‘heathens and fanaticals have taken over’ ★★★★ ‘A Noble Cunning' is a book inspired by real-life Winifred Herbert Maxwell, Countess of Nithsdale, who, after the failure of the 1715 Jacobite Rebellion, and the subsequent arrest of her husband, attempted to free him from his imprisonment in the Tower of London. Bethan and Gavin, Earl and … Continue reading A Noble Cunning
History
An Enemy Like Me
Patriotism mingled with heartache ★★★★ 'An Enemy Like Me' highlights the humanity of war; the people and families behind the guns, destruction, and violence, 'Had they [those who started the war] considered the spoiled gardens, the tearing apart of families, the devastating loneliness?' Jakob Mueller is a first-generation American. Although he lost his father when … Continue reading An Enemy Like Me
The Confidante
'The morale of the nation depends upon its women' ★★★★★ Early 20th Century America was a place of change and opportunity. Within the first 50 years, US citizens were a party of industrialisation, the depression, two world wars, and the cold war. What is not so well known is the part Anna Rosenberg, a Jewish-Hungarian … Continue reading The Confidante
Goodnight from Paris
'Bonne Nuit', you've been listening to Drue Leyton ★★★★★ ‘Goodnight from Paris' is based on real-life American actress Drue Leyton who, after marrying a Frenchman, chose to say in France for the duration of WWII and become a part of the Resistance. Drue's husband, Jacques, joined the British Coldstream Guards as a translator early in … Continue reading Goodnight from Paris
The Mitford Affair
Arguably the most colourful sisters of the 20th Century ★★★★ 'The A The Mitford Affair' tells the story of how three sisters became entwined within the politics which triggered WWII. Nancy, Diana, and Unity are the three eldest of seven Mitford children. Born titled but raised as impoverished aristocrats, the Mitfords are eccentric and polarised … Continue reading The Mitford Affair
American Adventuress
A woman who preferred to do things her own way ★★★★★ 'The American Adventuress' - Jennie Jerome foraged a path to English aristocracy and, perhaps prompted the onset of the 'dollar princess' age. Seemingly lauded and vilified in equal parts, Jennie definitely was her own woman; directly juxtaposed to the 'illustrious lineage', with their crumbling … Continue reading American Adventuress
Woman, Captain, Rebel
Like an Icelandic Saga ★★★★ Captain Thuridur, born in Iceland in the late 18th century, survives volcanic 'hell' in childhood to begin fishing the icy Atlantic waters and becomes a fishing captain as a young adult. Perilously navigating weather and the sea to cheat death on a daily basis, 'Woman, Captain, Rebel' she was. What … Continue reading Woman, Captain, Rebel
A Complicated Matter
'happiness was just another word for peace of mind’ ★★★★★ ' 'A Complicated Matter' is a journey. Like all good journeys, it ambles, stumbles on the unforeseen, and is at times wayward. This story is based on the real-life evacuation of Gibraltar at the onset of WWII. Predominately women and children were wrenched not only … Continue reading A Complicated Matter
Women in White Coats
Women have always nurtured, it's ludicrous that they were ousted from this role ★★★★ 'Women in White Coats' is a well-researched book that describes the struggles the first women in both America and the United Kingdom went through in order to gain their professional medical accreditation. Olivia Campbell also provides historical context throughout so the … Continue reading Women in White Coats