I hope everyone has some fun plans for the weekend. I’m hoping to get some reading in as I’m doing really well with my reading so far this month so I don’t want it to slip.
My chosen poem this week is by the African-American writer, poet, literary critic, anthologist and publisher William Stanley Braithwaite (1878-1962).
Rhapsody
I am glad daylong for the gift of song,
For time and change and sorrow;
For the sunset wings and the world-end things
Which hang on the edges of to-morrow.
I am glad for my heart whose gates apart
Are the entrance-place of wonders,
Where dreams come in from the rush and din
Like sheep from the rains and thunders.
William Stanley Braithwaite
Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I: The Mother and Daughter Who Changed History by Tracy Borman
Blurb
Anne Boleyn is a subject of enduring fascination. By far the most famous of Henry VIII’s six wives, she has inspired books, documentaries and films, and is the subject of intense debate even today, almost 500 years after her violent death. For the most part, she is considered in the context of her relationship with Tudor England’s much-married monarch. Dramatic though this story is, of even greater interest – and significance – is the relationship between Anne and her daughter, the future Elizabeth I.
Elizabeth was less than three years old when her mother was executed. Given that she could have held precious few memories of Anne, it is often assumed that her mother exerted little influence over her.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Elizabeth knew that she had to be discreet about Anne, but there is compelling evidence that her mother had a profound impact on her character, beliefs and reign. Anne’s radical religious views shaped those of her daughter, and as a woman who wielded power over a male-dominated court, she provided an inspiring role model for Elizabeth’s queenship. Even during Henry’s lifetime, Elizabeth dared to express her sympathy for her late mother by secretly wearing Anne’s famous ‘A’ pendant when she sat for a painting with her father and siblings.
Piecing together evidence from original documents and artefacts, this book tells the fascinating, often surprising story of Anne Boleyn’s relationship with, and influence over her daughter Elizabeth. In so doing, it sheds new light on two of the most famous women in history and how they changed England forever.
Review
I have always loved Tudor history and Elizabeth I is my favourite monarch from history so when I saw this book I was intrigued to read it. It was also my first Tracy Borman book and it definitely won’t be my last.
The thing I loved about this was how Borman had such a fresh and different take on Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I. Usually history books keep them quite separate but Borman has their two histories running together. Even though Anne Boleyn was executed when Elizabeth I was only 3 years old, Borman shows how Elizabeth I was influenced by her mother through all of her life and reign.
Borman pieces together historical evidence from surviving letters, documents, paintings, books and more showing the link between mother and daughter. Borman takes us right from Anne Boleyn’s birth to her death and the same for Elizabeth I.
The other thing I liked about Borman’s take on the evidence is that it felt so truthful and not sugar coated. So many history books either describe Anne Boleyn as an angel who was severally wronged or as an evil woman who deserved her fate. However, Borman shows Anne from all angles. She shows Anne’s faults, her character flaws, her lack of restraint and all her good points. We know that Anne Boleyn was wrongly accused and executed but Borman paints her as a real person and not a saint, which I liked.
The only reason this book didn’t receive the full 5 out of 5 dragons, but only 4, was because it just felt a bit dry at times. It felt like a big list of events and lost the feeling that other historians put into their books which I missed. However, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book and found it very interesting.
(All purchases made using one of the above affiliate links gives a small percentage of money to myself with no extra cost to yourself. All proceeds go towards the upkeep of this blog. Thank you ever so much, your support is gratefully received.)
About the author
Tracy Borman, PhD, FRHistS, FSA is a historian and author from Scothern, United Kingdom. She is most widely known as the author of Elizabeth’s Women.
Borman was born and brought up in the village of Scothern, England near Lincoln. She was educated at Scothern Primary School (now Ellison Boulters School), William Farr School, Welton, and Yarborough School, Lincoln. She taught history at the University of Hull, where she was awarded a Ph.D in 1997. Elizabeth’s Women was serialized and became a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week in September 2009. Tracy Borman appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, also in September 2009
The rules are answer the questions below and share a link to your blog in the comments section of Sam’s blog.
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you will read next?
Hello!
How is everyone’s week going? I’ve had rather an annoying week so far with work but hopefully things will settle down soon. One good thing is that I have been thoroughly enjoying my recent reads.
What I am Currently Reading
This is my first Nicholas Orme book and I am absolutely loving it. I’m finding out so many interesting facts and probably driving my husband mad by telling him them all.
What I have Recently Finished Reading
Two very interesting books. I found The Wolf-Girl, The Greeks and the Gods by Tom Holland a really interesting take on the Persian Wars.
What I Think I will Read Next
I’m still going for shorter reads but I’m not sure what it will be yet. I recently bought a lot of Tudor history books so I might be reading more of those.
Please drop me a comment with your WWW Wednesday and I will head over for a visit.
A pilot stranded in the desert awakes one morning to see, standing before him, the most extraordinary little fellow. “Please,” asks the stranger, “draw me a sheep.” And the pilot realises that when life’s events are too difficult to understand, there is no choice but to succumb to their mysteries. He pulls out pencil and paper… And thus begins this wise and enchanting fable that, in teaching the secret of what is really important in life, has changed forever the world for its readers.
Review
Over the years I have heard many good things about this book so when I saw a beautiful edition by Chiltern publishing I decided it was time to get myself a copy and get reading.
This is a beautiful story about a stranded pilot who is desperately trying to find a way to survive. One morning he wakes up to find a little fellow standing in front of him. This Little Prince tells the pilot all about his travels around the universe.
For such a small book it packed a massive punch and although it is considered a children’s book I found it contained a great deal of symbolism and is a fantastic learning tool for children and adults. Every encounter the Little Prince had on his travels taught him something new and most importantly he learned something of value in life.
This is a beautiful story with lovely illustrations and one that I think I will read again and again because it will be a reminder about what is important in life and not to let the chaos of life get in the way. I give this book 4 out of 5 Dragons.
(All purchases made using one of the above affiliate links gives a small percentage of money to myself with no extra cost to yourself. All proceeds go towards the upkeep of this blog. Thank you ever so much, your support is gratefully received.)
About the author
Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900-1944) was a French writer, poet, journalist and pioneering aviator. He received several prestigious literary awards for his novella The Little Prince and for his lyrical aviation writings, including Wind, Sand and Stars and Night Flight.
I can’t believe we are in September already. I will soon be back at school and sadly this will mean less reading but it will be nice to get back to teaching.
My chosen poem today is by Lord Alfred Douglas (1870-1945). Douglas was an English poet and journalist and a lover of Oscar Wilde.
The Cod
There's something very strange and odd
About the habits of the Cod.
For when you're swimming in the sea,
He sometimes bites you on the knee.
And though his bites are not past healing,
It is a most unpleasant feeling.
And when you're diving down below,
He often nips you on the toe.
And though he doesn't hurt you much,
He has a disagreeable touch.
There's one thing to be said for him, -
It is treat to see him swim.
But though he swims in graceful curves,
He rather gets upon your nerves.
Lord Alfred Douglas
I have really tried to push ahead with my reading in August. This has meant finishing a couple of books I had been reading for quite a while and managing to read and finish some new ones. I’m still behind with my reading challenges but not as behind as I was.
The rules are answer the questions below and share a link to your blog in the comments section of Sam’s blog.
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you will read next?
Hello!
I hope everyone is having a good week so far. I am still pushing ahead with my reading and I am really hoping I can make a dent in my Goodreads Challenge before I go back to school.
What I am Currently Reading
This is my first Tracy Borman book and I am really enjoying it. I love the different approach she has taken for writing about these two amazing women from history.
What I have Recently Finished Reading
I finally finished Babel, yay! It has taken me way too long to finish Babel but I kept taking breaks with it for some reason. Really enjoyed both of these books. Review for 111 Places in Bath that you Shouldn’t Miss is here.
What I Think I will Read Next
To be honest I have no idea what I will read next but here are a few potential contenders.
Please drop me a comment with your WWW Wednesday and I will head over for a visit.
