Beaufort (whom I called the bitch in The Red Queen). It is strange to say that you do not like someone that has lived and you have never met, but I just do not like it (but her story is a good one), and I certainly do not like her son Henry Tudor. Lol, I have a strange aversion for all the Tudors for some reason. Well starting from Henry. Oh and I am sure these two killed the princes in the tower, ok, I am just blaming them since I dislike them.
All in all 3 good authors writing about 3 interesting women, that history has vilified or as with Margaret made all saintly and good. It is not perhaps a book you read at once. No, you can read one section and then read another another day. History is not going anywhere.
Conclusion:
A good book to read after reading this series, or a good book to make you want to read the Cousin's War books.
Rating:
Interesting
Cover:
I can't grade non.fiction, it fits
Trying to remember the last nonfiction I read - it's been a LONG time.
ReplyDeleteThe only non-fiction I usually read are the (very) odd historical book like this - and as the three women focussed on are so fascinating. Always difficult to review a non-fiction book but as lomng as you weren't bored that's the best thing! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't read non-fiction anymore. But this book sounds interesting enough for me to be curious...
ReplyDeleteI read non-fiction pretty often but I don't review those because I don't know how ;)
ReplyDeleteI have to say I'm more than curious to read non-fiction by Gregory.
sounds like a good reference for the fiction. funny how we all love fiction more here. me too.
ReplyDeleteOh what a surprise - you actually read a good non-fiction book! Well done! There's some er...hope...for you left ;-).
ReplyDeleteMore seriously I would love to read that one too! A great review, Blodeuedd!
i really like the woodville's too. i loved reading about elizabeth in the white queen.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like non-fiction I would like. The last non-fiction book I read was The Complete Idiot's Guide to Celtic Wisdom. LOL.
ReplyDeleteChris
ReplyDeleteLol, well not that long for me, I read some textbooks, bleh
Mel
I know, that is my scale, bored or not ;)
And this is the kind of non-fic I enjoy.
Cherry
It was interesting :) And I sure do not read a lot of non-fic on my own choosing. the last I chose was something about kings and mistresses
Elysium
Take a chance ;) I did, I hope it paid out too.
I love it when you get a non fic book and it rocks. It's rare, I think. I mean maybe we are just so used to school books which I have always believe was made to teach us how to sleep and read at the same time. Since you liked this one, I think I will check it out!
ReplyDeleteVVB
ReplyDeleteI know :) That is just us, fiction lovers :D
Ana
Do not faint now! I know the shock must be difficult to bare, but I read non-fiction ;)
Lol, I am so happy that I can be saved.
Thanks!
Carrie
I loved that too. Damn I love the Woodvilles, esepcially Anthony ;)
Diana
That one sounds good, not the idiot part, but the rest, lol
Melissa
ReplyDeleteLol, yes school ruined non-fiction for me. But I am glad to find books that work, ok one book. But I did read a book about royal scandals that was fun
I have a friend who would love this book! I'll have to tell her about it.
ReplyDeleteInteresting book. I don't read much non-fiction these days.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a pretty informative read! I love a good non-fiction book once in a while. It's a change of pace. I don't like Henry Tudor...but the other Tudors are okay, I guess. I like Elizabeth and Jasper and that's pretty much about it.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of Philippa Gregory.
ReplyDeleteFor never having reviewed non fiction, you did a great job!
lol about the Margaret Beaufort comment :P
This does sound like a good read.
I didn't realize this book was written by three different authors until reading this review.
ReplyDeleteI think you tackled non-fiction very well here :-)
Hmm, I didn't realize this was non-fiction but it sounds pretty good!
ReplyDeleteI don't often read non-fiction either and I'm not sure that I'm going to start anytime soon!! I'll just google my questions!! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI'll bet that would be an interesting book to read after the fiction books. Glad to see you liked it :)
ReplyDeleteI understand not being able to grade the cover. And it's hard to review non-fiction. It's the way it is. No new spin to it or anything. Very nicely done. :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read anything non fiction since college, but I might have to make an exception for this one! I feel like anything Philppa writes is probably worth a read:)
ReplyDeleteNonfiction is always a struggle for me, but it sounds intriguing. Great review :)
ReplyDeleteBermuda
ReplyDeleteI hope you do :)
Yvonne
Me neither, but it felt nice for a chance
Carole
Jasper I like I guess, I have not read much about him. it is with Henry VII it started for me
Naida
Lol, yes I sure do not liek Beaufort ;)
Thanks, I am glad you think so
To honour your effort of reading and reviewing a non-fiction book I promise to read and review a book (roll of drums) of (another roll of drums) Courtney Milan! YES!
ReplyDeleteAren't I a good sport? ;D
I wish I could read some non-fiction other than my text books as well... :)
ReplyDeleteBut these 3 authors sound very good :)
I'm not a big fan of non-fiction but if it is done well, and this one sounds like it is, then it is a winner. Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. It does sound interesting, but my mountain range of books can't really get any higher.
ReplyDeleteAarti
ReplyDeleteAww, thanks :D
I missed that at first too.
Amused
it was interesting, just like it should be
Staci
Hihi, well I google a LOT when reading sometimes ;)
Patti
It was fun, and especially after reading about them. I could think about it more
Melissa
True, it is just the way it is. And I like the font ;)
Jenny
ReplyDeleteThat's the truth!
I sure read non-fiction so seldom, but it happens
Melissa Swim
For me too, cos I mostly think boring uni textbooks
Ana
*falls off the chair*
I am lost for words!
*appaluds*
I wanna read more by her too!
Veens
Ugh, textbooks, I have like 20 sitting next to me, all very boring.
kaye
Not a big fan here either, but like you say, if it is good its' good
Aurian
Lol, I hear that
I almost never read non-fiction unless you count the textbooks I read for school. The three women have lived interesting lives but I probably won't be reading this book.
ReplyDeleteHi: Great post!!!!!...........:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for this review - I have been interested in seeing how this book would be.
ReplyDeleteYou know, who better than Philippa Gregory to write about real historical figures since you know she's done an inordinate amount of research for her books.
ReplyDeleteJenny
ReplyDeleteYou can always borrow it ;)
Thanks Princess
Dolley
I am glad I could be of help
Steph
True, she does turn over every stone she finds
Oh I'm so pleased to hear it wasn't boring or dry. I have this one coming up soon and the last book in the Cousin series!
ReplyDeleteTeddyree
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy them both :)