History Books

I love Bhante G.'s clear, lucid writing. This book helped me to establish meditation as a daily feature in my life and I will always be grateful for that. First 3 times through I would have given it 5 stars, but as my practice deepened I found myself flipping through pages looking for answers to questions I did not have at the outset. I also was left with a feeling that my meditation was getting "dry"--the emphasis on Vipassana before proper development of concentration was not the right mix for me. If you are a beginner, this might not make sense. In that case, buy this book and start your practice! If or when you feel the need for more, Thanissaro Bhikku's writings are a tremendous help. His work, as well as that of many other wonderful teachers, can be found at [...]. This free website has thousands of pages of useful information, and is highly recommended to all on the path. If you came to this review because you are thinking of learning meditation--I promise you the effort is more than worth it, and it does not have to involve a lot of physical pain. Make a commitment by purchasing a buckwheat sitting cushion, put it in a prominent place where you can not avoid seeing it. This will add to to your motivation, and make the actual sitting session much more enjoyable. Then go explore your mind!

I have read this book three times and will probably continue to re-read it for the rest of my life. If you are interested in meditation, this is THE book. It is deceptively simple and brilliantly clear. There are lots of well-meaning but not so well written books out there on the topic. This is the one to help a newbie or a seasoned practitioner find the navigational aids and roadmap to meaningful and authentic meditation, and it will help the dabblers decide if this is really the path they want to tred.

A very zen approach to becoming more mindful and thereby becoming more meditative and spiritual about every day miracles. This book hit all the high notes with me.

Easy inexpensive purchase!
Very quick delivery!
I love it when it's like that!

Two copies (One for a friend)

Mindfulness in Plain English, Updated and Expanded Edition

Not quite as easy a read as I was lead to believe in the reviews. But definitely an excellent overview of mindfulness. I liked how it pointed out the pitfalls some beginners run into. I liked how they outlined the variety of ways meditation can be practiced. I would recommend this book to other beginners.

I am a clinical psychologist, and I found Sara's Children well worth reading for the personalized insight it provides about the Holocaust. Although this book is poignant and heartrending, it remains well written without going over the top. The five Garfinkel siblings endured far beyond what human beings seem capable of bearing. Out of the war's destruction and nearly complete genocide, this family emerged without bitterness, without anger. That they managed not only to survive but also to rebuild their lives is a triumph of the human spirit.

A touching sad story of brave persecuted peoples caught in the political times and war. It is a story of faith and strength that has a happy ending of freedom with their escape and survival. It is a story that would be a great movie. The message is what happens to all families and groups caught in war and political up heavals still going on today. Ms. Hagstrom has caught and told us of the mood, the times, and emotional moment of the times. History is to be remembered in this book, to avoid being repeated. John Elwell

"Sara's Children" is a compelling story about five siblings who survived the Holocaust. Yet, their immediate family was not untouched: both parents and two other siblings were murdered by the regime.

I read this book after having re-read Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning." I followed it by reading "Night" by Elie Weisel. "Sara's Children" tells a story as shocking to the conscience as any narrative.

I can think of any book that portrays in such historical understanding and journalistic flair of what life has been like for these five holocaust survivors siblings.
Sara's Children is not only a compelling biography, it is a revealing personal story about a family caught up in the events for which no one could have prepared them.

I can think of any book that portrays in such historical understanding and journalistic flair of what life has been like for these five holocaust survivors siblings.
Sara's Children is not only a compelling biography, it is a revealing personal story about a family caught up in the events for which no one could have prepared them.

this book was very good! i love historical fiction and A Coal Miners bride is just that! I fell in love with Leon the the romantic boy! it has a sweet ending and not like many romance books it is appropiate which is very important to me. i will admit some parts were a little boring but that can be easily forgotten with leon.

I really enjoyed the book, because it was historic and romance. I read the book in one day because i really wanted to know the ending. The begining is a little slow, but it starts getting intresting. It's tempting to know what will happen with her and stanley, her and the girls and her and america.

this book is very boring. I was assigned to read it for English class and found it to be terribly dreadful. The only reason for continuing to read page after page was knowing that i had to. Although i do find the story of Anetka and Leon wonderful. I would not suggest this for a pleasure read

A great story about a Polish girl who immigranted to America as a mail ordered bride. It takes a lot of courage to marry someone you have never met. To become an instant wife and mother. The mother part Anetka didn't find out about until she met Stanley. Anetka is full of amazing courage and strength. To go through with the marriage, raising three little girls and becoming the sole responsiblity upon her husband's death. She truly is a wonderful charactor and you can't help but root for.

I fell in love with the Dear America series last year and since then I've read most of the series. So far this book is my favorite. For anyone who enjoys historical fiction, this book has great descriptions and information about coal mining in the late 1800's. The story is about Anetka Kaminska, a fiery 13 year old who moves to America with her younger brother to be with their father who is working in the mines. Accompanying them is a Russian soldier named Leon who Anetka cannot stand because he is in the Russian army and teases her. But he is detained when they arrive. Anetka has an arranged marriage with man who turns out to be twice her age-- and a widower with 3 daughters who does not love her. Anetka struggles with the work of living as an immigrant in a country and being a mother to the 3 girls. Her troubles become even more when the Black Maria arrives with to tell her that her husband has been killed in the mines. I loved the second half of the book because of how we see Anetka's character develope, and also the beautiful and very sweet love story. This book wasn't boring for one second and the story was just wonderful. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good -but very dark at times- read.

I've been facinated by history since grade school and just fell in love with this book. Patton was an amazing character and one of those rare individuals that only comes along every hundred years or so.

This book is very long, but gives as complete a biographical picture of Gen Patton as possible. It details his entire life, from childhood through WW1 and WW2 all the way until his untimely death. Sadly his career was constantly derailed by lesser gifted generals like Ike or Bradley. If you are a history buff or Patton fan, then this book is for you.

I had never read anything regarding General Patton, but after having watched the movie "Patton" again, I went to find the best biography of Patton available. I read many of them, but BY FAR, this is the best available. A work of biographical art: reveals the humanity of Patton the warrior, and reviews his place in history without prejudice.

Sincerely recommended to everyone who wishes to read an excellent biography of General George S. Patton.

This is by far the most comprehensive and enjoyable biography I've read on General Patton. Mr. D'Este has painstakingly recorded the entire life of one of the greatest battlefield commanders in history. As the New York Times Review states "...he neither damns nor beautifies his subject". There's no better way to sum up this work. It's brilliant and fair. I'm looking forward to the author's new book on Winston Churchill that should be arriving this year.

I for one, certainly do not agree with Alistair Horne's phrase,"Revisionism at best" with regards to this book.
As mentioned by earlier reviewers, Carlos D'Estes book traces the Patton family history to soldiers in earlier times. That General Patton was influenced by these family heroes is without doubt. In fact, it explains a lot about the man's sense of destiny, responsibility, and continual need to excel at whatever he attempted.
More than a quick sketch of a complex man, this is a biography worth reading and studying.
Patton was one of his kind.
An invaluable book to anyone seeking to understand Patton on and off the battlefield.
Well written, I couldn't put it down.

Patton is often described as "controversial". To those who have never fought in war, or perhaps even just engaged in competitive sports, or who otherwise have only a sort of normal, everyday idea about how people ought to act, I suppose he is: Arrogant, sometimes outwardly cruel, demanding, competitive, a taskmaster, single-minded, agressive, angry, all the rest. I've never fought in war, but I've played my share of competitive sports (a paltry parallel, but the best I can do). In sports, everyone (if they're lucky) had a coach like this somewhere along the way, and they most likely took more lessons away from that man or woman than all the colorless middle-of-the-roaders combined. They most likely achieved things under that person's direction that they didn't know they had the capacity to do. They most likely recall details about that person many years later, after they've forgotten most of the others. When the old team-mates get together, that's who most of the stories are about (many told as being funny, now - not so at the time).

To me, that's Patton: An American original who just barely escaped being a bombastic buffoon. He avoided that fate and scaled the heights of history because he was a born leader of men - one who either broke them (rarely), or got the best out of them (much more often); because he knew his business inside-out; because he worked at it day and night; and most of all, because finally, he WON.

I think that this intensely personal essence is what is most completely captured in this book. It fills in many of the overlooked or understated details from the well-known George C. Scott movie, and adds much new material besides. An excellent book, worthy not only as a war biography, but as a study of what it honestly takes to do REALLY well at any endeavor in life.

Kip Thorne is the author of one of the most authoritative texts on Gravitation and Astrophysics. âaeBlack Holes and Time Warpsâ is meant to bring these recent advanced discoveries in cosmology to the masses. What makes this book most valuable is that it not only devotes many pages explaining the physics in simple terms, but also introduces the major players in the field, telling the stories of their lives, and describing in detail how they achieved their discoveries. The book is therefore very inspiring to young scientists. It is written in a highly narrative style that keeps up a heightened suspense as one wonders what the next discovery will be, what itâ(tm)s impact is one our world vision, and which scientist will bring about such a breakthrough.

We read about the life story of Einstein, and how he worked hard and long hours in between babysitting his children so as to come up with his masterpieces on relativity. We then read about Chandrasekhar, the young student from India, who with nothing more than his own brain and a crude mechanical calculator achieved what is perhaps one of the greatest theoretical discoveries of the 20th centuries: black holes. It would be years before astronomers concur and document the existence of these beasts, years in which Chandrasekhar had to suffer rejection and alienation from his peers in the scientific community. We read about the wonderful experiments physicists set up to understand the world: from massive arrays of radio telescopes for listening to the furthest reaches of the universe, to cosmic ray detectors to measure the minute remnants of supernova explosions. We read about the atomic and H-bombs, about Oppenheimer and his own personal feelings about his creation. Here, the attitude of the author â" himself a leading scientist and contributor to human knowledge â" is far from passive acceptance of all that science brings. He understands perhaps more than anyone else that science can be applied for evil purposes as well as beneficial purposes, and he does not shy away from discussing these ethical dilemmas he and his peers had to confront at some points in their lives.

Coming closer towards the end of the 20th century, Thorne discusses the complexities black hole research has led us into: apparent paradoxes and strange objects defying understanding â" âaesingularitiesâ in scientific lingo. We read eagerly about the competition between leading scientists such as Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose to expand our limits of knowledge on black holes. We read also about the role of the cold war in advancing â" or suppressing â" scientific knowledge.

This wonderful book is augmented by an enormous number of simple illustrations explaining the concepts discussed, as well as photographs of the various people involved in this unending quest for knowledge. The book also boasts of a useful glossary at the end, as well as a timeline, a bibliography, a good set of notes, and a people as well as a subject index. It is definitely a book worth reading, one of the few books on science that admit that science is more than just numbers, but is also about people and is an integral part of the human story. I give it a 4 because I thought the book is too long, and tends to get wordy at times. A concise edition would be a useful contribution. The bibliography also suffers from bloatedness â" it is so bulky and with no comments such that the interested reader will have difficulty deciding what to read next.

Mr. Thorne offers insight into an important world of science that only a person who has first hand experience could. While this book is a book about black holes, it is just as much a book about the science leading up to the ability of science to recognize and study them. It is very detailed with numerous "boxes" that include extra information. While it is not necessary to have an extensive science background in physics/astrophysics etc..., it would help. If one gives the book the patience that it takes, a world of information is available. It is not a quick read, but it is very interesting stuff no doubt.

I didn't understand a lot of this book. The physics was largely beyond me and I could not grasp the embedded diagrams that Kip Thorne used. These embedded diagrams attempt to represent three-dimensional space-time on a two-dimensional piece of paper. But I enjoyed reading the book nonetheless. One can look at science in two (or perhaps more) ways; the process and the results. I am interested in process, the building of one idea upon another. And Thorne does this particularly well. I am not a big fan of the results which is a good thing because I didn't really understand them, at least in this book. Thorne also included a lot of biographical information which I found very interesting. Thorne also admitted when he had made mistakes, which was refreshing; a nice human element. The most interesting parts of the book were when he compared the different styles of the various research teams. This is especially true when he compared first the American/British research style with the Russian research style and later in the book, the American, British, and French styles and their differing use of mathematics. Overall, this book was a good read, but by the end I was anxious to finish so that I could start reading Leon Lederman's new offering.

When Carl Sagan wanted to have his fictional herione from Contact travel in time, he turned to Kip Thorne.

This book is Thorne's attempt to more fully explain the science of time travel.

And in the process Thorne takes you to the prediction and discovery of black holes.

First seriously suggested by the theories of Albert Einstein, a black hole is a star that has grown so massive (at least three times the size of our sun) that it litterally can't sustain itself against its own weight. It assumes a gravitional force so powerful that not even light can escape its grasp.

Obviously, therefore, learning what resides beyond the visible dark exterior of a black hole has eluded science.

Yet that dark exterior has fueled speculations that black holes may enable nature (and possibly man) to perform seemingly magical feats.

As mentioned at the outset, one of the most interesting of these feats is time travel and the reason is because the great gravitional power of a black hole litterally allows it to warp the space around it. For us it would be a little like standing on one end of a water bed when someone places an anvil on the other end. Owing to the great weight of the anvil, the bed is contorted and owing to its contortions we find ourselves falling toward the anvil.

Assuming a sufficiently heavy anvil we could see both ends of the water bed being connected.

One obvious challenge would to be travel a black hole without becoming a part of it.

Another not so obvious challenge is the fact wormhole creation at best is an exotic affair not occuring above quantum distances. In this way, any people wishing to use one would have to go an extreme wieght loss program!

Because of its thoroughness, Thorne gives an extended discussion of the characters involved in the story he's telling. For example, Thorne explains that physicists use both flat and curved universe models to understand black hole behavior. Additionally, even though predicted by his theories, Einstein actually disputed the existence of black holes. As a result, the Soviet Union and not the US was the first country to really encourage serious discussion of them. However, once predicted and then once found, black holes became a unique entree into the laws of physics and with it the mind of God himself.

For those who read or saw Contact and enjoyed it, this will be an excellent account of the fact behind the fiction.

Kip S. Thorne explains Einstein's Theory of Relativity well. I have always been interested in time and space, and black holes, and anything that had to do with the universe and space. Thanks to this book my understanding of some theories has increased. I learned more about Enstein's quirks and devotion to the pursuit of scientific knowledge. A fascinating book.

This book is very well written and very informative,
I have recommened this to my friends.

I have a couple of paperback first aid books for dogs but I wanted something more comprehensive. We live in a rural area so a quick trip to the vet not possible. This does not take the place of seeing a vet when necessary, but the book gives easy to understand answers for many everyday problems and well organized.

Very helpful book, easy to use, full of information about different dog diseases and ailments. I highly recommend this book hand in hand with:
The First Aid Companion for Dogs & Cats (Prevention Pets) These books should be in every dog owners' home.

This is a excellant Book for any Dog Owner. Has lots of information that is useful.

Very concise and to the point. Great index in the front of the book to help quickly identify and find the dogs ailment. Very detailed and has a lot of incredibly useful information. A must-have for every dog owner.

This book literally changed my life. As someone with a deep interest in Anne Frank and the Holocaust, I began reading it with some concern. I have read several books involving time travel and there is nothing that irks me more than a romanticized version of Anne Frank's life. However, this is a book that brings her and other victims of the Final Solution to life for me, and it is one of the best books I have ever read. I can clearly see how easily it could have been me and my family in the Holocaust, instead of someone else. The story also does a brilliant job of linking everyday events with those of the Holocaust. I can only imagine how survivors view modern life after what they went through. It makes you think about what is really important in life. I literally began thinking about how materialistic and selfish I can be, and how little that I really worry about is of any importance.
The title is misleading however; Anne Frank does spark the story and end it, but she is really not the driving force behind the book. She appears in the Holocaust flashback for only a few pages, though those pages are tearjerking.
Nevertheless, there is a great deal of information about the Holocaust in this book. It is extremely well-written, an incredible page-turner. I almost find it difficult to believe that it is a work of fiction, it seems so real. It is a slightly more mature book, recommend at least for teenagers. Aside from the age issue, this is a story that comes highly recommended. It will alter your life forever.

I loved this book! As i was readig it i thought what does it have to do with Anne Frank but as i kept reading the book got more interesting and i found out what it had to do with her.

This was the best book I ever read and i plan on reading it again. i recomend it to everyone.

Anne Frank and Me was an emotional story about a girl in present day and in the time of the Holocaust. If you do not like books that will make you cry, then do not read this one. The author uses very realistic details about the Holocaust so that you feel like you are really there in the story. Anne Frank and Me is exciting from the very beginning. You do not have to read for hours just to get to an exciting point in the book. I highly recommend Anne Frank and Me because it is an emotional book, and it is based on a horrible but real event that happened not too long ago.

Anne Frank and Me was an exceptional book and I enjoyed it very much. I can't imagine how anyone wouldn't love following Nicole through her journey starting in the 90's and ending up in year of 1942. I've read it twice and I know I'll set it down for a few months, then read it again! I recommend this to anyone with a heart! Enjoy Anne Frank and Me.
Stephanie A.
Tustin, CA

I would have to say that Anne Frank and Me is a very well written book about a modern girl trapped in a world shattered by the Nazis. Very realistic, I must say. Cherie Bennett makes it feel as if you are actually THERE. The characters are very original. The ending is very shocking and also well written.

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"In my hands" Irene Gut Opdyke narrates her tribulations during WWII. The saga of atrocities committed by the Nazis is intertwined with echoes not to be indifferent when another person's freedom is in jeopardy. Sharing her story with young life audiences, Irene is inculcating the same imperative: "You can make a difference; you have the power to fight against evil."

As a native of Poland, I find many familiar images in Irene's early surroundings. She comes from a little town close to the German border, so do I. I am inspired by Irene's
tolerance and warming heart, manifested from her early age on. She shunned rampant anti-Semitism and befriended none co-religionists. It my eyes, Irene is a shining example of righteousness. As a little Jewish boy, I was sometimes harassed by Catholic kids, because I was not one of them. The Russian and German invasions into Poland disrupted Irene's life. Despite her own predicament, Irene became very concerned about her Jewish friends' safety. She reached out to help and hide them from deportation to Nazis' killing centers. Many Poles assumed that they will be spared from persecution if they would cooperate with the Germans. Irene believed that once Hitler finished murdering the Jews he will do the same to the Poles. This was not a mere premonition but a keen observation. As it turned out, every Polish Jew was indeed a victim but not every victim was a Jew. Irene became a resistance fighter. For four years, her school years, did Irene risk her own life for the sake of saving innocent Jewish life!

I am a Holocaust survivor who had lost his entire immediate family and 123 members of his extended family. Being incarcerated for three years, my school years, in several forced labor camps, I realize how Irene's hidden Jews were spared from suffering and probable death. Irene did not let a woman in hiding to terminate her pregnancy, despite all possible ominous consequences. Reading about it, I had tears spilling over my cheeks. Irene cherished the sanctity of life. I am at awe; her sacrifice is a symbol of human kindness in a cruel environment. Irene's bravery and compassionate heart are extraordinary. It is indicative that conscientious people might be found in every group or nation. Negative stereotyping and prejudice are senseless!

"In my hands" is a well written narrative of compelling episodes that illustrate the compassion and integrity that the author had been imbued with. Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem recognized Irene's heroism. Her name is inscribed in the Alley of the "Righteous Among the Nations" Her gracious deeds and her literary work will be eternally etched in my memory.

Alter Wiener, Author "From A Name to A Number".

First I listened to the book on audio. I liked it so much I got the book a year later andit it. Amazing story of survival. Hiding right in a Nazi officers home. WOW. What courage.

A must read for those who what to never forget.

Uplifting to what we can and will do for others when we have to.

Whereas the novel I mentioned in my title left me feeling cold (not to mention the author was a small child when she writes about her experiences, which must be grainy), this powerful account is simply written, but also written well. It's deliciously descriptive and emotional. I felt like I did walk in Irene's shoes, for I saw everything through her eyes (true, it was written in first-person point-of-view), instead of like watching a movie.

By the way, I think this would make a great film, though I am not sure if there is an actress beautiful enough to play Irene (who really should be played by a young, unknown girl, age appropriate, not a trashy pop starlet, who would degrade).

Through it all (being raped by two Russian soldiers and left for dead, becoming a German officer's mistress to protect her Jewish friends, etc.), Irene maintains an innocence that is refreshing, and when she loses her first truelove before they have a chance to marry, it broke my heart.

I will say I have an even dimmer view of the Catholic Church than I did before (not Catholics in general, just some of the politics of the religion), because when Irene goes to a priest to confess being a German's lover to save the lives of her friends, he says, "They are Jews", and I could actually hear the inflection in his voice that said, "They're just Jews", like they weren't worth saving. This un-Christlike priest refuses to give her absolution, which, from a doctrinal standpoint I understand, but not from a spiritual standpoint. Yes, Irene was sinning, but she was not committing crimes against humanity, and I believe my God is a merciful and just God and that He understands for He can see Irene's soul.

This deeply religious, courageous woman has earned my respect and her chronicle is hardcover worthy.

My 14-year-old daughter read this book and insisted that I read it. When I finally agreed, I could not put the book down. The story is so well told that you can can truly understand the experience of a 17-year-old girl in the midst of the horrible events. A compelling book that everyone should read and discuss.

I often think of this woman in my day to day life. She serves as a testament to all mankind that we must put others first and fight for the just cause. What she went through herself is quite harrowing. I am happy that she has been honored with a tree planted in her name at Yad Vashem in Israel. An easy read and a book that you cannot put down. She is truly inspirational.

This is an excellent book and a terrific way to learn some history. The facts and the novel blend together seamlessly. The action and passion are thrilling. I've read it more than once.

PRO: The prose is smooth and flows quickly. The detailed sense of history is outstanding.

CON: I wished the pacing was a bit faster.

CONCLUSION: This is not a fantasy novel, but rather one of historical fiction about Brian Boru, who rose to power in Ireland over 1,000 years ago. If you're into medieval history and Irish history, this is your book!

This was a gift I got for someone. Its what they wanted but I cant say much about it

Won't waste your time with a rundown of the story. Just wanted to say that the saga of Brian Boru is compelling, and the writing transports you to 10th century Ireland -- its battles, its hardships, its pleasures, its climate, you get the idea. Despite being removed from the characters by 1000 years, I still related to them and cared greatly about them. Plus, I think I learned a little Irish history along the way. Highly recommended.

A great historical fiction novel of the life of Brian Boru. The Lion of Ireland by Morgan Llywelyn is a keeper. She keeps the readers interest by an every changing dynamic in the story as we see Brian go from the youngest of 12 sons to the Ard Ri or High King of ALL Ireland. Brian grows up and learns how to take care of his own people. He also learns and teaches all the different Irish Kingdoms to think of themselves as Irish first and Munster men or Leinstermen second. He even works to include the Norse Irish and Dubliners into the Irish fold as all have shared the same land for generations. Through his growth as a King his women have helped shape who he is. First we have the lovely Druid, Fiona who is watching and protecting Brian in his struggles for Kingship. Then his wives Deirdre and Gormlaith who are very different women, challenge Brian and make marriage just another battle field for him. They give him his children too who he hopes to pass on his legacy and keep Ireland united. This was a fun and informative read. Very vivid in detail and shifts from historical, to adventurous and action packed battles to amazing fantasy and emotional romance. This book is a hearty and well seasoned stew of storytelling. I am hooked and have started its sequel, Pride of Lions also by Morgan Llywelyn.

I grew up with Angelique as my mother was a big fan. We used to watch the movies all the time. I only wish the books and the movies were available in the US to buy as i would definitely be a buyer of both series

I first read the Angelique series when I was in high school, 30 years ago. Her story always stayed with me. At one time I had ALL the Angelique books (that is all the ones published in english). I went looking for them the other day to reread them. I can't find them! I can't believe I got rid of them!!!ARGH! Now Angelique is selling for $45! I now have to buy all the books again to reread them.

I would compare "Angelique" to "Kristen Lavransdatter" by Sigrid Undset. Heroines like these come along once in a generation.

The book traces Angelique's story from her childhood in Poitou to her arranged marriage to the horribly disfigured Comte de Peyrac. Her days as a criminal in the Court of Miracles, her time in the tower of Nesle and finally her triumph.

The detailed research in these books is mind boggling. It was this book that sparked my interest in Louis XIV and French history. Everything in these books is based on historical facts. In Angelique La Voisin predictes that the King will love Mme de Montespan and Angelique but that he will marry Mme Scarron. This is what actually happened! The poison conspiracy also is historically documented. Sergeanne Golon is not the only author(s) to write about The Court of Miracles. In "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" a large part of the action takes place in the Court of Miracles. If you look at a Michelin guide map of Paris the Court of Miracles is identified on it.

For Angelique readers here is a list of her books in chronological order:

Angelique (sometimes appears as two books Marquise of the Angels & The Road to Versailles)

Angelique and the King

Angelique and the Sultan (Angelique in Barbary)

Angelique in Revolt

Angelique in Love

The Countess Angelique (Angelique in the New World)

The Temptation of Angelique

Angelique and the Demon

Angelique and the Ghosts

I am not surprised to see that nearly every single review of this book is 5 stars. The book IS that good.

Anyone fortunate enough to first read these books while young (I was in my late teens), will very likely want to read and re-reread them as he/she gets older. I do, and simply cannot recommend them highly enough. One of the reviewers here states that Anne and Serge are born storytellers but is misinformed: Serge did indeed produce writings, but he was primarily a scientist and he provided invaluable research for earlier Angelique books; their historical accuracy, human insight and fluid yet economical prose were, and remain today, the key to their enormous success. Anne and Serge Golon combined their very different talents but Serge was adamant in crediting the authorship to his wife. For your information, Serge died in 1972 but, so far as I know, as of May 2007, Anne is still alive and resides in Versailles. There are various websites, www.worldofangelique.com, Wikipedia, etc.

The Angelique series (actually 10 book) is one of the most enjoyable reads, as well as movies. It has everything one would want in a story: action, adventure, secrets, love, hatred and revenge in the time of Luis XIV. Although the story is far more interesting while Angelique is still in France (the first 5 books), her adventures in America/Canada are also pretty good. Unfortunately, it is impossible to find a new edition in the English language. I am lucky enough to be bilingual and was easily able to find the new editions of the full series (and the movies) in Russian, it has never been out-of-print in that language. However, I would love to reread it in English. The mini-series is also fantastic although it takes some liberty with the written plot and Michele Mercier is the perfect Angelique. If you can get it (in any language) the book is a must read and the mini-series is a must see!

I read this book for the first time over 30 years ago when I was a teenager and I almost passed out from the very graphic descriptions of Angelique's many adventures. Upon recently re-reading this book and some of the others in the series, I found that they are just as fresh and incredibly sensual as they were originally. The descriptions of ordinary life in 17th century France are such that you can see the people, smell the odors of their lives, and quickly immerse yourself in the characters. The character of Angelique is comparable to a Scarlett O'Hara or to Anne Boleyn. She is a thoroughly fleshed out character and such flesh as described is amazing. Beautiful, intelligent, and savvy enough to manage to survive no matter what life throws into her path, she is Woman incarnate. I would have loved to have been able to read these stories in the original French but the translations are outstanding.
I can think of no actress, living or dead, who is or could have been worthy of this role had these books been filmed. The character is just too rich, lush, earthy, and larger than life to be captured by someone of this century. It is fitting that she remains forever in the century that she makes come to life.