Shadows of the Workhouse by Jennifer Worth

This is the follow-up to Jennifer Worth's best selling book "Call the Midwife".  If you a fallen in love with the TV show, this book will be a very enjoyable read. Even if you have never seen "Call the Midwife", "Shadow of the Workhouse " stands alone as an excellent vision of life in the 1950s in the poor area of London known as "Poplar". 

Jennifer Leigh is working as a midwife in Poplar, London and is based at Nonnatus House with the Sisters of St Raymond Nonnatus an Anglican order. This is a pseudonym for the real name of the sisters and the house. She spends some time talking about those she works with Sr. Monica Joan, Sr Julienne, St Evangelina, Trixie and Chummy. The workhouse affected the lives of many people she touches. 

Workhouses were part of life in England for more than 100 years. The Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834 was written to make sure that the poor could not get relief unless they went to live in the workhouses that were set up. They were segregated by sex and families were separated. They were required to work to get the meager food and scant accommodations. People would rather die in the street than go to a workhouse and many did. 

Rules in the workhouses were harsh and it created a dependent population who were ill-equipped to survive in the outside world. Jennifer introduces us to some of the victims of this system and how they managed in the world of East-end London after the workhouses closed. 

If you remember Jens relationship with Mr. Collett from "Call the Midwife" you will delight in the wonderful details that we get in last third of the book called The Old Soldier. Part II deals with Sr Monica Joan and her brush with the law. 

I absolutely loved this book and it kept me very engaged throughout. I went so far as to order two more of her books. 

America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

If like me you are addicted to history, this book is a must. It is eminently readable and was well researched. I am a stickler, even in historical fiction, that the facts be meticulously stuck to and when I fact-checked things I questioned, I found that the authors had been painstaking in sticking to the main truth. Of course, conversations must be invented but I found them believable and I had a very hard time putting this book down.

This is the story of Thomas Jefferson told through the eyes of his beloved elder daughter, Patsy. Since the reality is that it was she who shaped his legacy through her editing of his papers and the destruction of anything that she didn't feel fit the narrative she was trying to create, it gives us a chance to fill in a few blanks that she is responsible for.

That Thomas Jefferson was one of the great men of the American Revolution is unquestionable but he was a flawed individual who was a slave owner and at times all too self-centered to be a really good father and husband. That he killed his wife through constant pregnancy is doubtlessly true and calling it love doesn't diminish the truth. That he fathered many children on her half-sister a slave is also left in little doubt though no mention is found in Jefferson's official papers.

What I loved about the book was the relationship of Sally Hemings and her niece Patsy, which seems quite natural in even though we are left in little doubt that Patsy knew about her father and Sally.

Through it all, we get to know the man behind the legend and the women who were a part of his life.

This was one of my favorite books of all time and I highly recommend it.

Caroline Little House, Revisited by Sarah Miller

If like me, you grew up reading and enjoying the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Caroline is the book you have been waiting to read as an adult. Sarah Miller tells us Caroline Ingalls' story in her own words and with the full approval of the Little House Heritage Trust.

#carolinelittlehouserevisited

The Little House books in spite of the fact that they seem to be autobiographical are in many ways fictional. Laura Ingalls was writing fiction for children so while she did use some of her memories, she also embellished, ignored and totally created both characters and events. Sarah Miller has had the courage to write a story about Caroline that adheres more closely to the actual historical facts.

While children may find pulling up stakes and moving away from everyone and everything that they know exciting, for a woman and mother, especially a pregnant one, it was much more challenging. Caroline shares with us her thoughts and feelings, how torn she is as a wife to support her husband even when she may not be in agreement with him.

We meet Ma in this book not so much as the sober, serious woman who is always trying to curb Laura's exuberance but more as a strong woman who has to cook meals on the fly has survived privation that is only hinted at and yet still manages to find joy in faith and life. 

Caroline is a much more sympathetic figure than Ma, and Pa, though he is certainly charming is too much of a dreamer and you could even call him irresponsible when he gets an idea in his head. 

I found this book hard to put down. I was fascinated by the woman who was Caroline Ingalls.  As much as I loved the book, I thoroughly enjoyed the P.S. at the end of the book where we learn what went into the creation of this character from the few actual historical records that exist.

This is a wonderful way to continue the Ingalls family saga with a more realistic perspective of what life really was like in a Little House on the Prairie. 

I give 4.5 stars out of 5

Two Queens in One Isle by Alison Plowden

#twoqueensinoneisle

The story of the relationship between Queen Elizabeth I of England and Mary Queen of Scots has been told many times before. What Alison Plowden does in Two Queens in One Isle to bring this relationship to life in a way that makes both of them sympathetic. 

Mary and Elizabeth were first cousins once removed. Mary's grandmother Margaret Tudor was the sister of Elizabeth's father Henry VIII. What is quite amazing is that the two women never met in person. Mary was Elizabeth's prisoner for more than 18 years and a threat to her throne for most of that time. 

Elizabeth didn't want to meet Mary in person due to many factors but it was important for the security of the country that she not give any legitimacy to Mary's claim to the English throne. Mary was a Catholic and thus was supported by the pope and English Catholics and of course, Elizabeth's mother was Anne Boleyn who was pregnant with her when Henry finally broke with Rome and declared his first marriage invalid and married Anne. He later declared Elizabeth a bastard and his second marriage invalid. This made her right to the throne somewhat precarious since in the eyes of Catholics she was a bastard. 

In spite of all the provocation she received over the years from Mary, Elizabeth had always been reluctant to execute her cousin. Once you execute a legitimate queen, you have opened yourself up to similar treatment. 

This book is a fascinating look at the letters and relationship between these two very different cousins and what made both of them act the way that they did. 

Traitors of the Tower by Alison Weir

Traitors of the Tower is one of the books in the Quick Reads Series. It is only 75 pages long and the print is large. I read it in about an hour and found it vastly enjoyable. If you are looking for a quick synopsis of the seven most tragic deaths to take place in the Tower of London this book will satisfy your need.

#traitorsofthetower

As always, Alison Weir's work is very readable. She sticks to the known facts and doesn't add a bunch of her own twists but in these seven cases, the facts are interesting enough without embellishment to provide an hour of enjoyment. 

The book begins with Lord Hastings who was beheaded in the Tower of London by Richard of Gloucester on the eve of his seizing the throne in 1483. Her explanation is one of the best I have ever read and it has shaken my faith in the innocence of King Richard III. 

Next comes Queen Anne Boleyn who was as much a victim of her own ambition and ill temper as anyone who was ever executed in the Tower. 

Margaret Pole, Duchess of Salisbury is about as saintly a victim as the tower has ever seen except perhaps for Thomas More. She was King Henry VIII cousin and it was her royal blood and unruly sons that caused her demise. She is the Maggie of the White Princess if you were a fan of that series. 

Queen Katherine Howard was probably the stupidest person ever beheaded on Tower Green but it never is a smart thing to cheat on an old and jealous husband who has already beheaded a wife for adultery. 

Lady Jane Rochford is probably the most deserving of the victims in this book, not much good can be said about her. 

The most innocent and heartbreaking traitor is Lady Jane Grey, she never wanted to be queen, never wanted to threaten her cousin Queen Mary and as the pawn of her parents and in-laws lost her head.

The last traitor truly was a traitor, Robert Devereaux did plot against Queen Elizabeth I but his big sin was seeing her as the old aged woman that she had become.

These are the seven people that we meet in this book and it is so worth a read. I bought it from Abe Books and I recommend, if you are looking for a short and sweet read, you give this one a try. 

The Stuart Princesses by Alison Plowden

I have to admit, Alison Plowden is one of my favorite authors of history. She has an easy to read style that makes even the most mundane moments in history come to life. In The Stuart Princesses, she introduces the daughters of the Stuart Kings James I, Charles I and James II. She might have titled this book the unknown Stuart princesses since most of this book was all news to me. 

It begins with Princess Elizabeth, the daughter of James I who became known as the Winter Queen. She was married at a young age to Frederick Count Palatine of the Rhine. It turned out to be a very happy marriage but their ill-thoughtout acceptance of the crown of Bohemia affected the rest of their lives. Elizabeth was the mother of Prince Rupert who was such an important figure in the English Civil War and grandmother of King George I of England. 

The daughters of King Charles I of England are quite thoroughly covered as are the daughters of James II, who both became Queens of England. 

If you are an English history buff like I am, you will find this very eye opening. In most histories, these woman are given very little covereage and yet they played a vital role in the dynastic history of Europe in the 17th and 18th century. 

I think this is a great addition to any histories that you have previously read and in her usual style, Alison Plowden has made this easy to read and enjoy. I give it 4.5 stars out of 5. 

Tudor Women Queens and Commoners by Alison Plowden

While women during the Tudor age did not have a lot of power in their own right, times being what they were, they did have a lot of influence and they played a vital role. Beginning with the mother of Henry Tudor, Margaret Beaufort, Alsion Plowden brings us the nitty gritty and not always pretty story of the women who shaped history for the better part of 150 years in Tudor Women Queens and Commoners. 

Margaret Tudor had no control over a great deal of her life and yet, she is probably the most powerful woman of the era. She learned early to work behind the scenes to get what she wanted. She was the most important woman in her son's life even after his marriage. Luckily for her, his wife Elizabeth learned early that it was better to be friends with her mother in law.  

Much has been written about the marital machinations of King Henry VIII but this book takes a different look at the women that he married and how they influenced the King and also history. 

 This is not just the story of the Royals, however, interspersed throughout the book are tidbits about what life was like for the average woman during this time. It is fascinating to get this glimpse of the lives outside the court, in the towns and villages of England. 

Much changed during this period though women would not reach anything like equality for more than 500 years. If you enjoy Tudor history and like a book from a woman's perspective, I highly recommend this book. It isn't a large book, less than 175 pages but it is jam-packed with great information and presented in an easy to read chatty fashion. I give it a 4.5 out of 5. 

The Taming of the Queen by Philippa Gregory

Catherine Parr was the 6th wife of Henry VIII. This book particularly appealed to me since she has always been one of my favorite wives and I have visited her grave at Sudley twice. I was not disappointed with this rendition of her. 

The story of Henry and his wives is pretty well known by everyone so one would imagine that Ms. Gregory would not be breaking any new ground here. You would be wrong, in her usual manner by creating a dialogue between the main players she will open your mind to what it was really like to be at the court of Henry VIII and the sort of quicksand that his wives were always walking on. 

Henry came to the throne at the age of 17 having lost his mother when he was 12. His father had kept him very close since he was the only heir after his brother Arthur died. He was delighted to throw off this yoke and chart his own path. Unfortunately for everyone involved, he had never really been trained to be king and as a younger son had been greatly indulged and he never knew what it meant to not get exactly what he wanted. 

When you realize this, some of his future actions make more sense. He wanted a son, Katherine of Aragon couldn't give him a son who survived more than a few weeks, therefore it was her fault not his and she lost his love. And much as with Mr. Darcy "My good opinion once lost, is lost forever". This theme runs through this look. 

Jane Seymour was the perfect wife she gave Henry a son and then had the good sense to died before he tired of her. By the time Henry was looking for his sixth wife, he had killed two, divorced two and Jane had died. Catherine Parr had been married and widowed twice and Henry wanted her, it was really as simple as that. She had no say in the matter. 

The fact that after being married twice to please her family she preferred to marry someone of her own choosing was not taken into account. Marry the king she must. 

If you don't enjoy rather graphic sexual descriptions, then there are parts of this book that will offend. Leave it to your imagination how this grossly overweight man who had to be assisted to even walk could consummate his marriage to a woman half his age. Imagine a young woman having to submit, enough said. 

This was a book hard to put down once I started reading it. I already knew the story and the ending and even the high points but they were presented in such a captivating way that I just had to keep reading. 

If you don't know the story, you will find yourself rooting for the charming, pretty, bright woman who actually was the first woman to author a book in the English language. She was a woman who deserved so much more and we all hope eventually she finds it. 

Like with all of Philippa Gregory's books, this is historical fiction within a historic and well-researched background. It will leave you wanting to learn more about some of the figures you will meet like Anne Askew. 

Elizabeth of York a Tudor Queen and Her World by Alison Weir

Elizabeth of York was the mother of King Henry VIII and if you are a fan of fiction, "The White Princess". In this wonderful biography by Alison Weir, we meet the real Elizabeth, not the fictionalized one. While it is not as entertaining, the facts are presented in an easy to read way and I had a hard time putting this book down even though I knew most of the facts. 

Elizabeth was the first child born to one of the most handsome Kings to ever grace the throne of England, Edward IV and his equally handsome wife, Elizabeth Wydeville (Woodville). Not surprisingly, she was a very pretty girl who grew into a beautiful woman. 

She lived through one of the most tumultuous periods of England's history. She saw her father lose his throne and regain it, she was in sanctuary with her mother during part of the reign of her uncle Richard III, during this time her two brothers disappeared in the Tower of London and were never heard from again. She became a pawn in the struggle for power that culminated in the Battle of Bosworth and she was married to the winner, Henry Tudor. 

She has been overshadowed by the six wives of her son, Henry VIII and yet she was a much more success queen than any of them. In this book, we learn the facts of her life and we get a glimpse of the woman she was. Of course, she didn't keep a diary and we don't know her inner thoughts but we do see what her life was like and how she coped with the many trials and joys that came her way. 

Alison Weir writes what is termed popular history. She does not claim to be a historian but her works are extensively researched. She presents some possible suggestions for events that are clear-cut, like the death of the princes in the Tower but sticks pretty close to what is known and not what we would like to have the truth be. 

If you enjoyed the White Princess, you can't help but compare it to this work and if you like your history to be historical, there is really no comparison, the history is much better in this book. 

The Red Queen by Phillipa Gregory

Even though The Red Queen was published second in the series The Cousins War it should be read third after The Lady of the Rivers and The White Queen. The story is told to us by Margaret Beaufort one of the major female players in the War of the Roses. 

Margaret tells us her story from the time she is a child through the victory of her son Henry Tudor at the Battle of Bosworth. First let me say, Margaret, is not a sympathetic figure, while we may feel for her at times, throughout the book she is obsessed with her place in the world and her lack of recognition. She is jealous, overly religious but not in a good way and lets absolutely nothing and no one stand in the way of her ambition for her son Henry.  

In order to understand her a little better, you need to understand where she came from. She is the daughter of John Beaufort, first Earl of Somerset and his wife Margaret Beauchamp. John is the grandson of King Edward III. His father is John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster and Katherine Swynford his mistress and then 3rd wife. He was born illegitimate thus baring him from the throne but was legitimized by King Richard II. 

John Beaufort took his own life and that was a great embarrassment to his daughter Margaret. Margaret Beaufort and her mother did not have a warm relationship and she was engaged and then married to Edmund Tudor when she was only 12 years old. Edmund was the son of Owen Tudor and Catherine Valois who was the former Queen of England, thus making him the half-brother of King Henry VI.  

Margaret gave birth to her only son Henry Tudor when she was either still 12 or barely 13. She was a widow within the year. Women had little power in this day and age and her mother arranged for a second marriage for her which meant she had to leave her son to be raised by Jasper Tudor. 

Her story is not really a happy one. She didn't love any of her husbands and other than God and her son, she seems to have cared very little for anyone else. The book brings this powerful and virtually unknown woman to life and while I never find myself rooting for her, one has to admire her single-minded devotion to her son and his cause. 

Again, this is historical fiction, while the outline is based in fact a lot of liberty has been taken with the details but it is as are all Phillipa Gregory's book an interesting read and a book that is hard to put down. 

Three Sister Three Queens by Philippa Gregory

In this novel published in 2016, Philippa Gregory has tackled the intertwined lives of two Tudors and the daughter of Aragon and Castile. While much has been written about Katherine of Aragon, less has been written about the sisters of Henry VIII. 

Margaret the eldest daughter of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York is the narrator and at times not a very likable character. Filled with pride, envy and at times greed, she is not someone I could sympathize with even though her life seems to have had more downs than ups. 

Little is actually known about her from contemporary records except that she was not as lovely as her younger sister Mary. She was married young to the King of Scotland James IV. Most of her life after that was spent in Scotland. Her husband the king died at the battle of Flodden against the Engish. Her sister-in-law ordered no prisoners and took the body of her brother-in-law back to England as a trophy. 

As you can imagine this provides a lot of material for the future interaction between Margaret and Katherine. 

Mary was married to the elderly French King and on his death, defied her brother the King and married for love to his friend Charles Brandon. She would be the grandmother of Lady Jane Gray. 

Katherine's story is familiar with her first marriage to Arthur and the long wait for Henry to come of age after Arthur's death. Her inability to give him a living son resulted in England leaving the Catholic Church so Henry could divorce her and marry Anne Boleyn. 

Gregory has done a good job of filling in conversation and scenarios that let us become a part of this fascinating time in history. The major timeline is correct and if you are not an expert, you won't even notice where things go astray. 

I honestly couldn't put this book down, it is a very good read and it gave me a better overview of the lives of these three sister queens. 

Royal Affairs by Leslie Carroll

If like me, you are attracted to the foibles of the royals, you will enjoy this book as much as I did. I love British history and along with that goes my love of the monarchy. Often, some of the more interesting characters were the ones who unofficially had great power over the kings, their mistresses. 

The story begins with the Angevins, who can ever forget the luscious Rosamund de Clifford and her bower!! Her lover was King Henry II, he who caused  Thomas Beckett to be murdered with an idle comment and was married to Eleanor of Aquitaine. This is as steamy a May December romance as any in history. 

On to the Plantagenets and Edward II who had several very powerful and greedy lovers who were not women. It is a fascinating story with some very interesting characters that doesn't end well for any of them, including the King. 

Edward IV had one of the most beautiful women in the world as his wife in Elizabeth Woodville but that didn't stop him from spreading himself around with half of his court. Perhaps his best-known mistress was Jane Shore who seems to have captured his heart as well. 

As the Tutor era is ushered in, Henry VIII not only had six wives, he had his share of mistresses as well. It seems to have been easier for him to get a son on a mistress than it was with his wives. His daughter Elizabeth I seemed to have inherited his father's love of love. 

The Stuarts were a randy bunch, with James I batting for the other team and Charles II populating the current British aristocracy with his offspring. It makes for very easy reading. 

The Hanoverians brought their own taste in mistresses to the throne, they were known for loving large, if you get my drift. No dieting among their choice of women. 

The book takes us right through the affairs of the Duke of Windsor and the Prince of Wales. 

If you like a racy story and love the combination of history and a good romp, you will love this book. It is broken up into chapters by dynasty and then by mistress so you can read it in short bursts or like me from cover to cover in one sitting. 

I give it a 5 out of 5. 

Plot summary: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice is one of the great love stories in English literature. It takes place in a fictional village called Meryton in Hertfordshire where the Bennet family makes their home. The family consists of a father and mother and five unmarried daughters. The story revolves around the interaction of this family with their neighbors and family. The first line of the book “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife” sets the stage for the story to unfold.

Mrs. Bennet, a loud and pushy woman of a lower class and little wit, is set on finding husbands for her daughters. Her daughters are determined to marry for love. Jane the eldest daughter, attracts a wealthy young man who is of a higher class than the Bennets. Jane is as sweet as she is lovely and she falls in love with Mr. Bingley. They are both quite shy so neither expresses their feelings in so many words. Mr. Bingley has brought his friend Mr. Darcy with him from London. Mr. Darcy is very wealthy and very proud. He doesn’t approve of the Bennets but at the same time is attracted to the intelligence and pretty eyes of Elizabeth Bennet.

The plot revolves around the relationship that develops between Darcy and Elizabeth and the many twists and turns that it takes. There are several subplots going on as well. The youngest daughter Lydia is soldier crazy and in a moment of lunacy elopes with a soldier who has a grudge against Mr. Darcy. When he doesn’t marry her, Mr. Darcy proves his worth by saving the family from a very great shame.

Another subplot in Pride and Prejudice is Mr. Collins relationship with the Bennet family. He is a distant cousin who is set to inherit since the Bennets have no son. When none of the Bennet girls want to marry him, he marries Elizabeth’s friend Charlotte Lucas. Elizabeth visits them and meets Mr. Darcy’s Aunt Lady Katherine De Burgh. She does not approve of Elizabeth and she dominates the lives of Mr. Collins and Charlotte.

We learn very clearly about the English class system in this story. Lady Katherine has a title and money. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingly have no title but have money. The Bennets have no money and the Gardeners (Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle) are in trade which is very low class indeed. Marriage and its many forms are a central theme of this story.

The Bennets are a poor match of two people of different classes. Charlotte and Mr. Collins are almost as mismatched because they married for convenience. We see hope in the relationships of Jane and Bingley and Elizabeth and Darcy. And as Elizabeth tells Lady Katherine, “I am the daughter of a gentleman and Darcy is a gentleman, there is no class difference.”

In the end, love triumphs over class and pride.

I realize that this isn't really a book review, but I so love this story that I enjoyed writing about it. 

The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory

Philippa Gregory is known for her books of fiction about royalty. Normally, I am more of a fan of historical non-fiction but the heroine of this novel is not a woman who I have ever found any non-fiction work about. She is Jacquetta of Luxembourg.  Not a household name by any means, but as a lover of English history, especially Plantagenet England, it is one that is very familiar to me. 

John of Bedford was the grandson of one of my favorite historical figures, John of Gaunt.  He was also Jacquetta's first husband. He was a great soldier and statesman who made one tragic misstep which ended up being what he is remembered for,  he had Joan of Arc burned at the stake. This was, however, two years before he married Jacquetta. 

In spite of this, in this story, Jacquetta and Joan meet and form a connection. Historically it is unlikely but it makes for more drama in a novel. Another license that is taking is giving Jacquetta 'second sight". While her enemies did bring charges of witchcraft against her they never came to fruition and she was never found guilty of anything. 

It is important to note that in this time period, almost anything that was unusual could be credited to witchcraft. 

If it sounds like I didn't like this book, that is not the case. I liked it very well but I accept that it is fiction. 

Jacquetta lived during a very turbulent period of history and she was very much in the center of the action. Her second husband, Richard Woodville was if not quite a commoner, certainly way below her in position but since it was a love match, it is romantic.  

From what pictures I could find of Jacquetta and Richard, they were a good looking couple, certainly, their children were known to be excessively handsome. 

Her daughter, Elizabeth Woodville,  would one day go on to marry the English King Edward IV, but that is another story altogether. 

This book is a good read and will familiarize you with all of the major players in the English War of the Roses. Jacquetta was a pivotal player in this most interesting period of history and her great grandson Henry VIII is certainly someone who is familiar to everyone. Many women have been overlooked in the written histories and it is about time that someone gave us the story of Jacquetta and Philippa Gregory has done just that. 

The Nonesuch by Georgette Heyer

Georgette Heyer was my favorite author for many years. She was the queen of regency romance. Her novels are historically accurate and her character development is superb. She has, in fact, created some of my favorite characters of all time.

The title says it all, Sir Waldo Hawksridge is the nonesuch. What is a nonesuch you may ask? A nonesuch is a paragon, perfection, the ultimate in all that Regency England considers important. He is handsome, wealthy, a great horseman and most importantly single. 

We meet Sir Waldo and his two cousins in the first chapter and it is impossible not to admire his character. He has a great sense of humor and does not take himself at all seriously. We discover that beyond perfection he is also kind and caring and has a very altruistic side. 

We are next introduced to two females who will play a very important part in the rest of the story. Ancilla Trent is of good but impoverished birth and is working as a governess/companion to the great beauty Tiffany Wield. Tiffany is shallow and self-centered and inclined to throw tantrums when she is thwarted in any way. Ancilla does her best to keep the worst tendencies from manifesting themselves outside of the household. 

When Sir Waldo comes to Yorkshire to take possession of his inheritance, Broom Hall, the two households are thrown together and what ensues is a very entertaining romance that will have you smiling throughout. 

While the ending is predictable, it is arrived at in a very entertaining way that makes this a book that is hard to put down. 

Royal Bastards by Peter Beauclerk-Dewar & Roger Powell

For lovers of English history and the British monarchy, in particular, this will be a very interesting read. The author, Peter Dewar Beauclerk is a descendant of King Charles II and his mistress Nell Gwyn so has a personal interest in the topic. 

The book is divided into four sections, Tudor, Stuart, Hanoverian and Royal Loose Ends. You will learn about the acknowledged bastards as well as those who were not acknowledged. While some of the names may be familiar, the depth of the stories and what became of these royal children makes for a fascinating story. 

Not all of these bastards are the results of the king straying, sometimes it is other members of the royal family. 

The Loose Ends is of particular interest as it begins with the Tudors but comes forward into the twentieth century. 

I personally enjoyed reading this book, it is well written and while packed with history, names and dates, is not dry or hard to read. Beauclerk-Dewar makes the connection as well between the royal bastards and the families that have resulted up to the current day. It is interesting to note how many aristocrats owe the start of their family to a royal affair with a less than royal woman. 

The book also includes lots of photos in case you need to try to put a face to the many characters who appear within these pages. 

The Queen’s Secret by Jean Plaidy

Jean Plaidy was the pen name of English author Eleanor Hibbert. She also wrote under the name Victoria Holt and Philippa Carr. When she was at the height of her career in the 1950- and 60s she was one of the most popular writers in the world. Recently her historical novels have been re-released and have found favor with a new generation of readers.

The Queen's Secret is part of the Queens of England series. It is the second book in the series and is the story of Queen Katherine of Valois who was the wife of King Henry V of England. 

He is the great warrior of the Shakespearean play of the same name. While he may have been great in battle, his love of war made him a poor king and he spent much of his reign away from his country.

This book is written in the first person, like a diary by Katherine. She takes us from her childhood in France and leaves us understanding a little more about where she came from. Her Father King Charles of France was called Charles the Mad and his madness made her life as a child very unsettled and allowed for the war that was brewing with England.

This dynastic marriage produced a son and with the early death of King Henry V his widow was banished from the court but not allowed to return to France. Thus begins the real story of the novel, the queen’s secret if you will.

Owen Tudor was Welsh and certainly not of the class of Katherine of Valois. He became after the death of King Henry the Clerk of the Wardrobe in the dowager queen's household. At some point, he also became her lover and eventually her husband though it was a secret marriage and relationship. Their union resulted in several children including their eldest some Jasper Tudor who was the father of Henry Tudor who would eventually become the King of England.

Jean Plaidy takes great care in creating her characters. The main characters in this drama are real but of course, as with any good historical fiction, she supplies the conversations and adds minor characters to fill in information that would otherwise not be provided.

The history in this book is spot on. The author does not take liberty with the known facts. The book is very easy to read and you will learn a great deal of history without even realizing it. This is historical fiction at its very best.

The Young Victoria by Alison Plowden

If you have ever read any of Alison Plowden’s other books you know that she writes history in a style that is easy to read and appreciate. This book basically continues the story that was presented in Caroline and Charlotte. The Young Victoria by Alison Plowden is an easy and entertaining historical read.

When Princess Charlotte died in childbirth in 1817, the hopes of the house of Hanover died with her. Even though King George III and his wife Charlotte had a large family, 9 sons and 6 daughters, they had not one legitimate heir. A crisis was brewing. Those sons who were not married (there were three) must marry and try to produce an heir.

William, the Duke of Clarence, was the eldest at 52. He had already fathered a large family of ten with actress Dorothea Jordan. He seemed a good candidate and he married Princess Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen. Edward, the Duke of Kent, was 50, and he married Princess Victoire of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, who was a widow with children; Adolphus, The Duke of Cambridge was the youngest at 43 and he married Augusta of Hesse-Cassel.

The baby stakes were on and it would take quite a few years to determine who would be the winner. As everyone knows now, The Duke of Kent and his wife had a baby girl, named Victoria after her mother, who was the only baby to survive. This book is her story.

The Duke of Kent was a hardened soldier and as healthy as a horse and yet it only took a week of the horrifying medical practices of the early 19th century to kill him, leaving a heartbroken wife and a baby daughter who would never know him.

The book deals with all the intrigue and controversy that swirled around the little girl who would be queen. Her mother tried to keep her from having contact with both of her uncles who were the kings of England. Her life was controlled in just about every aspect and it was the loyalty and devotion of her companion Baroness Lehzen that helped to make life tolerable for her.

Her mother, much in need of the strength of a man, had turned to John Conroy for advice and he sought to control not only the mother but the daughter. In the days before she became queen, he tried to pressure Princess Victoria into granting her mother regency over her, and through her mother, of course, himself. He underestimated the backbone of the young woman he was dealing with. She resisted all attempts to pressure her and from the moment she became Queen he was banished from her court. It took many years for her to forgive her mother but eventually she did.

In the book, we watch the adorable little girl grow into a stubborn woman who would have her own way. We also see her learn to be Queen from Lord Melbourne her first Prime Minister. By the end of the book, she has fallen in love with Prince Albert and has started to become the woman that she was always meant to be.

The Young Victoria by Alison Plowden is a very good read, filled with interesting stories and a close look at the upbringing of one of England’s greatest monarchs.

Founding Mothers by P.M. Zall

When we think out the founding of the United States, the first names that come to mind are George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. There are no women whose names come immediately to mind. This is totally wrong, however, because it was true then, as it is now, that behind every great man there is a great woman. In the book Founding Mothers by P.M. Zall, we get to meet some of these women.

The late Paul Maxwell Zall was a renowned professor at Cal State L.A. among other prestigious universities. He was also a research scholar at the Huntington Library in San Marino, Calif., where he did research for this book and others that he has written. He had a way of extracting the humor and the personality of the people he writes about, and in “Founding Mothers” he brings us biographical sketches of ten women who played an important part in the founding of the United States. Some of them, like Abigail Adams and Dolly Madison, will not come as much of a surprise. Others are mere shadows who have been obscured by the shadows of time.

He begins his book with a dedication to his sisters. He then goes on to explain what should be obvious to everyone: while the founding fathers were off in Philadelphia or at the forefront of the diplomatic effort or the battlefield, someone had to be back home holding down the fort. It was the wives of the founding fathers who made sure that when the war was over; their husbands still had a home to return to.

The first woman we are introduced to is the common-law wife of Benjamin Franklin, Deborah Reed Franklin. We know very little about Deborah except that over the period of her 44-year marriage to Ben Franklin, they were apart for 25 years and she was making sure that their business ventures could support his foreign travels. They were young lovers and it would seem that while Ben became an international figure, Deborah was happier just staying home. This may well have been a case where he outgrew her but his affection was genuine and he never had another serious relationship.

Abby Smith Adams is much better known since she was very aware of her husband’s place in history and as an educated woman used her mighty intellect to promote him in every way that she could. I think the closest analogy of their relationship might be Bill and Hilary Clinton where you are never quite sure who is the stronger and smarter of the couple. She kept all their correspondence, and it gives a wonderful picture of their affectionate and intellectual relationship.

Beyond these two, there are eight other fascinating women introduced. The biographies include quotes from letters and any other extant comments that refer to them. This is all very well documented and a very interesting read for anyone who enjoys American history and biographies in particular. If you are a history lover,  Founding Mothers by P.M. Zall will be a very good read.

The Rules of Gentility by Janet Mullany

According to Janet Mullany, author of “The Rules of Gentility", “she set out to write a Regency version of "Bridget Jones’s Diary." She may not have succeeded in that but she has created an entertaining novel that has a very saucy side. Her characters are well developed, likable and more importantly she has managed to be quite historically accurate in her assessment of the foibles of Regency society.

The book is written in two voices, both the female and the male main characters. It makes for a very easy book to read and it may just be that you will not be able to put it down. The plot of “The Rules of Gentility” has a certain predictability and the ending is hardly a surprise however, the conversations along the way make it a good read.

The name of the main character is Philomena Wellesley-Clegg. She is an heiress. While that makes her a good catch, she does have her issues as far as the “Ton” is concerned. She is from trade. Her father owns a coal mine. She has a dear friend from her school days who has married into a very proper family. This friend is sponsoring Philomena and through her friend Julia, Lady Tarrent, she comes into contact with the dubious hero, Inigo Linsley.

Their first meeting is hilarious. Philomena thinks that Inigo is a servant and tries to hand him her packages to carry into Julia’s house so that she can get her opinion of some new hats that she has purchased. Philomena is quite the expert when it comes to haberdashery. Julia comes out and welcomes Inigo, causing Philomena to become quite embarrassed when she realizes her error. Not a great beginning, but she does notice that he is very good looking.

Inigo is a very typical Regency gentleman. A younger son, he is according to Philomena, “the wicked brother who often spends time in the country cooling his heels”. He, for his part, thinks she is quite silly but also finds her attractive.

What ensues is a comedy with a few steamy moments as the two main characters fight their attraction to each other.

Philomena has a list she has created of the possible men to fill the position of husband. Her list is quite unimpressive and it turns out that some of her suitors are more interested in each other, than in her. A false engagement between the hero and the heroine is announced and they both agree to keep it a secret. Enter the villain who is too ridiculous to even be taken seriously.

Some parts of the book are pretty silly. Julia, Philomena and some friends want to rescue fallen women. They have no idea what they are doing and their Association for the Rescue and Succor of those in Extremis has been nicknamed "ARSE" by male members of the Ton. Inigo improbably takes them to a house of ill repute and mayhem ensues.

Several subplots are inane and unnecessary but, at the end of the day, this is a very enjoyable book to read and, as with the works of Jane Austen, you want to know what happened to this couple when the book closes.  "The Rules of Gentility" will appeal to lovers of romance, the Regency Period and Jane Austen.