Book Description
The National Bestseller
In the autumn of 1558, church bells across England ring out the joyous news that Elizabeth I is the new queen. One woman hears the tidings with utter dread. She is Amy Dudley, wife of Sir Robert, and she knows that Elizabeth's ambitious leap to the throne will draw her husband back to the center of the glamorous Tudor court, where he was born to be.
Elizabeth's excited triumph is short-lived. She has inherited a bankrupt country where treason is rampant and foreign war a certainty. Her faithful advisor William Cecil warns her that she will survive only if she marries a strong prince to govern the rebellious country, but the one man Elizabeth desires is her childhood friend, the ambitious Robert Dudley. As the young couple falls in love, a question hangs in the air: can he really set aside his wife and marry the queen? When Amy is found dead, Elizabeth and Dudley are suddenly plunged into a struggle for survival.
Philippa Gregory's The Virgin's Lover answers the question about an unsolved crime that has fascinated detectives and historians for centuries. Intelligent, romantic, and compelling, The Virgin's Lover presents a young woman on the brink of greatness, a young man whose ambition exceeds his means, and the wife who cannot forgive them.
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"In the autumn of 1558, church bells across England ring out the joyous news that Elizabeth I is the new queen. One woman hears the tidings with utter dread. She is Amy Dudley, wife of Sir Robert, and she knows that Elizabeth's ambitious leap to the throne will pull her husband back to the very center of the glamorous Tudor court, where he was born to be. Amy had hoped that the merciless ambitions of the Dudley family had died on Tower Green when Robert's father was beheaded and his sons shamed; but the peal of bells she hears is his summons once more to power, intrigue, and a passionate love affair with the young queen. Can Amy's steadfast faith in him, her constant love, and the home she wants to make for them in the heart of the English countryside compete with the allure of the new queen? Elizabeth's excited triumph is short-lived. She has inherited a bankrupt country, riven by enmity, where treason is normal and foreign war a certainty. Her faithful advisor William Cecil warns her that she will survive only if she marries a strong prince to govern the rebellious country, but the one man Elizabeth desires is her childhood friend, the irresistible, ambitious Robert Dudley. Robert revels in the opportunities of the new reign. The son of an aristocratic family brought up in palaces as the equal of his royal playmates, Robert knows he can reclaim his destiny at Elizabeth's side. Elizabeth cannot resist his courtship, and as the young couple slowly falls in love, Robert starts to think the impossible: can he set aside his wife and marry the young queen? Philippa Gregory's The Virgin's Lover answers the question about an unsolved crime that has fascinated detectives and historians for centuries. Philippa Gregory uses documents and evidence from the Tudor era and, with almost magical insight into the desires of Robert Dudley and his lovers, paints a picture of a country on the brink of greatness, a young woman grasping at her power, a young man whose ambition is greater than his means, and the wife who cannot forgive them. "
Customer Reviews:
somewhat boring.......2007-09-29
I have read all the books in this series re: Henry 8th and enjoyed all of them except this one. In spite of the history during this period of time, the reign of Elizabeth I, this book concentrates far too much on the sexual relationship between Elizabeth and Robert Dudley as well as his whining wife, Amy. In terms of a synopsis, other reviewers have gone into depth but, again, the book is somewhat devoid of historical value. Gregory's theory about how Amy died is somewhat interesting but so much more could have been done with this time period. I actually came to despise the characters Dudley and Elizabeth. She is being portrayed as weak, Dudley obsessed, dumb and easily manipulated. As one of the greatest rulers in England, I found this characterization of her unbelievable and annoying.
Falls flat.......2007-09-23
This was not at all like Philippa Gregory's other novels that I have read. Instead it was just filled with boring war talk and it made Queen Elizabeth seem weak, confused, and not a good leader whatsoever. Once I got over that fact, the book was just okay.
This story discusses Elizabeth's first few years on the throne. Her 'lover' is Robert Dudley (who also appeared in Gregory's novel The Queens Fool) and the book is central to him, his wife, and his affair with Elizabeth.
At first I sympathized with Elizabeth and I was naïve to even sympathize with Dudley himself for a short time in the beginning, but quickly I was repulsed by his devious and selfish behavior. As the book went on (and let me tell you it dragged on and on... not a fast read AT ALL...) I was quickly on the side of Amy Dudley and I felt horrible for the way she was treated and disrespected by her husband and the Queen.
I have adored the handful of Philippa Gregory novel's that I have read so far (The Other Boleyn Girl, The Boleyn Inheritance, The Constant Princess, and The Queens Fool) and I usually love biographical stories; therefore I was certain that I would enjoy this book as well. However, it was long, boring, and not filled with spice. If this is your first taste of Philippa Gregory, don't start with this book. Start with The Other Boleyn Girl; it is much better and much more fun.
An enjoyable read of historical fiction.......2007-08-07
This was my first Philippa Gregory book. It was a very enjoyable read, and I especially liked how she integrated historical events into the narrative. If you enjoy Elizabethan era history and movies like "Shakespeare in Love" you will enjoy this book.
The weak side of Elizabeth, not a full view.......2007-08-07
Elizabeth I may be the greatest most interesting ruler ever and I love Philippa Gregory, so what happened here? I know Elizabeth relied heavily on Robert Dudley but this book ONLY focused on the vigins "lover" so the other more compelling strengths of Elizabeth are just not mentioned. This book provides a distorted, narrow view of Elizabeth. I have learned more about Elizabeth I's strengths through other books and also the HBO movie "Elizabeth I" with Helen Mirren which was excellent. I suggest other sources for Elizabeth stories - keep looking.
Queen Elizabeth Fans Beware.......2007-07-25
While I have enjoyed several of Gregory's other works, including The Constant Princess, The Queen's Fool, and The Other Boleyn Girl, I couldn't even make it through this book. I am an avid reader of historical fiction and non-fiction and never have I been so disgusted with a portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I. Gregory writes about an immature, one-dimensional girl unable to make the simplest decisions without her lover, more focused on lust and adolescent games than running a country. Despite the fact that Queen Elizabeth I was fluent in English, Latin, Greek and had studied War, Science, Mathematics and was a model pupil throughout her schooling, Gregory expects you to view the Virgin Queen as little more than a village idiot who has the crown thrust upon her. While Gregory's works are on the whole fulfilling this left me completely dissatisfied and unimpressed with her writing.
Average customer rating:
- The riddle of the Boleyn Inheritance
- Reign of terror
- Captivated by the Tudors
- Not the best, but interesting
- The Boleyn Inheritance
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The Boleyn Inheritance
Philippa Gregory
Manufacturer: Touchstone
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Historical | British | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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The Constant Princess
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The Other Boleyn Girl
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The Virgin's Lover
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The Queen's Fool: A Novel
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Katherine
ASIN: 0743272501 |
Book Description
THREE WOMEN WHO SHARE ONE FATE: THE BOLEYN INHERITANCE
ANNE OF CLEVES
She runs from her tiny country, her hateful mother, and her abusive brother to a throne whose last three occupants are dead. King Henry VIII, her new husband, instantly dislikes her. Without friends, family, or even an understanding of the language being spoken around her, she must literally save her neck in a court ruled by a deadly game of politics and the terror of an unpredictable and vengeful king. Her Boleyn Inheritance: accusations and false witnesses.
KATHERINE HOWARD
She catches the king's eye within moments of arriving at court, setting in motion the dreadful machine of politics, intrigue, and treason that she does not understand. She only knows that she is beautiful, that men desire her, that she is young and in love -- but not with the diseased old man who made her queen, beds her night after night, and killed her cousin Anne. Her Boleyn Inheritance: the threat of the axe.
JANE ROCHFORD
She is the Boleyn girl whose testimony sent her husband and sister-in-law to their deaths. She is the trusted friend of two threatened queens, the perfectly loyal spy for her uncle, the Duke of Norfolk, and a canny survivor in the murderous court of a most dangerous king. Throughout Europe, her name is a byword for malice, jealousy, and twisted lust. Her Boleyn Inheritance: a fortune and a title, in exchange for her soul.
The Boleyn Inheritance is a novel drawn tight as a lute string about a court ruled by the gallows and three women whose positions brought them wealth, admiration, and power as well as deceit, betrayal, and terror. Once again, Philippa Gregory has brought a vanished world to life -- the whisper of a silk skirt on a stone stair, the yellow glow of candlelight illuminating a hastily written note, the murmurs of the crowd gathering on Tower Green below the newly built scaffold. In The Boleyn Inheritance Gregory is at her intelligent and page-turning best.
Book Description
15 discs/18 hours
Customer Reviews:
The riddle of the Boleyn Inheritance.......2007-10-10
This book is amazing. If you make yourself the question "What is the Boleyn Inheritance?" The author will give you hints through the book, and you can make some guess of which the answer will be. It is just at the very end of the book, that you will find out the answer, which is a breathtaking surprise.
Reign of terror.......2007-10-06
Having just finished the last page of this book, I'm still feeling rather trembly(if that's a word!) and shaken at the picture of complete horror and terrible fear painted so brilliantly by Philippa Gregory. Poor, Katherine Howard was the 5th wife of the murderous Henry V111, a pretty but vapid child of fifteen and as silly and stupid a 15 year old as one could imagine. The poor ditz of a creature was used by her family, the aristocratic and ruthless Howards, who also produced Queen Anne Boleyn, and manipulated into captivating the King who had deteriorated into a madman with a gross, infected and ulcerated body and who had become a complete megalomaniac. The other part of the story which was more interesting to me, was the story of Anne of Cleves who was Henry's 4th wife but who, through dint of cleverness and good luck, escaped the headman's axe by agreeing to the annulment of her marriage. Not much has been written about Anne but she must go down in history as one of the luckiest women in the world. I found this book to be an excellent read and an absolute page turner to the end.
Captivated by the Tudors.......2007-09-19
Having been fascinated by "The Other Boleyn Girl", I was very much looking forward to "The Boleyn Inheritance" and was not disappointed. A sort of sequel, the latter carries forward a character from the first book, Jane Boleyn, and also includes Henry's fourth and fifth wives, Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard. The story moves forward through alternating accounts of events by the three women. In my opinion, the author does a good job of capturing each one's spirit and voice. In addition, the story is fairly accurate historically, so provided a starting point for additional research on Henry and his wives.
Not the best, but interesting.......2007-09-16
Definitely preferred The Other Boleyn Girl and The Virgin's Lover. I'm reading Earthly Joys. I didn't think the two Boleyn books tied together that well. But the three narrators were interesting and her take on Anne of Cleves was fascinating. I loved the fleshing out of these forgotten and yet so important historical figures. But Jane Boleyn was tough to believe and understand.
The Boleyn Inheritance.......2007-09-13
The Boleyn Inheritance was a great novel. I did like The Other Boleyn Girl a little better. However, I liked the way Philippa Gregory wrote this book with three narrators. This book is worth reading!
Average customer rating:
- Excellent!!!
- Scandalous!
- Life in the court of Henry the VIII....not all it is cracked up to be
- couldn't put it down
- Historical fiction with a new twist
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The Other Boleyn Girl
Philippa Gregory
Manufacturer: Touchstone
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Historical | British | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Romance | Subjects | Books
General | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:
-
The Boleyn Inheritance
-
The Queen's Fool: A Novel
-
The Virgin's Lover
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Katherine
ASIN: 0743227441 |
Book Description
Two sisters competing for the greatest prize: the love of a king
When Mary Boleyn comes to court as an innocent girl of fourteen, she catches the eye of Henry VIII. Dazzled by the king, Mary falls in love with both her golden prince and her growing role as unofficial queen. However, she soon realizes just how much she is a pawn in her familys ambitious plots as the kings interest begins to wane and she is forced to step aside for her best friend and rival: her sister, Anne. Then Mary knows that she must defy her family and her king, and take her fate into her own hands.
A rich and compelling tale of love, sex, ambition, and intrigue, The Other Boleyn Girl introduces a woman of extraordinary determination and desire who lived at the heart of the most exciting and glamorous court in Europe and survived by following her own heart.
Download Description
"Two sisters competing for the greatest prize: the love of a king When Mary Boleyn comes to court as an innocent girl of fourteen, she catches the eye of Henry VIII. Dazzled by the king, Mary falls in love with both her golden prince and her growing role as unofficial queen. However, she soon realizes just how much she is a pawn in her family's ambitious plots as the king's interest begins to wane and she is forced to step aside for her best friend and rival: her sister, Anne. Then Mary knows that she must defy her family and her king, and take her fate into her own hands. A rich and compelling tale of love, sex, ambition, and intrigue, The Other Boleyn Girl introduces a woman of extraordinary determination and desire who lived at the heart of the most exciting and glamorous court in Europe and survived by following her own heart. "
Customer Reviews:
Excellent!!!.......2007-10-10
This book was fantastic! I've never had an interest in English history before and now I find I'm obsessed. Well written and engaging. It's hard to put down!
Scandalous!.......2007-10-09
I admit, at first I thought this book was a bit of fluff. I realized it wasn't when I found myself unable to leave the story to so much as eat. Don't give up if you've just begun, this book will take you on a ride of intrigue, scandal, ambition, lust, incest and greed. The writing seemed very simple to me, but the story was complex enough to fill in the gap. I loved reading about the Tudors and although I knew it wasn't entirely true, the story was entertaining & shocking enough to keep me reading until the last word.
This story is told from Mary Boleyn's point of view and and tells the tale of the Boleyn family's ambition to get the to the top of the English crown, no matter what the cost...and oh what prices they pay! Mary was chosen by her family to put herself in the king's (Henry VIII) favor (mainly with sex) to rise to the top to benefit her family. Everything seemed to be going well for Mary until her highly ambitious and beautiful sister Anne came to court and stole all of her thunder and did whatever it took her to get what she wanted, and more. In the king's quest for an heir, a son, he leads the country to the height of scandal by divorcing Queen Katherine, who is barren, to open the door for a new marriage...perhaps to a Boleyn.
It's interesting to see the dynamic between Anne, Mary and their brother, George. Rivals from the crib, Anne and Mary were born to be in competition with eachother and were raised for the sole purpose of landing an advantagous marriage. Anne will stop at nothing to land a sucessful marriage to a duke and once that prospect is squashed she goes straight for the heart of the country...the king. She is a shameless, uncaring, evil, ambitious woman, but something about her makes you root for her, in a sick way. For years and years she stops at nothing to get what she wants, but the road she takes to get there is wrought with scandal that puts Anne and her family of unwilling supporters in grave danger.
If you want an engaging read, this is it. How many times did I say the word scandalous in this review? A bunch? That's because it is! Read it, you won't regret it. Also, I think thay are making a movie that is to come out this winter. It's a great time to take in the book.
Life in the court of Henry the VIII....not all it is cracked up to be.......2007-10-08
This is an amazing historical fiction about Mary, the sister of Anne Boleyn. The historical details make you feel as if you are really there. It seems to be very historically accurate as well. I mostly enjoyed reading it... except that after a while the politically charged, cruel, and sometimes evil feel of the life at Henry the VIII's court can be smothering. Towards the end I just wanted to be done with it.
couldn't put it down.......2007-10-07
this was a great book. I did not like the Constant Princess, so I hesitated to read this book. Great story, great writing. Really couldn't put it down.
Historical fiction with a new twist.......2007-10-01
This book kept me riveted even though it is a long book; I didn't want to stop reading it. It certainly made the reign of King Henry VIII interesting! It also points out the sad fate of women in those days. But the main character, Mary Bolyn overcomes her fate by following her heart. This has been my favorite book this year, full of love, sex and ambition., and it is based on a true story!
Book Description
"I am Catalina, Princess of Spain, daughter of the two greatest monarchs the world has ever known...and I will be Queen of England."
Thus, bestselling author Philippa Gregory introduces one of her most unforgettable heroines: Katherine of Aragon. Known to history as the Queen who was pushed off her throne by Anne Boleyn, here is a Katherine the world has forgotten: the enchanting princess that all England loved. First married to Henry VIII's older brother, Arthur, Katherine's passion turns their arranged marriage into a love match; but when Arthur dies, the merciless English court and her ambitious parents -- the crusading King and Queen of Spain -- have to find a new role for the widow. Ultimately, it is Katherine herself who takes control of her own life by telling the most audacious lie in English history, leading her to the very pinnacle of power in England.
Set in the rich beauty of Moorish Spain and the glamour of the Tudor court, The Constant Princess presents a woman whose constancy helps her endure betrayal, poverty, and despair, until the inevitable moment when she steps into the role she has prepared for all her life: Henry VIII's Queen, Regent, and commander of the English army in their greatest victory against Scotland.
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"I am Catalina, Princess of Spain, daughter of the two greatest monarchs the world has ever known...and I will be Queen of England.""
Customer Reviews:
Not worth reading.......2007-10-10
I liked the Other Boleyn Girl...and I was intrigued when I found her book about Katherine of Aragon...
...sadly this book is not worth the time. Kathrine charecter comes off as whiney and overall without any depth. Katherine's charecter had little depth. I was very disappointed.
A heart-warming and inspiring tale.......2007-08-30
Like every other Philippa Gregory novel that I have read, "The Constant Princess" is yet another example of how delicious this author writes. This book does not disappoint. A wonderful story that is filled with fun, romance, and inspiration, "The Constant Princess" is about Queen Katharine of England (Henry VIII's first wife.)
The best part of Philippa Gregory's writing (at least what I have read so far) is that her stories are well seasoned with historical facts and characters. While this is an artistic take on historical events, it is still pure enjoyment to devour and I was left with a deep respect for Katharine the real person in addition to Katharine the character in this novel.
The first half of the book is delicious and romantic. My heart was singing and I forgot all about what really happens to our dear heroine because I was so wrapped up in the first part of her story (about her first marriage to Arthur.) Suddenly the story turns from romance to defining why the book is titled "The Constant Princess." Reading about her struggles, her near-misses, and ultimately to see her bring her goal to fruition was what made this a fantastic book.
If you enjoyed The Other Boleyn Girl and/or The Boleyn Inheritance, I am positive you will also enjoy this book. Add it to your collection of Philippa Gregory novels today!
It was just OK..........2007-08-29
As someone who thoroughly enjoys historical fiction and the Tudor time period in England I was really excited to pick up this book on Katherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife.
Gregory, covers Katherine or Catalina's childhood in Spain, her first marriage to Arthur (Henry's older brother), her agonizing wait for 7 years before she became Henry's wife, and then the first few years of marriage.
I thought the first half of the book somewhat interesting up until Arthur dies and she schemes to marry Henry, his younger brother. I also found the first years of Henry and Katherine's marriage somewhat interesting.
However, what takes away from this book in a big way is Gregory's repetitiveness throughout the book (as many others have cited). It really takes away from the progress of the story as you feel you're just stuck reading the same thing over and over again. Then Gregory glosses over Katherine's shining moment as Queen - holding back the Scots, skips 13 years of their reign together (during which Anne Boleyn enters the picture and convinces Henry to marry her) and ends the book abruptly. As the reader you almost get the sense that Gregory just got tired of writing about her because it didn't feel finished and complete.
Overall, this book was just OK.
Two and a Half Stars Please.......2007-08-28
While "The Other Boleyn Girl" was richly imagined in great detail, most of this book was repetitive and generalized. It did give me the barest background on Kathryn, for which I was grateful, but I expected mastery and got averageness.
Pleasant Reading ..........2007-08-15
If you are like me ~~ a historical fiction fan ~~ you'll pick this book up and snuggle down on the couch for a cozy reading. I can guarantee that this is a cozy reading and you'll finish the book in a short time ~~ but it is not the best historical fiction I've picked up. After reading Jean Plaidy's books, I am hard pressed to even compare Gregory in the same genre ~~ while riveting, the writing style is just not the same. You also get the feeling she is taking great liberties with historical facts. Plus, in this one, Katherine (whom I have always wanted to know more about) is just not all that winning of a character.
Katherine or Catalina is an Infanta of Spain. She is the daughter of two of Spain's most notorious rulers (I am not going to say that they are the greatest because they did a lot of harm to a lot of people of different faiths). From birth, she was betrothed to marry Arthur, the prince of England and the future king. That alone gave her an inflated sense of self-worth. She comes to England as a spoiled young child and eventually falls in love with her husband. Tragically, he died. But on his deathbed, she promised to fulfill his wishes for an united England. She goes on to marry Henry after waiting seven long years of poverty and unwanted by either her parents and by Henry the Seventh, whom she spurned his marriage proposal. Then it goes on to where she conquers Scotland while Henry was fighting in France. That's it. Gregory skipped entirely the Boleyn affair, Mary's birth and all those details that I would love to read more in depth (especially since I am a fan of the new Showtime series, "The Tudors").
While it is entertaining, there are some things that did drive me nuts as a reader. One thing, Katherine keeps repeating to herself that she's born to be a queen. Ok, I get that, and understand that, but come on, after fifteen times of saying that, I really get it and that alone starts to turn me off of the character. (I was like, NO WONDER Henry went after other women!) I do agree with the author's assessment that Henry is a spoiled young boy who hasn't been tried by war or treasonous friends or whatever. But eventually, he does become to be a ruler in his own right and a very dangerous one at that.
The constant reference to being God's chosen people and following God's will ~~ it is annoying but that is how people think back then and still do. Katherine took it to a new art. I found her first miscarriage very interesting, her love affair with Arthur very sweet and tragic ~~ and her subsquent marriage to Henry interesting. It is a very interesting novel to read ~~ as long as you keep in mind that it is fiction and it is entertaining. It is not as good as "The Queen's Fool" or "The Other Boleyn Girl" ~~ those two novels I just loved. But it is entertaining and written well ~~ definitely better written than "The Queen's Lover" ~~ which is my least favorite of the Tudor series.
So go ahead and snuggle on the couch and read ~~ you will be carried back into time where danger and intrigue are the way of life. That I can guarantee you of.
8-15-07
Book Description
Here's the first and only full-color book on the subject of "warm," or kiln-fired, glass in print. It provides a comprehensive look at one of the most popular skills for those working in the studio.
With lavish illustrations, and all the processes involved in kiln-firing explained, the versatility of the dazzling technique of warm glass comes into clear focus. From fusing and slumping to casting and pâte de verre, everything is covered--complete with a corresponding graph on the firing cycle and information on the various types of glass, their compatibility, and their behaviors during firing. Invaluable tips tell how to avoid unexpected and unwanted effects, and also how to create a range of different results and finishes. Close-up pictures show each step in the process being carried out, and breathtaking photos display an inspirational gallery of finished works that are richly colored and gracefully shaped. A brief historical overview of glassmaking provides useful background.
Customer Reviews:
Great Book.......2007-10-07
Absolutely Great! This is the best book I've read on fusing too date and I read alot. Instead of just "what to do", it explains why you are doing it. It has a wonderful history of glass and an excellent explanation on the nature of glass. It covers the full range of information for working with warm glass, from straight fusing to making your own molds for casting.
Mixed blessing.......2007-09-08
Warm Glass: A Complete Guide is in many ways a really nice volume--it's beautifully illustrated with some of the nicest photography I've seen in a book on studio glass techniques. The sample projects are very attractive with a reasonable number of photos per project and there's a good background on the history of art glass that includes a lot of great photos.
However, the authors needed to do a bit more homework on the technical side. For example, they explain that glass is a liquid (most experts call it an amorphous solid) and I found some minor inaccuracies in their glass histories. Some of the calculations and schedules they publish are really based on a single type of glass and may not be suitable for all types of glass. They also provide some pretty precise times and temps for firing schedules which most likely won't work in all kilns and certainly won't work for every type of glass.
I doubt that anyone experienced at kilnforming would be misled, but the book is represented as "A Complete Guide," which might be misleading to beginners.
In their zeal to be complete, the authors cram a great deal--sandblasting, moldmaking, mold releases, frit-making, casting, several types of fusing--into a relatively short book. I think they do an excellent job at a high level, but the beginner (and maybe the intermediate kilnformer, too) could be left wondering how you get from step x to step z. They become vague in dangerous spots, as when they suggest using "a common cathedral glass" for a specific project and then publish a precise firing schedule. If you walk into any stained glass shop and ask for "a common cathedral glass" to use in a kilnforming project, well...you won't get very far.
And be warned: these projects take a reasonably elaborate setup with a fair amount of equipment and supplies. Everyone who does kilnformed glass knows it's not a cheap hobby, but it is possible to do simple glass projects without everything you'd need to buy to complete one of the projects in the book. A beginner might be wise to start with something more basic before making this kind of investment.
All in all, though, the book is a good addition to my library and I enjoy it. If you're kilnforming at an intermediate or better level, you'll be able to separate the wheat from the chaff and get good use out of this book. If you're a beginning kilnformer, make sure you have other resources--good classes, other books, expert kilnformers who are willing to advise--to supplement this book. Or start with something else.
Better than Most.......2007-09-07
This book is actually better than most glass books, giving information avbout fusing and casting that actually helps to fire correctly. It also has beautiful, if a bit dated, photos.
great knowledge book.......2007-08-23
This book like the other one I reviewed is good for the basic overview of the processes. I have yet to make any projects, once I do I will write more. BUT this is a good book to give you ideas and more insite of the processes.
A great book for the fused glass artist.......2007-05-18
I ordered this book and (the more expensive) "Contemporary warm glass" by Brad Walker and two "Fuse it" books by Petra Kaiser. I can say without hesitation that "Warm Glass" is the best of the bunch!
First off it is physically the nicest book, hard cover, great printing and lovely inspirational examples. Petra's book is good for anyone totally new to hot glass but I find her aesthetic is closer to "crafting" than fine art. Brad Walker's book is simply over priced!
"Warm Glass: A Complete Guide to Kiln-Forming Techniques: Fusing, Slumping, Casting" is inspiring and informative. The technical details are spot-on and the projects are much more "artful" than the other books.
If you are serious about fused glass I'd recommend getting this book. If you are starting out with no glass experience you may want to pickup a copy of Petra Kaiser's "Fuse it" book as well.
Any of these books will help the beginner get started, and that is truly the most important step! Petra Kaiser's books are aimed at the true beginner, while "Warm Glass" will appeal to the artist wanting more depth and breath.
There are so many variables when working with hot glass, no matter what book you get, as you master the medium and your equipment, you will no doubt make mistakes. This book will reassure you that mistakes and missteps are part of the process and happen to seasoned glass artist with decades of experience. I found it to be an inspirational guide to the possibilities of hot glass. It covers more detail and techniques than any of the other works I've mentioned here. It is a true value and worth having in your library.
Average customer rating:
- Ready for a time warp to the English middle ages?
- Amazing Character development!
- Falls short of Expectation
- Superb Historical Writing
- ecstatic
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Katherine
Anya Seton
Manufacturer: Chicago Review Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
20th Century | United States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Romance | Subjects | Books
General | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books
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The Boleyn Inheritance
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Green Darkness
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The Queen's Fool: A Novel
ASIN: 155652532X |
Book Description
This classic romance novel tells the true story of the love affair that changed history—that of Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, the ancestors of most of the British royal family. Set in the vibrant 14th century of Chaucer and the Black Death, the story features knights fighting in battle, serfs struggling in poverty, and the magnificent Plantagenets—Edward III, the Black Prince, and Richard II—who ruled despotically over a court rotten with intrigue. Within this era of danger and romance, John of Gaunt, the king’s son, falls passionately in love with the already married Katherine. Their well-documented affair and love persist through decades of war, adultery, murder, loneliness, and redemption. This epic novel of conflict, cruelty, and untamable love has become a classic since its first publication in 1954.
Customer Reviews:
Ready for a time warp to the English middle ages?.......2007-09-21
This is an exquisitely written story. The characters, even the minor ones, are beautifully developed. The descriptive powers of Ms. Seton are the best in the genre. You can touch, hear, see, smell, and taste the time in which Katherine Swynford lived.
While he's certainly not a villian, I found myself not always warming to the Duke of Lancaster. I didn't mind though it as I found it made him more real and his preoccupation with war and marriages of convenience only made him more believable. To portray the Duke as a sensitive enlightened man of the today would do a great injustice to the authenticity of the story.
This is a love story, no doubt, but it is also a history text book, the best kind there is. You learn more about the period than you ever would in a stuffy history 101 class. I recommend this book to everyone. It is a classic and a must read for all fans of good historical fiction. And while I never read a book twice, for Katherine, I will break my own rule one day...and I look forward to it.
Amazing Character development!.......2007-09-18
This book is absolutely amazing. Who knew that a book about the Middle Ages to be so scintillating! Seton did a fantastic job of character portrayal, especially the inner turmoils of both Katherine and her beloved John of Gaunt. If you want to know the plot, read the synopsis. I have to say that I've rarely encountered such vivid characters who draw you in so completely to their story.
One recommendation before embarking on this incredible tale: buy an historical reference book about the time period. Having another persective on the historical aspects of this time would have been helpful because Katherine intentionally stayed out of the political realm and some of the factual details are hazy.
Falls short of Expectation.......2007-09-05
Katherine is no doubt a wonderful novel with excellent description of England in the 14th Century. However, in my opinion, the story fell short in comparison to the summary I read on the back of the book. Characters in the novel were well developed but not deep enough to make me cry for the characters that died. The only character I truly feel for is Katherine because throughout the entire novel it was through her perspective that the readers see. According to the author, Anya Seton, it was her intention to have the readers see through Katerine's perspective. I find that reading through Katherine's perspective a weakness of the novel because although there were political intrigues among nobles and rulers, I find it less threatening toward the protagonists of the story because the plots against the protagonists and wars were mentioned very little. When I first read the summary of the novel I thought it was a love tragedy of a dark time, but what I got out of it was more of a light reading. So I gave this novel a four stars because it was slightly below my expectation.
Superb Historical Writing.......2007-08-26
I think if I had to choose my favorite book out of tens of thousands, it would have to be this one. This author had incredible imagination coupled with outstanding literary skills. Never have I read a book that makes me visualize the late 1300s as this one does, and I've read many of them. This book has withstood the test of time, and I'm delighted it has been reprinted, as have all of Anya Seton's works.
ecstatic.......2007-08-23
I read this book about 25 years ago and have always remembered it. Found it accidently while looking for something else. Am loving it all over again.Katherine
Book Description
Liotard's fine portraits of Westerners in Turkish dress, Carpaccio's turbaned figures, and the coveted "Turkey" carpets that appear in paintings by Lotto and Holbein bear witness to a deep Western fascination with all things Ottoman. It is this cultural influence, spanning five hundred years—from the fall of Constantinople through to the twentieth century—that unites the wealth of paintings, drawings, photography, and decorative objects in this sumptuously illustrated book. The result is a visual feast of Turkish delights, from the exotic allure of the harem and Turkish baths to Ottoman-inspired Western interiors and pavilions; from paintings of Europeans in Turkish costume to carpets, silks, tulips, turbans, Iznik tiles, coffee, tobacco, and croissants. The delightfully informative text explains how Turkey, the gateway to the East, became a fountain of inspiration for so many artistic and cultural fields—painting, ceramics, textiles, interiors, fashion—in the West. Today the many fruits of this cultural meeting, enticingly displayed in this book, will engage a fresh audience with the decorative possibilities of the ravishing colors, motifs, and furnishings of traditional Turkey. 150 color photographs.
Book Description
Whether he is nurturing a single rare seedling into a blossoming tree or planning acres of exquisitely conceived royal gardens, John Tradescant's fame and skill as a gardener are unsurpassed in seventeenth-century England. But it is Tradescant's clear-sighted honesty and loyalty that make him an invaluable servant, and in his role as informal confidant during garden strolls with Sir Robert Cecil, adviser to King James I, he witnesses the making of history, from the Gunpowder Plot to the accession of King Charles I and the growing animosity between Parliament and court.
Tradescant's talents soon come to the attention of the most powerful man in the country, the irresistible Duke of Buckingham, the lover of King Charles I. Tradescant has always been faithful to his masters, but Buckingham is unlike any he has ever known: flamboyant, outrageously charming, and utterly reckless. Every certainty upon which Tradescant has based his life -- his love of his wife and children, his passion for his work, his loyalty to his country -- is shattered as he follows Buckingham to court, to war, and to the forbidden territories of human love.
From the details of garden design and innovation to the politics of a growing revolution which was to kill a king and turn a world upside down, Philippa Gregory once again makes history come alive through the people whose passions shaped that world.
Download Description
"Whether he is nurturing a single rare seedling into a blossoming tree or planning acres of exquisitely conceived royal gardens, John Tradescant's fame and skill as a gardener are unsurpassed in seventeenth-century England. But it is Tradescant's clear-sighted honesty and loyalty that make him an invaluable servant, and in his role as informal confidant during garden strolls with Sir Robert Cecil, adviser to King James I, he witnesses the making of history, from the Gunpowder Plot to the accession of King Charles I and the growing animosity between Parliament and court. Tradescant's talents soon come to the attention of the most powerful man in the country, the irresistible Duke of Buckingham, the lover of King Charles I. Tradescant has always been faithful to his masters, but Buckingham is unlike any he has ever known: flamboyant, outrageously charming, and utterly reckless. Every certainty upon which Tradescant has based his life -- his love of his wife and children, his passion for his work, his loyalty to his country -- is shattered as he follows Buckingham to court, to war, and to the forbidden territories of human love. From the details of garden design and innovation to the politics of a growing revolution which was to kill a king and turn a world upside down, Philippa Gregory once again makes history come alive through the people whose passions shaped that world. "
Customer Reviews:
Sexual Impropriety?.......2007-08-30
I have read several of Philippa Gregory's books; at least one from each series (the Tudor stories, Wide Acre and now Earthly Joys). And while I find her writing engaging and her characters intellectually attractive, I strongly feel that there must be something amiss in her psyche. That she can write so vividly about sexual-taboos makes me wonder what went on in her own life.
I glossed over the overtly sexual goings-on of the Other Boleyn Sister, The Constant Princess and The Queen's Fool, attributing it to the eccentricity of royal life. However, I threw Wide Acre away and refused to read the remaining stories of the series.
From the beginning of Earthly Joys I was waiting for the sexual deviancy at every page turned. I feel that the physical relationship between the gardener and the duke was unnecessary. The plot and John's character development would in no way have been compromised had she left out their tryst. Furthermore, I don't believe that the shipboard encounter advance either character; on the contrary I feel that her inclusion of sex in their relationship only weakened my trust of John's steadfast and honest character (and quiet frankly of Ms. Gregory's mental capacity).
I would have enjoyed this story so much more had she left out the physical relationship between John and the Duke. I will not be recommending this novel to anyone.
Boring, disappointing rubbish........2006-12-15
As an avid fan of all other novels by Philippa Gregory, I was terribly let down by this one. Unless you are a gardener or botanist interested in the origins of English gardening, there is nothing remotely interesting about this story. And even the historical facts, which are usually so masterfully intertwined with the plot in Gregory's other books, are given very little attention. The main focus is on the characters, but the characters never change or grow or learn from past experience. One theme is established at the outset of the book, and it just continues in the same dull vein until the end. Stuck with it because of how much I loved her other work, but I'm sorry that I wasted weeks of reading on this dud.
weird.......2006-11-30
Have enjoyed her other books. this book proves that "company men" live in all ages. Career is just more fun than familys.the book wanders like a vine, not a good first choice read.
earthly Joys.......2006-08-11
Philippa Gregory seems to have kept quite close to historical facts in accuracy, when comparing her fiction to a factual book on Tradescant's life.
It is a pacy read with emotional and erotic scenes;good descriptions of the finding of rarities and plants, modes of travel, social,religious,political feelings of the time.
The story brings history to life.
earthly joys.......2006-03-20
I have read all of Phillipa Gregory's books, and always eagerly await her next, but this was a miss. I was very disappointed in this stilted, boring book...I can only imagine that it is enjoyable to garden enthusiasts. Unlike Gregory's other novels, which have unexpected twists and enough action to keep one interested, 'Joys' drags on, with pages and pages devouted solely to plant descriptions. Gregory's attempt at some sort of 'love connection' between the gardener and his master is completely unromantic. I encourage anyone who likes this genre to read Phillip Gregory's work-just don't bother with this one.
Book Description
As England descends into civil war, John Tradescant the Younger, gardener to King Charles I, finds his loyalties in question, his status an ever-growing danger to his family. Fearing royal defeat and determined to avoid serving the rebels, John escapes to the royalist colony of Virginia, a land bursting with fertility that stirs his passion for botany. Only the native American peoples understand the forest, and John is drawn to their way of life just as they come into fatal conflict with the colonial settlers. Torn between his loyalty to his country and family and his love for a Powhatan girl who embodies the freedom he seeks, John has to find himself before he is prepared to choose his direction in the virgin land.
In this enthralling, freestanding sequel to Earthly Joys, Gregory combines a wealth of gardening knowledge with a haunting love story that spans two continents and two cultures, making Virgin Earth a tour de force of revolutionary politics and passionate characters.
Download Description
"As England descends into civil war, John Tradescant the Younger, gardener to King Charles I, finds his loyalties in question, his status an ever-growing danger to his family. Fearing royal defeat and determined to avoid serving the rebels, John escapes to the royalist colony of Virginia, a land bursting with fertility that stirs his passion for botany. Only the native American peoples understand the forest, and John is drawn to their way of life just as they come into fatal conflict with the colonial settlers. Torn between his loyalty to his country and family and his love for a Powhatan girl who embodies the freedom he seeks, John has to find himself before he is prepared to choose his direction in the virgin land. In this enthralling, freestanding sequel to Earthly Joys, Gregory combines a wealth of gardening knowledge with a haunting love story that spans two continents and two cultures, making Virgin Earth a tour de force of revolutionary politics and passionate characters.
Customer Reviews:
"Virgin Earth".......2007-09-30
This book is very long and at times tedious. Gregory has vivid descriptions of EVERYthing. Her characters were good. We reviewed this in book club and after discussion, I found out I remembered and enjoyed more than I realized!
Annoying Main Character.......2007-09-28
I usually love Philippa Gregory's books. But this one, for me, was lacking. The main character was frankly annoying--from the beginning of the book to its VERY disappointing ending. I agree with another poster who had a hard time understand how three intelligent women could love this guy. The reason I gave it two stars (instead of one or none) was because the book did have its moments. The time spent in early Virgina and the look into the lives of King Charles I and the story behind the English civil war were interesting. I just wish the story could have been told from another main character's perspective.
Virgin Earth.......2007-09-05
I love the writings of Phillipa Gregory. Most of them are historic and based on true happenings. I find that she has researched her material well. I have read most of her writings. I only recently found out that she wrote a few children's books.
2ND GENERATIION GARDENER TO KINGS.......2007-08-15
NOT A VERY LIKEABLE CHARACTER BUT THE STORY IS AN INTERSTING PERSPECTIVE OF EARLY ENGLISH AND AMERICAN HISTORY FROM A GARDENER'S PERSPECTIVE.
Philippa, what is happening?.......2007-07-26
Phillipa became one of my most sought after authors after reading the juicy and wnderful Other Boleyn Girl. Followed by Queen's Fool, I was hooked, chasing bookstores for her next delivery of her next book. Since then, I have read The Constant Princess, Virgin's Lover, Earthly Joys, Wise Woman, and Virgin Earth. All these are 3 stars at best.
The writing is no longer rich with descriptives. Plots become unbelievable and basic. There is no longer much historical reference in these, making them feel like 'supermarket novels'.
Very dissappointing, since after Anya Seton (Katherine may be the best England/Historical novel yet), she was my favorite historical writer.
It feels like her publisher is pushing her to cough up a new book every year and the writing feels strained and rushed. She needs to stop and smell the flowers and let the historical imagination flow again.
Book Description
A young woman caught in the rivalry between Queen Mary and her half sister, Elizabeth, must find her true destiny amid treason, poisonous rivalries, loss of faith, and unrequited love.
It is winter, 1553. Pursued by the Inquisition, Hannah Green, a fourteen-year-old Jewish girl, is forced to flee Spain with her father. But Hannah is no ordinary refugee. Her gift of "Sight," the ability to foresee the future, is priceless in the troubled times
of the Tudor court. Hannah is adopted by the glamorous Robert Dudley, the charismatic son of King Edward's protector, who brings her to court as a "holy fool" for Queen Mary and, ultimately, Queen Elizabeth. Hired as a fool but working as a spy; promised in wedlock but in love with her master; endangered by the laws against heresy, treason, and witchcraft, Hannah must choose between the safe life of a commoner and the dangerous intrigues of the royal family that are inextricably bound up in her own yearnings and desires.
Teeming with vibrant period detail and peopled by characters seamlessly woven into the sweeping tapestry of history, The Queen's Fool is another rich and emotionally resonant gem from this wonderful storyteller.
Customer Reviews:
Recommended.......2007-09-14
This is the first Philippa Gregory novel I've read, and I chose this one because of the slight fantasy of the main character's "sight" that she uses to foretell events. This aspect I would have enjoyed had the author used it more; however, then it would be even more of a fantasy than historical fiction. Regardless, the story held my interest and I liked the characters.
A Fool No More.......2007-08-27
Another drama of the Tudors by Philippa Gregory. I enjoyed this one more than "The Other Boleyn Girl" because the main character had spunk and independence, unusual for a girl in those days. Although a vassal to a Lord with his own agenda, she developed a deep love for Queen Mary and was a loyal friend to her through all her suffering. For the first time, I got a clear picture of the conflict between Mary and Elizabeth before and after the death of their young brother the King. Both made huge mistakes but were strong women to be reckoned with. Hannah serves both but is still her own woman. Very exciting events unfold as the balance of power shifts back and forth between these two woman and their supporters. Adding to the drama is the fact that Hannah and her family are Jews passing as Christians during a time when heretics were burned at the stake.
How can I like this more than Philippa Gregory's Boleyn stories??.......2007-08-07
I don't know how it's possible that I liked "The Queen's Fool" even more than "The Other Boleyn Girl", and "The Boleyn Inheritance" which I loved. I think it's partially the addition of Hannah Green the young jewish girl escaping the Spanish Inquisition and becoming the Queen's Fool, telling the story. Having Hannah tell the story introduces how great an effect all the european countries and their politics have on other European countries.
I am sure it is also the fact that these stories build on each other, with characters whose families and circumstances are already familiar from the book before. I encourage you to read in sequence - and I encourage you to READ these stories and learn some history. Even if it is couched in some fiction, you still learn and this way is so much more fun. My friends are now as hooked as I am -- this many people can't all be wrong.
The Queen's Fool: A novel.......2007-08-02
Intriguing! Great descriptions of the Tudor court in a suspense filled, exciting time in history. Had me hooked.
WONDERFUL.......2007-07-19
Ms. Gregory's The Queen's Fool is as beautifully written as her other historical fiction novels. We continue the story of the Tudor line in England, but instead of being guided through a queen's view or a princess's view, we read through the eyes of Hannah the Fool. Hannah is a wonderful character who grows from an apprentice tomboy to a desirable woman. We pick up the story from Henry VIII's last wife to see his son, Edward IV, on the throne. Edward, ruled through the Duke of Northumberland, dies and the throne is shoved into the hands of Jane Grey (Northumberland's relation). The victory is short-lived, because Mary (Henry VIII's first and only child with Katharine of Aragon) raises an army to fight for her as Queen. Though she wins, it is not long before her sister, Princess Elizabeth (Henry VIII's first and only child with Anne Boleyn), conspires to take the throne. Hannah is thrown in between the half-sisters and must use her Sight as a gift to help both women. The story line is filled with historical fact, tweaked enough to give a well rounded account of The reign of Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I. WONDERFUL!
Books:
- Through My Eyes
- Tongue in Cheek (Black Lace)
- Twelfth Night (Folger Shakespeare Library)
- Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew
- Ultimate Galactus Vol. 2: Secret
- Unearthed Arcana (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying)
- Unraveled
- Warriors: The Lost Warrior (Warriors)
- Woodall's North American Campground Directory with CD, 2007 (Woodall's Campground Directory: North American Ed. (W/CD))
- YOU: The Owner's Manual: An Insider's Guide to the Body that Will Make You Healthier and Younger
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