Tag Archives: Britain

The Last Kingdom

Posted on November 21, 2010 by smellincoffee

The Last Kingdom© 2005 Bernard Cornwell333 pages My name is Uhtred. I am the son of Uhtred, who was the son of Uhtred and his father was also called Uhtred.[…]   I look at those parchments, which are deeds saying … Continue reading →

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Britain: At the Edge of the World?

Posted on November 18, 2010 by smellincoffee

A History of Britain: At the Edge of the World? 3500 B.C. – 1603 A.D.© 2000 Simon Schama414 pages Image from audio-book version, as I could not find a suitable image for the standard cover. I get the feeling that … Continue reading →

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Innocent Traitor

Posted on September 13, 2010 by smellincoffee

Innocent Traitor: A Novel of Lady Jane Grey© 2006 Alison Weir402 pages I just found Alison Weir this year and have thus far enjoyed her work in history and historical fiction. Innocent Traitor marked her introduction to historical fiction, and since … Continue reading →

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Captive Queen

Posted on July 31, 2010 by smellincoffee

Captive Queen: A Novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine © 2010 Alison Weir 478 pages My life, when it is written, will read better than it lived. Henry Fitz-Empress, first Plantagenet, a king at twenty-one, the ablest soldier of an able … Continue reading →

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The Life of Elizabeth I

Posted on July 18, 2010 by smellincoffee

The Life of Elizabeth I© 1998, 2003 Alison Weir542 pages “She certainly is a great queen […]. Just look how well she governs! She is only a woman, only mistress of half an island, and yet she makes herself feared by Spain, … Continue reading →

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The Lady Elizabeth

Posted on May 15, 2010 by smellincoffee

The Lady Elizabeth© 2008 Alison Weir480 pages “Can you do what you like when you are king? [Elizabeth] asked, a whole new vista of freedom opening up in her mind. “Of course I can,” her father replied. “People have to … Continue reading →

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The Road to Wigan Pier

Posted on March 21, 2010 by smellincoffee

The Road to Wigan Pier© 1937 George Orwell191 pages, including forward for members of the Left Book Club.  (My own copy: I adore tattered old paperbacks.)        I read this primarily for a European history class taught by … Continue reading →

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A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court

Posted on March 5, 2010 by smellincoffee

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court  © 1889 Mark Twain (alias Samuel Clemens) Bantam Classic edition, 274 pages I read A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court along with other highly-esteemed literature as a child through the ‘Great Illustrated … Continue reading →

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The Prince and the Pauper

Posted on July 4, 2009 by smellincoffee

The Prince and the Pauper: A Tale for Young People of All Ages © 1882 Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) 212 pages In my youth I read many “classic” works of literature, but I did so through a series of children’s … Continue reading →

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Life in a Medieval Castle

Posted on October 26, 2008 by smellincoffee

Life in a Medieval Castle© Frances and Joseph Gies 1974Harper & Row, NY261 Pages A few years ago while wandering aimlessly in a bookstore — a good way to spend one’s time, I might add — I happened upon a … Continue reading →

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