A few years ago; Sebastian Haffner's DEFYING HITLER; a memoir about growing up in interwar Germany; sold over forty thousand copies. After he moved to Britain in the 1930s Haffner became so shocked about the situation in his native country that he wrote this book; GERMANY: JEKYLL AND HYDE; in an effort to help people understand the danger Hitler presented to the world. An incredibly accessible book; it is packed with acute analysis of both Hitler and the German people - from the Nazi leaders all the way down to those who opposed them - and is a must-read for anyone interested in the literature of the Second World War.
#175607 in Books Alison Weir 2006-12-26 2006-12-26Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.23 x 1.07 x 5.46l; .92 #File Name: 0345453204528 pagesQueen Isabella Treachery Adultery and Murder in Medieval England
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Is Isabella a she-wolf?By sddunnIsabella of France who married Edward 2 of England was brought up by a father who was king and acted as such. Married off to the king of England at a young age; she gradually realized what an utter failure she had married. Isabella used her influence to help depose the worthless king and put their son on the throne. She did what she had to do in her time but did it as a woman acting far ahead of her time.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A more factual approach for the woman that Queen Isabella became.By BDAlison Weir provides a fresh and factual perspective on Queen Isabella; wife of King Edward II of England. If you are into English history; I would highly recommend this book. The reading is not fast paced but full of actual events and occurances that made this time in history so important. Married around age 12; Isabella moves into adulthood as a woman who well understands politics of the time; the worth of a crown; and the power and wealth it brings. She effectively disposes of her husband; an English King; who has lead a life of immorality turning all English nobility against him. This intelligent woman finds a way over throw her husband replacing her son Edward III on the throne. I find myself going back and starting the book all over again. I can count on Alison Weir; in all of her historical biographies; to provide the reader with insightful and intriguing worlds bringing historical characters to life.7 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Well written biography of Queen IsabellaBy Steven PetersonRemember the movie "Braveheart" and its rendering of the relationships among William Wallace; Edward I; his son (later to become Edward II); and Isabella? Forget about it! This and other works make rubbish of some of the themes raised in that very entertaining and rousing movie.This is the story of the daughter of Philip IV of France; betrothed to Edward; son of Edward I of England (to later become Edward II); to cement peace between the two countries. Wed young; their marriage was probably not consummated for some time. Perhaps a part of that was the relationship of Edward to a young companion--Piers Gaveston. This was the first in what apparently were two intimate relationships with a male--Hugh Despenser being the other. Both led to hardships to Isabelle; as she was displaced in Edward's affections by his male partners; and as she was marginalized in terms of her role as queen.When Edward ascended to the throne; he was woefully inept. He allowed others (Piers and Hugh) to influence his decisions; creating hatred among other nobles. Isabelle found ways during some of this time to create a role for herself; but she was often pushed to the side by the two comrades--at different times--of Edward II. She bore Edward children; including the son who would become Edward III. At one point; she felt so compromised that; once she went to France on a diplomatic mission to her French royal family; she did not return and began a scandalous relationship with Roger Mortimer; who also had fled England in fear of losing his life.Then; the compelling story of Isabella and Mortimer gathering a force and invading England; driving Edward II from the throne; Mortimer's and her misrule under the facade of Edward III's reign (featuring acquisitiveness of property; cruelty by Mortimer; a very unpopular settlement of affairs with Scotland and France; the apparent death/murder of Edward II) led to Edward III asserting himself and assuming command. Mortimer's fate was hideous; Isabelle was allowed to lead a life appropriate to the Queen Mother and reached a ripe old age.There are mysteries addressed--not wholly convincingly--in this work; such as the contention that Edward II may well have escaped his fate and lived out a longer life in exile. I was not over convinced; but others have raised the same suggestion.This is a well written work; with much historical detail; on the life of Queen Isabelle and the context in which she lived. Details are richly provided; giving a sense of the reality of the era. A worthwhile historical piece. . . .
