Review:Clear concisely written progression of history of the Plantagenets. Biographies are deep enough to allow a reader to dig further. Fascinating period of English history laid out in a way that wanted you to know more about the kings. The interplay of the Magna Carta with the Kingly duties and the King's encroachments upon it were quite well described. Read more

Review:After reading all of Philippa Gregory's books about the cousin's war, at first I was disappointed that this book didn't read like her novels. Instead it
was more like reading a history book. As one who is interested in this subject I found this book informative as well as entertaining. The bibliography shows the intensive research which she as well as the other authors engaged in writing this book. Read more

Review:This is a fascinating story about what it is like to be a civilian in the midst of war. The narrative is clear and candid without being so gruesome or grisly as to turn the reader away. It helps those of us who have never been through such a situation appreciate how fortunate we are and provides excellent insight into the situation of those who are trapped in war-torn parts of the world today. Read more

Review:This book amazingly does justice to the enduring and generous life of Benjamin Franklin. The advice that is given is not intended in a formal sense, but a byproduct of the way Franklin lived. May the positive outlook on Benjamin Franklin’s life bring us more wisdom than we had before reading this small masterpiece. Read more

Review:I was thoroughly intrigued by this book and loved learning about Saint Patrick and other tidbits of information I had heard only passing bits about. This book got me interested in researching Irish history a little bit more and of course eventually I ended up reading Angela's Ashes. I highly recommend this work to anyone with an interest in history, my only negative comment comes from reading the next two in the series, Gift of the Jews and Desire of the Hills and finding that the second two ... Read more

Review:The Durants succeed again in encapsulating the 17th century in Europe. They label it as the landmark century intellectually and scientifically and there is much truth to their assessment: the 18th Century, the "Enlightenment" and "Aufklarung" usually takes pride of place given the American and French Revolutions that dominated them and the general retreat of superstition and obscurantism that marred both Catholicism and Protestantism in the previous centuries. The Durants clearly show that all... Read more

Review:I was really disappointed with this book. I love her other ones but this one fell short. She didn't paint the scenes as well as she usually does and it seemed like it was a hurried effort. I also felt the romance thread could have been built up more. At first the guy's an ass but she didn't really describe the attraction between them, it was just kinda sorta there at the end. I hope Kearsley's next one is more like her others. Read more

Review:David McCullough should be writing all the history textbooks for high school. It is 1000 times more interesting as he always adds flesh to the bones. We listened to this tape on our annual drive to FL and had to sit in our driveway for 15 min. to finish the last tape which is a tribute to how well done this was. We never fully understood the influence France had on our American beginnings before this book. Well done again Mr. McCullough!! Read more

Review:Having been to the region of bubbles, I naturally was drawn into the subject matter. I have now purchased about four or five more copies of this book to press into the hands of others I think would enjoy it. I was impressed with the details of the era which the writer included. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves histry and bubbles... Read more

Review:Interesting biography of that day and age. Interesting information about inside information about the financial crises faced by a lot of supposed "well-to-do" families, and how important "image" was to them. I have a feeling that this book would appeal more to women and to men. The family tree included in the book is very helpful, too. Read more