Tag: monarchy

  • Queens and Kings by Lucy Worsley

    Well, this was delightful. For those of you unfamiliar with Lucy Worsley, I don’t know how. The woman is everywhere. In print, streaming, and in your social media. I think the best way to describe her is that she constantly looks like she is having the BEST time. Now, she is doing it in book…

  • Margaret Beaufort by Lauren Johnson

    Every time I try to conjure up some adjectives for Margaret Beaufort by Lauren Johnson, I keep feeling like I am damning it with faint praise. It is workmanlike, competent, and perfectly told. Does that sound like an exceptional book? I hope so, because it is! Luckily, Johnson is way better at writing than I…

  • The Six Loves of James I by Gareth Russell

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Six Loves of James I: One of the loves is partying. Quick synopsis: A biography of King James VI and I of Scotland and England. Fact for Non-History People: James became King of Scotland at only 13 months old. Fact for History Nerds: James was the king when the Gunpowder…

  • The Stolen Crown by Tracy Borman

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Stolen Crown: Wily Lizzie and slippery Jimmy. Quick synopsis: The story of the Elizabethan Succession and how it didn’t go the way we thought it did. Fact for Non-History People: In 1500, the English monarchy’s annual income was about 19 times that of Scotland. Fact for History Nerds: 60% of…

  • Nemesis by Catherine Hanley

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Nemesis: Of course England’s greatest enemy is a Frenchman. Quick synopsis: The life of medieval French King Philip II aka Philip Augustus. Fact for Non-History People: During his reign, Philip doubled the size of the French royal domain. Fact for History Nerds: He was the first to order the streets of…

  • When We Ruled by Paula Akpan

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for When We Ruled: You didn’t learn about these names in history class. Quick synopsis: A look at twelve African Queens and Warriors. Fact for Non-History People: Emperor Mansa Musa of Mali was one of the richest people ever. He might have been the richest. Fact for History Nerds: There are still…

  • Sceptred Isle by Helen Carr

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Sceptred Isle: Just because they are your favorite doesn’t mean they are everyone else’s. Quick synopsis: A look at English royal upheaval in the 14th century. Fact for Non-History People: Richard II is credited with either inventing or popularizing the handkerchief. Fact for History Nerds: Right before the Black Death arrived,…

  • Peter the Great by Robert Massie

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Peter the Great: He was enlightened and a drunk. A man after my own heart. Quick synopsis: A (very, very) in depth biography of Peter the Great of Russia. Fun Fact Non-History People Will Like: Peter took what might be the first “gap year” ever. In 1697, he took a group…

  • The Rebel Empresses by Nancy Goldstone

    Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for The Rebel Empresses: More than just pretty faces. Quick synopsis: The lives of Elisabeth of Austria and Eugénie of France. Fact for Non-History People: Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico was Austrian. His reign went as badly as you would expect. Fact for History Nerds: Sisi (Elisabeth) was a big supporter of…