Review: Empires of the Silk Road: A History of Central Eurasia from the Bronze Age to the Present

Empires of the Silk Road: A History of Central Eurasia from the Bronze Age to the Present by Christopher I. Beckwith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is one of the most in depth books regarding the various nomadic tribes within the Silk Roads. It weaves a very complex story of warfare and trade. This is coloured even more confusing by various different sources used over the centuries being convoluted and confused for various reasons. The only issue I have with this book is the use of Wade-Giles system to write Chinese words - but also making anyone who didn't study linguistics very confused with the explanations which seem to only make sense to very narrow specialists and rarely did it mean anything more than 'it sounds like x now, it probably sounded like y back then and because of z reason.

Other than this mild criticism it's a very valuable book, especially since it's such a good price. Just a caution that you'll be reading footnotes for 40% of the time you are reading this book.

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Review: Empires of the Silk Road: A History of Central Eurasia from the Bronze Age to the Present

Empires of the Silk Road: A History of Central Eurasia from the Bronze Age to the Present by Christopher I. Beckwith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: Fatal Rivalry: Flodden, 1513: Henry VIII and James IV and the Decisive Battle for Renaissance Britain

Fatal Rivalry: Flodden, 1513: Henry VIII and James IV and the Decisive Battle for Renaissance Britain by George Goodwin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It is not often that genuinely worthwhile and unique spins are given on Henry VIII. Thousands of books have been written about him and books are still churned out about him. The story of James IV is much lesser known. I really appreciated the way it delved into lesser known Scottish details which are usually left out and instead focused on the shenanigans. Definitely recommend this book.

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Review: Mary Queen of Scots’ Downfall: The Life and Murder of Henry, Lord Darnley

Mary Queen of Scots’ Downfall: The Life and Murder of Henry, Lord Darnley by Robert Stedall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mr Stedall clearly knows the topic very well. Excellent book and keeps to the topic with detail, a good timeline and common sense prevails. Sometimes it can be a bit confusing with so many different people that it is easy to lose track if you aren't paying close attention - so definitely sit somewhere quiet if you want to stay on track. I wish the physical copies of your other two books about MQS were available still though!

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Review: Crown of Thistles: The Fatal Inheritance of Mary Queen of Scots

Crown of Thistles: The Fatal Inheritance of Mary Queen of Scots by Linda Porter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. I enjoyed the unique approach. There is a lot of information here which is rare and hard to find anywhere else.

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Review: Margaret of York: Duchess of Burgundy 1446-1503

Margaret of York: Duchess of Burgundy 1446-1503 by Christine Weightman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Weightman’s book is still the go to on Margaret after all these years. The level of detail of the court and the life without undue speculation is astonishing. Highly recommended

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Review: The Lost Tudor Princess: A Life of Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox

The Lost Tudor Princess: A Life of Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox by Alison Weir
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is one of Weir's best books. Margaret Douglas had one of the most fascinating lives full of intrigue, failed romances, imprisonment, favour and fall. I highly recommend this book.

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Review: The Lost Tudor Princess: A Life of Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox

The Lost Tudor Princess: A Life of Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox by Alison Weir
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: Buddhism in China: A Historical Survey

Buddhism in China: A Historical Survey by Kenneth K.S. Ch'en
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: In the Shadow of the Empress: The Defiant Lives of Maria Theresa, Mother of Marie Antoinette, and Her Daughters

In the Shadow of the Empress: The Defiant Lives of Maria Theresa, Mother of Marie Antoinette, and Her Daughters by Nancy Goldstone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nancy Goldstone is the master of the multi-biography of women all in one. She manages to weave her way through time in a way that isn't frustrating. This book also goes into detail about the sisters who kept their heads and are lesser known - so much of the information in this book may be valuable to readers. They will also be entertained too, I have read everything she has written and can't wait for what is next.

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Review: Empires of the Steppes: A History of the Nomadic Tribes Who Shaped Civilization

Empires of the Steppes: A History of the Nomadic Tribes Who Shaped Civilization by Kenneth W. Harl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: Henrietta Maria: Conspirator, Warrior, Phoenix Queen

Henrietta Maria: Conspirator, Warrior, Phoenix Queen by Leanda de Lisle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: Ungrateful Daughters: The Stuart Princesses Who Stole Their Father's Crown

Ungrateful Daughters: The Stuart Princesses Who Stole Their Father's Crown by Maureen Waller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many of the Stuarts lived in a very difficult time where religious differences and dynastic ambition lead to fractures amongst each other. This tells the events from a way which definitely makes the daughters appear 'ungrateful' - however it doesn't demonise Mary and Anne. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested on the topic.

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Review: The Lady Queen: The Notorious Reign of Joanna I, Queen of Naples, Jerusalem, and Sicily

The Lady Queen: The Notorious Reign of Joanna I, Queen of Naples, Jerusalem, and Sicily by Nancy Goldstone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What can I say? Nancy Goldstone is the queen of popular history. This was a great read and I devour each book written by this lovely lady

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Review: Elizabeth: The Forgotten Years

Elizabeth: The Forgotten Years by John Guy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

John Guy is one of my favourite authors. This unique look at Elizabeth's later reign which is less glorious and documented is a triumph. It reassess previous documents and comes across inconsistencies. Well worth a read.

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Review: Emperor Wu Zhao and Her Pantheon of Devis, Divinities, and Dynastic Mothers

Emperor Wu Zhao and Her Pantheon of Devis, Divinities, and Dynastic Mothers by N. Harry Rothschild
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book took me by surprise. Empress Wu is well known for being ruthless and the only female Empress Regnant in China. What is less known is how to use various strategies and imagery in many forms in order to cultivate your legitimacy. It has been done for centuries to maintain strangleholds on power and is still being done to this day. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants more than just a life story of potential murders and palace intrigue.

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Review: Daughters of Chivalry: The Forgotten Children of Edward I

Daughters of Chivalry: The Forgotten Children of Edward I by Kelcey Wilson-Lee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The amount of research that has gone into this book is incredible. I really enjoy the narratives of the sisters - especially Joanna. I am surprised by the amount of information that the author has managed to find in the historical records. This book actually tells the story of the daughters - it doesn't tell the story of the men that they are married to - it gives them their story. I've read many books about women throughout history who are rarely actually the focus of the text - despite being what the book was supposed to be about. I am looking forward to the next book by this author.

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Review: Game of Queens: The Women Who Made Sixteenth-Century Europe

Game of Queens: The Women Who Made Sixteenth-Century Europe by Sarah Gristwood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. I tend to get bored half way through books and struggle to finish them off because I want to read something different for a while. There is no such struggle with this one. I love the way that the stories are intertwined and feel that at times it is a bit random, making me a bit confused about the characters at times, but probably due to my own lack of attention span potentially. The book picks up for me just past the half way mark.

Criticisms... I feel that the writer is a bit of an Anne Boleyn fangirl, mentioning her constantly in comparisons or when not even a mention or comparison of person/s is necessary, but it didn't stop me from giving five stars.

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Review: Sui-Tang China and Its Turko-Mongol Neighbors: Culture, Power, and Connections, 580-800

Sui-Tang China and Its Turko-Mongol Neighbors: Culture, Power, and Connections, 580-800 by Jonathan Karam Skaff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed reading this book. The topic is one which really fascinates me. There is a lot of information in here regarding the relationships between the Tang dynasty (who themselves are partially Xianbei) and how the politics works in the various border areas. The information here is really something that is hard to come across. It is a good book to start bridging your knowledge to the next step up. I have a greater understanding of the border society and deep cultural differences amongst the various groups as well as the complexity of the entire geographical and political situation

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Review: Queen Mary's Women: Female Relatives, Servants, Friends and Enemies of Mary, Queen of Scots

Queen Mary's Women: Female Relatives, Servants, Friends and Enemies of Mary, Queen of Scots by Rosalind K. Marshall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One of the best books I have read about Mary. Ms Marshall clearly knows the topic very well and it is clear that she was and probably still is one the best academic minds to write about MQS. The book discusses various relationships in a detail which you would not expect to be as interesting as it is. Ms Marshall's presents information I've never seen anywhere else in a way which is very fresh. The research put into this book must have taken a long time and no doubt is a result of her long career as a historian. I believe you come out understanding the relationships between Queen Mary and her women in a way that is well thought out and from the point of view of someone who isn't just an expert on Mary Queen of Scots, but also has a deeper and understanding of life and human relationships and actions. Ms Marshall doesn't fall victim to the trap of bias and obviously is able to see the historical figures she writes about as people with many dimensions, she is able to criticise and praise when appropriate. One of the greatest triumphs in this book is the focus on Mary and another person in a way which isn't just scattered dialogue or brief mentions as a part of a greater story. You are able to develop a greater understanding of the dynamics as Ms Marshall utilises her wealth of knowledge to summarise it all for us! 5* Please come back from retirement!

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Review: In the Shadow of the Empress: The Defiant Lives of Maria Theresa, Mother of Marie Antoinette, and Her Daughters

In the Shadow of the Empress: The Defiant Lives of Maria Theresa, Mother of Marie Antoinette, and Her Daughters by Nancy Goldstone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nancy Goldstone is the master of the multi-biography of women all in one. She manages to weave her way through time in a way that isn't frustrating. This book also goes into detail about the sisters who kept their heads and are lesser known - so much of the information in this book may be valuable to readers. They will also be entertained too, I have read everything she has written and can't wait for what is next.

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Review: Daughters of the Winter Queen: Four Remarkable Sisters, the Crown of Bohemia, and the Enduring Legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots

Daughters of the Winter Queen: Four Remarkable Sisters, the Crown of Bohemia, and the Enduring Legacy of Mary, Queen of Scots by Nancy Goldstone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Elizabeth Stuart is the beautiful daughter of James VI and his queen Anne of Denmark who recently came to the throne of England. Elizabeth turns down many catholic suitors to marry a nobody from the Palatinate who James promises to make a king. After successful election to the throne the short lived monarchs are forced into exile in the Netherlands forever to be known as the Winter King and Queen. The family struggles with Catholic conversions, poverty and Charles I and the civil war in England. This book is a topic I haven't seen before. Nancy Goldstone is the Queen of popular history. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

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Review: Victoria The Queen: An Intimate Biography of the Woman Who Ruled an Empire

Victoria The Queen: An Intimate Biography of the Woman Who Ruled an Empire by Julia Baird
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love watching the ABC and seeing this book by a familiar name was a nice surprise. It is quite a large book which is a bit intimidating, I usually favour earlier periods of history but I wanted to give it a go. I found this book very easy to get through. Baird has a strong knowledge of the events going on and manages to bring Victoria to life. This book surprised me in that I actually found Victoria to be more of a normal person than perhaps she ever wanted to be. Her reliance on Albert was what was expected of women at the time but it caused resentment amongst her ministers. Victoria was stubborn though and a good judge of character. The death of Albert paralysed her but she managed to find her way back to reality and even love again. I highly recommend this book, It took me only a few days to get through.

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Review: The Scythians: Nomad Warriors of the Steppe

The Scythians: Nomad Warriors of the Steppe by Barry Cunliffe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Before reading this book I wasn't really familiar with Scythian history or culture. The book was a great read though. It is a high quality physical product. The maps and other photos inside are well utilised to authoritatively introduce the reader to the Scythians. Dates and locations are not in one tiny undecipherable map. They follow throughout the book in clear and a well organised matter. I really found this helpful. I highly recommend this book.

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Review: The Betrayal of Mary, Queen of Scots: Elizabeth I and Her Greatest Rival

The Betrayal of Mary, Queen of Scots: Elizabeth I and Her Greatest Rival by Kate Williams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Williams has a strong grasp of the topics at hand. Both women were very strong and difficult personalities. The title of the book is very provocative but accurate. This book may not be for those who are overly critical of the Queen of Scots. I believe this is a fair assessment of the life and death of Mary. It is not a lengthy book and I would still recommend the biographies by Antonia Fraser and John Guy as the go to on Mary's life.

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Review: After Elizabeth: The Rise of James of Scotland and the Struggle for the Throne of England

After Elizabeth: The Rise of James of Scotland and the Struggle for the Throne of England by Leanda de Lisle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Unfortunately I was disappointed a bit as I've wanted to read this for ages. I felt like it would have given more insight into James and his relationship with his mother (not just literally their relationship but also more clues on his personal views and potentially even guilt regarding his mother which in my opinion changed drastically after the succession) . Mary didn't even make the picture sections at all which was a bit upsetting for me (not the actual lack of picture but evasion of her entirely) as I feel like this book missed a huge part of the story of the succession. I struggled a lot through the last half and honestly I am giving it four stars even though I have written a poor review not because it's a bad book but the material does not actually do anything but literally discuss a few half assed plots and then a bunch of boring coronation detail which is nice but this was literally one of the biggest topicd in the book as well as forgettable information about his knighting random nobodies. I went into it thinking that maybe there was some interesting struggle worth an entire book but finished quite disappointed. The information is all quality and there is a great amount of information well sourced about various aspects of the immediate period after Elizabeth's death. Unfortunately there isn't really much of an interesting story and I didn't learn anything particularly ground breaking or new. I actually liked the first half of the book the second half was only finished because all my other books are in storage while I moved houses and I physically couldn't read something more interesting unless I went to buy it lol

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