The Boleyn Reckoning

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The Boleyn Reckoning

Laura Andersen
The Boleyn Reckoning Book PDF

Author : Laura Andersen
Publisher : Ballantine Books
Page : 417 pages
File Size : 47,8 Mb
Release : 2014-07-15
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 9780345534149

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The Boleyn Reckoning by Laura Andersen Pdf

Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir, The Boleyn Reckoning heralds the triumphant conclusion of Laura Andersen’s enthralling trilogy about the Tudor king who never was: the son of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn—Henry IX—who, along with his sisters and those he holds most dear, approaches a dangerous crossroads. The Tudor royal family has barely survived a disastrous winter. Now English ships and soldiers prepare for the threat of invasion. But William Tudor—known as Henry IX—has his own personal battles to attend to. He still burns for Minuette, his longtime friend, but she has married William’s trusted advisor, Dominic, in secret—an act of betrayal that puts both their lives in danger. Princess Elizabeth, concerned over her brother’s erratic, vengeful behavior, imperils her own life by assembling a shadow court in an effort to protect England. With war on the horizon, Elizabeth must decide where her duty lies: with her brother or her country. Her choice could forever change the course of history. Praise for The Boleyn Reckoning “Powerful . . . action, intrigue, star-crossed lovers, and all the drama period fans have come to expect . . . Fans should remain satisfied with the thrilling finale-for-now.”—Booklist Look for special features inside. Join the Random House Reader’s Circle for author chats and more. LAURA ANDERSEN’S NOVELS ABOUT THE IMAGINED SON OF HENRY VIII and ANNE BOLEYN ARE: “excellent . . . quick-paced” —Booklist (starred review) • “delectable and full of intrigue” —New York Times bestselling author Tasha Alexander • “impossible to put down” —award-winning author Stefanie Pintoff

The Boleyn Trilogy 3-Book Bundle

Laura Andersen
The Boleyn Trilogy 3 Book Bundle Book PDF

Author : Laura Andersen
Publisher : Ballantine Books
Page : 1191 pages
File Size : 46,5 Mb
Release : 2015-03-24
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 9780804180986

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The Boleyn Trilogy 3-Book Bundle by Laura Andersen Pdf

“Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir” (Publishers Weekly), this enthralling trilogy takes readers back to the deadly intrigue, turbulent affairs, and treacherous passions of Tudor England. Reimagining history in sumptuous detail, Laura Andersen asks the compelling question: What if Anne Boleyn had actually given Henry VIII a son who grew up to be king? The answer awaits in this captivating eBook bundle: THE BOLEYN KING THE BOLEYN DECEIT THE BOLEYN RECKONING Just seventeen years old, William Tudor, now King Henry IX, is bound by the restraints of the regency yet anxious to prove himself. With the French threatening battle and the Catholics sowing the seeds of rebellion at home, William trusts only three people: his older sister Elizabeth; his best friend and loyal counselor, Dominic; and Minuette, a young orphan raised as a royal ward by William’s mother, Anne Boleyn. Against a tide of secrets, betrayal, and murder, William finds himself fighting for the very soul of his kingdom. Then, when he and Dominic both fall in love with Minuette, romantic obsession looms over a new generation of Tudors. One among them will pay the price for a king’s desire, as a shocking twist of fate changes England’s fortunes forever. Praise for The Boleyn Trilogy “Full of intrigue, conspiracies, and the accurate details so essential to good historical fiction . . . Anyone who has even the slightest fascination with the Tudors will want to devour this delectable novel in a single sitting.”—New York Times bestselling author Tasha Alexander, on The Boleyn King “The Boleyn King deftly blends compelling characters, flawless social history, and courtly romance into an enthralling tale that’s impossible to put down.”—Award–winning author Stefanie Pintoff “Alive with historical flair and drama . . . [Laura Andersen’s] multidimensional characters are so real that readers will wish it was history.”—RT Book Reviews, on The Boleyn King “This entertaining work of alternative history offers plenty to savor for both fans of historical romance and those whose passion is political intrigue. . . . Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir.”—Publishers Weekly, on The Boleyn Deceit “Powerful . . . action, intrigue, star-crossed lovers, and all the drama period fans have come to expect . . . Fans should remain satisfied with the thrilling finale-for-now.”—Booklist, on The Boleyn Reckoning

The Boleyn King

Laura Andersen
The Boleyn King Book PDF

Author : Laura Andersen
Publisher : Ballantine Books
Page : 370 pages
File Size : 53,7 Mb
Release : 2013-05-14
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 9780345534095

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The Boleyn King by Laura Andersen Pdf

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY RT BOOK REVIEWS Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory, Alison Weir, and Showtime’s The Tudors, The Boleyn King is the first book in an enthralling trilogy that dares to imagine: What if Anne Boleyn had actually given Henry VIII a son who grew up to be king? Just seventeen years old, Henry IX, known as William, is a king bound by the restraints of the regency yet anxious to prove himself. With the French threatening battle and the Catholics sowing the seeds of rebellion at home, William trusts only three people: his older sister Elizabeth; his best friend and loyal counselor, Dominic; and Minuette, a young orphan raised as a royal ward by William’s mother, Anne Boleyn. Against a tide of secrets, betrayal, and murder, William finds himself fighting for the very soul of his kingdom. Then, when he and Dominic both fall in love with Minuette, romantic obsession looms over a new generation of Tudors. One among them will pay the price for a king’s desire, as a shocking twist of fate changes England’s fortunes forever. Includes a preview of Laura Andersen’s The Boleyn Deceit Praise for The Boleyn King “Imaginative . . . Andersen focuses on creating an exciting, action-driven plot containing strong doses of both intrigue and romance. Tudor-era historical fiction fans who are willing to accept the unusual premise will be rewarded with an original and entertaining read that’s reminiscent of the best of Philippa Gregory.”—Library Journal (starred review) “Gripping . . . Andersen delves into an alternative Tudor England geared to rivet period fans and newcomers alike. . . . Perfect for Philippa Gregory fans.”—Booklist (starred review) “A surprising gem and a thoroughly enjoyable read.”—Historical Novels Review “Andersen’s novel, alive with historical flair and drama, satisfies both curious and imaginative Tudor aficionados. . . . Her multidimensional characters are so real that readers will wish it was history and eagerly await the next in the trilogy.”—RT Book Reviews (Top Pick) “A wonderfully imaginative and well-written tale of intrigue, high court politics and desperate love.”—Deseret News “ ‘What if . . .’ With these tantalizing words, Laura Andersen creates a fresh and vividly realized alternative world where Anne Boleyn not only lives, but also gives birth to a healthy son who will become King. With the introduction of Minuette, Princess Elizabeth’s lady-in-waiting, we meet an extraordinary young woman who embodies love and loyalty, and who fights to find the humanity at the heart of the most glamorous—and dangerous—court in Europe.”—Susan Elia MacNeal, author of Mr. Churchill’s Secretary “Full of intrigue, conspiracies, and the accurate details so essential to good historical fiction . . . Anyone who has even the slightest fascination with the Tudors will want to devour this delectable novel in a single sitting.”—Tasha Alexander, New York Times bestselling author of Death in the Floating City Look for special features inside. Join the Random House Reader’s Circle for author chats and more.

The Boleyn Deceit

Laura Andersen
The Boleyn Deceit Book PDF

Author : Laura Andersen
Publisher : Ballantine Books
Page : 417 pages
File Size : 45,7 Mb
Release : 2013-11-05
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 9780345534125

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The Boleyn Deceit by Laura Andersen Pdf

Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory, Alison Weir, and Showtime’s The Tudors, The Boleyn Deceit is the captivating new novel set in the imagined Tudor court of King Henry IX, son of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, who must navigate a terrain rife with palace intrigue, impending war, and unbridled passions. The regency period is over and William Tudor, now King Henry IX, sits alone on the throne. But England must still contend with those who doubt his legitimacy, both in faraway lands and within his own family. To diffuse tensions and appease the Catholics, William is betrothed to a young princess from France, but still he has eyes for only his childhood friend Minuette, and court tongues are wagging. Even more scandalous—and dangerous, if discovered—is that Minuette’s heart and soul belong to Dominic, William’s best friend and trusted advisor. Minuette must walk a delicate balance between her two suitors, unable to confide in anyone, not even her friend Elizabeth, William’s sister, who must contend with her own cleaved heart. In this irresistible tale, the secrets that everyone keeps are enough to change the course of an empire. Includes a preview of Laura Andersen’s The Boleyn Reckoning Praise for The Boleyn Deceit “Detailed and quick-paced, [The Boleyn Deceit] will have series fans devouring it and emerging eager for the last book. An excellent recommendation for Phillippa Gregory fans.”—Booklist (starred review) “This entertaining work of alternative history offers plenty to savor for both fans of historical romance and those whose passion is political intrigue. . . . Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir, Andersen’s novel admirably takes artistic license with history while remaining true to many aspects of real-world history. . . . [Foreshadows] a mesmerizing conclusion to the trilogy.”—Publishers Weekly “An intriguing re-imagining of Tudor England and the treacheries of court life.”—Kirkus Reviews Praise for Laura Andersen’s The Boleyn King “A sumptuous, vividly imagined novel of a Boleyn king’s fateful rise to power amid the treacherous glamour of the Tudor court.”—C. W. Gortner, author of The Queen’s Vow “Fans of both Stephenie Meyer and Philippa Gregory will find much to love in this evocative and well-written debut.”—Francine Mathews, author of Jack 1939 Look for special features inside. Join the Random House Reader’s Circle for author chats and more.

The Virgin's War

Laura Andersen
The Virgin s War Book PDF

Author : Laura Andersen
Publisher : Ballantine Books
Page : 385 pages
File Size : 54,7 Mb
Release : 2016-07-12
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 9780804179409

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The Virgin's War by Laura Andersen Pdf

The gripping conclusion to the Tudor Legacy trilogy that brings to life the drama and intrigue of Queen Elizabeth I; her daughter, Anabel, the Princess of Wales; and two countries locked in a battle for the ages. “If you can’t manage with HBO’s Game of Thrones, [then] this Shakespearean-era fantasy may be your cup of tea.”—New York Post As the Spanish Armada approaches Irish shores, Elizabeth I feels the full burden of her royal office. She must not let England fall to her former husband, King Philip of Spain. And Princess Anabel, their daughter, has yet to declare with whom her allegiance—and her support—lie. Exiled Stephen Courtenay is in France with his brother, Kit, who has his own reasons for avoiding England. But rumblings of war, a sinister plot, and their loyalty to the crown call them home. Yet not even Pippa Courtenay, their sister, gifted with divine sight, can foresee the grave danger that awaits them all. As Queen Elizabeth commits her riches, her honor, and her people to the approaching conflict, she will risk everything—even her life—to preserve England’s freedom. Don’t miss any of Laura Andersen’s captivating Tudor Legacy trilogy: THE VIRGIN’S DAUGHTER • THE VIRGIN’S SPY • THE VIRGIN’S WAR

The Virgin's Spy

Laura Andersen
The Virgin s Spy Book PDF

Author : Laura Andersen
Publisher : Ballantine Books
Page : 368 pages
File Size : 42,5 Mb
Release : 2015-11-10
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 9780804179393

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The Virgin's Spy by Laura Andersen Pdf

Perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir, The Virgin’s Spy is award-winning author Laura Andersen’s second novel about the next generation of Tudor royals—a mesmerizing historical novel filled with rich period detail, vividly drawn characters, and all the glamour and seduction of the fabled Tudor court. Queen Elizabeth I remains sovereign of England and Ireland. For the moment, at least. An Irish rebellion is growing and Catholic Spain, led by the Queen’s former husband, King Philip, plans to seize advantage of the turmoil. Stephen Courtenay, eldest son of Dominic and Minuette, Elizabeth’s most trusted confidantes, has accepted a command in Ireland to quell the unrest. But the task will prove dangerous in more ways than one. The Princess of Wales, Elizabeth’s daughter, Anabel, looks to play a greater role in her nation, ever mindful that there is only one Queen of England. But how is Anabel to one day rule a country when she cannot even govern her own heart? Praise for The Virgin’s Spy “Andersen delivers another dramatic thriller complete with spies, battles, ruthless villains and twists on historical events that draw the reader deeply into the lives of her characters. There is magic here, and Andersen’s fantastic storytelling will keep readers coming back for more.”—RT Book Reviews (4 1/2 stars, Top Pick!) Find your next book club pick, read special features, and more. Join the Random House Reader’s Circle.

The Boleyn King

Laura Andersen
The Boleyn King Book PDF

Author : Laura Andersen
Publisher : Random House
Page : 368 pages
File Size : 45,9 Mb
Release : 2013-11-26
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 9781473501980

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The Boleyn King by Laura Andersen Pdf

Long live Henry IX! Just seventeen years old, King Henry IX, known as William, is anxious to prove himself. With the French threatening war and the Catholics’ rebellion, he trusts only three people: his older sister Elizabeth; his loyal counsellor, Dominic; and Minuette, a young orphan raised as a royal ward by William’s mother, Anne Boleyn. Against a tide of secrets, betrayal, and murder, William finds himself fighting for the very soul of his kingdom – and for his right to marry for love not duty. . .

Fallen Skies

Philippa Gregory
Fallen Skies Book PDF

Author : Philippa Gregory
Publisher : Simon and Schuster
Page : 528 pages
File Size : 52,5 Mb
Release : 2008-12-02
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 9781439102008

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Fallen Skies by Philippa Gregory Pdf

Fallen Skies takes readers to post-World War I England in a suspenseful story about the marriage of a wealthy war hero and an aspiring singer he barely knows. Can a family's mannered traditions and cool emotions erase the horrors of war from a young couple's past?​ Lily Valance is determined to forget the horrors of the war by throwing herself into the decadent pleasures of the 1920s and pursuing her career as a music hall singer. When she meets Captain Stephen Winters, a decorated veteran, she's immediately drawn to his wealth and status. And Stephen, burdened by his guilt over surviving the Flanders battlefields where so many soldiers perished, sees the possibility of forgetting his anguish in Lily, but his family does not approve. Lily marries Stephen, only to discover that his family's façade of respectability conceals a terrifying combination of repression, jealousy and violence. When Stephen's terrors merge dangerously close with reality, the truth of what took place in the mud and darkness brings him and all who love him to a terrible reckoning.

The Pink Suit

Nicole Kelby
The Pink Suit Book PDF

Author : Nicole Kelby
Publisher : Little, Brown
Page : 223 pages
File Size : 54,8 Mb
Release : 2014-04-29
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 9780316235662

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The Pink Suit by Nicole Kelby Pdf

"Inspired by the true story behind Jackie Kennedy's iconic outfit, Kelby has stitched a compelling tale of politics, fashion and history." -- People On November 22, 1963, Jacqueline Kennedy accompanied her husband to Dallas dressed in a pink Chanel-style suit. Much of her wardrobe, including the pink suit, came from the New York boutique Chez Ninon where a young Irish immigrant named Kate worked behind the scenes to meticulously craft the memorable outfits. Kate is torn between the glamorous world of Chez Ninon and her traditional Manhattan neighborhood. Finding balance is not easy in a time when women are still expected to follow the rules. And when you're in love, it's impossible. Kelby's luxurious narrative gives fascinating insight into the real story behind the iconic pink suit, introducing the reader to the wildly unforgettable characters that made Jackie Kennedy into the fashion icon of the century.

Heads You Win

Jeffrey Archer
Heads You Win Book PDF

Author : Jeffrey Archer
Publisher : St. Martin's Press
Page : 416 pages
File Size : 55,9 Mb
Release : 2018-11-06
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 9781250172518

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Heads You Win by Jeffrey Archer Pdf

Heads You Win is international #1 bestseller Jeffrey Archer’s most ambitious and creative work since Kane and Abel, with a final twist that will shock even his most ardent of fans. Leningrad, Russia, 1968: From an early age it is clear that Alexander Karpenko is destined to lead his countrymen. But when his father is assassinated by the KGB for defying the state, Alexander and his mother will have to escape Russia if they hope to survive. At the docks, they have an irreversible choice: board a container ship bound for America or one bound for Great Britain. Alexander leaves the choice to a toss of a coin... In a single moment, a double twist decides Alexander’s future. During an epic tale, spanning two continents and thirty years, we follow Alexander through triumph and defeat as he sets out on parallel lives as Alex in New York and Sasha in London. As this unique story unfolds, both come to realize that to find their destiny they must face the past they left behind as Alexander in Russia.

The Virgin's Daughter

Laura Andersen
The Virgin s Daughter Book PDF

Author : Laura Andersen
Publisher : National Geographic Books
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 55,9 Mb
Release : 2015-05-26
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 9780804179362

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The Virgin's Daughter by Laura Andersen Pdf

A captivating historical novel that poses the thrilling question: What if Elizabeth I, the celebrated Virgin Queen, gave birth a legitimate heir?—the first installation of the Tudor Legacy trilogy “[Laura] Andersen brilliantly blends the history and historical characters we know into her wondrous new world.”—RT Book Reviews Since the death of her brother, William, Elizabeth I has ruled England. She’s made the necessary alliances, married Philip of Spain, and produced a successor: her only daughter, Anne Isabella, Princess of Wales. Elizabeth knows that her beloved Anabel will be a political pawn across Europe unless she can convince Philip to grant her a divorce, freeing him to remarry and give Spain its own heir. But the enemies of England have even greater plans for the princess, a plot that will put Anabel’s very life and the security of the nation in peril. Only those closest to Elizabeth—her longtime confidante Minuette, her advisor and friend Dominic, and the couple’s grown children—can be trusted to carry forth a most delicate and dangerous mission. Yet, all of the queen’s maneuverings may ultimately prove her undoing. Don’t miss any of Laura Andersen’s captivating Tudor Legacy trilogy: THE VIRGIN’S DAUGHTER • THE VIRGIN’S SPY • THE VIRGIN’S WAR

Metropolitan Stories

Christine Coulson
Metropolitan Stories Book PDF

Author : Christine Coulson
Publisher : Other Press, LLC
Page : 208 pages
File Size : 46,5 Mb
Release : 2019-10-08
Category : Fiction
ISBN : 9781590510636

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Metropolitan Stories by Christine Coulson Pdf

“Only someone who deeply loves and understands the Metropolitan Museum could deliver such madcap, funny, magical, tender, intimate fables and stories.” —Maira Kalman, artist and bestselling author of The Principles of Uncertainty From a writer who worked at the Metropolitan Museum for more than twenty-five years, an enchanting novel that shows us the Met that the public doesn't see. Hidden behind the Picassos and Vermeers, the Temple of Dendur and the American Wing, exists another world: the hallways and offices, conservation studios, storerooms, and cafeteria that are home to the museum's devoted and peculiar staff of 2,200 people—along with a few ghosts. A surreal love letter to this private side of the Met, Metropolitan Stories unfolds in a series of amusing and poignant vignettes in which we discover larger-than-life characters, the downside of survival, and the powerful voices of the art itself. The result is a novel bursting with magic, humor, and energetic detail, but also a beautiful book about introspection, an ode to lives lived for art, ultimately building a powerful collage of human experience and the world of the imagination.

The Georgia Guidestones

Raymond Wiley,KT Prime
The Georgia Guidestones Book PDF

Author : Raymond Wiley,KT Prime
Publisher : Red Wheel Weiser
Page : 97 pages
File Size : 47,7 Mb
Release : 2012-01-10
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN : 9781934708736

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The Georgia Guidestones by Raymond Wiley,KT Prime Pdf

The remarkable true story of the gigantic granite slabs, engraved with messages, that appeared in 1980 and still puzzle the public to this day. The Georgia Guidestones are a collection of standing stones near Elberton, Georgia. Built in 1980 by an unknown party, they are primarily composed of six slabs of granite: one central pillar, four “major” stones that fan out from the center, and a capstone. The capstone has engravings on all four of its sides in four different ancient languages, all of which translate to “Let these be guidestones to an Age of Reason.” Also engraved is a set of ten guidelines that have provoked controversy, speculation, and rumors of conspiracies stretching far beyond northeast Georgia. Conspiracy theorists surmise a global plot on the part of a group of shadowy men to subjugate and oppress the world's population and create a “new world order.” Others believe that the man behind the monument was a Rosicrucian, and that the stones are representative of that group’s magical manifesto. Some people even believe that it is a landing site for an alien spacecraft of some kind. At the heart of this confusion is the missing piece of the puzzle: who was the mystery man who started the entire chain of events? This fascinating book explores the whole story, examining what we know—and what we don’t.

Thomas Cromwell

Tracy Borman
Thomas Cromwell Book PDF

Author : Tracy Borman
Publisher : Open Road + Grove/Atlantic
Page : 467 pages
File Size : 40,6 Mb
Release : 2015-01-06
Category : Biography & Autobiography
ISBN : 9780802191663

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Thomas Cromwell by Tracy Borman Pdf

“An exceptional and compelling biography about one of the Tudor Age’s most complex and controversial figures.” —Alison Weir Thomas Cromwell has long been reviled as a Machiavellian schemer who stopped at nothing in his quest for power. As King Henry VIII’s right-hand man, Cromwell was the architect of the English Reformation; secured Henry’s divorce from Catherine of Aragon and plotted the downfall of his second wife, Anne Boleyn; and was fatally accused of trying to usurp the king himself. In this engrossing biography, acclaimed British historian Tracy Borman reveals a different side to one of history’s most notorious characters: that of a caring husband and father, a fiercely loyal servant and friend, and a revolutionary who was key in transforming medieval England into a modern state. Thomas Cromwell was at the heart of the most momentous events of his time—from funding the translation and dissemination of the first vernacular Bible to legitimizing Anne Boleyn as queen—and wielded immense power over both church and state. The impact of his seismic political, religious, and social reforms can still be felt today. Grounded in excellent primary source research, Thomas Cromwell gives an inside look at a monarchy that has captured the Western imagination for centuries and tells the story of a controversial and enigmatic man who forever changed the shape of his country. “An intelligent, sympathetic, and well researched biography.” —The Wall Street Journal “Borman unravels the story of Cromwell’s rise to power skillfully . . . If you want the inside story of Thomas Cromwell . . . this is the book for you.” —The Weekly Standard “An engrossing biography. . . . A fine rags-to-riches-to-executioner’s-block story of a major figure of the English Reformation.” —Kirkus Reviews “An insightful biography of a much-maligned historical figure.” —Booklist

Doomed Queens

Kris Waldherr
Doomed Queens Book PDF

Author : Kris Waldherr
Publisher : Crown
Page : 178 pages
File Size : 46,5 Mb
Release : 2008-10-28
Category : Biography & Autobiography
ISBN : 9780767928991

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Doomed Queens by Kris Waldherr Pdf

Illicit love, madness, betrayal--it isn’t always good to be the queen Marie Antoinette, Anne Boleyn, and Mary, Queen of Scots. What did they have in common? For a while they were crowned in gold, cosseted in silk, and flattered by courtiers. But in the end, they spent long nights in dark prison towers and were marched to the scaffold where they surrendered their heads to the executioner. And they are hardly alone in their undignified demises. Throughout history, royal women have had a distressing way of meeting bad ends--dying of starvation, being burned at the stake, or expiring in childbirth while trying desperately to produce an heir. They always had to be on their toes and all too often even devious plotting, miraculous pregnancies, and selling out their sisters was not enough to keep them from forcible consignment to religious orders. From Cleopatra (suicide by asp), to Princess Caroline (suspiciously poisoned on her coronation day), there’s a gory downside to being blue-blooded when you lack a Y chromosome. Kris Waldherr’s elegant little book is a chronicle of the trials and tribulations of queens across the ages, a quirky, funny, utterly macabre tribute to the dark side of female empowerment. Over the course of fifty irresistibly illustrated and too-brief lives, Doomed Queens charts centuries of regal backstabbing and intrigue. We meet well-known figures like Catherine of Aragon, whose happy marriage to Henry VIII ended prematurely when it became clear that she was a starter wife--the first of six. And we meet forgotten queens like Amalasuntha, the notoriously literate Ostrogoth princess who overreached politically and was strangled in her bath. While their ends were bleak, these queens did not die without purpose. Their unfortunate lives are colorful cautionary tales for today’s would-be power brokers--a legacy of worldly and womanly wisdom gathered one spectacular regal ruin at a time.