Book Review of the Month! "This book, which brings together some learned writings from a host of authors over the years, is certainly an appealing book that will be read from cover to cover."
Steam World - June 2025

[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars Absolutely fascinating. I was unaware of Ellen Ternan and the allegation that she was Dickens’ mistress. In the spirit of Gradgrind, the author bases his views on facts and draws a different conclusion. I feel confident that the author’s career as a research scientist leaves him well equipped to gather facts, apply analytical skills and form a different and more challenging view. His insight is forensic in detail and I believe his reappraisal is worthy of consideration. He gives a brief overview of Dickens and I was interested to note that current views about the relationship with Ellen are based on two rather dated and skewed biographies. Both concluded she was his mistress, but facts to support that are thin. Ruck looks at Ellen’s life in earlier years and draws on resources already in the public domain. These include letters, literary references, other biographies, contemporaneous records and more. There's a comprehensive index and a number of interesting.. Read more
NetGalley, Anita Wallas

As soon as I saw this book I knew I needed to read it. Being born and raised in the black country this was a very interesting read. I love our unique little history and I rate it 4 stars.
NetGalley, Keeley M

You know it’s going to be a good book when it starts with a brawl. Helen Taylor and Her Fight for the People by Janet Smith resurfaces the story of an important figure in women’s and social movements in England (and Ireland and Scotland) in the late 19th century. Often remembered (if at all!) as Harriet Taylor Mill’s daughter and John Stuart Mill’s stepdaughter (she was also his collaborator), she was in her own right a prominent and accomplished political figure. The causes she advanced included equal pay for women teachers, free education for all, land reform (she advocated nationalizing all land), Irish home rule, and of course, women’s suffrage. A London school board member, her advocacy for education also included an equitable curriculum for girls and, in effect, day care at schools (which she had seen in other countries), so that instead of being made to stay home to take care of their younger siblings, girls could attend school. Taylor was also the first woman to run for.. Read more
NetGalley, E W Parker

A must read if you are a fan of true crime and especially a fan of all the mystery involving what has to be one of the biggest true crime stories in the world: Jack the Ripper. A very interesting view on the victims, possible suspects and according to the author the true identity of the ripper.
NetGalley, Elisa Martins