United Kingdom Books

What a great contribution these authors have made to the world of Renaissance and Thomas More studies! This comprehensive anthology provides a wealth of primary sources as well as related materials on Thomas More and his world. Due to the multi-faceted character of its subject, this book will be of interest to historians, biographers, educators, theologians, writers, politicians, and many others as well. The "Man for All Seasons" was a lawyer, judge, husband and father, scholar, counselor to the king, and martyr, and this rich source book provides the background to the inner man. The authors begin with contemporary biographies and sketches of More, then explore samples of his own works. Selections from his early poems and letters are followed by some of his writings on education (he was a trend-setter in promoting education of women), government, and religion. The closing section, "More's Last Days", includes samples of his letters, various accounts of his trial, and the Paris Newsletter report on his execution.

This book provides a solid foundation for More studies and would serve as an excellent college text. Following an informative Introduction, a treasury of More-related material is provided. Even the Elizabethan play "Munday and Shakespeare's 'Sir Thomas More'" is provided in its entirety. Explanatory introductions are given to all selections, and clear glosses enrich the text throughout the book. Perhaps the only thing one might miss here is More's most famous work, "Utopia", but for study at this level, it certainly deserves to be treated separately, in its entirety.

This handsome and convenient text is further enriched by a lovely collection of portraits and other related artworks, even reproductions of pages from More's prayer book (showing his own hand-written additions). Helpful material at the end of the book includes several chronologies, some original well-annotated maps, and a very thorough Index. These tools should prove most useful to More scholars.

In sum, I feel that this book provides a wonderful tool for those who explore the world of Renaissance England and the person of Thomas More. We can only be grateful that Professors Wegemer and Smith foresaw the need for this book and did such a fine job in producing it.

Although some scholars purchase this book as part of the class and lecture series on Thomas More, I bought it to console myself since I could not attend a class.
I was impressed by Thomas More's clarity of thought and ability to decide "the right thing to do" at each turn in his life. Clearly, many of his contemporaries admired him for this characteristic of his as well, as their contributions to this book show. I enjoyed the thought-provoking depth which Thomas More shares through his own writing.

I love this book because i was looking where to go for my master degree and it helps me a lot to choose which university to go! I found it easy to navigate inside. It is just Great!

Very useful book for anyone headed to University (or obviously a more updated version). Arrived quickly and in great condition.

My son is looking at schools in UK and this gives you the inside look at which colleges are rated best from intelligent local perspective.

Our family trip to Britain was so enriched by this book which details historic or geographic sites by map and by town in each region. We were driving and could explore; a nearby town with a windmill, or a battle site; even one town boasting of it's magnificant "hedge". While in York we hopped in a cab to tour the town and found the cabbie had a copy in the back seat. He proclaimed it the best he had seen. We agree! A great guide if you are chasing history.

One of the best guides I've found. It was a treat to read cover to cover even after returning from my trip. The information is broken down geographically, and covers approximately 30 sq miles per page with many key cities in full page detail. All major places of interest as well as many little know sites are listed for each area. I found the city maps even more helpful than the road maps I took along. No hotel information is given, but I recommend this book above most travel guides for the beginning stages of planning.

TRACING YOUR NAVAL ANCESTORS comes from a British publisher and provides a comprehensive guide for family and naval histories which will reach beyond British roots to those in the U.S. who have family roots overseas. From a survey of the history of the Royal Navy, of interest to any military historian, to discussions of how service records are organized, where they are kept, casualty and wound records, and court martial and pension records, chapters cover key naval documents and helps researchers plan research venues, identify key documents, and locate naval-specific sources. A unique, highly recommended reference for both military historians and genealogists alike.

Diane C. Donovan, Editor
California Bookwatch

TRACING YOUR NAVAL ANCESTORS comes from a British publisher and provides a comprehensive guide for family and naval histories which will reach beyond British roots to those in the U.S. who have family roots overseas. From a survey of the history of the Royal Navy, of interest to any military historian, to discussions of how service records are organized, where they are kept, casualty and wound records, and court martial and pension records, chapters cover key naval documents and helps researchers plan research venues, identify key documents, and locate naval-specific sources. A unique, highly recommended reference for both military historians and genealogists alike.

Diane C. Donovan, Editor
California Bookwatch

I'd visited London a dozen times before buying this book -- and I still found lots of new places to visit. The book groups stores and restaurants into chapters such as "Coffee Roasters and Tea Merchants" and "Purveyors of Specialty Foods" as well as more obscure categories such as "Umbrella Shops" (well, after all, this is London!)
Each shop or restaurant has a page or two devoted to it, itemizing the address, phone number, website, nearest Tube stop, and hours of operation. There's also a brief history of each store as well as the best things to buy there (or order there, in the case of the restaurants and pubs.)
The book ends with a quick roundup of the best street markets in London.
This is a book for the discerning Anglophile. Its small size makes it easy to tuck into your carry-on bag.

Excellent, any interested in unique old & interesting places in London should buy this book, loved it.

This book will serve as your "forever" resource on everything England. If you have never been there it will help you to develop a plan, and it will help you find things that are off the track. It is a resource that seasoned travellers will find excellent as well. I have the newest edition and one of the originals, they are both fantastic. If you have room for only one big England book, this should be it, and if you have room for many you will still value this one the most!

What a wonderful book. It is set up like an encyclopedia, in alphabetical order, with entries about places in Britain that are of architectural, cultural, and historical interest. The entries are fascinating and the pictures are beautiful. I can open it on any random page and be enthralled. I could spend hours engrossed by it!

The only downside of this book is that it is a constant reminder that no matter how many times you have visited Britain, there are still hundreds of places and things in Britain you still need to see!

All of Mary Dobson's "Smelly Old History" books are an excellent way for elementary students to learn history and take whiffs of the many foul smells along history's timeline. The kids get so excited to smell the next foul smell they forget they are learning historical facts as they go. My first grade boy loves the books, but loves scratching the smells best. Some of the facts are a bit beyond 1st grade and younger, but they will still love the books. Ideal for 3rd-5th graders, who have some knowledge of ancient history and can remember names of people and important events in history. Excellent and fun choice for any elementary age student as a gift or for school.

If you've got a "nose for news", (like we do at the Tudor Times), then this is for you. I do actually own a copy, but, it's still safe in the clear plastic wrapper. "Stinking Streets, riddled with rats and plague"... "Sailors on the high seas"..."Revolting Royals", and more. Just reading the back cover sends me straight to a clove studded orange. Part of the "Smelly Old History" series: "Roman Aromas" and "Victorian Vapours". Good for a giggle.

Richard Rex is Director of Studies at Queens' College in Cambridge and the author of numerous papers on Tudor England, so his introduction THE TUDORS comes from a richly researched background, making it a `must' for in-depth English history collections at the college level. The public and private lives of the Tudors of England's `golden age' are examined in a guide which considers how dukes and kings influenced one of the greatest ages in English history.

The Tudors is a wonderfully written book. Instead of focusing on mundane little details about each monarch's personal life, this book focuses on what each one did while ruling England. This is a great book for those who want an overview of the Tudor dynasty, and would make an excellent textbook for a course on Tudor history.

Brilliantly written and sharply focused account of 25 year old Spud's and Tess's ten month "walk" along the coasts of England, Scotland, and Wales. The drudgery, pain, beauty, and ugliness of the journey are portrayed so realistically that you feel every step. Spud is the writer and Tess is her dog. Spud walked 4,500 miles while Tess ran about 15,000 or more.

This is not a book you can breeze through and you may find that you don't particularly like Spud, but you have to admire her determination and her love for her dog. She doesn't show much of a sense of humor, but it might be difficult to have one after the first 500 miles.

Make sure you buy the 2001 edition of this book for the update at the back. Spud faced serious health problems several years after her walk.

I gave this book five stars because it truly deserves them. However, Alan Booth's book, THE ROADS TO SATA, deserves six stars on the same scale.

This is a book I thoroughly enjoyed. Granted, I am a dog lover, a walker, and a person who enjoys being outside as often as possible. This book brings one all of those things while sitting comfortably at home. It is written in a brisk style that took a little getting used to, yet once I let go of wanting more details about the people she meets on her journey, I really got into the rhythm of the trip.
Spud is a serious person, who wants to have a good time, and also has a good sense of humor. She takes one over some terribly grueling terrain in her determination to walk the entire coast of Britain in an effort to raise money and conciousness about the plight of the homeless in Britain. Whether she is in Scotland in the dead of winter, or climbing the hills in Wales through the beginning of spring, it is a riveting tale. It's a daunting task, and she doesn't make it sound like a walk in the park. She doesn't forget to mention the beauty of certain areas as compared to the destruction Mankind seems to leave behind. It is this contrast that she observes which only makes for a better understanding of the regions she passes through.
Anyone who wants to feel what it's like to pit oneself against the elements of nature, against ones own physical body in rebellion, or just wants a good adventure story about a really good cause, will find what they are looking for in this book.

Two Kingdoms, Two Loyalties is an an extremely helpful book. Well-researched and well-written, it sheds considerable light on the American state in the twentieth century and on the nature of "conservative" Protestantism in the modern U.S.

Found it to be interesting and well researched account of the changes in Mennonite social and spiritual mores over the period from WWII to Vietnam. Noted Los Angeles Mennonite scholar T. Lasorda recently opined that Bush "wasn't a hit with the Mennoknights but his prose, passion, and persuasion make this a must read for those seeking enlightenment on the topic."