History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Average customer rating:

Boring
Complex and passionate
So disappointing.
Very good read
If you like the first one. . .

The Courtesan: A Novel
Susan Carroll
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Mystery & Thriller Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Romance Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0345437977
Release Date: 2005-07-26

Book Description

Skilled in passion, artful in deception, and driven by betrayal, she is the glittering center of the royal court–but the most desired woman of Renaissance France will draw the wrath of a dangerous adversary.

Paris, 1575. The consort of some of Europe’s most influential men, Gabrielle Cheney is determined to secure her future by winning the heart of Henry, the Huguenot king of Navarre. As his mistress, Gabrielle hopes she might one day become the power behind the French throne. But her plans are jeopardized by Captain Nicolas Rémy, a devoted warrior whose love Gabrielle desires–and fears–above all. She will also incur the malevolence of the Dark Queen, Catherine de’ Medici, whose spies and witch-hunters are legion, and who will summon the black arts to maintain her authority. With the lives of those she loves in peril, Gabrielle must rebel against her queen to fulfill a glorious destiny she has sacrificed everything to gain.

Alive with vivid period detail and characters as vibrant as they are memorable, The Courtesan is a sweeping historical tale of dangerous intrigues, deep treachery, and one woman’s unshakable resolve to honor her heart.

Download Description

Chapter One

Gabrielle Cheney peered through the slits of her mask, picking her way carefully along the path overgrown with weeds. The courtyard of the Maison d’ Esprit was silent as a ceme- tery and twice as eerie. The moon cast a pale light over moss- blackened fountains and broken statuary. Some headless saint presided over the withered remains of a rose garden. The flowers were long gone, but the thorns were not, one branch catching at the hem of Gabrielle’s cloak.

As she bent to free herself, she was beset by the troubling sensation that had afflicted her all evening. The feeling that she was being followed. Straightening, she curled her fingers over the hilt of the sword hidden beneath her cloak and whirled around. The iron gate and stone wall were nothing more than vague outlines in the fog-bound night. But as she stared, another figure took shape, that of a tall proud warrior.

Her hand fell away from the sword and she uttered a soft choked cry. Not of fear, but more of despair because she had seen the silhouette of this man far too many times in her dreams. She took a step forward only to check the motion, knowing it would do her no good. There would be no smile to greet her, no strong arms to welcome her because he didn’t exist, this phantom man. All she would find was empty space and silence.

Ghosts left no footfalls and memories cast no shadows, except perhaps on the human heart. She watched the figure of the man evaporate into the mist as he always did. Gabrielle had never once seen his face, but she knew beyond certainty who he was.

Nicolas Remy, the captain from Navarre. Whether it was his ghost she kept seeing or only a figment of her own tormented imagination, the effect was always the same. Gabrielle’s heart constricted with sorrow and guilt.

“Oh, Remy,” she murmured. “I’ve asked your forgiveness a thousand times. What more do you want from me? Why can’t you leave me in peace?”

She knew she would never gain any answer to that question, at least not in this damp, misty courtyard. With one last glance behind her, Gabrielle turned and hastened toward the house.

The stone manor loomed ahead of her, splintered wood and a great hole where the front door should be, gaping like the jagged mouth of some fierce beast ready to devour her. But Gabrielle feared the ghosts of her own memories far more than she did the sinister aspect of the house. Besides she knew the truth behind the legends of the Maison d’Esprit far better than the superstitious Parisians who blessed themselves every time they had to pass those rusting gates.

Easing past the shattered remains of the door, she entered the house, the darkness swallowing her. The boarded-up windows blocked out what pale moonlight there was to be had. Gabrielle stripped off her mask and reached beneath her cloak for the large pouch fastened to her belt. She groped until she found the candle set in its small brass holder, along with the tinderbox she had brought. After much fumbling between flint and wick, she managed to coax the taper to light.

The tiny flame spluttered to life, casting a small circle of illumination. Gabrielle moved deeper into the room that yawned before her, the grit crunching beneath her feet. Holding up the candle, she surveyed the wreckage of the once-magnificent great hall. The bishop had done very handsomely by his mistress until the witch-hunters had come.

A beautiful high table of carved oak had been pulled from the dais and overturned, the broken remains of chairs and stools littered nearby. Tapestries had been dragged from the walls and sliced to ribbons, the musty scent of rotting wool heavy in the air. Even the iron candelabrum had been wrenched from the ceiling and left with its chain snaking around it. Everything was coated with thick cobwebs as though time had sought to weave a shroud for this house. <

Customer Reviews:

Boring.......2007-08-29

After reading the first book in the trilogy and loving it, I eagerly started this one. It was so bad I read about 1/3 and haven't picked it up again.

Complex and passionate.......2007-08-08

Three years have passed since we last met the ladies of the Faire Isle. Gabrielle Cheney's fled to Paris, at last reacting to her feelings about her horrific rape, but sadly in the worst possible way - she's become a courtesan in the court of the Dark Queen, Catherine de Medici. If she can't control men lusting after her beauty, at least she can `use' them herself. No man has her love like Captain Remy - nicknamed the Scourge - and he died in the bloody massacre on St. Bartholomew's Eve three years ago. ...Or did he? To her stunned surprise he's very much alive, and still the battered soldier of her heart. Ah, but romance isn't that easy. Remy`s incredibly torn. He loves and adores Gabrielle, but is desperate that his king - a captive in Catherine's court - escape and rule Navarre. However, the king wants Gabrielle (and his country, of course, but everything in due time), and Remy - an honourable soldier - must bow to his king's desires! The powerful, dangerous Catherine de Medici craves the fabled Book Of Shadows, a book rumoured to contain the blackest secrets of magic known to mankind. She'll do anything to get it, and to maintain her foul, evil reign, and her hold over Gabrielle and Remy. Then there's Simon, the youthful witch hunter from The Dark Queen. He's now adult, a scarred, terrifying threat to all the daughters of the earth, hunting them down for trial (and death). ...Well! It's best to just dive into this book, stunning in its romance, and enriched with the tapestry of real history woven around the incredible plot.

So disappointing........2007-04-06

This was a book club choice, and as an example of a book I would likely never have chosen myself, it was perfect. If you're looking for a historical novel, however, pass on this one. Sure, there are historical characters in it, but the book isn't about any of them. The book is a romance novel, full of angst, longing, yearning, needing, and burning, unrelenting passion. Clothes get ripped off, lips are crushed by violent, demanding (and ultimately answered, of course) kisses, and the whole thing is wrapped in a bunch of personal history and shame that just drags out the drama. Get most of these folks on a therapist's couch for some group discussion for about 45 minutes and there wouldn't be a book here.

Beyond that, the writing is just clunky. Character development and history (such as it is) comes at the reader with no subtlety at all. Taking a positive spin, this is a really quick read because you can skip big chunks of each page.

If you're looking for some light beach reading, this isn't the worst you could find. Even though this isn't set in the same period, I kept finding myself wishing I was just reading Mists of Avalon again instead of this, if I was going to read about "wise women" and witchcraft, so if that's what drew, I would suggest Mists instead.

Very good read.......2007-02-18

I thoughly enjoyed this book, as much or more than "The Dark Queen." The characters were more flawed in this one, and I liked Remy and Gabrielle the best from the beginning. I am a fan of this series; much more than the "Bridefinders."

If you like the first one. . ........2007-01-04

If you enjoyed The Dark Queen you will enjoy this piece. I always seem to think the first one is best and hence the second installment is still wonderful and exciting. It still has adventure converged with a love story and a sense of healing. I love the themes of the book.

Average customer rating:

The Dark Queen
The Dark Queen(my opinion)
quick, light read. not what i expected.
An Enchanted Adventure!
Dark Fluff

The Dark Queen: A Novel
Susan Carroll
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0345437969
Release Date: 2005-03-29

Book Description

From Brittany’s misty shores to the decadent splendor of Paris’s royal court, one woman must fulfill her destiny–while facing the treacherous designs of Catherine de Medici, the dark queen.

She is Ariane, the Lady of Faire Isle, one of the Cheney sisters, renowned for their mystical skills and for keeping the isle secure and prosperous. But this is a time when women of ability are deemed sorceresses, when Renaissance France is torn by ruthless political intrigues, and all are held in thrall to the sinister ambitions of Queen Catherine de Medici. Then a wounded stranger arrives on Faire Isle, bearing a secret the Dark Queen will do everything in her power to possess. The only person Ariane can turn to is the comte de Renard, a nobleman with fiery determination and a past as mysterious as his own unusual gifts.

Riveting, vibrant, and breathtaking, The Dark Queen follows Ariane and Renard as they risk everything to prevent the fulfillment of a dreadful prophecy–even if they must tempt fate and their own passions.

Download Description

She is Ariane, the Lady of Faire Isle, one of the Cheney sisters, renowned for their mystical skills and for keeping the isle secure and prosperous. But this is a time when women of ability are deemed sorceresses, when Renaissance France is torn by ruthless political intrigues, and all are held in thrall to the sinister ambitions of Queen Catherine de Medici. Then a wounded stranger arrives on Faire Isle, bearing a secret the Dark Queen will do everything in her power to possess. The only person Ariane can turn to is the comte de Renard, a nobleman with fiery determination and a past as mysterious as his own unusual gifts. Riveting, vibrant, and breathtaking, The Dark Queen follows Ariane and Renard as they risk everything to prevent the fulfillment of a dreadful prophecy–even if they must tempt fate and their own passions.

Customer Reviews:

The Dark Queen.......2007-06-03

Wow. When i first got this book i thought it was going to resemble Philippa Gregory's 16th century English Historical books, only in France instead of England. I couldnt have been more wrong! But i am not dissapointed! This novel is more a romance novel than a Historical fiction, although it does teach you a few things here and there. And it actually didnt have much to do with The Dark Queen, as its title suggests. I loved this book. The entire thing! I could hardly put it down. I would deffinitely recomend this book. The love story tugs at your heart and puts a smile on your face!

The Dark Queen(my opinion).......2007-05-13

I haven't finished the book yet(being very busy),but I liked it from page 1 and I am going to read the sequels too,in due time.

quick, light read. not what i expected........2007-02-13

I mistook this for a historical novel, but it is really better described as a historical romance. Additionally, it was much more fantasy than anything remotely factual. It was enjoyable enough, but i won't get the 2 sequel stories.

An Enchanted Adventure!.......2006-07-30

I found The Dark Queen by Susan Carroll to be a whole lot of fun. It's a historical romance set in 1572 when Catherine de Medici rules the throne in France.

Airiane Cheney is Lady of Faire Isle, a title bestowed upon her after the death of her mother, and a Daughter of the Earth (a healer). She takes the her mother's former role reluctantly, and continually questions how well she can aid those around her, having little faith in herself.

A captain arrives on Faire Isle and seeks out Airiane's help to prove that the queen, Catherine de Medici, has murdered another queen, Jeanne of Navarre, through the use of poisonous gloves. She agrees to help and we quickly find ourselves deep in a plot of intrigue.

She must contend with the Dark Queen's solders seeking out the gloves as well -- evidence must always be destroyed you know. There are also witch hunters out on the prowl and as a Daughter of the Earth, they see her and those like her as witches too. As their guardian, she must protect and care for her younger sisters, Gabrielle and Mirabelle, too. Plus, there is the dashing Comte de Renard, who is vying for her attention and filled with his own dark mysteries as well.

Yes, this story is one that's chock full of adventure, mystery, humor, love, and all those great moments in between.

A wonderful book indeed!

Dark Fluff.......2006-07-19

This is delightful, summertime fluff. The characters are interesting, the bad guys are creepy and the history (Catherine de Medici and St. Bartholomew's Eve) is real. The fantasy the author spins around the events leading up to the slaughter is an enchantment in itself. Only the language itself falls short of the story. The dialogue is sometimes stilted and the sporadic use of French feels forced. All in all the book is a good bet for a pool side read.

Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France

Average customer rating:

Tough book to get through, but worth it
A very interesting book
An informative read for Renaissance history buffs
Great and precise account of a decisive woman
REVIEW OF LEONIE FRIEDA'S CATHERINE DE MEDICI BY JOHN CHUCKMAN

Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France
Leonie Frieda
Manufacturer: Fourth Estate
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Historical | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0060744928
Release Date: 2005-01-18

Customer Reviews:

Tough book to get through, but worth it.......2007-10-07

I found this book tough going, and it glossed over whole stretches of time in order, no doubt, to cover Catherine's life in less than a thousand pages. Overall, though, I enjoyed sections, and I'm interested to read more about this fascinating Queen.

A very interesting book.......2007-04-05

Caterina Maria Romola di Lorenzo de' Medici was born in Italy in 1519, and in 1533 was married to King Henry II of France. When Henry died in 1552, Catherine moved from the shadows to become the all-powerful Queen-Mother, the ruler of France in all but name only. However, in an era of schemes and machinations, Catherine gained a reputation as the ultimate schemer, a woman without scruples or bounds. This is the story of Catherine de Medici from birth to death.

Overall, I found this to be a very interesting book. The author wanted to humanize Catherine, and to show her as an able power-politics player in an age when it was played by the best. In a way, she succeeded ably. Catherine is shown not to have been "the Maggot from Italy's Tomb" (as Jules Michelet termed her), but rather a mother seeking to help and protect her children in a very dangerous world. But, she only had so much to work with.

In fact, the author shows that Catherine was unable to give affection to her children, something they had to go to their father for, and while she might have been forced into the role of schemer, she embraced the role without scruple. Was she "La Nouvelle Jezebel?" Reading this book, I think so.

Yes, this is a very interesting book, one that goes a long way towards bringing Catherine to life, and making her understandable to the modern reader. I enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it!

An informative read for Renaissance history buffs.......2006-12-19

I highly recommend this book to people who want to know more about the Medici family and its illustrious member who became the Queen of France.

Catherine de Medici had 10 children: three became French kings, one became Queen of Spain (as wife of Philip II). Her youngest son was a serious candidate to wed England's Queen Elizabeth.

The Queen Mother was a lavish spender who insisted on mounting extravagant "magnificences" in total disregard for France's precarious financial state. She would even impose taxes on the ever-suffering populace to finance her exercises of excess. She formed her own company of scantily clad dancing girls ("the flying squadron") which proved quite popular.

Catherine was not a hardcore religious type (like Spain's Philip II) but attended Mass regularly. She was not threatened by the rise of Protestantism and sought to meet their demands by peaceful means. She was superstitious: when a seer predicted the death of her husband King Henry II at a tournament, she begged him not to compete (he did anyway and was killed in an accident).

She presided over eight Wars of Religion: civil wars between Protestants fighting for their right to worship freely, and Catholics trying to keep the country from splitting apart. The author discusses Catherine's many diplomatic efforts to resolve the difficulties peacefully. But treacherous behavior among hardcore Huguenots eventually hardened her attitude, culminating in the disastrous Massacre of St Bartholomew of 1572, which killed as many as 30,000 men, women, and children all over France.

Catherine loved architecture, ate heartily (she was fat), and was an enthusiastic horseback rider. She adored her husband Henry II even though he preferred to spend his time with a mistress. She worshipped her son King Henri III, a transvestite who frequently ignored his royal duties to spend time with his young male companions ("mignons").

Catherine was not what contemporary thinkers would call a "good mother." While she worshipped Henri, she ignored her other children. At the outset of the Massacre of 1572, she put her daughter Margot in mortal danger by allowing her to stay at the Louvre, even though the building was about to be overrun by assassins. Years later, Catherine even proposed "eliminating" Margot in order to allow her husband Henri of Navarre to marry a woman who was more capable of bearing children.

I would not call this a "sympathetic" biography. While the author emphasizes Catherine's diplomatic efforts, the Queen Mother clearly lived up to the Medicis' darker reputation by approving numerous political assassinations.

This book is full of interesting information, and also contains several full-color illustrations.

Great and precise account of a decisive woman.......2006-07-01

When i picked up this book my expectations were not that high but from the moment i started reading i was captivated by the authors way of telling the story.The author does a very good job in describing Catherine and her struggles from an early childhood until she became the Queen of France. The author's style is flawless and goes straight to the point in describing all the plots and treaties that happened in that time and their importance towards Italy,France and Spain.This is a great book that not only highlights Catherine struggles to keep the dinasty afloat but also because she makes us undestand all the main characters and their problems.Excellent work!!

REVIEW OF LEONIE FRIEDA'S CATHERINE DE MEDICI BY JOHN CHUCKMAN.......2006-02-04

This book is an interesting failure. It is well worth reading and contains many interesting passages, but Ms. Frieda fails in her stated aim of creating a more sympathetic understanding of Catherine de Medici and the difficulties under which she labored.

Catherine is widely seen as a talented, scheming and ruthless power-behind-the-throne figure, doing almost anything to promote and protect her children which included two Kings of France. Catherine's era overlaps that of a truly great queen, England's Elizabeth I, so her story includes figures such as Mary Queen of Scots and Philip II of Spain and includes the great waves of violence that crashed across Europe following the Reformation. You just can't come up with better historical material.

Ms. Frieda does a creditable job of telling her story, at times rising to gripping narrative as when she describes events around the Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre, an orgy of killing in which something on the order of ten to twenty thousand Huguenots were slaughtered, many having their throats cut in their beds.

Ms. Frieda's explanation of Catherine's role in the Massacre is that she only wanted to have a small group of leaders killed while conveniently gathered for the wedding of Henri of Navarre, a Protestant of Valois blood, and Catherine's daughter, Margot. Ms. Frieda's thesis is that what was to be a small "surgical operation" got completely out of hand with Paris mobs taking to killing anyone even suspected of being a Protestant, as though killing a group of guests at a royal wedding, had it gone no further, would have been just fine.

Ms. Frieda is not the first to put the thesis forward, but it fails utterly to soften our view of Catherine. There is little proof supporting Frieda's interpretation, but, in ordinary common law, if you commit a crime that generates a still bigger crime, you are not free of guilt. Beyond that, no one knew better than Catherine, after all her terrible experience with French Catholic-Protestant relations, what a seething place Catholic Paris was. To have Admiral Coligny, a much-admired Huguenot, and other high officials assassinated at that time in that place was criminally stupid, apart from all considerations of ethics and proper statecraft.

She wheedled her mentally-unbalanced son, Charles IX, into agreeing to the vicious plan, in part out of her sick jealousy over Coligny's friendship and influence with the King. When Charles, in one of his maniacal rages, finally roared his infamous "Kill them all" order, shouldn't the supposedly careful and subtle Catherine have understood how the words could be misinterpreted?

One can't avoid seeing Catherine as the classic over-protective, hot-house mother, willing to forgive her bloody awful darlings anything, willing to do almost anything for them. Such people always do a great deal of harm in ordinary life and even more when they are in high places. This sick trait of Catherine was compounded by the fact that there was raging madness in her Valois-de Medici brood. Charles IX, Henri III, and her daughter Margot, who married the future king, Henri of Navarre, were simply mad, unfit to rule even in ordinary times, but these were not ordinary times. There was Catherine working feverishly for their interests, effectively against the interests of France as a whole.

Other unsavory aspects of Catherine's character come through even in this book. Her horrible execution, many years later, of the Count de Montgomery, the man who accidentally killed her husband, Henri II, in a jousting entertainment, is just one. Henri, who had insisted on another joust, had publicly forgiven the man as he lay dying. Catherine waited for many years to take her bloody revenge. Frieda says this is one of the only examples of her taking vengeance, but that statement comes after having dismissed many convenient deaths, widely suspected at the time to have been poisonings.

Read this book and others - it contains an excellent bibliography - to decide for yourself how best to interpret Catherine's work. You will, in any event, be exposed to interesting times, and you will be glad you aren't living in them.

Average customer rating:

Almost interesting.
Rather Disappointing
Not Linda's best by far, but an excellent story nevertheless.
Nice story, painful French
An excellent read!

Daughter of Silk (The Silk House #1)
Linda Lee Chaikin
Manufacturer: Zondervan Publishing House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Fiction | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Mystery & Thriller Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Religion & Spirituality Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 031026300X

Book Description

A young silk heiress is caught in the dangerous tide of French history during the reign of the evil Queen Mother, Catherine de Medici. Uncovering a diabolical plot, Rachelle joins forces with the handsome rebel Marquis Fabien de Vendome—but will they be in time?

Customer Reviews:

Almost interesting........2007-09-06

I have read several Linda Chaikin books, but this one had so many historical characters and incidents, then a ton of French words thrown in. I finally gave up after 200 pages. It was just too much work to follow the story with the French dictionary, a map of France so you could follow their travels, three family trees, and a two-page list of the characters. If I wanted history, I would just get a history book. I really was looking for historical fiction, emphasis on the fiction. Two stars for all the research that had to have gone into this book. Just no flow to the story.

Rather Disappointing.......2007-01-01

So I was so looking forward to this book. I started to read it and my first thoughts were WHAT??? This doesn't seem to be in L. Chaikin's style at all. I found the characters 2D. They didn't have anything about them that drew me. I found Rachelle rather sappy. Fabien well wasn't very competent. I like stories where they don't have everything happen right but this was just plain retarded. I also like stories w/real history but I felt the story was overwhelmed by the history and just plain rambling of this person and this or such.

Not Linda's best by far, but an excellent story nevertheless........2006-12-18

Linda L. Chaikin has a way of seamlessly weaving together romance, suspense, and history, and she doesn't disappoint in "Daughter of Silk". The plot is exciting and compelling, and it keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end. The romance is slightly rushed, but I enjoyed it anyway, and I'm anxiously awaiting the next book in this series!

Nice story, painful French.......2006-12-17

This book was a quick and easy read. I like how Ms. Chaikin incorporated so much historical fact into her story, the plot line was consistent, and the characters engaging.

However, I couldn't handle her "use" of French. I'm not sure why, but she used many French words in the story rather than English. Simple words such as uncle, or cousin. The latter was consistently misspelled throughout. If you have had even an introductory course in French, then you understand the feminine/masculine conjugations. These grammatical and usage rules were ignored, not only in the spelling, but also with the choice of words. All of the errors were unnecessary as she could have easily said the word in English. The French words and sayings in the book that needed to be written in French were done so correctly, so I wonder how someone who understands it's "chaise longue" rather than "chaise lounge" doesn't understand simple conjugations.

I felt that her attempt at using French words for no reason (those that didn't need to remain in French for idiomatic or cultural reasons) was pretentious, and not even done properly. This upsets me because other than the errors (almost guaranteed one every other page), I really enjoyed the book. The story line and characters hooked me, and even though I'll cringe again when reading the sequel, I know I'm looking forward to it's release.

An excellent read! .......2006-11-17

Linda Chaikin always seems to come through with another great book just when you think her books couldn't get any better. I found Rachelle a refreshing heroine who had actual depth. And who couldn't love Fabien? While Madame Le Serpent practically gave me shivers, her son? Almost gave me nightmares! I love reading books with adventure and realistic villains. I hadn't known much prior to reading this book, about the Hugenots but now find myself facinated with that period of time and the courageous people who fought for their faith, even risking their life. I would recommend this book to anyone who gets sick of sappy Christian romance sometimes. I LOVED THIS BOOK!

Average customer rating:

Lovely, lovely, lovely!
Such a wonderful book!
Wonder blend of fact and fantasy
Quircky entertainment - fun read
An extremely enjoyable book!

The Master of all Desires
Judith Merkle Riley
Manufacturer: Viking Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Health Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0670884502

Book Description

From the novelist with Antonia Fraser's authenticity and Anne Rice's allure comes another "highly enjoyable romp" (Newsday), with a millennial twist

In The Oracle Glass and The Serpent Garden, Judith Merkle Riley enchanted readers with rich, page-turning re-creations of eras past, wicked thumbnail sketches of power players, riotous action, delicious mystery and romance, luminous prose, and feisty heroines with a feminist sensibility. The Master of All Desires has it all, with an extra helping of the occult, clad in Riley's hallmark style and wit.

It is 1556 and the queen's astrologer, the prophet Nostradamus has uncovered a secret that could destroy the kingdom of France. The queen, Catherine de Medicis, a dabbler in black magic, has decided to get rid of the king's mistress by seeking out the legendary Undying Head of Menander the Magus, known as the Master of All Desires. But she does not know that evil befalls all those who wish upon this accursed object. And the head, in its coffer, has fallen into the possession of a charming, wryly perceptive but stubborn young woman: Sybille Artaud de la Roche, a bluestocking poet who needs it to obtain all her desires...beauty, genius, and a dashing, intelligent cavalier. The three-way battle that ensues--a prophet who scorns poetry, a woman in love, and a sly and ruthless queen--is set against the rich, detailed tapestry of a nation on the verge of civil war and a lively constellation of famous figures clustered around Nostradamus, seer of the millennium.

Customer Reviews:

Lovely, lovely, lovely!.......2006-05-07

Judith Merkle Riley is one of my favorite historical fiction authors. Her stories and characters are just offbeat enough to keep me smiling with enjoyment from beginning to end.

In this novel, Sibille Artaud, the daughter of minor nobility and an aspiring, if bad, poet, has unwittingly acquired the "Master Of All Desires": an ornate box containing the undying head of Menander, an ancient evil magician who will grant any wish to anyone, exactly as it is wished. These wishes often result in tragedy and death, and Menander likes it like that. Sibille's accidental possession of this horrific relic brings her to the attention of the French queen Catherine de Medici and the legendary seer Nostradamus, each of whom has an overweening interest in the box and its contents, albeit for differing reasons. How Sibille negotiates the treacherous ground she's encountered and achieves her ultimate destiny makes for a marvelous story. Compelling reading. Highly recommended.

Such a wonderful book!.......2004-12-13

I've been a fan of Riley ever since I read "The Oracle Glass." Lately I've been reading all of her books all at once in a fit of passion for historical fiction. So I've had the distinct pleasure of watching her progress as a writer, getting steadily better and better. This, being her latest, is probably her most well-written book. Maybe not my favorite, but it showcases really suberb writing skills.

One of the great things about it is the humor. Riley's books have always been marketed as humorous, but except for a few sniggers, I always thought they were more dramatic romances. This is the first book of hers that's made me laugh out loud, and often (which is rare in books -- for some reason I'm rather humorless when reading, unless it's done REALLY well). It's a wonderfully frothy book, with a cast that redefines the word 'colorful.' A pair of high-strung lovers, a ball-busting aunt with a house full of ghosts, a malevolent queen, a truculent prophet, and a talking head. (You heard me.) This book is really an ensemble piece, something I don't remember ever seeing pulled off so flawlessly. No one really takes center stage -- despite the ingenue, Sibille, being the plot's focus, she inevitably fighting for your attentions with the hilariously crochety Nostradamus and the charasmatic Catherine de Medici. It's... well, it's just fun.

Or it would be, except for the undeniably dark overtones throughout. "Master of All Desires" contains a lot of fascinating historical and political information of the time, and alludes heavily to an event not portrayed in the book: the Massacre of St. Bartholomew. So I'd reccomend one of my favorite movies, "Queen Margot," in addition to this book. It will give you a future glimpse of many of the (historical) characters, as well as portray the massacre in horrifying detail. It's the only French history I knew of before reading the book, and I think I did okay. So, watch it before, or watch it after. Whatever floats your boat.

My only complaint was the book didn't really stick to the classical stucture of climax, denoument, etc, so I felt like it dragged in places, but that's a purely personal thing. Go out and read this book!

Wonder blend of fact and fantasy.......2003-06-09

What a delightful blending of historical fact to fictional fancy. The story follows a well know historical triangle between Queen Catherine de Medici , her husband, King Henri II, and his lover, Diane de Poitiers. Then through in an elderly and cranky Nostradamus and you've got a funny and entertaining novel.

It would appear that both Queen Catherine and Diane de Poitiers want to get their hands on The Master of All Desires, aka Menander the Undying. Menander is a disembodied head that can grant any wish. The problem is he has a nasty habit of granting your wish, but always with the classic saying "Be careful what you wish for." Meanander is in the hands of a young Sibille Artaud de La Roque who refuses to make a wish and is trying to free herself of Menander so that she can marry her love Nicolas and have a normal life.

The result is a true delight that feels like a modern day Shakespeare comedy. I can't wait to read more of Ms. Riley's work.

My star ratings:

One star - couldn't finish the book
Two stars - read the book, but did a lot of skipping or scanning. Wouldn't add the book to my permanent collection or search out other books by the author
Three stars - enjoyable read. Wouldn't add the book to my permanent collection. Would judge other books by the author individually.
Four stars - Liked the book. Would keep the book or would look for others by the same author.
Five start - One of my all time favorites. Will get a copy in hardback to keep and will actively search out others by the same author.

Quircky entertainment - fun read.......2002-08-10

I enjoy all of JMR's novels of this genre (Oracle Glass & Serpent Garden) - I love the strong willed "underdog" female lead characters, their feminist attitudes in a society that treats them as property, and the sarcastic humor of their other-world friends. I laughed out loud at "the master of all desires" throughout this book. An enjoyable read, lots of fun, set among rich detail.

An extremely enjoyable book!.......2002-01-22

This is my favorite book by Judith M. Riley. I didn't think much of her first book, but I have found that this author has improved with every book. I loved all the characters; they were interesting as well as entertaining. It some aspects, the book had a little "sillyness" thrown about, but this only increased the fun of this book. The way people act in ordinary life is strange- it is fitting that they be just as strange in books! And the little bits of sillyness (I love when the Banker Montavert addresses menander as "monsieur evil head") are perfect bits of surrealism. This book is excellent, truly excellent

Duchessina: A Novel of Catherine de' Medici (Young Royals)

Average customer rating:

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

Duchessina: A Novel of Catherine de' Medici (Young Royals)
Carolyn Meyer
Manufacturer: Harcourt Children's Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Royalty | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Historical | Biographies & Memoirs | Teens | Subjects | Books

Historical Fiction | History & Historical Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books

General | Literature & Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Children's Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Teen Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0152055886

Book Description

Young Catherine de' Medici is the sole heiress to the entire fortune of the wealthy Medici family. But her life is far from luxurious. After a childhood spent locked away behind the walls of a convent, she joins the household of the pope, where at last she can be united with her true love. But, all too soon, that love is replaced with an engagement to a boy who is cold and aloof. It soon becomes clear that Catherine will need all the cunning she can muster to command the respect she deserves as one of France's most powerful queens.

Includes a family tree.

Customer Reviews:

Courtesy of Teens Read Too.......2007-05-31

Catherine de'Medici, Duchessina, grows up in a palace in Florence where her family rules the city. When her family falls out of power, she must flee. She becomes imprisoned within the walls of convents for her protection against the angry mob that calls for her death. At the first convent, the nuns make their hatred of her family no secret.

The Duchessina lives in misery, enduring the pain as best she can under the circumstances. Finally, the tides change and her family once again controls not only Florence but the papacy as well. The Pope, her old guardian, calls for her to live in Rome until he can make arrangements for her future.

As one of the richest woman in Europe, the Pope intends to make an advantageous marriage. He marries the Duchessina off to the Dauphin of France. The Dauphin cares little for his new wife and Catherine's misery continues, but she creates advantages to help ease her pain and eventually finds contentment.

A wonderful outlook on the creation of Madame Serpent, remembered in history as the "girl who endured." Carolyn Meyer takes another historical princess and adds strong characters and rich details to spin a delightful tale.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Rummel

Average customer rating:

Drama Galore!

Catherine De' Medici
Honore de Balzac
Manufacturer: Dodo Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1406506192

Book Description

You will never have a safer and more sincere friend than your mother, or better servants than those who have been so long attached to her person, without whose services you might perhaps not even exist to-day. The Guises want both your life and your throne, be sure of that. If they could sew me into a sack and fling me into the river," she said, pointing to the Seine, "it would be done to-night.

Download Description

Customer Reviews:

Drama Galore!.......2005-12-20

Balzac guided European fiction away from the overriding influence of Walter Scott and the Gothic school, by showing that modern life could be recounted as vividly as Scott recounted his historical tales, and that mystery and intrigue did not need ghosts and crumbling castles for props. Maupassant, Flaubert and Zola were writers of the next generation who were directly influenced by him, and Marcel Proust (that other weaver of a great tapestry) acknowledged his influence.

He is worth reading for pleasure as well as for his influence on European literature.

Catalina De Medicis / Catherine de Medicis: La Reina Y La Leyenda/ The Queen and the Legend

Average customer rating:

Catalina De Medicis / Catherine de Medicis: La Reina Y La Leyenda/ The Queen and the Legend
Jean-François Solnon
Manufacturer: El Ateneo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Spain | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

Spanish | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Biografías y memorias | Libros en español | Formats | Books

Catherine De Medici: The Power Behind the French Throne (Signature Lives) (Signature Lives)

Average customer rating:

Catherine De Medici: The Power Behind the French Throne (Signature Lives) (Signature Lives)
Barbara A. Somervill
Manufacturer: Compass Point Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France

ASIN: 0756515815

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books