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Every week Tanzanite features upcoming historical fiction and history related non-fiction books that have come to her attention and may be of interest to others. Since she has an out of control TBR pile, so should everyone else!
Cate of the Lost Colony by Lisa Klein. Young Adult. US and UK release date October 12, 2010. Lady Catherine is one of Queen Elizabeth's favorite court maidens—until her forbidden romance with Sir Walter Ralegh is discovered. In a bitter twist of irony, the jealous queen banishes Cate to Ralegh's colony of Roanoke, in the New World. Ralegh pledges to come for Cate, but as the months stretch out, Cate begins to doubt his promise and his love. Instead it is Manteo, a Croatoan Indian, whom the colonists—and Cate—increasingly turn to. Yet just as Cate's longings for England and Ralegh fade and she discovers a new love in Manteo, Ralegh will finally set sail for the New World. Seamlessly weaving together fact with fiction, Lisa Klein's newest historical drama is an engrossing tale of adventure and forbidden love—kindled by one of the most famous mysteries in American history: the fate of the settlers at Roanoke, who disappeared without a trace forty years before the Pilgrims would set foot in Plymouth.
In the Footsteps of Robert the Bruce by Alan Young and Michael Stead. Non-fiction. US reissue November 1, 2010; this edition already released in the UK. A superbly illustrated journey through the tumultuous landscape and fascinating events of the notorious life of Robert the Bruce. Exploring Robert the Bruce's "kingdom" from the North of England to the Scottish Highlands, this gorgeously illustrated tome illuminates the little-known facts about this Scottish legend. For more than 600 years, Robert the Bruce has had a unique place in Scottish history. Yet behind the legendary hero-king is a complex—and in many ways more fascinating—picture. He was a man who not only led his nation to a famous victory over the English at Bannockburn, but who overcame great odds to win power for himself in Scotland and fulfill his family's long-held ambition for political power. This book, illustrated with color and black-and-white photographs, takes the reader on Bruce's journey—from his birth in southwest Scotland to his kingship and triumph at Bannockburn. Here are the sites and settings associated with Robert the Bruce and those he fought, perfect for any visitor to Scotland or the North of England wanting to learn more about the myth and the man.
Revealing King Arthur by Christopher Gidlow. US release November 1, 2010; released in the UK in May. An investigation into what archaeology tells us about King Arthur’s Dark-Age Britain. What lies behind the legends of King Arthur? Fragments of history, or just wishful thinking? While historians study the ancient manuscripts, modern archaeologists join in the hunt for clues. From Arthur’s "birthplace" at Tintagel to the fabled "Isle of Avalon," this history sifts through the evidence. Journeying across Arthur’s Britain, the author searches for Camelot and the sites of his battles. Do the remains confirm or contradict the traditional accounts? Far from providing objective proof, he shows how archaeologists’ interpretation of their discoveries reflects the academic fashions of their times. Sites which in the 1960s were used to prove King Arthur’s existence are now seen as irrelevant to the discussion of a completely mythical character. By comparing the written sources with the archaeology he shows that the traditional image of Arthur leading the Britons against the Saxons around the year 500 AD is actually a very plausible explanation of the evidence.The Inventory of King Henry VIII: Textiles and Dress by Maria Hayward and Philip Ward. Non-fiction. US release November 15, 2010. The Inventory is not only a catalogue of magnificence but also a key text for evaluating the successes and failures of the Tudor monarchy. Henry VIII had extravagant ideas of image and authority and loved his possessions, amongst which where over 2,000 pieces of tapestry, 2,028 items of gold and silver plate and 41 growns. Although he left the country with heavy debts and an empty exchequer, he was far from bankrupting the monarchy as some scholars have suggested. Indeed the Inventory allows us to calculate that at the time of his death the contents of his palaces and wardrobes were worth about 300,000 GBP and the military and naval stores a further 300,000 GBP. Most of what the King owned has unfortunately since disappeared. Yet the Inventory tells us what once existed, enables us to identify surviving objects and also helps identify what once belonged to him. The transcription of the inventory is accompanied by a historical introduction, a glossary of technical terms, and an exhaustive Index which is a major tool of scholarship in its own right.
The Darling Strumpet by Gillian Bagwell. US and UK release January 2011. The Darling Strumpet is a vivid and richly detailed historical novel that puts the reader smack in the tumultuous world of seventeenth century London. Based on the life of Nell Gwynn, who rose from the streets to become one of London's most beloved actresses and the life-long mistress of the King, the book opens on May 29, 1660, when the exiled King Charles II rides into London on his thirtieth birthday to reclaim his throne after the death of Oliver Cromwell. Among the celebratory crowds is ten-year-old runaway Nell Gwynn, determined to create a better life for herself and to become someone to be reckoned with....
The Irish Princess by Karen Harper. US release February 2011. Not much information yet, but I found this brief summary: The Irish Princess is about Elizabeth Fitzgerald, the uncrowned princess of Ireland. The Tudors tried to destroy her family, and she lived in the Tudor court for quite a while.
Pale Rose of England by Sandra Worth. US and UK release February 2011. (from Sandra’s Web site)PALE ROSE OF ENGLAND, based on the life of the Scottish princess, Lady Catherine Gordon, is the last to be set during the Wars of the Roses. Alone in the glittering but deadly Tudor court, with four marriages made for love in an era when men control the destiny of women, Catherine’s life unfolds a tale of tragedy and triumph that proves her a rose for all seasons, one who dares defy the tyranny of kings.
Love the new background. Yet more books to add to my fantasy basket on Amazon. Particularly want the Robert the Bruce book.
May 26, 2010 10:07 AM
Oh wow, thanks for the wishlist...now a bunch of these are going on my own LOL!
May 26, 2010 10:15 AM
excuse me.. where am I again??
LOVE the changes! =)
May 26, 2010 2:39 PM
I'm glad folks like the new background. I've been wanting to change it for a while but just needed some time to do it. I thought about changing the header picture as well, but it gave me some fits this morning so I decided that was a project for another day...
May 26, 2010 2:45 PM
Cat of the Lost Colony sounds good and I don't normally like books set in colonial days. It must be that history class I had way back when.
May 26, 2010 7:08 PM
The young adult book looks interesting. Thanks for posting YA. :) So many people overlook it.
May 26, 2010 7:51 PM
Great picks. Cate of the Lost Colony sounds really good and I just love that cover!
May 30, 2010 11:57 AM