Product Description
Roland has incurred the wrath of the evil sorcerer Marten, and must flee his home in Gilead with two of his young friends. But arriving in the supposedly friendly town of Hambry may be no safer, for the dreaded agents of Marten are abroad The Coffin Hunters! Though its not all completely bleak as Roland meets the woman who will become the love of his young life the beautiful Susan Delgado. Plus: Learn more about the land of the Dark Tower with exclusive bonus material!
Customer Reviews:
The Dark Tower #2.......2007-09-15
I'm giving the same review to all the comics in this series. It's too bad that King's epoch is so monumental that this comic serialization represents only a miniscule slice but for an abridgement it is excellent and,in my opinion, they've chosen the best segment. The writing is good, the art work alone is worth the purchase of the series. The insightful essays following each segment were enlightening. The down side was the back-slapping, self-gratification-fest that ended each book. If I felt any need to know how talented each of the contributers felt the others in the group were I'd go on the internet and look it up. I'm paying for a book, not an awards dinner. bg
The Dark Tower Comic 2.......2007-04-24
This was such a cool idea, and the artwork is awesome, but I have one problem with it. I kind of feel slighted that these comics are telling the story of the 4th book. I know that the title is Gunslinger Born but I still really want to get more of the story. Maybe it could have discussed what happened between the events of the 4th and the 1st novel. I was hoping there would be more story to the Dark Tower world, and, as a Tower junkie, I was a little let down.
That said, however, the comic book looks awesome and I can't wait to keep reading.
Product Description
Young Roland Deschain and friends have fled for the city of Hambry, as their home in Gilead is now too dangerous. But, once there, Roland learns to his horror that he is no safer. Hambry's leaders have switched allegiance and the assassins known as the Big Coffin Hunters have marked Roland and company for death! Plus articles and bonus features galore!In this comic book series, personally overseen by King himself, Roland's past is revealed! Sumptuously drawn by Jae Lee and Richard Isanove, adapted by long-time Stephen King expert Robin Furth (author of Stephen King's The Dark Tower: A Concordance) and scripted by New York Times Best-seller Peter David, this series delves deep into Roland's origins -- the perfect introduction to this incredibly realized world, while long-time fans will thrill to adventures merely hinted at in the novels.
Customer Reviews:
King's Tower #3.......2007-09-15
I'm giving the same review to all the comics in this series. It's too bad that King's epoch is so monumental that this comic serialization represents only a miniscule slice but for an abridgement it is excellent and,in my opinion, they've chosen the best segment. The writing is good, the art work alone is worth the purchase of the series. The insightful essays following each segment were enlightening. The down side was the back-slapping, self-gratification-fest that ended each book. If I felt any need to know how talented each of the contributers felt the others in the group were I'd go on the internet and look it up. I'm paying for a book, not an awards dinner. bg
The Gunslinger Born 3.......2007-04-27
Great story
Great art work
Cool conversation with King at the end...get this one if you've got the others.
Book Description
"The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed." With those words, millions of readers were introduced to Stephen King's Roland - an implacable gunslinger in search of the enigmatic Dark Tower, powering his way through a dangerous land filled with ancient technology and deadly magic. Now, in a comic book personally overseen by King himself, Roland's past is revealed! Sumptuously drawn by Jae Lee and Richard Isanove, adapted by long-time Stephen King expert Robin Furth (author of Stephen King's The Dark Tower: A Concordance) and scripted by New York Times bestseller Peter David, this series delves in depth into Roland's origins - the perfect introduction to this incredibly realized world; while long-time fans will thrill to adventures merely hinted at in the novels. Be there for the very beginning of a modern classic of fantasy literature! Collects Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born #1-7.
Average customer rating:
- booklover
- Excellent twist on an old legend
- Let fly!
- The real Robin Hood?
- Not Lawhead's best
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Hood (King Raven Trilogy, Book 1)
Stephen R. Lawhead
Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Lawhead, Stephen | ( L ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Historical | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1595540857 |
Book Description
Robin Hood
The Legend Begins Anew
For centuries, the legend of Robin Hood and his band of thieves has captivated the imagination. Now the familiar tale takes on new life, fresh meaning, and an unexpected setting.
Hunted like an animal by Norman invaders, Bran ap Brychan, heir to the throne Elfael, has abandoned his father's kingdom and fled to the greenwood. There, in the primeval forest of the Welsh borders, danger surrounds him-for this woodland is a living, breathing entity with mysterious powers and secrets, and Bran must find a way to make it his own if he is to survive.
Like the forest itself, Hood is deep, dark, and at times savagely brutal-yet full of enchantment and hope. Internationally-acclaimed author Stephen R. Lawhead has created a lyrical rendering of a time-honored story that will lead you down strange pathways into another time and place.
Customer Reviews:
booklover.......2007-08-24
My first reading of a "Robin Hood" novel.Once I finished reading it ,I knew that this would be the standard by which I would compare other novels in the genre.Stephen Lawhead is a great writer.Reading this book was like watching a movie in that it had me picturing all sorts of images in my head whilst reading.My only complaint is that it wasn't long enough!
Excellent twist on an old legend.......2007-08-23
This book was better than I expected and I can't wait for Book 2 of the Trilogy!
I especially enjoy historical fiction and this was no disappointment. The detail and intricacy were superb, yet the pace was fast enough to keep me reading deep into the night.
Lawhead is a Christian author and this is categorized as "Christian Fiction", but it's certainly not theologically overbearing, nor is it trite like so much other Christian fiction.
Let fly!.......2007-08-02
This Robin Hood re-telling is intriguing for its re-creation of the famous historical legend, and Lawhead keeps the pace uptempo and interesting drawing one into the tale. The book moves along effortlessly and provides a nice bit of relaxation and entertainment. It is a great tale to enjoy and relax upon.
Tip: Read it from the end to the beginning...or at least start with the explanation of the setting (found at the end of the book): Wales in an earlier time frame, and Lawhead's reasoning is intriguing having to do with his investigation of historical records of the Robin Hood myth and the topography of England/Wales, as well as the Welsh people themselves. A knowledge of setting BEFORE I read the book would have helped me appreciate Lawhead's project a bit more.
Lawhead does not seem to be trying to overthink the room or over-tell the story. In a myth as renound as Robin Hood one expects that an author would try to reach "deeper" and tell the story in a new form of expression or from a different angle. But Lawhead's storytelling is simple and straightforward. His unique and specific contribution to the story is found in his re-casting the setting into Wales and an earlier time period.
Smart. And interesting.
On the other hand, I was looking for another unique contribution. This could have come from the characters themselves. However, I thought that Lawhead's character development was just a bit too brief. The story moved along, but seemed to come up just a bit short for me. I appreciated the Bran (crf. "Robin Hood") character, and Friar Tuck, but Little John remained relatively static and I'm still left wanting more from Bran and his band of misfits who are wandering about the mysterious woods conjuring up trouble for their enemies in order to win back their lands. There is certainly more room for all this in Scarlet, the next installment. So, I say, "Let fly," Lawhead! Draw it out a bit ala Tolkien!
The real Robin Hood?.......2007-07-31
Who knows? Robin Hood set in 11th century Wales works for me though. Bran ap Brychan is a care free and nere-do-well son of a Welsh kinglet who in a few short and horrendous weeks is orphaned, cheated out of his ancestral kingdom, and thrust into a battle for his life and the iives or his subjects. The Normans have been in England for a little less than a generation and having conquered England set their eyes on Wales. Through treachery, political maneuvering, and conquest they are carving up the eastern portion of the only land left to the original inhabitiants of Britain. Will Bran grow up fast enough to make a difference or will he flee to safety and comfort in the north?
As usual Stephen Lawhead delivers a gripping tale of heroism, moral crisis, and historical and mythical detail that dazzles the imagination. I loved how he wove familiar characters into the new setting bringing life to a story that has been done to death. I look forward to the sequal. 4.5 stars.
Not Lawhead's best .......2007-07-20
I have been a huge lawhead fan for a long time. But it's been a while since I read the first volume in one of his trilogies. I thought this was slow, uninspired and pointless. Of course you were left wanting more, but that's because nothing much happened in this volume. Let's hope the other 2 are better.
Book Description
The Dark Tower is the backbone of Stephen King's legendary career. Begun more than thirty years ago, seven books and more than three thousand pages make up this bestselling, epic fantasy series. Previously published in two separate volumes, The Complete Concordance is the definitive encyclopedic reference book that provides readers with everything they need to navigate their way through the series. With hundreds of characters, Mid-World geography, High Speech lexicon, and extensive cross-references, this comprehensive handbook is essential for any Dark Tower fan.
- Characters and Genealogies
- Magical Objects and Forces
- Mid-World and Our World Places
- Portals and Magical Places
- Mid-, End-, and Our World Maps
- Timeline for the Dark Tower Series
- Mid-World Dialects
- Mid-World Rhymes, Songs, and Prayers
- Political and Cultural References
- References to Stephen King's Other Work
Customer Reviews:
Great Idea.......2007-09-18
The Dark Tower series is as long and complicated as the Bible. The Bible has a concordance. This needs one too. There are so many characters and so many meandering sub-plots that you need a road map to keep everything on track. Robin Furth did it for us. Furth is dedicated to this series and seems to know every nuance. THis book helps. And it makes a good campfire game to open the book randomly and start a topic. Well worth your time and $$$...bg
The journey of Roland.......2007-06-21
Apparently being a personal assistant to Stephen King has certain perks, especially when you're writing a concordance to his bestselling Dark Tower series, both volumes of which are contained in "The Dark Tower: The Complete Concordance." Robin Furth doesn't outline much that isn't also in the book, but she does an excellent job outlining the information about King's entire series.
Furth includes plenty of data on the seven novels of the series, starting with an essay that refreshes the reader's memory. Furth starts the actual content with a list of characters with biographical info, from "Abigail" to "Zoltan." Then it's the areas of Mid-World, from the lair of the vampire nuns to Roland's long-lost homeland; the areas of our own world, and portals between the worlds. There are some pretty decent maps as well.
Additionally, she describes the various terms and phrases used in the High Speech, Mid-World language ("graf" is apple beer), prayers and sayings ("If it's ka, it will come like the wind"). And just for reference, she includes organizations, dances, holidays, magical items, instruments, as well as outlining various maps, as well as cultural items from our present world, and maps. Not to mention references to King's own work within the series.
The Dark Tower series -- which stretches through seven long novels and one short story -- is enticingly complex and mysterious, set in different worlds and times. It's also interlinked with other novels of King's, like "Insomnia" and "Eyes of the Dragon." So it's inevitable that even the die-hard fans will forget Character X or fair-day Z -- yet Furth's book allows easy clarification and consultation.
Furth does an excellent job organizing and annotating the book, including the books in which the items appear, and which pages are significant. She also maintains a calmly distant attitude in the book, without getting too gushy about King's work. But she does slip up occasionally; it's jarring to hear about "screwing" someone with a gun in a scholarly work.
Robin Furth's "Dark Tower: The Complete Concordance" is a good accompaniment to the Dark Tower series, and even those who have read the series many times will want to keep it at hand. Very useful.
Get all the Info Here.......2007-04-24
I don't really want to get into this that much because what is there to say besides that if you have a Dark Tower question--you're going to find the answer in here.
This has everything...maps, family lineage charts, every character even hinted at, and every possible setting and/or situation in the seven books.
Well honed reference guide........2007-04-11
A concordance, by definition, is an alphabetical index of the principal words of a book, as of the Bible, with a reference to the passage in which each occurs. This does a most excellent job of doing so. Well studied! I almost wish I'd waited for it to come out before reading the series. A must have for all Tower geeks.
Great Book.......2007-03-09
If you love the dark tower then this is the icing on the cake.
It answers a lot of questions from the series and connects things together
Book Description
A Concordance, Volume II is the definitive guide to the many worlds, argots, characters, and cross-references -- within the Dark Tower series and among the rest of King's work -- that appear in Books V through VII: Wolves of the Calla, Song of Susannah, and The Dark Tower.
Characters and Genealogies
Magical Objects and Forces
Mid-World and Our World Places
Portals and Magical Places
Mid-, End-, and Our World Maps
Timeline for the Dark Tower Series
Mid-World Dialects
Mid-World Rhymes, Songs, and Prayers
Political and Cultural References
References to Stephen King's Own Work
Download Description
"A Concordance, Volume II is the definitive guide to the many worlds, argots, characters, and cross-references -- within the Dark Tower series and among the rest of King's work -- that appear in Books V through VII: Wolves of the Calla, Song of Susannah, and The Dark Tower. Characters and Genealogies Magical Objects and Forces Mid-World and Our World Places Portals and Magical Places Mid-, End-, and Our World Maps Timeline for the Dark Tower Series Mid-World Dialects Mid-World Rhymes, Songs, and Prayers Political and Cultural References References to Stephen King's Own Work "
Customer Reviews:
An excellent resource.......2007-07-20
How lucky we are to have Robin Furth's research to guide us through AllWorld. Both volumes of the Concordance are easy-to-use references to things that may be hard for some (like me!) to keep straight over the course of seven volumes of Dark Tower, much less the many books that relate to the Tower.
While I understand that casual readers of the Dark Tower series may not require all of the information included in the Concordance, I still feel these books to be an important addition to any reader's library. If you're like me, and re-read your favorite books time and time again, the opportunity to remind one's self of certain facts significantly enhances the read. Furth makes it easy to do just that -- flip a few pages, get what you need, and go back to the story.
My only fault -- and I will not count it against the publisher -- is that it isn't available in hard cover. I have the entire series, and am now gathering all titles that relate to it... all in hard cover, even some firsts. (Calvin would be proud, but upset that I'd actually READ the Firsts.) I would definitely purchase hard covers of both volumes if they were available.
Good but not Great.......2007-01-18
The book was very detailed. For someone who wants to know every last bit of detail surrounding The Dark Tower series you'd probably like this. However, If you enjoyed the series but aren't planning to write an essay on it or start a book club discussion on them then you can live with out this very easily.
Stephen King's The Dark Tower : A Concordance, Volume II.......2006-08-17
Wow! Was I ever so surprised that these books even existed! My husband is an avid Stephen King fan, and even he didn't know they existed.
Great to have to go along with the Gunslinger series!
Book Description
In this "energetic" (Kirkus Reviews) re-creation of Anne Boleyn's tragic life -- and death -- Robin Maxwell offers a pitch-perfect version of a bawdy and exuberant time filled with lust, betrayal, love, and murder.
When the young Queen Elizabeth I is entrusted with Anne Boleyn's secret diary, she discovers a great deal about the much-maligned mother she never knew. And on learning the truth about her lascivious and despotic father, Henry VIII, she vows never to relinquish control to any man. But this avowal doesn't prevent Elizabeth from pursuing a torrid love affair with her horsemaster, Robin Dudley -- described with near-shocking candor -- as too are Anne's graphic trysts with a very persistent and lustful Henry. Blending a historian's attention to accuracy with a novelist's artful rendering, Maxwell weaves compelling descriptions of court life and devastating portraits of actual people into her naughty, page-turning tale. The result is a masterpiece of historical fiction -- so prophetic of our time that one would think it were ripped from today's headlines.
Customer Reviews:
It's ok. Not bad, not great. .......2007-05-19
I thought this book as very slow in parts. The approach of a "diary" I thought was not all that great. Time jumped sometimes 6 months to a year between "entries". I understand that it would be even less interesting if the author had put more in there but sometimes I felt that if I didn't already know the story of Henry VIII/Anne Boleyn/Queen Elizabeth I would be lost. What was interesting to me was the idea that Anne Boleyn was not a manipulating person, that instead she was just strolling along and all of a sudden the King wanted her, without her doing anything. I think it's unlikely true but it was an intersting take on the situation.
If you love the era, it's something to fill time, but I would not rush out to read it. It's ok. Not bad, not great.
GREAT.......2007-01-05
This book was received in good condition and very timely. For anyone who likes history this is a wonderful book to read.
The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn.......2006-11-04
good book, has the feel of an actual historical, non-fiction book. Recommend it for anyone interested in Henry the 8th history, just for a fun diversion.
The characters in this book are how we can only hope the people were in real life.......2006-06-06
The thing that I will always love about this novel, which is the story of when the new Queen Elizabeth I is given her mothers diary which covers her meeting with Henry VIII through her death, is the extremely sweet romance between Elizabeth and Robert Dudley. While Anne's diary entries are interesting and moving, it is the scenes of Elizabeth's childhood with Robert and their subsequent blossoming of love that is the best written part of this book. Truly, the part when Elizabeth is remembering them at about age 9 is so sweet it might make a person cry. I can only imagine and hope for both involved their real life love was as sweet and gentle (though probably it was more power hungry on both their parts.)
Anne's entries range on a scale from being quite boring (the coronation process, the six years she strung Henry along while he tried to get rid of Catherine) to being fascinating and emotional. The entries around Elizabeth's birth are by far the best. So many historical fiction writers portray Anne as being cold and unloving towards her daughter. While it is true that Anne probably was horrified and terrified when she bore a girl and not a boy, I think she probably loved her. Other entries are funny and smart, showing Anne as the real vibrant woman she must have been.
This book isn't perfect, it has its boring moments, and some chapters are just so slow you might Fall asleep during them. Parts of the book, such as Elizabeth's vow at the end, make no sense if you read the next book in this series, "The Queen's Bastard." But for the portrayal of Anne as a real person, with not just a conniving personality, and the wonderful sweet expression of love between Elizabeth and Robert (where most authors simply portray Robert as grasping for power) I can happily rate this book a solid four stars. Having read all but one of this authors books I can tell you her writing becomes less stiff, and she blossoms as a historical fiction author-with a generous dab, always, of romance.
If you want the back story on Elizabeth and Robert check out "Virgin: Prelude to the Throne" also by Robin Maxwell.
Unique approach on the Tudor Queens...........2006-04-09
This was a very good work of historical fiction. The book describes two lives: that of Elizabeth I and her mother Anne Boleyn. Anne's life is depicted through diary entries which Elizabeth reads long after her mother's death. Sometimes books that have two continuous, but disparate story lines become muddled.....however, the use of this device in this novel worked perfectly. Ms. Maxwell does a superb job of keeping the characters and their plots individual, weaving them together effortlessly, and creating an emotional, fascinating product.
I picked up this book because I recently became interested in this historical time period. My only regret is that I didn't know more facts about the era prior to reading the book. I think my comprehension would have been enhanced had I been more aware of the persons of interest that play smaller roles in the book.
Regardless, it is not a pre-requisite to be a history buff to enjoy this work. It is a fresh and unique perspective, well-written, and entertaining. I look forward to reading more books by Ms. Maxwell!
Customer Reviews:
More fiction than history.......2007-01-31
What a waste of my time and money! This is the authosr's second book that I read, and I beleive the last. If you like historical fiction this is not for you. I don't think the characters are well developed, she had a wonderful piece of history to work on and did not do it justice. As someone wrote here before maybe the author was influenced by Hollywood because the explosions and the involvement of women of the time ( especially a princess ) on the "action packed" part is somewhat unbelievable. Sometimes the book made me feel it was written for teens.
Good twist to the old Tower Tale.......2006-09-08
3.5 stars
Ms. Maxwell's take on what happened to the two sons of Edward IV who disappeared from the Tower of London shortly after Richard III "usurped" the crown from the eldest of them adds a clever layer to the two most commonly told versions of this story (that Richard III had them murdered, or that he was innocent & uninvolved and the Duke of Buckingham did it in attempt to gain the crown for himself).
I absolutely love the possibility of Margaret Beaufort's involvement which Maxwell has added in this story. Her ambitiousness, political machniations and involvement in intrigue have been well documented. It's entirely plausable to see her as the pupeteer behind Buckingham... however, other aspects of Maxwell's take on how she and Buckingham may have been involved are completely far-fetched. This story provides a "happy ending" to a tale that simply could not have ended so. In writing it as thus, Maxwell pushes the reader beyond the bounds of believability and left this particular one feeling quite disappointed after reading 7/8 of the story only to find a Hollywood ending complete with explosions.
Maxwell relies on an overly used formula to set the stage for the story. The main character, Nell Caxton, is uncommonly educated for a woman of her time, has maintained a childhood friendship with Princess Elizabeth and thus has access to Royal circles, and yet is so likeable and street smart that she is also friends with every street-dwelling pauper and prostitute in the vacinity of Westminster. Nell's cleverness also opens doors to romance with a man of the court, a position as tutor to the young king-to-be, and an appointment as scribe to Margaret Beaufort. Nell has a surprising amount of unchaperoned time, much of which she manages to spend with her also-strangely-unchaperoned princess friend. As one would expect, the girls even get to sneak around undetected disguised as young men.
Despite the kitsch formula and over-the-top ending, the book is entertaining. The story of Richard of York / Richard III and his ascention to the throne and coinciding disappearance of the Princes in the Tower has intrigued the public for 500+ years. Maxwell has contributed a smart, mostly plausable and formerly unexplored possible answer to the mystery.
Entertaining but flawed.......2006-08-13
This is the first book by this author that I've read. I only chose it because it has to do with Richard III and the Princes in the Tower, a mystery that has always fascinated me.
I'm not going through the storyline here, as numerous reviewers before me have already done so. The main question is, who was responsible for the disappearance of the Princes?
Ms. Maxwell's answer as to the identity of the culprit is clever and credible (psychologically and historically speaking), but the whole rescue-of-the-princes scene is such a stretch it's not believable for one second.
Also, though Ms. Maxwell did read some previous books of the subject, she didn't assimilate them very well and makes several historical mistakes, like the people in the crowd circa 1500 referring to Richard III as a hunchback. If they lived at the time, they should have known he was no such thing, that's only Shakespeare's take on it. Besides, by general accounts, Richard III was loved in his time. He was a good king for the little time he had ruling England.
She also absolves Henry VII from the crime on the grounds that he wasn't in England at the time. She obviously didn't read, or conveniently forgot, Josephine Tey's and others' theories that the Princes were alive and well when Henry Tudor took over the Tower (which was not a prison at the time, but a royal residence) and that he (supposedly) only did away with them after he took the throne. Another theory of course is that they were never murdered at all.
Being a stickler for at least some historical accuracy even in a work of historical fiction, that irked me and detracted from my enjoyment of an otherwise entertaining book. I liked Nell Caxton's romance with Lord Rivers, and the fact (which might be true) that Elizabeth of York was in love with Richard III.
The ending left one hanging, because the two friends, Nell and Bessie, tell the whole "true" story to the future Henry VIII. What good did it do? We all know he didn't lift a single finger to rehabilitate his great-uncle's memory. Actually he finished what his father had started, killing off what was left of the heirs of York. And what became of the Princes after they were rescued is also left to the reader's imagination. It would have been nice if she had hinted at the "pretender and impostor" Perkin Warbeck, who claimed to be the younger of the two princes during a rebellion under Henry VII.
All in all, I did enjoy the story but purely as a work of suspense/mystery fiction. As historical fiction, it was sadly disappointing.
A compelling look into an ages-old mystery.......2006-06-06
(This review was first published in The Historical Novels Review, Issue 34, November 2005 - ISSN 1471-7492)
The disappearance and alleged murder of Edward IV's young sons in the Tower has fueled centuries of speculation, both in fiction and nonfiction. Shakespeare was one of the first dramatists to peg the crime on Richard III, in part because the playwright lived under Elizabeth I, a Tudor. The Tudors were invested in having history record Richard III as the perpetrator, seeing as Henry VII had killed Richard in battle, founding the Tudor line. Nevertheless, a staunch cadre of Richard III defenders believes he was not to blame. The princes themselves were never seen again, and on this intriguing, if oft-explored, mystery does Robin Maxwell build her fourth novel, as told through Nell Caxton, daughter of an innovative English printer, and Princess Elizabeth (Bessie) of York, the doomed princes' sister. Maxwell has shown her skill in previous historicals, most notably her masterful The Wild Irish; here, she moves back in time to the tumultuous final days of Edward IV's reign and Richard III's usurpation of his nephew's throne. The history itself offers a compelling story line, with the added dimension of the entrepreneurial Caxton family, and we are quickly swept into the chaotic events leading to the princes' disappearance. Maxwell conjures an intelligent, credible alternative to the Richard III theory, with Nell unraveling the mystery. Nell is an engaging lead, a commoner whose educational skills and familial connections allow her to penetrate the royal circle. The tale is accessible even to English history novices, and Maxwell's scheming Buckingham, icy Elizabeth Woodville, and implacable Margaret Beaufort offer a complex glimpse into the often-lethal struggle for power at court.
To The Tower Born.......2006-03-17
This subject has always attracted controversy as to what really happened to the two princes. It is however expressed in a way which leaves the door still slightly ajar for the readers own assumption. I liked this book very much I liked the authors style of writing and the wonderful way it has been told through the eyes of two very different ladies one a royel born the other a commoner with a lasting bond of firm frienship which endures through many trials and tribulations. A great read and I highly recommend it.
Average customer rating:
- Wonderful Fiction Filled With Charistmatic Characters
- England's greatest Queen as a vulnerable Princess...
- Purely Fictional,,Elizabeth Was A Virgin
- Best Book I have ever read!!!
- Boring!
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Virgin: Prelude to the Throne
Robin Maxwell
Manufacturer: Touchstone
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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The Queen's Bastard: A Novel
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To the Tower Born : A Novel of the Lost Princes
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ASIN: 0743204859 |
Book Description
...a riveting portrait of Elizabeth I as a romantic and
vulnerable teenager, dangerously awakening to a perilous
liaison with the wrong man.
England, 1547: King Henry is dead. Elizabeth's half-brother, nine-year-old Edward, is king in name only. Thomas Seymour, brother to the ambitious duke who has seized power in this time of crisis, calculatingly works his way into Elizabeth's home in genteel Chelsea House. He marries Henry's widow, Catherine Parr, and uses his venerable charms and sexual magnetism to indulge his infatuation for young Elizabeth. Caught hopelessly under Thomas Seymour's spell, surrounded by kind friends and hidden enemies, Elizabeth can only follow her heart to ensure survival.
"History doesn't come more fascinating" (Entertainment Weekly) than in the enthralling novels of Robin Maxwell. Virgin is her crowning achievement in a stunning trilogy that "brings all of bloody Tudor England vividly to life" (Publishers Weekly, starred review).
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful Fiction Filled With Charistmatic Characters.......2005-03-08
Although the author admits she may have strayed off the precise history of the events that took place before Elizabeth took the throne, the story she tells is one full of passion, love, friendship and gives a good example of what many suppose the Tudor era was like. Her descriptions of each character, although extreme at times, portrays a good example of what history show them to be like.
I would recommend this book to anyone with a deep interest in Queen Elizabeth or the tudor era who is tired of reading the facts and wishes to enjoy a nice story along with it! Informative yet interesting all in one jolly package.
England's greatest Queen as a vulnerable Princess..........2003-12-27
Great Harry, England's King Henry VIII, is dead. Nine-year-old Edward is now King Edward VI, a boy powerless to stop his uncle Edward Seymour from stealing power as Regent. Thirteen-year-old Elizabeth retires to life in the country with her stepmother Catherine Parr, the Queen Dowager, and her new husband Thomas Seymour. But it is soon apparent to young Bess that a very powerful presence in Chelsea House has eyes for her, and drives nearly everyone mad with his charms. He wants Elizabeth, not bothering to hide his lascivious desires, and he'll do anything to acheive the ultimate goal: the Crown...
I read the hardcover edition of this book and found it appalling. Thomas Seymour was a cold-hearted, greedy, selfish wretch, the way he plotted to get what he wanted. Even so, this is a good read!
Purely Fictional,,Elizabeth Was A Virgin.......2003-08-17
Robin Maxwell is doing nothing different here. Queen Elizabeth, England's greatest queen, has had many stories and films mad about her that portray her as a woman who not only had [realtions] with men but motheredd children in secret. All of these stories are false. There are many theories disputing her prized virginity. Queen Elizabeth will continue to fascinate people worldwide. She reigned at a time when it was radical for a woman to be empowered, at a time when much of the history has been shrouded by myth and fiction. The time after Henry the 8th's death and Elizabeth's ascension to the British throne, is still very much wrapped in fiction.
Queen Elizabeth's "thing' with Thomas Seymour was [physical]. However, Thomas Seymour molested her as a teen, seduced and hoped to control Elizabeth as his ambition was to marry the future queen and become king. It is possible that the young teenage Elizabeth had a crush on Thomas Seymour. Although he was married (to Elizabeth's stepmother Katherine Paar) he was handsome, he was daring and need I say more ? Young women know what's it like to have a crush on an older, attractive man, especially one who was as interesting as Thomas Seymour. However, even if there was a crush, Thomas merely wanted to use Elizabeth as means to an end- that end being his claiming the English throne. When Katherine Paar died at childbirth, Thomas Seymour proposed to Elizabeth, who wisely refused him. Thomas Seymour was eventually executed and Elizabeth imprisoned temporarily since it was thought that she was in on the plot. ELIZABETH DID NOT HAVE A CHILD BY THOMAS SEYMOUR. It is absurd and purely fabricated for the sake of sensational literature to claim that William Shakespeare was the son of Thomas Seymour and Elizabeth. Also ELIZABETH DID NOT HAVE CHILDREN BY ANY OTHER MAN. If Elizabeth had relationships with men, there are a number of ways to look at them:
1 Platonic- romantic. Although she may have wanted to marry a man and mother children, Elizabeth knew it would mean that her husband had to be fit to rule England if he outlived her. It was a dangerous time. The Protestant versus Catholic rivalry could erupt into violence and war, To Elizabeth, only she was capable of ruling England properly and she was. Her relationships with such men as Robert Dudley of Leicester and Robert Devereaux Earl of Essex were romantic- but not [physical]. They were strong friendships.
2. Safely [physical]- IF and that's a big if in my opinion, if Elizabeth did engage in [physical] intercourse with men (as is insinuated in the movie Elizabeth with Kate Blanchett in 1999) then Elizabeth and her lovers practiced a form of safe [realtionships] during this time (use your imagination). Perhaps [the physcial part] was not involved but other methods and there are reports that some women had the knowledge of how to prevent pregnancy, even if these women were considered "sinful" or were prostitutes or courtesans. If Elizabeth did use protection and avoid pregnancy, she did so without the knowledge of the court or the entire realm of England. What was more important is to rule in her own right as "Virgin" Queen even if "virgin" was...only a slight truth.
I hope these two theories help establish more truth. At any rate, altlhough this novel is very well written and presents exciting fictional versions, it is almost an insult to the Virgin Queen for in my opinion she was still a virgin.
Best Book I have ever read!!!.......2003-04-13
This book is amazing. It gives a wonderful description of an area of Elizabeth's life that few have ever explored. You really get a good sense of the times as well as the characters. A MUST READ!!
Boring!.......2002-11-17
I read The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory and loved it, so I chose this as a follow up and was very disappointed. It lacked any interest or excitement.
Book Description
"I found this overview of In-World, Mid-World, and End-World both entertaining and invaluable. So, I am convinced, will you." -- from the foreword by Stephen King
The Dark Tower is the backbone of Stephen King's legendary career. Inspired more than thirty years ago by works as diverse as J. R. R. Tolkien's epics, Robert Browning's poetry, and Sergio Leone's Westerns, this is the tale that Stephen King has never abandoned. When he typed the first sentence in 1970, King feared the telling might take several lifetimes, but two thousand pages and four books later, the end is in sight.
Published in anticipation of The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla, A Concordance, Volume I is the definitive guide to the first four books in Stephen King's bestselling epic fantasy series, The Dark Tower. With the hundreds of characters, Mid-World geography, and the High Speech lexicon, this comprehensive handbook is one no Dark Tower fan will want to be without. It is the perfect way in for readers new to the series, or the perfect way back in for longtime fans who read the first four books years ago.
Characters and Genealogies
Mid-World and Our World Places
High Speech, Low Speech, and Mid-World Argot
Mid-World Maps
Political and Cultural References
Roland Deschain and His Ka-tet
Portals and Magical Places
Mid-World Miscellany
Gilead Fair-Days and Mid-World Moons
The Dark Tower and the Quest
Download Description
"""I found this overview of In-World, Mid-World, and End-World both entertaining and invaluable. So, I am convinced, will you."" -- from the foreword by Stephen King The Dark Tower is the backbone of Stephen King's legendary career. Inspired more than thirty years ago by works as diverse as J. R. R. Tolkien's epics, Robert Browning's poetry, and Sergio Leone's Westerns, this is the tale that Stephen King has never abandoned. When he typed the first sentence in 1970, King feared the telling might take several lifetimes, but two thousand pages and four books later, the end is in sight. Published in anticipation of The Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Calla, A Concordance, Volume I is the definitive guide to the first four books in Stephen King's bestselling epic fantasy series, The Dark Tower. With the hundreds of characters, Mid-World geography, and the High Speech lexicon, this comprehensive handbook is one no Dark Tower fan will want to be without. It is the perfect way in for readers new to the series, or the perfect way back in for longtime fans who read the first four books years ago. "
Customer Reviews:
Definition.......2007-03-25
Concordance: (noun) an index of the principal words of a book with a reference to the passage in which each occurs
Look people. This book is a reference tool. Do not expect to just be given any extra insight by reading this book. I don't know why anybody would actually "read" this book. I was given this book as a gift shortly before the last 3 books came out and I was glad of it. I did not have enough time to re-read all of the first 4 books (did re-read the 4th), and this book filled me in on all the facts that I had forgotten and pointed me in the right direction within the first four books if I wanted more information.
There is a new concordance to incorporate the last 3 books. So, purchase that book instead, unless you are in the same boat that I was in and don't want to run the risk of any spoilers.
Who is this book for?.......2006-12-22
If it is true that this is a concordance, it is a strange one. The warning not to read it until after FINISHING THE BOOKS IT COVERS BECAUSE IT GIVES THE STORY AWAY puts it is a special class. As a true concordance it should follow the story as it proceeds, giving expanded information and detail. Thus, where the reader is confused or unsatisfied they can find help. To have this available only when finished with the books means it will only answer questions left hanging, or provide extra detail to fill in the story for the fan. Interesting that the Hero is a gunslinger (quotes) with Colt single action revolvers, but has the name Roland and starts from a castle on a quest (quotes).
For background, I began reading SciFi and Fantasy in the Golden days of the 1940s. This, through the 50s, had Astounding, Galaxy and FASF (where much of this story was published). I just bought the first 5 volumes by the original publisher a few days ago and am now half way through vol. 3. The books are half fantasy (demons, magic towers, mystic creatures) and half SciFi (action, changing worlds, new discovery). I will buy this volume to see what lies behind and around the story, but can't help thinking that King protests too much. Authors that use that method can wind up like P.J. Farmer in the Riverworld series, with a first book that is compelling and then fades out in later books because it appears he can't think of any way out. An aside. Read WITH FOLDED HANDS, by Jack Williamson. As we progress in AI it becomes more frightening each year. It is a masterpiece that deserves the attention of thinking persons.
Good but the map is Wrong.......2005-02-02
In pag 566 in DT-III the Waste Lands, Blaines talk and said that his route follows the Beam South West. And in the map of this Book It said that Roland Ka-tet follows the Beam South East. So the autor did not make a very good verification before doing this map. so this make me think it could be another mistakes.
Yeesh... this series wasn't good enough for this!.......2004-12-30
But ... maybe this book is required after all. I mean, the last 3 books were written as if Stephen King threw in whatever ridiculous thought popped into his mind, so maybe we do need this to explain what the hell he was thinking! One reviewer wrote in his review that this book is NEEDED, not something that you just want, so I guess I may be on the right track after all. Now that I look closer, I see that this lofty Concordance was published in 2003, which means that it only focuses on the 1st 4 books. Ah, the good old days, when the Dark Tower series seemed so good and before King's creativity was knocked out of his head when he was hit by a van. It's true, you know - just compare the 1st four books to the last three and you'll se what I mean!
Excellent enclyclopedia-style reference book for DT I-IV.......2004-12-06
The Dark Tower: A Concordance is an excellent reference manual cataloging the first four volumes of Stephen King's magnificent Dark Tower series. After a thorough introduction to main character Roland and his quest, author Robin Furth organizies each section of the book alphabetically for easy reference. Topics covered include characters, places, speech, and more, and actual pages from each book are cited. I found it fascinating to read about so many details from the series, many of which I had either forgotten or missed entirely. However, as Stephen King mentions in his introduction, this book was never meant to be published; rather, Ms. Furth was commissioned to create a guide which King himself could use as he finished the series. Given this, the book reads more like an encyclopedia than a literary analysis, and the many cross-references can be cumbersome at times. Still, it is obvious that Ms. Furth put an enormous amount of time and effort into this volume, and it is definitely worthwhile reading for the die-hard Dark Tower fan.
Books:
- Stories on Stage: Children's Plays for Reader's Theater (or Readers Theatre), With 15 Play Scripts From 15 Authors, Including Roald Dahl's The Twits and Louis Sachar's Sideways Stories from Wayside School
- Summertime in the Big Woods (My First Little House)
- Tears of a Dragon (Dragons in Our Midst, Volume 4) (The Dragons in Our Midst)
- The Abhorsen Trilogy Box Set
- The Apocalypse Code: Find Out What the Bible REALLY Says About the End Times . . . and Why It Matters Today
- The Belgariad, Vol. 1 (Books 1-3): Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, Magician's Gambit
- The Black Diamond
- The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable
- The Book of Air and Shadows
- The Cinema of David Lynch : American Dreams, Nightmare Visions (Directors' Cuts)
Books Index
Books Home
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Stephen King's Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born #1 (Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born)
Stephen King's Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born No. 3 (Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born, Volume #3)
Stephen King's Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born #4 (Stephen King's Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born)
Dark Tower the Gunslinger Born #5 (Stephen King)
Stephen King's Dark Tower the Gunslinger Born #6 (of 7) (The Affiliation)
