Kakaku：220 saved$2.20
Back Bay Books
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Admirable, but Faulty) 『"Athenais" is a book detailing the life of Athenais de Montespan, Louis XIV's best mistress. While it is an interesting and richly detailed book, it boasts a problem which only serves to muddy it completely.
It's obvious that Lisa Hilton is not only interested in Madame de Montespan, she emulates her. While she has very few kind or even fair words for Louis XIV's other mistresses, she is brimming with praise and admiration for her subject. All others are conniving and undeserving when Athenais is concerned. If Athenais commits a heinous act, it's either for the greater good or simply not her fault. If one of the others does so, however, they are open to complete defamation. Hilton goes out of her way to try and justify the actions of Athenais de Montespan, and it seriously interfered with my enjoyment of the book.
This is further worsened by the fact that Hilton calls this a "biography," though her favoritism and bias can be found on almost every page. If she had approached the subject in an objective and scholarly way, the book would have been much better overall.
There were many admirable things about this book. One is the attention to detail that Lisa Hilton took. The book can only be described as rich and vibrant. Another is that it is full of little historical facts about the French court and its courtiers. You learn quite a bit from reading this.
All in all, this is an entertaining and informative book. I only wish the author hadn't taken such liberties with it, seeing as it's supposed to be a biography.』
(Athenais and the world of Louis XIV) 『As a scholar of Louis XIV and his times, I must say that "Athenais: The Life of Louis XIV's Mistress" is a truly excellent addition to the library of anyone interested in the period. Louis XIV was the king of France (not Spain as the previous reviewer wishes you to believe) during the height of its "superpower" days. Married to a Spanish princess in a loveless political marriage, he carried on a series of affairs with various women. Three became truly important, and each corresponds to the major phases in his life: Louise Francoise de la Valliere when he was youmg and new to power, Francoise Athenais de Montespan during the height of his golry, and Madame de Maintenon during his waning years, when the king became religious and gloomy, while France suffered economic hardship and war with much of Europe. The author captures the characters well, showing them as real people in their true environment, without putting a modern day spin on their thoughts or actions. The writing is well done and detailed, without becoming bogged down or tedious. I believe that this is an excellent book for one to spark an interest in this fascinating time in history.』
(The fake queen of France) 『People have always been fascinated by beautiful, glamorous royal mistresses. They are the ultimate bad girls, beautiful and sensual, and one of the baddest was Athenais de Montespan, the longtime love of the Sun King.
Unfortunately, "Athenais : The Life of Louis XIV's Mistress, the Real Queen Of France" is so tilted in Athenais's favour that it's impossible to take Lisa Hilton's work seriously. She's a good writer, but she also apparently has the sensibilities of a airhead prom queen, to whom baubles and beauty are everything.
Athenais de Montespan was in trouble before she encountered King Louis XIV, the handsome young king of France. With a crazy, debt-ridden husband who pawned her earrings to pay his debts, Athenais was all too willing to lure in the King, in the hopes of becoming his new official mistress -- and displacing the lovely Louise de Valliere, her old pal.
Athenais did become the new mistress, and soon became the center of cultural life around the Sun King's court, as well as bearing him several illegitimate children. But as time went on and she made some terrible choices, Athenais was replaced by the most unlikely of romantic rivals -- an older governess who looked after her children.
Even infamous figures like La Montespan can be cast in a compelling light, if shown realistically. Unfortunately, Hilton doesn't seem to realize this; apparently she's too dazzled by Athenais's beauty, sex appeal, wit and intelligence (most of which were focused on keeping the king in bed with her), as well as the love story between Montespan and Louis XIV. And, of course, roasting any women who infringed on that love story.
Don't expect the other women to get such, ahem, royal treament. The poor queen is given a little slack for her deformities, but Hilton sneeringly calls her a "dreary object" with a "lumpy Hapsburg nose." Louise de Valliere is portrayed as a scheming, whining idiot who tries to steal (back) the king from Athenais, and kindly old Madame de Maintenon as a prudish, scheming old hypocrite... apparently because they were neither as acidly witty or as beautiful as Athenais. Louis himself is painted as a gullible man-child who desperately needs Athenais to make Versailles and himself suitably glamorous. Yes, it really is that shallow.
While these women are accused of hypocrisy, scheming, emotional blackmail, and of luring the king to bed via shrewd plotting, Athenais does all these things as well. And whatever flaws aren't ignored (Satanism) are painted as the marks of a strong, intelligent woman, who is even gushed over as a "goddess."
It must be admitted that this book is written beautifully; Hilton brings Versailles at its peak to life, and describes the beautiful rooms and clothing with excellent prose. Unfortunately, the slanted focus of the book is too much to stand. So, it was okay for Athenais to abuse Louise, because Louise had an "infuriating lack of dignity"? Sorry, doesn't wash.
While beautifully written, the shallowness and cattiness of Lisa Hilton's book makes it a squirmingly biased read. This is Athenais de Montespan... high school clique-style.』
IPhone 3G used's review (A TRAGIC ROYAL MARRIAGE...) 『This is a well-written work of historical fiction that will keep the reader riveted to its pages until the very end. It tells the story of Princess Caroline Mathilde of England, sister to King George III. At the age of fifteen she was wed to young King Christian VII, who eventually became known as the mad king of Denmark. Temperamental, high strung, and given to strange outbursts, his predilection for strange behavior was known early on, but despite this, the two kingdoms would still see these two wed, as the unification of England and Denmark was paramount to individual happiness.
King Christian VII developed a peculiar aversion to his wife and, consequently had conjugal relations with her only once, which propitiously resulted in the birth of a son nine months later. Alone in a foreign country, whose language she was only beginning to learn, and estranged from a King surrounded by sycophants, the young Queen gravitated to the one person who treated her as a person in her own right, the King's physician, Johann Struensee.
An advocate of the philosophy of Enlightenment that was overtaking Europe, Struensee had many ideas that were introduced as reforms in Denmark, through his influence with the King, who by now was easily led. These reforms were to make many enemies for him, as they upset the established feudal system that still existed in eighteenth century Denmark at the time. As he gained power through his influence, resentment against him grew within those circles that had formerly been close to the King. Unaware of the growing animosity against him, Struensee and the Queen became close intimates, bound by shared ideas and interests.
Struensee's relationship with the Queen, who was lonely and starved for affection, eventually transgressed the bounds set by propriety. Now lovers in fact, their relationship became grist for the rumor mill. As gossip and innuendo about their relationship swirled across royal circles in Europe, it ultimately became the focal point for a political coup that saw them both arrested and charged with treason. What ultimately happened to each of them was tragic.
IPhone 3G used's review (One of the Best Books I ever read) 『I found this book at a library a long time ago, and was imediatly intrigued from the first sentance on. I tried to borrow it a second time, but found that someone else had bought it. This is the only book I have ever read out of the series, because i couldn't get my hands on any others. I loved this book, and am positive that the whole series is just as great. I don't understand why they went out of print, and if I could, would Write a letter to the editor, or whoever decided to put them out of print and demand that they start making these books again. I love this book, and they are so much more worth reading than Harry Potter. If you some how get to read this book, I can guarantee that you will love it.』
(Out Of Print Wonders!) 『*I am currently typing these books up on my comp. If you'd like them with no cost just to view please email me!*』
(Out of Print Wonders!) 『Into The Dream is the fourth book in The Secret Of The Unicorn Queen series, written by four different authors. Shelia has returned safely to her home and is now more active in sports than ever. Her best friend Cookie can't understand what has happened to Shelia a month ago and how she has changed so much. Shelia wakes from sleepless dreams of Morning Star, her unicorn, calling out to her. Feeling tugged by Star she returns to the world of the Unicorn Queen only to learn that the unicorns are disappearing! Along with the fact that Darian is no longer speaking to her let alone it appears a romance maybe in the blossom between Dian and him! Once again Shelia must battle Mardock to save the unicorns that she so dearly loves. The entire series The Secret Of The Unicorn Queen is a magnificant set of books. Each one is a story all it's own that captures the attention of childen and adults alike. It doesn't matter if you are male or female you'll love these books, because they action packed with a twist of romance. I urge you to buy these books if you can! You won't regret it!』
(I LOVE IT!) 『I got the first book in the series when I was 8. I'm 21 now and still love the books. The series is great for girls young and old. If you get the chance to read them, do it.』
(Loved part 4 and 5- i want the rest! PLEASE!) 『I can't believe all of these people read and loved these books! I thought i was the only one who had heard of them! I only have 4 and 5, and that's all i've read... I want to read them all, i want to know how this whole thing started and how it ends! Anybody interested in sharing books, i'll share with you! Better if i can find my own copies, but i'd rather read them only once than never at all.』
IPhone 3G used's review (I'm going to get these books back in print! Can you help?) 『I'm launching a letter campaign to get these books back. It is ridiculous what people are spending for a book that should be available to young girls and old alike. Libraries can't keep these books in stock! If you want to help me this is what I'm doing: I will mail a letter a day to the Ballantine/Fawcet press asking that they publish The Secret of the Unicorn Queen Series. I will say that there is a genuine need for these books and that they will sell. In order to prove the high demand for these books it would be great to have other people send in letters too. Anyone who is interested can e-mail me (it's a hotmail account with my name) or just write and mail a letter. This shouldn't be a herculean labor, these books are marketable and will sell, the publisher can't go wrong. (I love the cover art too-Rowena is brilliant!)』
(Fabulous!) 『I read these books over and over until I was in middle school. They're great! I was a dummy and donated them to my school library of the time and they're long gone. That was over 10 years ago and I'm still kicking myself.』
(If you know where to get this book...) 『I read "Swept Away" years ago, and when I went to the library to check it out again, it was gone. Disappeared. I cried. If any kind soul reads this and knows where I can get a copy of ANY of the "Unicorn Queen" books, I would be eternally greatfull if you would write to me and tell me where. Thank You!』
(Wonderful For All Ages!) 『I got the series from a friend and just keep readng them over and over! I love them! I just can't put them down! I woiuld recommend this series to ANY lover of fantasy! And the cover work is beautiful!』
(Great Series) 『I read this series in third grade and I can still sit down and read it over and over. The six books are one of my treasured series that I will never get rid of, and it fueled many stories of my own!』
IPhone 3G used's review (Great books!) 『I love these books because they have unicorns,action and a little bit of romance (who dosn't love those things?)! I find the main part of the story too short, though. The only other remotely bad thing about these books is how to find them for cheap but still in good condition.』
(Out of Print Wonders!) 『The Final Test is the third book in The Secret Of The Unicorn Queen series, written by four different authors. In this book Shelia has to try and outwit Mardock and save the unicorns in the process. Shelia battles hard to help her friends, the unicorn riders and their leader Illyria, while still trying to get home in one piece. A kindling romance has blossomed between Darian and Shelia in book two, Sun Blind, and is ever growing through out this book. As the story advances we see Dr. Reit trying extremly hard to get Shelia home to her own time, but if she does go home that'd mean leaving this world and everything in it behind! The entire series The Secret Of The Unicorn Queen is a magnificant set of books. Each one is a story all it's own that captures the attention of childen and adults alike. It doesn't matter if you are male or female you'll love these books, because they action packed with a twist of romance. The only problem is finding them! Luckly for me I visited a local library, were I used to live, on the day they were selling off unread inventory. I was amazed to find that the books, which I had read from this library 7 years previously, were still in great condition and for sale. I baught all six books for pretty little. Considering that these books sell for a lot in this great condition. I urge you to buy these books if you can! You won't regret it!』
(This book is great, you'll enjoy it!) 『This was the first book I read in this series and I loved it at once. I loved unicorns when I was little and still do, and combined with magic, adventure, romance, and danger this book was a hit for me! I hope they decide to re-publish it so more people can enjoy it!』
Kakaku：999 saved$9.99
TokyoPop
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (best book ever<3) 『love it, the other person before me summed it up<3 just buy it, you'll love it<3 ^-^ mahahaha!』
(A fun and interesting read) 『Queens is about a teenage boy who wants to get the girl of his dreams but he is just too girly for her. He ends up meeting the author of a book on how to be more manly and eventually the author and her friends begin to try to help him man up. lol ;D Its a nice, funny, and light read. The artwork is very unique and the cover looks stylish. Pick up a copy. ^_^ I really hope the next one is released soon.』 『Meet Pil-Hyun Jung, a self-proclaimed pretty boy hoping to inject a little more macho into his manhood. He is known as "Teddy Boy" by his classmates, and for good reason: he has a particular affection towards cuddly bears, and he's sweet and has good looks--not to mention a natural charm. But what Pil-Hyun really needs is to learn what it means to be one of the guys! And who would be up for a task to mentor our hero? Enter, Bok-Nam Park, Ah-Yung Sohn, and Hyun-Ja Lee--a colorful crew that's about to give Pil-Hyun a makeover!』
Kakaku：187 saved$1.87
Atria
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (The greates) 『I loved Blossom because it was so real! Her man blew up but so did their relationship and everyhing else. This was the best book ever I reccomend it for anyone!』
(I was surprised) 『I was surprised that I really liked this book. I can not wait for the sequel. I gave it 4 stars only because I did not know it part1 or I would have waited until the second book came to buy this one. But I like it just the same. Good read for those who like urban books.』
(MRS. MOOCHIE) 『NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S COVER!!! THE COVER NEVER APPEALED TO ME SO IT TOOK ME 2 YEARS TO BUY IT. THIS IS THE BEST BOOK I'VE READ IN A LONG TIME. CAN'T WAIT UNTIL PART 2!!!!!!』
(Good Book) 『I actually liked this story, good going Queen! Although I felt Blossoms pain at the end but I didn't understand why she spazzed out like she did on her sister and friend. She didn't want him so why was she so mad? I can't wait for part 2, hopefully there is a part 2.』
(Loved it!!) 『This book is a very good book to read. It was shoking to me to know that my girl Queen Pen was so talented! She had me locked from the beginning to the end, and I was kinda upset when there was no more to read. I hope there will be a sequel real soon. Blossom did her thing and was a ride or die chick for her man Dude. He just took to damn long to realize what he had and then when he did it was too late! This is a must read book for all the ghetto readers!!!』 『When Blossom, a beautiful schoolgirl, meets an older, charismatic street hustler named Dude, she gets a delicious taste of the good life. Lavished with expensive jewelry, exotic getaways, and, most important, her first love, Blossom's life is transformed. But her fairy tale is quickly ended when a murder occurs -- meant for the two lovers -- and Dude's emotional pain and controlling temper cause him to change his attitude toward Blossom. Soon deceit casts a dark shadow over their relationship, and Blossom is left feeling abandoned and betrayed -- but still hopelessly in love.
A portrait of life in urban black America,Blossomtakes us on the rocky journey of falling in love with a street hustler, where tomorrow is never guaranteed -- even for Blossom, a woman full of such life and promise.
IPhone 3G used's review (Hollywood from Ellery Queen's Perspective) 『The Devil to Pay (1937), The Four of Hearts (1938), and The Origin of Evil (1951) roughly fall in Ellery Queen's middle period and are unique in that the setting is Hollywood. Four Walls Eight Windows published these three mysteries in 2000 under the title The Hollywood Murders.
Ellery's deductions are dazzling as usual, despite that Ellery himself sometimes seems out of place, even stranded, in the unorthodox milieu of Hollywood. Ellery encounters classic Hollywood stereotypes from movie stars to film producers to gossip columnists. The plots offer humor, some snappy dialogue, and a few extravagant Hollywood effects (e.g., a murderous pilot commandeers a small plane). I commend Four Walls Eight Windows for printing this collection.
The Devil to Pay (1937): Ellery Queen has been persuaded to rush to Hollywood to assist in writing a major production only to find that the producer is unavailable. Ellery becomes increasingly frustrated as he waits and waits for his first assignment. Fortuitously, he becomes involved in solving a bizarre murder of a hard-hearted, unethical financier. The murder weapon is an Italian dueling sword of the seventeenth century; its tip is coated with molasses and cyanide.
Ellery's remarkable reputation on the eastern seaboard is of little value in Los Angeles. Ejected from a crime scene, he subsequently masquerades as Hilary "Scoop" King, a colorful investigative reporter, to gain access to crime sites and confidential information. While somewhat farcical, this device allows the story to proceed.
The Four of Hearts (1938): In this sequel Ellery finally meets the young Jacques Butcher, colloquially known as Boy Wonder, executive vice-president of production at Magna Studios, and Ellery begins his work on a screen play. Unfortunately, an elaborate publicity stunt for the new production is derailed by a double murder. While the portrayal of the Hollywood film industry may not be entirely accurate, the plot is entertaining.
The Origin of Evil (1951): Thirteen years have elapsed and Ellery returns to a Hollywood that is reeling from the advent of television. However, as Ellery observes, Hollywood's post-mortem may be premature. This third Hollywood mystery reveals a growing list of surrealistic clues, including a dead dog, dead frogs, a poisoned sandwich, and a mutilated leather bound book of Aristophanes. The solution within a solution offered by Ellery is quite ingenious.
If you cannot find a copy of The Hollywood Murders, you might look for paperback editions from the 1970s and 1980s published by Ballantine Books, Signet Classics, and the Signet Double Mystery series. They are all inexpensive. The Origin of Evil is easiest to locate - look for a 1992 reprint edition by Harper Perennial.』 『
New York's crime-solving genius is adrift in Tinseltown until a series of fatal finales revives him. With ambitious starlets, idols, and majordomos, The Hollywood Murders offers witty proof that the nature of evil is a bit gaudier on the West Coast. "A grand mystery, lightly handled and expertly solved." - The New Yorker
Kakaku：428 saved$4.28
Da Capo Press
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (twilight zone) 『Ms Dennys unfortunately, through what can only be a very biased view, makes all her seemingly excellent research go to waste. She distorts it all to fit her point of view. I have few doubts she uncovered new evidence to prove that not all was "black and white", but with her determination to make Anne and her father true saints it just does not read true. And agreeing with an excellent review I read here, to argue that Catherine of Aragon was a shrew (aactually treacherous!) for not accepting her marriage as not valid and her daughter as bastard, right at the beginning of the book, just makes one want to close the book and go do something more interesting.And somehow I also do not believe the idea that Boleyn also married the king in order to bring forth the new religion sticks, not with all that was known about Henry and his court』
(Biased but Enlightening on Anne) 『Joanna Denny provides the 'white legend' of Anne Boleyn. Anne had deep religous scruples, therefore, God used her influence on King Henry to bring England out of the clutch of Rome -- and therefore, Anne could do no wrong and all who opposed her influence opposed God. That seems to be the premise of the book. Katharine of Aragon was a liar and perverter of truth. Thomas More was a persecuting pervert. Henry was a tyrant before he married Anne; but he was coming closer to grace until he was duped by the Seymours and Cromwell into falling for Jane. Anne had to be labelled an adultress to soothe Henry's ego, and a witch because she was a Protestant, and she had to be killed because 1) she was a threat to the Catholic party; 2) she knew that Henry wasn't so virile; 3) Cromwell saw political advantages in mending fences with the Holy Roman Emperor and the supplanter of the Emperor's aunt was a liability. Now, Anne did a lot for the 'new religion' by encouraging reformist preachers, promoting their writings to the King and protecting them from Chancellor More at home and the Inquisition abroad. I don't see that she was as radical a Protestant as Denny writes. She sponsored them mainly because they were pro-King and anti-Pope as religious shepherd, and thus supported her over Katharine. That Anne saw her queenship as a divine mission makes some sense to her conduct toward her former mistress and the Princess Mary. But Anne was not 'Saint Anne' with the Sword of the Spirit in her hand. Denny plays down that she bedded the King before she wedded him. She plays down her invective against Katherine and Mary by accusing the one of living a lie about her chastity (and this living in sin) and accusing the other of being disobedient and rebellious because she refused to brand her mother a whore and her faith idolatry. Denny is hostile to all the Catholics in this story. For example, I grant that Thomas More was a zealous persecutor of 'heretics'. He was proud of it. Of all people, I would have expected him to see another person's point of view; but he did not. He was so concerned that these heretics would not corrupt other, more ignorant souls, and damning them to hell that he would not see their sincerity or the good in their different beliefs. I warn Ms Denny she is much like him by despising other views of the faith than that of the radical Protestant. [I'm from the Anabaptist sector of Christianity. Sir Thomas would have burnt me alive, so I have no brief for his brand of Catholicism; but I appreciate his concern.]』
(Anne Boleyn: England's Tragic Queen 's tale is told with bias by English author Joanna Denny) 『Anne Boleyn (1501-1536) was the second of the notorious Henry VIII's wives. She was the first of his wives to be beheaded (Katherine Howard was the second and final wife to die in this manner). Anne was the first crowned Queen of England to die by the executioner's sharp blade as a public spectacle, Her often told story is retold by the late Joanna Denny. Denny published this book in 2004. Henry VIII became infatuated by the seductive, highly intelligent and multilingual Anne as his marriage to the dour Catherine of Aragon turned sour. Anne refused to give in to the old king's sexual desires until she had a wedding ring on her pert finger. Henry divorced Catherine claiming she had engaged in sexual intercourse with his older brother the late Arthur Prince of Wales. Henry believed this sin was based on the statement in Leviticus that it was evil to wed the spouse of a deceased brother. Henry believed this was God's curse on his inability to sire a male heir to the throne. He did not want Mary his female child by Catherine of Aragon to sit on the throne. Mary was a devoted Roman Catholic as was her mother. Henry did not want England to become a part of the Holy Roman Empire. As a result of Henry's marriage to Anne the English national church was established and the tie with Rome broken. Anne was an evangelical Protestant whose downfall was engineered by Henry's Lord Chancellor the evil Thomas Cromwell. Anne was accused of adultery with her own brother and several other young bucks at court. She died in 1536 but not before giving birth to Elizabeth I who would reign following the deaths of her half sister Mary and half brother Edward VI. Elizabeth would become one of the greatest rulers in British history. What are the problems with Denny's biography of Anne? a. She is an advocate of Anne who in her eyes can do no wrong. This is a viewpoint contrary to the assessment of many other scholars who saw Anne as a schemer seeking power for herself, her family and her faith. b. The Roman Catholics are all portrayed as bad. Denny has bad things to see about Thomas More who was executed when he refused to agree to the wedding of Henry and Anne. She did prove to me that More was a bigot who sought the death of as many heretics to Roman Catholicism as possible. c. Her style is dry reminding one of a textbook account. The book can be read but the biases of the author need to be noted. I did learn things I didn't know about this well documented tragic tale of love and death and betrayal in Tudor England.
』
(Not for the Close Minded) 『After reading "The Other Boleyn Girl," I wanted to learn more on Anne. Somehow I had reached twenty-five years old without knowing much on Tudor history. This book happened to be on sale here on Amazon, and I bought it. After reading many fiction and non-fiction stories of Queen Anne, I still go back to this book.
It explores every aspect of her life, from before her birth to after her death. It includes many pictures. It is a little heavy to read all in one sitting, and I usually just take in a couple chunks at a time.
Many of the other reviewers hated it for opposing the "facts" that have been known about Anne. Denny does a wonderful job of stating how Anne was most likely tarnished after her death, leading to the many negative things still being written on her. The truth is, we will never the all the facts about Anne, or anything in history, as we were not there. Something that happened yesterday could be told from a friend, and you would get their point of view, as it is told from a person.
What Denny does is give other possible explanations of Anne's life. This book is not for those that have an opinion of Anne as a whore who destroyed England and who only wish to remember her that way. If you have an open mind about events we will never know the whole truth about anyways, pick up this book.』
(Awful, more supposition than fact) 『Having read many biographies and histories of the Tudor period I was shocked to read this book. The author makes claims that have no basis in history and which are totally based on supposition. It seeks to highlight Anne Boleyn and bash the other queens of King Henry VIII. Highly biased, don't waste you time reading it.』 『Joanna Denny reveals the truth about Anne Boleyn--intelligent, literate, and devout--and the truth about her king and his court--violent, scheming, and profane.
This powerful new biography presents a portrait of Anne Boleyn different from the unsavory and unflattering accounts of her that have come down through history. Instead, we learn about the real Anne--a woman who was highly literate, accomplished, an intellectual, and a devout defender of her Protestant faith. Anne's tragedy began when her looks and vivacious charm attracted the notice of England's violent and paranoid king whose love for her trapped her in the vicious politics of the Tudor court.
This compelling account of Anne Boleyn plunges the reader into the intrigue, romance, and danger of King Henry VIII's court and the turbulent times that would change England forever. It will forever change our perception of this much-maligned queen.』
大満足！北国のホタテ・いくら・ボタンエビがぎっしり！
