As featured in
The Beckford Newsletter - No.64, April 2026
As featured in
The Beckford Newsletter - No.64, April 2026
[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars
I found this book far more enjoyable than I expected. Since it’s a history book, I thought it might be dry or overwhelming with too much information, but it turned out to be nothing like that. The stories were truly fascinating, and reading them felt almost like diving into a historical romance novel. What makes it even better is that all these characters were real people. It was both captivating and educational at the same time :)
I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a different kind of history book!
NetGalley, Ecem Önen
[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars
I found this book far more enjoyable than I expected. Since it’s a history book, I thought it might be dry or overwhelming with too much information, but it turned out to be nothing like that. The stories were truly fascinating, and reading them felt almost like diving into a historical romance novel. What makes it even better is that all these characters were real people. It was both captivating and educational at the same time :)
I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a different kind of history book!
NetGalley, Ecem Önen
[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars
This is an amazing book. It covered so many different areas of the Georgian period, and I learned so much. I love when there are tons of pictures included right alongside the text, and there were so many amazing photos and drawings in the book.
NetGalley, Rebecca Stewart
[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars
This is an amazing book. It covered so many different areas of the Georgian period, and I learned so much. I love when there are tons of pictures included right alongside the text, and there were so many amazing photos and drawings in the book.
NetGalley, Rebecca Stewart
[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars
This fascinating work of scholarship is a feast for the imagination. The level of detail is incredible; the author definitely did her research!... it is a must-read for anyone who enjoys reading or writing about the Regency era in England. It makes me want to write a novel or watch a movie that includes a scene at one of these sumptuous parties!
I so enjoyed this book.
NetGalley, Katie A
[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars
This fascinating work of scholarship is a feast for the imagination. The level of detail is incredible; the author definitely did her research!... it is a must-read for anyone who enjoys reading or writing about the Regency era in England. It makes me want to write a novel or watch a movie that includes a scene at one of these sumptuous parties!
I so enjoyed this book.
NetGalley, Katie A
[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars Christoher Herbert’s history employs one of the most useful strategies when dealing with a subject for whom the material is sparse. In this case, there is an abundance of material about Jane Austen who has been the subject of so many biographies. However, Herbert does not rely solely on this and has adroitly using his independent research, bolstering it with material that sets the context for events that are not recorded. He also uses the more conventional way of contributing to research when dealing with a writer – studying the author’s work for clues. In this case, both Jane and Henry Austen’s writing. This is a work of substance, accessible writing, a broad history of the time and social mores, and an intriguing insight into Henry and his family, including Jane for whom it becomes clear, Henry was indeed her favourite brother. There are wonderfully comic passages – the discussion of studying at Oxford and Cambridge in the period was delightful... Read more
NetGalley, Robin Joyce
[b]Rating[/b]: 5 out of 5 stars Christoher Herbert’s history employs one of the most useful strategies when dealing with a subject for whom the material is sparse. In this case, there is an abundance of material about Jane Austen who has been the subject of so many biographies. However, Herbert does not rely solely on this and has adroitly using his independent research, bolstering it with material that sets the context for events that are not recorded. He also uses the more conventional way of contributing to research when dealing with a writer – studying the author’s work for clues. In this case, both Jane and Henry Austen’s writing. This is a work of substance, accessible writing, a broad history of the time and social mores, and an intriguing insight into Henry and his family, including Jane for whom it becomes clear, Henry was indeed her favourite brother. There are wonderfully comic passages – the discussion of studying at Oxford and Cambridge in the period was delightful... Read more
NetGalley, Robin Joyce
