Tag: monarchy
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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King John by Marc Morris
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline: Yup, he sucked as much as Robin Hood said he did. Maybe worse. Quick synopsis: A complete biography of King John of England. Fact for Non-History People: John rebelled against his father with his brother and then tried to steal power from his brother when he ascended. Fact for History Nerds: The…
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Henry V by Dan Jones
Brendan’s Alternate Tagline for Henry V: Shakespeare took a little dramatic license. Quick synopsis: A full biography of England’s greatest warrior king, Henry V. Fact for Non-History People: Henry V got shot in the face with an arrow as a teen and somehow didn’t die. Fact for History Nerds: Around the time of Henry’s…