Brilliant Historical Novel
345100
Brilliant historical novel of the Warsaw Ghetto and the Nazi extermination and enslavement of the Jewish people and other nationalities.  Should be mandatory reading for High School History courses.
1065390
An Engaging story of High Treason, Courage, and Love

The Popish Midwife by Annelisa Christensen is a beautifully written historical fiction that captures the readers attention right from the start.

If you have ever thought that history is boring, take another look at it through the eyes of this talented writer. Christensens entertaining, enlightening and horrendous account of life in seventeenth Century England, and in particular in the life of Elizabeth Cellier, will definitely change your mind.

As Christensen introduces the reader to the life of this unforgettable crusader, the reader is eloquently transported to seventeenth century England where just existing is a challenge. She tells of horrific living conditions where there is no sanitation; all human waste and garbage is thrown into the streets and is carried away with the rain and on the hems of the womens dresses. The filth and odors bring forth rats that carry disease. The bubonic plague and a massive fire assaults London bringing death and strife.  It is also a time of great political and religious upheaval where innocents are thrown in jail for their beliefs. The reader quickly recognizes and becomes privy to the unbelievable hardships that English families faced in the 1600s.

Those of you that know the story of Elizabeth Cellier from your English history will delight in the detail that Ms. Christensen creatively expounds on in her story. Elizabeth Lizzie Cellier was a brave and courageous woman.  She was truly one of substance and importance, and one who acted boldly when faced with the mistreatment of Catholics. She was also a sensitive and caring midwife who desperately felt that it was her duty to help her fellow countrymen/women while sometimes jeopardizing her own life and family.

The comprehensive research that Ms. Christensen obviously completed in order to write The Popish Midwife is mind-boggling. Ms. Christensen digs deep into historical facts to weave a truly captivating story for her readers.

This moving tale is not only a love story set in the seventeenth century between an English woman and her French husband. It is also a love story between a woman and her neighbors, and a woman and the ill treated. It is a tale of a caring woman whose heart ached for the injustices that abounded around her. This book is a timeless tale of endurance and hope.

I highly recommend this well-written book to history lovers as well as to readers looking for an engaging story of high treason, courage and love. The Popish Midwife, both the woman and the book, left this reader in awe of the gutsy and spirited Ms. Cellier, as well as of its author, Annelisa Christensen.
258596
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!!  Aside from being a great, cannot put it down read, the historical aspects are fascinating.
33629
Loved this book! I could not put it down! The characters are all so well written and interesting. Plus, the historic cultural differences expertly woven into the story were just fascinating. I'm getting ready to read it again.
2311331
A brilliant piece of comparative history. Written with panache and wit, you won't be able to put down this book. Informed by a keen sense of history, it reads like a first-rate piece of journalism. A must-read.
4729822
This is, beyond a doubt, one of the best written historical novels I have ever read.  Laurel Corona paints a vivid portrait of 17th and 18th century Venetian life, examining the roles of women in society and in the ospedale (orphanages) that earned their money from womens' choruses and orchestras.  Using the premise of two sisters left to the ospedale, each choosing a different path, makes an interesting contrast between the two realms.  Maddalena, a gifted violinist, chooses to remain in the cloistered life of the ospedale so that she may continue to work with the brilliant priest/composer Antonio Vivaldi.  Chiaretta, a brilliant vocalist, chooses marriage to escape the cloister, even though it means she is not to sing in public again.

Corona has carefully researched the period's music, social mores, architecture, government and so on.  Her careful attention to detail brings this distant and very different world to life and draws the reader into it as though one is present with her characters.  The musicality of her prose is ideal for describing the world in which Vivaldi composed.

Highly recommended to fans of the genre, classical music afficionados, and those interested in womens' history.
2197961
A truly wondrous book, full of historical interest and brilliantly written. This is a real page turner.
2802002
Odin's Child is one of the best historical novels I've ever read, and I can't think of any that surpasses it. It is a fantastic read, both for its genre and as a novel in general. The book moves along like an old-time serialwhen one chapter ended I couldn't help but plunge onwards into the next one. The characters are so richly drawn. Odd Tangle-Hair is a great hero, an intriguing mixture of realistic strengths and weaknesses, and his adventures are driven in large part by his spirit being at odds with the new ways of 11th century Scandinavia. His capabilities are convincing and as a Viking warrior-skald, he embodies many of the chief cultural qualities of the era.

Nietzsche would have loved MacBain's depiction of the effects of Christianity on the spirit of the Scandinavians, and the treatment of the clash between new religion and old paganism is profound. The sea writing, a favorite genre of mine, is superb, as is the insight into the contrasts between Iceland, Norway, Finland, and their settlements and environments. Landscapes and battle scenes are vivid and well-researched. MacBain also captures all the mystery and weird variety of tribes that existed in this strange, transitional world. He captures northern Europe when the cities were little more than glorified ports and trading towns, its kings war chieftains, its violent past still very much in play, but with change already underway. And one more tip of the hat to the amazing cast of characters! Superb.
3063855
If you are going to read one historical novel, this is the one. I have  read many good books but this one was a masterpiece. The story draws you in  so quickly that you soon forget about everything else. I failed an exam  because of it and have never regreted it.
2653620
Song at Dawn by Jean Gill is a fabulous historical novel.

It is the story of Estela, a gifted young musician, who is swept up into the retinue of one my favourite historical characters of all time: Alinor (Eleanor) of Aquitaine.  Then the Queen of France, the cultured Alinor takes Estela on a visit to the court of Ermengarde, Viscomtesse of Narbonne, where the natural talent of the beautiful girl is tutored by the dashing Knight and troubadour, Dragonetz.

Rich in historical detail, this novel brings alive the political intrigue, culture and harsh reality of court life in the twelfth century.  Despite their scheming and their obvious rivalry, I loved the characters of Ermengarde and Alinor. Two of the most powerful women in European history, they shared a common passion and jointly promoted the ideal of `Courtly Love', while surrounded on all sides by would-be assassins, misogynistic churchmen, jealous noblemen and the problems caused by unwanted, inept husbands.

Weaving through this ambitious novel is the wonderful and tender love story of the mysterious Estela and the ambitious Dragonetz.  Determined to thwart the bigoted clergy in both their business monopoly over paper, and in their plots to cleanse France of Jews and Muslims, Dragonetz is a complex and wily adversary as well as a brave, loyal and attractive lover; a hero for our own time.

I found the politics and the large cast of unfamiliar, foreign names a little confusing at first, but my perseverance was well-rewarded and I thoroughly enjoyed Song at Dawn. This is an intelligent and entertaining historical novel which vividly brings alive the mediaeval era and major characters of the time.
3187008
A fantastically written look into a less-developed side of the Henry VIII saga.  Virtually everyone is familiar with Anne Boleyn, the first wife of Henry VIII to be decapitated.  However, few people are familiar with her sister, Mary Boleyn.  The novel is based on historical events, but is historical fiction.  It is a brilliantly imagined work that delves into the darker side of the Boleyn family and their quest for power at all costs.

Philippa Gregory is a gifted story-teller with a flourishing imagination.  I devoured this 600-odd page novel in a matter of hours.  I would highly recommend this book to anyone curious about this time period.
Her writing is fulfilling, keeping you guessing at every turn.  It is amazing that she is able to keep the reader so intrigued when one can be fairly certain how events will unfold.  (But you may be surprised!)
Pick this novel up and you will not be disappointed.  Enjoy!
662615
Rarely does a book keep me so fixated that I literally cannot put it down.  Peter Cottrell's novel, "England's Janissary," is one of these books!  Cottrell's brilliantly written work is a wonderful piece of historical fiction.  He does a masterful job of incorporating historical events and characters around the fictious ones in his story.  The tactics and attitudes of those serving in the Royal Irish Constabulary and in the IRA are also incorporated within the novel in a realistic way. As such, it adds to the context of the story line and provides a sobering look into the struggles of the day in Ireland.
High praise is also given to the way Cottrell artfully keeps the story line unpredictable and the characters, particularly Kevin Flynn, fascinating to read about. In my opinion, a good story is one that always keeps you wanting more. "England's Janissary" is one of these stories.  Well done Mr. Cottrell! I hope to see more of your work in the future and I would certainly encourage anyone looking for an excellent novel to read "England's Janissary!"
Although "England's Janissary" is a work of historical fiction, Cottrell is also an accomplished historian authoring two premiere books on the troubles in Ireland entitled, "The Anglo-Irish War: The Troubles of 1913-1922" and "The Irish Civil War 1922-23. Both books are excellent reads!
2242337
This book will keep you hooked from the very start. The story is brilliantly played out, with a unique tale paired excellently with historical photographs. The pictures especially make this book something special. I highly reccomend it to readers of all ages.
4612330
A brilliant journey into an alternative and almost mythical retelling of pivotal moments of the American Revolution of almost biblical proportions, seamlessly blending the struggle of a new and rising nation with that of those who blaze their own trail beyond their own heavenly confines.

Filled with believable and instantly memorable characters , well crafted backdrops and a bevy of well researched historical scenarios and icons, this is a highly recommended read for any and all fans of historical fiction erring on the side of the fantastic.
2134634
One of the best historical novels I've read. Not being a historian, I can't vouch for its veracity, but it is a great read and is very convincing. Thoroughly enjoyable!
3230356
Beautifully written book.
A great historical novel with strong, believable characters.
Looking forward to the third volume of this series.
3415700
I am an independent scholar in this area of history, and I don't remember the last time I've read such an interesting book.  I wish I could give it ten stars!  The author uses three known authors of the story of Richard III and turns the book into a very enticing mystery, asking the questions we've always wanted to ask.  Varying points of view are brilliantly presented, and since Richard's skeleton has been discovered just a few years ago, the timing of this book is great.  I found, as I read this terrific writing, that I could take off my historian blinders and just enjoy this really good read.  I could go into detail that would make everyone except Richard historians fall asleep, so I won't.  But I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a juicy history about the last Plantagenet and his famous family.