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Royalty biography, European history
Synthetic audio
¿Quién habría podido imaginar que un problema conyugal podría dar lugar a la fascinante historia del Rey Arturo? Pero esto…
es lo que ocurrió. El rey de Britania Uther Pendragón quería casarse con la bella Igraine de Cornualles para que se convirtiera en su reina. Desgraciadamente, Igraine no estaba a favor de este matrimonio, por lo que Uther pidió ayuda a un mago llamado Merlín que resolvió el problema, y Uther e Igraine se casaron felizmente. Para recompensar a Merlín, el rey prometió que le daría su primer hijo a Merlín para que lo criara. Y así sucedió; cuando nació el hijo, Merlín cogió al bebé y lo bautizó con el nombre de Arturo. Al cabo de unos años, el rey Uther enfermó gravemente y, antes de morir, dijo que su hijo Arturo sería el heredero al trono. Ningún noble ni siquiera sabía de la existencia de un heredero, por lo que los nobles que estaban presentes con unos pocos miles de seguidores estaban listos para reclamar la corona. Con la ayuda de una Espada Mística, Arturo pudo convencer a todos los plebeyos y nobles de que estaba destinado a heredar el reino. Finalmente, fue nombrado caballero y, tras ello, coronado rey de aquellas tierras.
Braille (Contracted), Electronic braille (Contracted), DAISY Audio (CD), DAISY Audio (Direct to Player), DAISY Audio (Zip), DAISY text (Direct to player), DAISY text (Zip), Word (Zip), ePub (Zip)
Royalty biography, Hobbies and crafts, European history
Synthetic audio, Automated braille
I felt that Mary was there, pulling at my sleeve, willing me to appreciate the artistry, wanting me to understand…
the dazzle of the material world that shaped her.At her execution Mary, Queen of Scots wore red. Widely known as the colour of strength and passion, it was in fact worn by Mary as the Catholic symbol of martyrdom.In sixteenth-century Europe women's voices were suppressed and silenced. Even for a queen like Mary, her prime duty was to bear sons. In an age when textiles expressed power, Mary exploited them to emphasise her female agency. From her lavishly embroidered gowns as the prospective wife of the French Dauphin to the fashion dolls she used to encourage a Marian style at the Scottish court and the subversive messages she embroidered in captivity for her supporters, Mary used textiles to advance her political agenda, affirm her royal lineage and tell her own story.In this eloquent cultural biography, Clare Hunter exquisitely blends history, politics and memoir to tell the story of a queen in her own voice.
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Royalty biography, History
Synthetic audio, Automated braille
The gripping account of how the Royal family really operates, from the journalist who has spent years studying them. Who…
really runs the show and, as Charles III begins his reign, what will happen next? Throughout history, the British monarchy has relied on its courtiers - the trusted advisers in the King or Queen's inner circle - to ensure its survival as a family and a pillar of the country. Today, as ever, a carefully selected team of people hidden from view steers the royal family's path between public duty and private life. Queen Elizabeth II, after a remarkable 70 years of service, saw the final seasons of her reign without her husband Philip to guide her. Now, a newly ascended Charles seeks to define what his future as King, and that of his court, will be. The question of who is entrusted to guide the royals has never been more vital. Yet, as the tensions within the family are exposed to global scrutiny like never before, the task these courtiers face has never been more challenging. With a dark cloud hanging over Prince Andrew as well as Harry and Meghan's controversial departure from royal life, William and Kate - equipped with a very 21st century approach to press and public relations - now hold the responsibility of making an ancient institution relevant for the decades to come. In fascinating and explosive detail, Valentine Low explores the previously unknown relationship between modern courtiers and the royal family. Courtiers pulls back the veil to reveal an ever-changing system of complex characters, shifting alliances, and a battle of ideas over what the future of the institution should be. This is the inside story of how the monarchy really works, at a pivotal moment in its history.
Braille (Contracted), Electronic braille (Contracted), DAISY Audio (CD), DAISY Audio (Direct to Player), DAISY Audio (Zip), DAISY text (Direct to player), DAISY text (Zip), Word (Zip), ePub (Zip)
Royalty biography, Hobbies and crafts, European history
Synthetic audio, Automated braille
I felt that Mary was there, pulling at my sleeve, willing me to appreciate the artistry, wanting me to understand…
the dazzle of the material world that shaped her.At her execution Mary, Queen of Scots wore red. Widely known as the colour of strength and passion, it was in fact worn by Mary as the Catholic symbol of martyrdom.In sixteenth-century Europe women's voices were suppressed and silenced. Even for a queen like Mary, her prime duty was to bear sons. In an age when textiles expressed power, Mary exploited them to emphasise her female agency. From her lavishly embroidered gowns as the prospective wife of the French Dauphin to the fashion dolls she used to encourage a Marian style at the Scottish court and the subversive messages she embroidered in captivity for her supporters, Mary used textiles to advance her political agenda, affirm her royal lineage and tell her own story.In this eloquent cultural biography, Clare Hunter exquisitely blends history, politics and memoir to tell the story of a queen in her own voice.
Braille (Contracted), Electronic braille (Contracted), DAISY Audio (CD), DAISY Audio (Direct to Player), DAISY Audio (Zip), DAISY text (Direct to player), DAISY text (Zip), Word (Zip), ePub (Zip)
Royalty biography, European history
Synthetic audio, Automated braille
A stunning tour de force and a remarkable achievement.- Alison WeirThis is Our Island Story for the modern age. -…
Charles Spencer'Not just a brilliant compendium of biographies, but the biography of an institution: a marvellous read' - Tom Holland'This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle'(William Shakespeare, Richard II)The British monarchy is the one of the most iconic and enduring institutions in the world. It has weathered the storms of rebellion, revolution and war that brought many of Europe's royal families to an abrupt and bloody end. Its unique survival owes much to the fact that, for all its ancient traditions and protocol, the royal family has proved remarkably responsive to change, evolving to reflect the times. But for much of its history, it also spearheaded seismic change, shaping our religious, political and cultural identity and establishing the British monarchy as the envy of the world.There has never been a more apposite moment to consider the history of this extraordinary survivor. Within the next decade, there is likely to be a change of monarch, sparking renewed global interest on a scale not seen since Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953. Even the media and popular frenzy evoked by recent royal events such as royal weddings and births will not compare to that generated by the accession of a new king. In the lead up to this pivotal moment in Britain's history, Crown & Sceptre explores the history and evolution of the monarchy from 1066 to the present day, feeding the renewed interest not just in the modern royals but in the predecessors who helped shape the institution into what it is today."Crown and Sceptre shows an astonishing command of a thousand years of the British monarchy, its traditions, roles and realities beyond the pageantry and romance. Beautifully crafted, insightful, and a genuine pleasure to read, it underscores the royal heritage at the heart of a nation." - Lauren Mackay"Crown and Sceptre" combines an eminently accessible narrative with a lucid scholarly lens. Tracy Borman skilfully unravels the trials and triumphs of this ever-shifting institution. By charting both the majesty and mechanics of monarchy, we get a vivid understanding of why its glittering gears shifted over time, and by whom the levers of change were pulled. A triumph.' - Owen Emmerson, Curator at Hever Castle'Tracy Borman's passion for the British monarch and the crown is infectious and compelling!' - Estelle Paranque'Borman embraces a huge task' - Gerard DeGroot, The TimesEnlightening, gripping and skilfully composed, Tracy Borman navigates the twists and turns of the British monarchy with an expert hand. A pacy narrative that's simply bursting with colour and intrigue, Crown and Sceptre is both powerful and compulsively readable. A masterpiece. - Nicola Tallis
Braille (Contracted), Electronic braille (Contracted), DAISY Audio (CD), DAISY Audio (Direct to Player), DAISY Audio (Zip), DAISY text (Direct to player), DAISY text (Zip), Word (Zip), ePub (Zip)
Royalty biography, European history
Synthetic audio, Automated braille
A stunning tour de force and a remarkable achievement. - Alison WeirThis is Our Island Story for the modern age.…
- Charles Spencer'Not just a brilliant compendium of biographies, but the biography of an institution: a marvellous read' - Tom Holland'This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle'(William Shakespeare, Richard II)The British monarchy is the one of the most iconic and enduring institutions in the world. It has weathered the storms of rebellion, revolution and war that brought many of Europe's royal families to an abrupt and bloody end. Its unique survival owes much to the fact that, for all its ancient traditions and protocol, the royal family has proved remarkably responsive to change, evolving to reflect the times. But for much of its history, it also spearheaded seismic change, shaping our religious, political and cultural identity and establishing the British monarchy as the envy of the world.There has never been a more apposite moment to consider the history of this extraordinary survivor. Within the next decade, there is likely to be a change of monarch, sparking renewed global interest on a scale not seen since Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953. Even the media and popular frenzy evoked by recent royal events such as royal weddings and births will not compare to that generated by the accession of a new king. In the lead up to this pivotal moment in Britain's history, Crown & Sceptre explores the history and evolution of the monarchy from 1066 to the present day, feeding the renewed interest not just in the modern royals but in the predecessors who helped shape the institution into what it is today."Crown and Sceptre shows an astonishing command of a thousand years of the British monarchy, its traditions, roles and realities beyond the pageantry and romance. Beautifully crafted, insightful, and a genuine pleasure to read, it underscores the royal heritage at the heart of a nation." - Lauren Mackay"Crown and Sceptre" combines an eminently accessible narrative with a lucid scholarly lens. Tracy Borman skilfully unravels the trials and triumphs of this ever-shifting institution. By charting both the majesty and mechanics of monarchy, we get a vivid understanding of why its glittering gears shifted over time, and by whom the levers of change were pulled. A triumph.' - Owen Emmerson, Curator at Hever Castle'Tracy Borman's passion for the British monarch and the crown is infectious and compelling!' - Estelle Paranque'Borman embraces a huge task' - Gerard DeGroot, The TimesEnlightening, gripping and skilfully composed, Tracy Borman navigates the twists and turns of the British monarchy with an expert hand. A pacy narrative that's simply bursting with colour and intrigue, Crown and Sceptre is both powerful and compulsively readable. A masterpiece. - Nicola Tallis
Braille (Contracted), Electronic braille (Contracted), DAISY Audio (CD), DAISY Audio (Direct to Player), DAISY Audio (Zip), DAISY text (Direct to player), DAISY text (Zip), Word (Zip), ePub (Zip)
Royalty biography, European history, World War II
Synthetic audio, Automated braille
At the outbreak of WW2, the British monarchy was in a state of turmoil. The previous king, Edward VIII, had…
abdicated the throne, leaving his unprepared and terrified brother Bertie to become George VI. Meanwhile, as the now-Duke of Windsor awaited the decree that would allow him to marry his mistress Wallis Simpson, he took an increasing interest in the expansionist plans of the Führer of Germany. The Windsors at War tells the story of the turbulent and seismic decade in between 1937 and 1947, including the bombing of Buckingham Palace in May 1940, the Duke of Windsor's ill-advised visit to Germany in October 1937 and the death of the Duke of Kent in a plane crash in August 1942. It answers a simple question: how did this squabbling, dysfunctional family manage to put their differences aside and unite to help win the greatest conflict of their lifetimes?
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Royalty biography, History
Synthetic audio, Automated braille
'A wonderfully fresh, vivid and engaging portrait.' Jane Ridley, author of Bertie: A Life of Edward VII'Has much of the…
abundant charm of its author.' Spectator'The glory of this book is in the details.' The Times'Worsley's command of the material and elegant writing style make this a must-read.' Publisher's Weekly'An intimate glimpse.' Daily Mail 'An engaging portrait of the monarch.' i paper'Provides a unique insight into this inscrutable monarch.' Choice Magazine 'In this lively, light-footed biography, just out in paperback, the popular TV historian Lucy Worsley looks at just 24 days of Victoria's 81-year long life to reveal unexpected sides to the monarch.' BBC History Magazine*******************************Who was Queen Victoria? A little old lady, potato-like in appearance, dressed in everlasting black? She was also a passionate young princess who loved dancing. And there is also a third Victoria, the brilliant queen, one who invented a new role for the monarchy. Victoria found a way of ruling when people were deeply uncomfortable with having a woman on the throne. Her image as a conventional daughter, wife and widow concealed the reality of a talented, instinctive politician. Her actions, if not her words, reveal that she was tearing up the rules on how to be female. But the price of this was deep personal pain.By looking in detail at twenty-four days of her life, through diaries, letters and more, we meet Queen Victoria up-close and personal. Living with her from hour to hour, we can see and celebrate the contradictions that make up British history's most recognisable woman.
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Royalty biography, General non-fiction, European history
Synthetic audio, Automated braille
The gripping account of how the Royal family really operates from the man who has spent years studying them in…
his role as Royal correspondent for The Times. Valentine Low asks the important questions: who really runs the show and, as Charles III begins his reign, what will happen next? Throughout history, the British monarchy has relied on its courtiers - the trusted advisers in the King or Queen's inner circle - to ensure its survival as a family, an ancient institution, and a pillar of the constitution. Today, as ever, a vast team of people hidden from view steers the royal family's path between public duty and private life. Queen Elizabeth II, after a remarkable 70 years of service, saw the final seasons of her reign without her husband Philip to guide her. Meanwhile, newly ascended Charles seeks to define what his future as King, and that of his court, will be. The question of who is entrusted to guide the royals has never been more vital, and yet the task those courtiers face has never been more challenging. With a cloud hanging over Prince Andrew as well as Harry and Meghan's departure from royal life, the complex relationship between modern courtiers and royal principals has been exposed to global scrutiny. As the new Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate - equipped with a very 21st century approach to press and public relations - now hold the responsibility of making an ancient institution relevant for the decades to come. Courtiers reveals an ever-changing system of complex characters, shifting values and ideas over what the future of the institution should be. This is the story of how the monarchy really works, at a pivotal moment in its history.
Braille (Contracted), Electronic braille (Contracted), DAISY Audio (CD), DAISY Audio (Direct to Player), DAISY Audio (Zip), DAISY text (Direct to player), DAISY text (Zip), Word (Zip), ePub (Zip)
Biography, Royalty biography, European history, Self help
Synthetic audio, Automated braille
**Instant Sunday Times Bestseller** Bracing honesty, rare insight, and more revelations: theNew York Timesbestselling author ofLady in Waiting shares everything she's learned…
from her extraordinary and unexpected life.Lady in Waiting brought us royal magic, beguiling insight, and jaw-dropping stories from life inside Anne Glenconner&’s privileged circle, which though golden didn't always glitter. As she revealed in her memoir, it has been one of stark contrasts—from growing up in the splendor of Holkham Hall to living in a tent in the jungle of Mustique, from traveling the world with Princess Margaret to coping with her wildly unpredictable husband Lord Glenconner. She has also survived the tragic loss of two of her sons and nursed a third son back from a coma. Now in her ninth decade and at her happiest, she's keen to share everything her unexpected life has taught her—the wise, the hilarious, the poignant, and the illuminating. As a wife, she became a master in the art of keeping the peace, knowing when to pick her battles, when she needed help—and when to take a lover. As a hostess, she acquired great practical skills in throwing marvelous parties and looking after magnificent homes, and, as a lady in waiting, became well versed in diplomacy and etiquette. It was as a mother she learnt the toughest lessons of all, and through them the value of friendship, family, and laughter to get her through the worst moments in life, as well as celebrate the best of them. Whatever Next? is a treasury of hard-won wisdom, and richly entertaining proof that staying open to every new adventure sets an inspiring example for us all.
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Journals and memoirs, Biography, Royalty biography
Synthetic audio
Filho e neto de duas das mulheres mais fotografadas do século XX e membro da família mais famosa do mundo,…
o Príncipe Harry conta, pela primeira vez, a sua história. Uma partilha intensa e emocionante que nos revela o homem além do Príncipe. Foi uma das imagens mais duras do século XX: dois jovens rapazes, dois príncipes, caminhando atrás do caixão da mãe, cena a que o mundo assistia em absoluta comoção - e horror. No momento em que Diana, princesa de Gales, era entregue à sua morada final, milhares de milhões de pessoas perguntavam-se o que estariam os príncipes a pensar e a sentir - e o que seria feito deles desse dia em diante. É aqui que Harry conta, finalmente, essa história. Antes de perder a mãe, aos 12 anos, o príncipe Harry era feliz e despreocupado - em contraste com a seriedade do irmão mais velho, herdeiro da Coroa. A dor daquela perda mudou tudo. Começou a ter dificuldades na escola, deixou-se dominar pela raiva e pela solidão e, por ver a imprensa como a responsável pela morte da mãe, rejeitava a ideia de viver sob os holofotes. Aos 21 anos, juntou-se ao Exército britânico. A disciplina deu-lhe estrutura, e duas missões militares fizeram dele um herói no seu país. Mas depressa se sentiu mais perdido que nunca: sofria de stress pós-traumático e tinha ataques de pânico paralisantes. Acima de tudo, não conseguia encontrar o amor verdadeiro. Até que conheceu Meghan. O mundo rendeu-se ao romance digno de cinema e exultou com o seu casamento de conto de fadas. Porém, desde o início, Harry e Meghan foram perseguidos pela imprensa e submetidos a ondas de violência, racismo e mentiras. Perante o sofrimento da mulher, considerando que a segurança e a saúde mental de ambos estava em risco, Harry não viu outra alternativa senão abandonar a sua pátria para evitar uma trágica repetição do passado. Ao longo dos séculos, deixara família real foi algo a que poucos se atreveram. Na verdade, a última pessoa a tentá-lo tinha sido a sua mãe… Pela primeira vez, o príncipe Harry conta a sua história, narrando a sua viagem com uma honestidade crua e inabalável. Um livro histórico, pleno de visão, descobertas, introspeção e experiência, Na Sombra revela como o amor triunfa sempre sobre a dor.
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Royalty biography, European history
Synthetic audio, Automated braille
This rich miscellany celebrates the fascinating history of the British Royal Family, from the reign of Egbert, King of Wessex,…
to the monarchy of the present day, with titillating trivia, little-known facts, bite-size biographies and memorable quotations.
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Royalty biography, Humour
Synthetic audio, Automated braille
She’s the most well-known woman on the planet, but did you know that the Queen was the first monarch to…
circumnavigate the globe? Or that she collected clothing coupons to get the material for her wedding dress? Here’s a book packed with fascinating facts to celebrate our wonderful Queen.
Braille (Contracted), Electronic braille (Contracted), DAISY Audio (CD), DAISY Audio (Direct to Player), DAISY Audio (Zip), DAISY text (Direct to player), DAISY text (Zip), Word (Zip), ePub (Zip)
Royalty biography, Humour
Synthetic audio, Automated braille
She’s the most well-known woman on the planet, but did you know that the Queen was the first monarch to…
circumnavigate the globe? Or that she collected clothing coupons to get the material for her wedding dress? Here’s a book packed with fascinating facts to celebrate our wonderful Queen.
Braille (Contracted), Electronic braille (Contracted), DAISY Audio (CD), DAISY Audio (Direct to Player), DAISY Audio (Zip), DAISY text (Direct to player), DAISY text (Zip), Word (Zip), ePub (Zip)
Royalty biography, European history
Synthetic audio, Automated braille
This rich miscellany celebrates the fascinating history of the British Royal Family, from the reign of Egbert, King of Wessex,…
to the monarchy of the present day, with titillating trivia, little-known facts, bite-size biographies and memorable quotations.
DAISY audio (CD), DAISY audio (Direct to player), DAISY audio (Zip)
Biography, History, Bestsellers (Non-fiction), Royalty biography, European history
Human-narrated audio
Portrayal of a royal family from the end of World War I through the present. Lacey discusses the personal and…
political significance of such matters as Edward VIII's abdication, Margaret's marital problems, and Elizabeth's own courtship and marriage. Bestseller
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Royalty biography, European history, History
Synthetic audio, Automated braille
A true story of royal intrigue—with famed diarist Samuel Pepys as the main protagonist—as a fatal shipwreck on the shores…
of Restoration Britain sparks a mystery that now may finally be solved.In 1682, Charles II invited his scandalous younger brother, James, Duke of York, to return from exile and take his rightful place as heir to the throne. To celebrate, the future king set sail in a fleet of eight ships destined for Edinburgh, where he would reunite with his young pregnant wife. Yet disaster struck en route, somewhere off the Norfolk coast. The royal frigate carrying James and his entourage sank, causing some two hundred sailors and courtiers to perish. The diarist Samuel Pepys had been asked to sail with James but refused the invitation, preferring to travel in one of the other ships. Why? What did he know that others did not? Religious and political tensions were rife in the years leading up to the wreck of the Gloucester. James was a Catholic, as was his wife, and there was a large constituency who wished them dead. Plots and conspiracies abounded. The Royal Navy was itself in disarray, badly equipped and poorly organised. Could someone on board be to blame for the sinking, either from malice or incompetence? Nigel Pickford&’s compelling account of the catastrophe draws on a richness of historical material including letters, diaries and ships&’ logs, revealing for the first time the full drama and tragic consequences of a shipwreck that shook Restoration Britain.
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Biography, Royalty biography, Women biography
Synthetic audio, Automated braille
An exciting new book is forthcoming from Doubleday Canada.
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European history, Royalty biography
Human-narrated audio
From the author of American Princess: The Love Story of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry comes a funny and delightful…
history of the royal weddings and marriages of Europe's most famous—and infamous—monarchs. Since time immemorial, royal marriages have had little to do with love—and almost everything to do with diplomacy and dynasty. Clashing personalities have joined in unholy matrimony to form such infamous couples as Russia's Peter II and Catherine the Great, and France's Henri II and Catherine de Medici—all with the purpose of begetting a male heir. But with tensions high and silverware flying, kings like England's Henry II have fled to the beds of their nubile mistresses, while queens such as Eleanor of Aquitaine have plotted their revenge ... Full of the juicy gossip and bad behavior that characterized Royal Affairs, this book chronicles the love-hate marriages of the crowned heads of Europe—from the Angevins to Charles and Di—and ponders how dynasties ever survived at all
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European history, Royalty biography, Women biography
Human-narrated audio
A brilliant and beautifully written deep dive into the complicated relationship between Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici, two of…
the most powerful women in Renaissance Europe who shaped each other as profoundly as they shaped the course of history. Sixteenth-century Europe was a hostile world dominated by court politics and patriarchal structures, and yet against all odds, two women rose to power: Elizabeth I and Catherine de Medici. One a young Virgin Queen who ruled her kingdom alone, and the other a more experienced and clandestine leader who used her children to shape the dynasties of Europe, much has been written about these shrewd and strategic sovereigns. But though their individual legacies have been heavily scrutinized, nothing has been said of their complicated relationship—thirty years of camaraderie, competition, and conflict that forever changed the face of Europe. In Blood, Fire, and Gold, historian Estelle Paranque offers a new way of looking at two of history's most powerful women: through the eyes of the other. Drawing on their private correspondence and brand-new research, Paranque shows how Elizabeth and Catherine navigated through uncharted waters that both united and divided their kingdoms, maneuvering between opposing political, religious, and social objectives—all while maintaining unprecedented power over their respective domains. Though different in myriad ways, their fates and lives remained intertwined of the course of three decades, even as the European geo-politics repeatedly set them against one another. Whether engaged in bloody battles or peaceful accords, Elizabeth and Catherine admired the force and resilience of the other, while never forgetting that they were, first and foremost, each other's true rival. This is a story of two remarkable visionaries: a story of blood, fire, and gold. It is also a tale of ceaseless calculation, of love and rivalry, of war and wisdom, and—above all else—of the courage and sacrifice it takes to secure and sustain power as a woman in a male-dominated world. A Times ' "Book of the Week"