Listed in the magazine’s [b]Bookshelf[/b] feature
Devon Life, February 2021
Listed in the magazine’s [b]Bookshelf[/b] feature
Devon Life, February 2021
Mary Wortley Montagu is best known today for introducing smallpox vaccination into western Europe after discovering its practice in Turkey when her husband was British ambassador there. But she was much more. She was a capable writer, a friend (and enemy) of Alexander Pope and other leading writers of the first half of the 18th century, a believer in the abilities of women in an age of widespread male chauvinism, a woman who travelled across Europe in times of war... A marriage entered into by elopement turned relatively loveless, and her last decades were spent apart from her husband. In middle age she had a passionate relationship with a much younger bisexual Italian who used his good looks to advance his interests. In later life she was exploited for some years by an Italian swindler. A wayward son was a constant problem. This book depicts her colourful life well. Within a broad chronological framework most chapters are focused thematically - on a particular aspect of her life in a.. Read more
NetGalley, Michael Cayley
Mary Wortley Montagu is best known today for introducing smallpox vaccination into western Europe after discovering its practice in Turkey when her husband was British ambassador there. But she was much more. She was a capable writer, a friend (and enemy) of Alexander Pope and other leading writers of the first half of the 18th century, a believer in the abilities of women in an age of widespread male chauvinism, a woman who travelled across Europe in times of war... A marriage entered into by elopement turned relatively loveless, and her last decades were spent apart from her husband. In middle age she had a passionate relationship with a much younger bisexual Italian who used his good looks to advance his interests. In later life she was exploited for some years by an Italian swindler. A wayward son was a constant problem. This book depicts her colourful life well. Within a broad chronological framework most chapters are focused thematically - on a particular aspect of her life in a.. Read more
NetGalley, Michael Cayley
The surprising thing about Ian Friel's book is how far back into the annals of our history it travels. The Viking invaders pre-1297 also had sailing boats, of course, and the British eventually copied their design and build, but this is a comprehensive and brilliantly conceived memoir of a seafaring nation from its earliest times to when it was time to use steam power for our naval craft. Absolutely fascinating!
Books Monthly
The surprising thing about Ian Friel's book is how far back into the annals of our history it travels. The Viking invaders pre-1297 also had sailing boats, of course, and the British eventually copied their design and build, but this is a comprehensive and brilliantly conceived memoir of a seafaring nation from its earliest times to when it was time to use steam power for our naval craft. Absolutely fascinating!
Books Monthly
[b] Chosen as one of the Best 3 History Books of the Year [/b] by hisdoryan blogger
hisdoryan, History Blogger
[b] Chosen as one of the Best 3 History Books of the Year [/b] by hisdoryan blogger
hisdoryan, History Blogger
Think that dukes are all stuffy and boring? Think again! From suicides to run away lovers, and more - the Dukes of Bolton has had an interesting and colorful history.
Through this book, you are going to watch as the family expands their holdings, survives the English Civil War, and navigates the murky waters that inevitably surrounds the monarchy - you can watch the family evolve and conform to the rules of society at the time. They were unafraid to push their agenda's, and even lie about being ill in order to hedge their bets against the ruling monarch at the time. Intrigue runs deep with this family!
It was highly informative with lots of great facts thrown in! I highly recommend this!
NetGalley, Rebecca Hill
Think that dukes are all stuffy and boring? Think again! From suicides to run away lovers, and more - the Dukes of Bolton has had an interesting and colorful history.
Through this book, you are going to watch as the family expands their holdings, survives the English Civil War, and navigates the murky waters that inevitably surrounds the monarchy - you can watch the family evolve and conform to the rules of society at the time. They were unafraid to push their agenda's, and even lie about being ill in order to hedge their bets against the ruling monarch at the time. Intrigue runs deep with this family!
It was highly informative with lots of great facts thrown in! I highly recommend this!
NetGalley, Rebecca Hill
