This was a really unique and enjoyable read about the impact of primogeniture on those sons who weren't born the eldest to inherit the estate. They eiThis was a really unique and enjoyable read about the impact of primogeniture on those sons who weren't born the eldest to inherit the estate. They either had to wait for the brother to die without heirs or make their own fortune in the world. Whilst women's lives were very restricted and only certain "respectable" professions were acceptable, this was also the case for the sons who were "spares". These "respectable" professions included the clergy, law, commerce, the navy and army, civil service and way down the social ladder - medicine!
The author presents these professions through the works and characters that Jane Austen included in her novels, her own family and other contemporises of the time period. Highly recommended for anyone interested in social history. I'm looking forward to this author's newest book about Love and Marriage in Austen's world....more
Fun idea but a little too speculative and got repetitive. Also, quite American centric in its approach even though it covered disasters around the worFun idea but a little too speculative and got repetitive. Also, quite American centric in its approach even though it covered disasters around the world....more
I was really hoping to love this book, with the subject matter about the the Anglo-Saxon Kings and Queens and if their bones are really those claimed I was really hoping to love this book, with the subject matter about the the Anglo-Saxon Kings and Queens and if their bones are really those claimed to be in the bone chests at Winchester cathedral.
I was hoping the inclusion of archaeological findings and modern scientific breakthroughs would provide some insight into who is buried in the bone chests and the book would read more as an investigative or detective adventure!
Whilst the book is very readable and there were some interesting titbits throughout the book, it wasn't really bout the bone chests themselves but rather an overview of the people who are claimed to be buried in the chests. Most of this information I already know given my interest in this time period. ...more
Having some knowledge of 10th century England, I knew of Elfrida's posthumous reputation for being responsible for the murder (or planning of the murdHaving some knowledge of 10th century England, I knew of Elfrida's posthumous reputation for being responsible for the murder (or planning of the murder) of her stepson (known to history as Edward the Martyr) to make the way for her own son (Ethelred the Unready) to take the crown.
This work really brought her to life for me, especially in an era when primary sources are vague, especially about women. It was fascinating to learn she was the first wife of an English king to be crowned Queen and of her role in the reform of the church.
I give credit to the author who has thoroughly researched this time period and set the political scene, with Elfrida always shining through. She is never a shadow in the background and the author's conclusions about her involvement in the murder (or not) of her stepson are really thorough and sound....more
I’m vaguely aware of the historical figure Hannibal, a Carthaginian, through stories of him riding and leading elephants into battle and beating the RI’m vaguely aware of the historical figure Hannibal, a Carthaginian, through stories of him riding and leading elephants into battle and beating the Romans but not winning the war. This book was a great introduction to the time period and the “rules” of war.
The author provides a balanced view (given sources about Hannibal are Roman) and presents Rome as just as cruel and flawed (if not more so) than their enemies. I also enjoyed the “what if” section if Hannibal had defeated the Romans and the impact it could have had on how the world would be today.
The content is 4/5, however the audio book was 1/5. It was only 5 hours, but the narrator was so monotone and dry. It was like they captured a sentence or two of his real voice and generated the remainder via AI!. This reduced my enjoyment of the book, and I’ve rated it 3/5....more
There were many things I liked about this book – it was well-researched book and quite engaging, but it’s not a “narrative history” of phobias and manThere were many things I liked about this book – it was well-researched book and quite engaging, but it’s not a “narrative history” of phobias and manias. It's presented more like an Encyclopedia with 99 phobias and manias in alphabetical order so it wasn't enjoyable to read in long stretches.
Many of the entries are short and cross-reference with other phobias and manias. There was also the inclusion of manias and phobias that seemed more like eccentric behaviour rather than medically diagnosed. The author acknowledged this at times, but still included them which felt odd to me. Why not have a seperate chapter about encentric behaviours vs pathology?
I did enjoy the entries that explained the phobia or mania in more detail with the inlcusion of case studies, medical or psychological analysis, possible treatments and context of time and cultural norms e.g. phobias and manias related to religion and superstituion in medieval Europe as opposed to modern phobias and manias related to mobile phones, shopping, etc.
Overall this was only okay for me so I’m rating it 2 stars....more
This was unique for the fact it didn't just speculate on the possible causes of deaths of English monarchs but had a scientific angle. This was very iThis was unique for the fact it didn't just speculate on the possible causes of deaths of English monarchs but had a scientific angle. This was very interesting, as the author broke down the cause of death and its impacts on the body and its organs.
However, it did become repetitive so whilst it wasn't a long book, I took some time to read it to have regular breaks from the format. The humour could be on point sometimes but not others, but that's more personal taste. The reason for the 2 stars is that a lot of speculation was presented as historical fact and that's something I can't forgive!...more
I've read alot on this period and am aware of the context and the players of this era but cannot resist other books I come across, especially about HeI've read alot on this period and am aware of the context and the players of this era but cannot resist other books I come across, especially about Henry II who is my favourite English King. It's a shame he is not well remembered, as he did introduce centralised administration and a judiciary system with the concept of common law.
However, as the author points out, not only was he considered responsibile for the death of Thomas Becket but he lived too long! Perhaps if he had died in the 1170's instead of in 1189 his legacy would be better known. The turmoil of the last decade of this life with his sons, Eleanor and the French Kings Louis and his son Philip took their toil and Henry made mistakes by not wanting to relinquish control but also lack of judgement that was influenced by the love for his family. ...more
I loved this book in an oversaturation of books on the Tudor period!
It covers three generations of the Dudley family from Henry VII to his granddaughtI loved this book in an oversaturation of books on the Tudor period!
It covers three generations of the Dudley family from Henry VII to his granddaughter Elizabeth I. An extraordinary family with executions in each generation, including the grandfather, Edmund who made money for Henry VII through rather dubious means but was then executed by Henry VIII and the son, John and grandson Gilford (only 16) executed for treason. The most famous and well-known Dudley is Robert who survived the axe but wasn't without controversary and Elizabeth I's favourite. How close this family was to claiming the throne either when Gilford married Lady Jane Grey or if Robert had married Elizabeth is fascinating.
I loved this author's writing style, so engaging, well-researched and covered a 100 years of history without boring me at all. Highly recommended....more
The Bayeux Tapestry is infamous, but it’s actually an embroidery on linen and not a tapestry in the true sense of the word! It presents as series of sThe Bayeux Tapestry is infamous, but it’s actually an embroidery on linen and not a tapestry in the true sense of the word! It presents as series of story boards that tell the events of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
I wasn’t aware of the different theories of academics, historians, etc. about its origins, including who commissioned it, created it and what story they were trying to tell. I enjoyed the detail of this book and how it broke down each part of the “tapestry” to explain the context and historical events that might have taken place and what the “tapestry” captured. I also wasn't aware that parts at the beginning, or more likely the end are missing as it finishes abruptly after the Battle of Hastings, rather than where you would expect it to, which is the crowing of William as King of England on Xmas Day, 1066.
I would love to see it in reality, but to see the whole tapestry in one entire piece within the book and to learn about it depicting a historical "story", its cultural impacts and also as a piece of art in itself was fascinating....more
Thomas Becket is a fascinating character and his relationship with the English King Henry II has always intrigued me. Rather than being a linear biogrThomas Becket is a fascinating character and his relationship with the English King Henry II has always intrigued me. Rather than being a linear biography of Becket from birth to death, it focused on the politics of the time and his relationship with Henry. There was information and sources that were new to me, and I reflected on my own views of Henry and Thomas and the imbalance of power in their relationship.
The author gives insight into both Henry and Thomas from contemporary sources that show these men were very human, faults and all! Henry for all his energy and intelligence, was also a bully and Thomas is presented as a whole person and not just the “saint” from history. These different insights were really refreshing. ...more
This definitely has a specific audience and I'm one of them! History of policing in my home town of Brisbane. The inclusion of old paintings when it wThis definitely has a specific audience and I'm one of them! History of policing in my home town of Brisbane. The inclusion of old paintings when it was a convict settlement and called Moreton Bay from the late 1820's to the photographs of the 1870's onwards were a great inclusion. I always love standing in different parts of the CBD and imagining who once walked there or what buildings were there - a bit of a quirk I have!
The narrative follows in chronological order some early constables and how the police force evolved in Brisbane. It raidly grew from a small convict settlement in the 1820's to a free settlement in 1849 with a population of only 6000 to 22,000 in 1876 and 130,000 by 1901 (today's population is 2.5 million). The requirements to be a police officer were quite strict in terms of age and height and some were in fact ex-convicts early in Brisbane's settlement, but most were free settlers with either an army background or police background from Britian and Ireland (so it makes sense the author is Irish!).
It was fascinating reading (but could be academic and dry at times) about the types of crimes most commonly commited which was usually drunkeness, vacrancy and theft and some of the crimes were quite ridiculous by today's standards such as going to jail with hard labour for stealing a pair of boots or for allowing goats to roam outside your property!
The inclusion of a chapter on women who spent their lives in a cycle of poverty and crime (jailed usually for obscene language and disorderly conduct) was quite a sad read, especially the volience they were often subjected too.
I would recommend this to anyone with a love of local Brisbane history....more
Buried is the follow-up to Ancestors. I was so excited to read this given how much I enjoyed Ancestors that I bought the hard copy immediately - lessoBuried is the follow-up to Ancestors. I was so excited to read this given how much I enjoyed Ancestors that I bought the hard copy immediately - lesson learned - because I was very disappointed. This book focuses on the Roman/Anglo-Saxon burials in Britian but it didn't seem to have a cohesive narrative - it felt rambling and repetitive and I skimmed the last third of the book :-(...more
I picked up this beautiful hard-cover book at a dusty second-hand bookshop whilst on summer holidays last year for a bargain. I went into it with no eI picked up this beautiful hard-cover book at a dusty second-hand bookshop whilst on summer holidays last year for a bargain. I went into it with no expectations having not read this author before and whilst knowing the general story of Thomas More, I couldn't say I knew much more than he was beheaded for not taking the "oath" and he educated his daughters just as he did his son (which was unique at the time).
I enjoyed the structure of this book and whilst it didn't provide a lot of information about Meg, it did interweave her life with that of her father and their closeness as father and daughter. The family background and connections were very interesting, as well as his friendships. He came across as a man who loved his family, had a strong work ethic, was a devout catholic and also quite the comedian.
I will definitely read more by this author as I felt he provided a very objective, bi-partisan view of Thomas. But that was perhaps also its weakness as I would have liked more understanding and analysis of the contradictions of Thomas Mores values - the fact he educated his daughters, but they still had to know their "place" as far as ambition compared to men, his kind, compassionate and funny nature but burnt "heretics" with such zeal and despite his love for his family, he was prepared to leave them facing uncertain circumstances on his death, because he wanted to save his own soul! A complicated man indeed!...more
I’m very familiar with the events of the mutiny on the HMS Bounty in 1789 but like other historical events and time periods I like to read updated booI’m very familiar with the events of the mutiny on the HMS Bounty in 1789 but like other historical events and time periods I like to read updated books for research and new angles. William Bligh has also intrigued me, because not only was he set adrift by Fletcher Christian and his mutineers but he was Governor-General of Australia for a short-time in 1806 where he was sent by Britain to clean up the corrupt rum trade in Sydney. However, his actions resulted in the “Rum Rebellion”. I always remember at school a seeing a painting of him hiding under the bed in Government House in Sydney when the NSW Army Corps were finding him to arrest him! I enjoyed reading the author’s analysis of Bligh which speculate on his being a tyrant and unable to lead men but also a loving husband and father whose family were devoted to him.
What I enjoyed about this book, was the author’s inclusion of the context of the time – a time of slavery, exploration and exploitation of Indigenous peoples. He explained many of the events occurring across the world at the time the munity occurred in Tahiti where Fletcher and his men set William Bligh and his supporters adrift in a small boat. It should have been to their deaths but miraculously, Bligh was able to navigate them to Timor. Fletcher, other mutineers and some Tahitians set up a new life on the unhabituated and remote Pitcairn Island.
There are always multiple-sides to any story and the truth will never be known but the author does a good job of presenting possible scenarios. Its intriguing that the mutineers remained undiscovered on Pitcairn Island for 18 years! Families were formed and children were born, but it wasn’t a Utopia. The mutineers treatment of the Tahitian men who they felt superior to lead to tensions and fighting and it’s a mystery whether or not Fletcher Christian was murdered or escaped back to England.
I thoroughly enjoyed this epic take on the world during the middle ages. I do tend to limit my historical reading to Britain and France so it broadeneI thoroughly enjoyed this epic take on the world during the middle ages. I do tend to limit my historical reading to Britain and France so it broadened my understanding of the medieval world and has increased my interest in reading about other countries and cultures.
Dan Jones begins with the fall of the Roman Empire and takes us on a journey into the medieval world beyond Britain and Europe to include the Arab, Persian and Mongolian empires, as well as Charlemagne, the Crusades and the Renaissance. This journey is covered by sections that include religion, knighthood, scholarship, etc.
I take my hat off to Dan Jones for writing such an epic, but accessible book. I also liked how he drew comparisons with our contemporary world so the reader could identify with people born a 1000 years ago and realise we aren’t so different to today!...more
As a history buff who loves the medieval period this book was excellent at filling in some of my gaps. Most of the non-fiction I read is written from As a history buff who loves the medieval period this book was excellent at filling in some of my gaps. Most of the non-fiction I read is written from the British POV and so the French are often the side-characters (which I’m not criticising as that to be expected) but it was fantastic to read a book that provided both the English and French context and to read about French historical protagonists in more detail.
The English and French were traditional medieval enemies and I thought the author did an excellent job of describing the royal houses, the king and queens and how their personalities and actions influenced relationships and history itself.
Even with intermarriage upon intermarriage and therefore the French and English monarchies linked by blood as cousins, brothers, sisters and even grandparents, there was still so much bloodshed!
It was also refreshing to read an author who questioned the “hero” status of Richard the Lionheart that has come down to us through the centuries, despite horrific human atrocities he ordered and/or committed....more
I LOVE history, ever since I studied it in high school. I particularly LOVE British history. I first listened to on on audio (about 14 hours) and thenI LOVE history, ever since I studied it in high school. I particularly LOVE British history. I first listened to on on audio (about 14 hours) and then I ordered a hardcover edition of the book and as soon as it arrived, I read it again (about 500 pages). And I have no doubt I will re-read it regularly.
The author Marc Morris has written a very readable, educational and entertaining book about the Anglo-Saxons. It starts with the fall of Roman Britain and then takes the reader on a journey of the migrations of the Angles and the Saxons, the rise of Christianity (which was fascinating) and the devastating Viking raids up to the Norman Conquest. Marc Morris covers major events, myths and stories of individuals who were instrumental in shaping the concept of England as one nation.
This book has already been tagged in my "all time favourites" bookshelf!...more
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