The winner of South Africa's prestigious Sunday Times/Alan Paton prize; this moving; illuminating memoir chronicles the life of an extraordinary woman in South Africa who was born in 1873 in colonial South Africa and lived through the early years of apartheid to her death in 1955. The story of Katie Makanya opens a window to a side of South African life seldom recorded; examining South Africa's patriarchal culture; customs; community traditions; poverty and hardships. Spanning two centuries and set in South Africa's major cities and towns; this memoir encompasses epoch-making events from the Boer War to the World Wars to the transition from colonialism to apartheid.
#23947 in Books Sarah Gristwood 2016-11-29 2016-11-29Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.63 x 1.25 x 6.38l; #File Name: 0465096786384 pagesGame of Queens The Women Who Made Sixteenth Century Europe
Review
43 of 45 people found the following review helpful. Detailed and wonderfully written book celebrating powerful queens of Western EuropeBy Carole P. RomanDetailed and wonderfully written book celebrating powerful queens of Western Europe. Starting with Isabella of Spain and ending with Elizabeth I. Gristwood writes of the various women from England; The Netherlands; Spain; Hungary; and France and how they impacted history. Isabella of Spain broke the mold as a warrior queen; setting the precedent of a woman taking control of her country as well as standing beside her troops in battle. With each new personality; Gristwood shows how they influenced the next generation of queens in training. Isabella's fierce ability to govern and defend her country set the example for her own daughter Katherine of Aragon to act as regent in Henry's absence and defeat the Scots at Flodden. Similarly; the author compares Margaret Tudor's role in Scotland as well as Anne of France's impact on the girls she mentored. The author moves through time; describing the dynamics of Marguerite of Savoy's relationship with both her brother; Francis I and her mother; Louise of Savoy. Each new era brings a widening influence affecting women across Europe; the older queens tutoring the younger girls in their future roles. Interestingly; she writes that Anne Boleyn's failure and ultimate downfall may have been the result of her not being an actual princess; her common roots leaving her unprepared the navigate the dangerous shoals of palace politics. She asserts that Boleyn was so caught up in the idea of courtly love; she had no understanding of when to stop and perhaps protect herself. She shows the differences of a political savvy Marguerite of Navarre played with her brother; the king when he forced an undesirable marriage on her daughter. Marguerite understood the dangerous dance of when to push and when to retreat; unlike Anne who did not. Mary of Hungary; Catherine de Medici; Elizabeth 1; Mary of Guise; Mary of Scotland; are a few of the ruling queens mentioned. The times created women who learned how to steer the world; shaping bloodlines as well as borders with quiet strength. They changed what they believed in with passionate dedication proving leadership did not belong solely in a king's hands.Interesting; at times; riveting; this is a fascinating glimpse into a world that is too often overshadowed by the achievements of kings rather than the women who surrounded and influenced them.59 of 63 people found the following review helpful. The Condensed History of Women RulersBy libbyeThis is my new favorite book. Reading this;I understand now ;the significance of Anne Boleyn learning from Louise of Savoy;and her daughter; Marguerite of Navarre. This book covers sixteen reigning Queens;from 1472;until the death of Elizabeth the First;in 1603. Very fast read;with much information; and several asides from the author. This book also has three family trees(Spanish; English; and French) ;as well as a list of the cast;for quick reference.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Long may they reignBy Carolina CasasSimply one of the best books that brilliantly illustrates queenship; giving other examples of female leadership; and highlighting female bonds from the late medieval and renaissance eras. Whereas other books focus solely on Tudor queens and matriarchs; Ms. Gristwood chose to focus on other key figures who were part of the European stage; also mentioning other women who because of their common struggles and their gender; chose to rely on some of these formidable women.Another thing that Sarah Gristwood does is show us just how brutal -and complicated- these eras were. These women took refuge in their religion; using it as a justification for their actions or to validate themselves as regents; queen regnants or governors; but painfully brushed it aside when it came to their survival and their kingdom’s future.
