The Ninth Doctor: Why I disagree with the notion of Nine as a romantic doctor

The Ninth Doctor is my doctor – tied with Twelfth Doctor Peter Capaldi. As an actor, Christopher Eccleston is perfection in every role he takes up. I like everything he does – not at all unlike my similar positive feelings towards Peter Capaldi’s talents and skills as an actor.

Recently I watched for the first time the “Doctor Who Confidential” segments that appear as the final DVD for season 1 of Doctor Who – but not in the “Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant” Doctor Who boxed set. For those not familiar with Doctor Who Confidential, it’s basically ten to fifteen minute mini-documentaries, usually focusing on a specific Doctor Who episode. In series one, Simon Pegg (The Editor in “The Long Game” episode) narrates each documentary. Russell T. Davies, Christopher Eccleston, and Billie Piper are the primary cast/crew interviewed for DWC season 1. For those who love the technical side of film making, the Doctor Who Confidential documentaries are a wealth of information. It’s the insider scoop, if you will, to explain how what we see in the show comes about.

A major topic in these is the relationship between Rose and The Doctor. I watched mostly because I wanted to hear what Eccleston had to say – but now regret it. Essentially all three – Davies, Piper, and Eccleston espouse a romantic relationship interpretation for the Doctor and Rose. And they are the experts here, right?

Maybe – but if I accept that then it completely ruins my interest in this character and my interest in Doctor Who in the first place. Because you see, I do not and never have interpreted the show that way at all. It’s my hope that enjoying the series is what the cast and especially Eccleston most wants – rather than obedience to maybe what Davies and the other writers intended.

Let’s then go back to who the Doctor is and how I personally see him.

The Ninth Doctor is the survivor of the Time War. He’s the one in the original timeline (before this was modified by the addition of the Doctor of War for “Day of the Doctor”) who pressed that big red button on The Moment doomsday device and destroyed both the Daleks and the Time Lords. That the War Doctor (a character created due to Eccleston’s unavailability for the special), Ten, and Eleven went back in time for the Day of The Doctor doesn’t matter. In the original timeline it was Nine who was the doctor of war and Nine who killed billions. That’s who Nine is when we meet him. He did it. It’s on his conscience.

Understandably, the Doctor is mentally and spiritually wounded. He’s having a hard time living with himself and struggling with the moral consequences of doing what clearly needed to be done. He’s battle worn. He was a respected general in the war (explored in season 9’s “Hell Bent” featuring Peter Capaldi) and so won the admiration of those he led that when Rassilon ordered his execution, no one would comply.

This is not a man capable of romantic love. Period. He’s suffering from what reasonably would be severe post traumatic stress disorder. He probably has severe nightmares. Events may trigger memories he’s not ready to deal with. Unlike Ten and Eleven, he’s not running away from his memories of the war. He’s more in shock about what happened and his role in ending the war. This man who most wants to help save lives is the one man who has slaughtered the most lives. He couldn’t run away. As Rose notes, he took a stand and did the right thing when everyone else runs away. It’s a trait she clearly admires about him.

But admiration and romance are two completely different things. I know from my own experiences suffering from different levels of PTSD how memories of violence messes with your mind and heart. Especially in the early days, weeks, and years – which is where Nine is. The Doctor is lonely. He is in shock. He is trying to cope, knowing that no matter how depressed he might get (a normal reaction), he cannot just kill himself and end his pain that way. He has to find a way to keep moving, keep living.

When Nine meets Rose he finds someone to look after – but he is not remotely capable of falling in love. His priority is working through his pain. Having someone around helps with that. We see this time and time again across all of “new Who” that the Doctor is too extroverted to handle long periods of absolute solitude. He needs people around him – if only just one or two friends. Rose steps into that place and he appreciates her certainly. But he is not in love with her.

Instead, I see Nine and Rose having a similar level of regard and affection that we later see between Peter Capaldi’s Twelve and Bill Potts. In season 10 the professor-mentor relationship between the Doctor and Bill is explicit. The Doctor is tutoring Bill as a professor in a university towards a cafeteria worker unofficially taking his classes. With Rose it is undefined.

Rose of course is 19 and a bit boy crazy. She tells us in “The Unquiet Dead” that she hated school and liked to skip classes to go watch boys at the shops. Across season 1 she moves from boy to boy. Mickey Smith. Adam Mitchell (Dalek). Captain Jack Harkness. If Rose is in love with Nine, she’s certainly not acting like it!

Yes, there is affection. But affection and romance are not the same thing. Parents feel love towards their children – but it’s not romantic and, we hope, is not sexual.

Doctor Who Confidential asserts the romance theory by pointing to “The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances” where the Doctor and Captain Jack engage in a bit of “who can impress Rose the most” competition. The Doctor wouldn’t care if Rose likes Jack if he wasn’t romantically jealous right?

Not in my experience. Men will compete with men for the sake of competition. If Rose were not there, I think the Doctor and Jack would have still competed with each other. Vanity involved. If not competing over Rose, it would have been over something else.

Indeed, the first time we see Rose feeling anything romantic towards Nine is when she realizes that he is likely going to die – which Nine himself tells her is likely in the form of his holographic farewell in the TARDIS. She’s suddenly panicked at the prospect of never seeing him again – along with the prospect of going back to her former blue-collar life. When she does take in the Time Vortex her focus isn’t fixated on the Doctor either – but on Captain Jack as well.

Rose is not in love with the Doctor, however she may flirt. That doesn’t happen until she takes in the Time Vortex. But even then, I don’t think it’s really Rose being in love with the Doctor. The TARDIS is alive, remember. She has a soul which talks to the Eleventh Doctor directly in “The Doctor’s Wife.” We don’t know precisely how Rose interfaced with the Heart of the TARDIS soul – but for Rose to take in that Consciousness into her, there is bound to be some sort of communication between the two beyond “I want to go back and save the Doctor.”

This then too contributes to my belief that while Rose and the Doctor feel some level of affection for each other it is not romantic love. That comes when Nine regenerates into Ten. The immediate events before that regeneration shape the person Ten becomes. Ten falls in love with Rose and Rose in love with him – but not with Nine.

In summery I hope I have made a solid argument for why I feel the Rose-Ninth Doctor relationship is not a romantic one. You of course may disagree with me and by all means say so in the comments below.

As for me, I prefer my Doctor to be and behave like a true veteran of the Time War. I like him being the man that no Gallifreyan soldier can be ordered to kill. Nine is as much that as Twelve is. The wounded hero of the Time War.

More Doctor Who related posts

Spoilers: Doctor Who Easter Eggs for Cleopatra VII

Spoilers: Doctor Who Easter Eggs for His Red Eminence.

Off the Beaten Path: Must-Visit Favorite Places in Manhattan

I love New York City. I especially love Brooklyn, New York. From 2000 to 2011 I lived in first northern New Jersey (where my beloved Mithril was hatched), then midwood Brooklyn. Along the way I discovered places I never knew about when I was tourist back in the 1990s coming with my boyfriend to visit his family living in the area. Most of these places tourists never hear about. Allow me to share with you my top picks for going off the beaten path when in the area.

Carriage Rides at Columbus Circle, Manhattan

Okay, people have heard about these. And yes, they are mostly about tourists than residents. But I absolutely loved the carriage ride I took during a date in May 2011. Traveling around Central Park (Columbus circle is the southern edge of the park) it was not only romantic, but transported me back in time. A history-lover’s dream experience! It took me eleven years living in the area – barely more than an hour’s travel time from my apartments – to take the plunge and try one. Whether you are a tourist or resident, the experience is worth the price. Absolutely one of the best ways to spend an hour or two in Manhattan, especially if you love history. Nothing takes you back in time better than traveling in 19th century style. Plus the horses are generally very gentle and friendly, as are the drivers. Cost: between $40 and $150 on average, depending on the length of the trip you take.

Bryant Park (Midtown)

Located between 5th and 6th avenues east to west and 40 and 42nd streets north to south, Bryant Park always has something fun to do, depending on the time of year. In the colder months it hosts a public ice skating rink and a Christmas market in December. But it’s also just a nice park unto itself with the main branch of the New York Public Library sitting on its east side. Perfect place to sit on a sunny day and read your latest discovery from the library.

At 9.6 acres, it’s big enough to offer plenty of space to run, play, and picnic, but small enough to be accessible both in terms of time traveling and navigation. Reach Bryant Park by taking the B, D, F, or M to 42nd Street- Bryant Park or the 7 train to 5th Ave.

Herald Square (Midtown)

Located between 32nd and 34th streets and between 6th and 5th Avenues, most people are too busy taking the subway to notice the relaxing mini-park or town square above the station. Besides sidewalks to help you pass through quickly, the park has tables, chairs, and vegetation for a relaxing break from the flurry of activity around it. With New York Pennsylvania Station parallel to it at 7th Avenue, Herald Square is the very heart of Manhattan and one of the best if you want to meet a friend, catch some lunch, or wait outside for your Long Island Railroad, Amtrak, or New Jersey Transit train, all of those departing from Penn Station and just ten minutes away. The B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, and W trains all stop at Herald Square, as does the PATH train from New Jersey. With so much activity, it’s easy to see why people fail to notice this park, but it’s actually one of my favorite places with many happy memories attached. Next time you are in the area, take a few minutes to literally smell the roses there and take a relaxing break from the bustle of Midtown.

Madison Square Park (11 Madison Avenue)

Formed by the intersection of 23rd Street and Broadway and located between 23rd and 26th streets and Broadway to Madison avenues, Madison Square Park sits among some of the most iconic buildings in New York. Named for Dolley Payne Todd Madison’s husband, President James Madison, it is one of those great little parks that both tourists and native New Yorkers tend to forget about unless you work in the area as I did for about four years. Like Herald Square, you will find people cut through the park to get to the nearby subway stations, especially the 23rd/Broadway station for the R and W trains. Great food is everywhere just outside the park with plenty of benches in the park to eat lunch in. Madison Square Park is also well-known for its dog park and its proximity to the famous Flat Iron Building.

Step outside of the park slightly at 26th street about midway between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue and you’ll find what looks on maps like an alley way. This is one of those hidden gems most people do not notice. Instead of a simple walk-through to 27th street, you find a small park with round picnic tables, the chairs attached for comfortable seating even in windy weather. You can also sit on the ledges adjacent to the many flowers planted in the area. It’s a wonderful, out of the way spot to relax and eat any food you decided you wanted to take out to eat instead of fighting for seating in the cafes and restaurants.

Union Square (14th to 17th streets, Union Square West to Union Square East)

Union Square is best known for its subway hub below ground and its park above ground. Along the south and west edges, Union Square hosts of the largest of the metro area’s farmer’s markets – and most famous. Not only will you find farm fresh produce, meat, eggs, flowers, and baked goods – normal farmer’s market fare – but also many artisans selling their creative work, including custom drawn paintings popular with tourists. Upstate New York and Long Island based wineries frequent the market which is usually held twice a week. Most of these wineries offer free samples to customers which is especially nice and is usually successful in getting me to buy a bottle or five upon tasting them. It helps too that many of these wineries selling at the Union Square Farmer’s Market also have shelf space at the nearby wine shops along Broadway and 14th street. Walk around the square and inevitably you walk into Union Square Park which is one of my favorite places to relax. Artists are often to be found in the park proper as well any day of the week, many of them creating their masterpieces there when the weather is pleasant. Located very convenient to excellent shopping both within the confines of the Square properly and just outside it, I very much enjoy every trip down to the area. It’s convenient, relaxing, and simply a good time.

Trivia point: the grapevine perches in my main cockatiel cage and my travel cage were all bought at the Union Square Petco (44 Union Square East). Whenever possible, grapevine and java wood perches should be bought in store so you can personally pick out the least straight perch that will promote healthy feet for every bird in your flock. Of all the pet stores in NYC/greater NYC, this Union Square Petco is my favorite.

Fraunces Tavern (54 Pearl Street)

Fraunces Tavern is one of those great 18th century restaurant pubs that rarely gets noticed by tourists – at least the tourists who aren’t Revolutionary War history buffs. Originally built as a private house in 1719 and first established in 1762 by Samuel Fraunces as “Queen’s Head Tavern,” it operates as both a working restaurant/pub and a museum.

As a restaurant, I find the food reasonably good. With a lower Manhattan location, you can expect the prices to be a little higher than average – but not outlandishly. I’ve dined several places on Pearl Street and Fraunces Tavern is the same price range as its nearby competitors. But what sets this place apart is less the cuisine than its history. Like Minis Tavern in Savannah, Georgia (owned and run by Founding Mother Abigail Minis), Fraunces Tavern was a key gathering place for Patriots who opposed English rule, especially without a single American sitting in the English Parliament in Westminster.

In late November, 1783 George Washington hosted his farewell banquet to his officers in an upstairs room here, a room preserved and on display with period furniture, tableware, and so forth. The museum features this historic room along with several others filled with unique artifacts from colonial New York. In addition, the museum hosts lectures and special events in its Flag Room along with unique exhibitions – such as a visiting copy of the Magna Carta (October, 2009). These are an absolute must-see if you are at all interested in colonial or early republican American history.

Federal Hall (26 Wall Street)

Like Fraunces Tavern, Federal Hall is a must-see for those interested in the Early Republic. The original building on the site was completed in 1703 to serve as Manhattan’s City Hall. In 1765 it became home to the Stamp Act Congress and was taken over by the Sons of Liberty in 1775. In 1784, after conclusion of the American War of Independence, Federal Hall became home to Congress as it convened under the Articles of Confederation, beginning on April 13th, 1784. In 1789 it was renamed “Federal Hall” when New York City became the official capitol of the United States.

It was here that both George Washington and John Adams swore their oaths of office as president and vice president of the United States. It was here that the first sessions of Congress under the United States Constitution were convened. As a public National Park, the site is dedicated to celebrating and educating the public about the history of both the American Revolution and the Early Republic. It routinely hosts special events – some of my favorites ever – along with special exhibitions. On one occasion I was able to visit a tour of Medici family portraits that were shown in the many galleries at Federal Hall. On another, I attended a free lecture on how the English soldiers experienced the War of Independence.

Every time I go to Federal Hall I find something new and interesting. If you love history, this is one of those great places you must not miss.

Whatever your tastes, New York City has something fun and interesting going on – especially when you get off the beaten path and take a look at what is around you.

Great Expectations: Soulmates and Romance

Soulmates are a popular topic in American culture. The notion that there is one perfect romantic match for everyone and that once you find that soulmate you will get married and live happily every after. The criteria for being a soulmate is based on more material and value compatibility over spirituality of course. If, after the fullness of time, one or the other partner evolves in a different direction and the relationship fails, the match is rebranded. Maybe they were not soulmates after all. Soulmates are perfection in this life and every other life.

It’s an idea that has driven me across my whole life. A relationship, especially romantic relationship Holy Grail. Find that one guy. Get married – at any cost. Get the fairy tale. He’s out there and if I don’t have him in my life and in my bed, then I’ve clearly done something wrong.

But recently, perhaps because I’m an Empath and a very spiritual (though not religious) person, this whole soulmate stuff comes into question for me. What if that soul I’ve been sensing across the years when the world is quiet and I’m able to meditate, what if he in this current incarnation is not the perfect mate for me? What if my soul mate is someone I travel with from life to life, but not always harmoniously? I can feel directionally he isn’t American nor located in the United States – the pull is eastward, across the Atlantic Ocean. That’s a whole different culture, maybe a different language, and certainly a different political mind set. He could disagree with me on every political issue and have a completely different way of doing things.

And then there are the little things that never get acknowledged as important in relationships. Styles in housekeeping. Frequency and degree of clutter and cleaning. Tolerance for household chaos created by animals and children. Even the color of paint on walls and how many and type of things hung on the walls. Little stuff that add up and end up mattering a lot when you live with someone.

All this stuff can mean that someone is not a good fit to share the same living space as you. As much as you may love someone, love is not the same as being able to harmoniously live with someone.

I care greatly for my best mate in Glasgow – but our living styles in our homes are so different that we would never succeed as roommates.

Instead of promoting this myth of soulmates meaning perfectly and eternally compatible in all things, maybe we should give ourselves some grace and change our expectations. Love without demanding. Allow our relationships to run their course without second guessing or rebranding in hindsight. We can travel from life to life with beloved souls without always getting along and without always having romantic and sexual relationships with them. Sometimes it’s the friendships that make the most impact and offer us the most love and acceptance, not the marriages and romances.

Instead of looking for that “soulmate” maybe we need to give ourselves the personal grace to just be ourselves. No pressure. No demands. Just caring for each other.

Erzählbiografien auf Deutsch: Buchbeschreibungen und Einzelhandelslinks

In den Vereinigten Staaten wird Deutsch oft als eine Sprache außer Acht gelassen, die von den Millionen Amerikanern, die deutsche Vorfahren haben, abgesehen von ihrer Herkunftssprache, stammt, darunter auch ich.

Aber Deutschland und die deutsche Geschichte sind tatsächlich von entscheidender Bedeutung für die Welt, mit Beiträgen, die weit über die Vorstellungskraft des typischen Amerikaners hinausgehen.

Deutsch ist eine von vier Sprachen, die bei Audible und anderen großen Hörbuchhändlern erhältlich sind.

Die folgenden Bücher wurden von Laurel A. Rockefeller geschrieben und stehen Ihnen in deutscher Sprache zur Verfügung.

Boudicca, Britanniens Königin der Icener

Warum schreit der Rabe der Morrigan? Nur Britannier mit Herzen für wahre Freiheit wissen es!

Im Jahre 43 n. Chr. scheint die römische Eroberung Britanniens nahezu gewiss – bis ein zufälliges Zusammentreffen von König Prasutagus der Icener und einer entflohenen Sklavin königlicher Herkunft vom Stamm der Aeduer in Gallien das Schicksal der britannischen Inseln für immer ändern.

Erheben Sie sich für die Freiheit mit der wahren Geschichte von Boudicca, Britanniens Königin der Icener, und entdecken Sie eine der berührendsten Erzählungen aller Zeiten!

Eine kreative, Non-Fiction Legendäre Frauen der Weltgeschichte-Biographie.

Dieses Buch finden Sie bei Apple, Amazon und Everand

Catherine de Valois

Der Krieg machte sie zur Königin von England. Ihre Liebe zu einem Waliser machte sie unsterblich.

Catherine de Valois, am besten bekannt, als die Braut Henry des V. aus Shakespeares “Henry V.”, war eine außergewöhnliche Frau, voller Glauben, Mut und Überzeugung, in einem Zeitalter politisch mächtiger Frauen.

Als eine jüngere Tochter von König Charles VI. von Frankreich, der durch seine Geisteskrankheit gequält wurde, überlebte Prinzessin Catherine die verheerenden Auswirkungen seiner Schizophrenie, einen Bürgerkrieg im eigenen Land und den Krieg König Henry V. mit Frankreich und wurde eine der faszinierendsten und mutigsten Königinnen des Renaissanceenglands.

Dieses Buch finden Sie bei Apple, Amazon und Everand

Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd, Die Kriegerprinzessin von Deheubarth

Die heroische Ahnin von Königin Elizabeth Tudor! 

Prinzessin Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd ap Cynan, geboren 1097 in Aberffraw Castle, war immer zu Höherem bestimmt. Als Tochter eines von Gwynedds größten Kriegern wuchs sie stark und voller Leidenschaft auf – ihren älteren Brüdern mehr als ebenbürtig. 

Mit sechzehn änderte sich Gwenllians Leben grundlegend, als sie sich in Prinz Gruffydd ap Rhys, den belagerten Erben von Rhys ap Tewdur von Deheubarth, verliebte. Zusammen, als Mann und Frau, kämpften sie für das südliche Wales und regierten es. Sie stellten die normannische Eroberung von Wales infrage und stellten ein für alle Mal die Ehrenhaftigkeit und den Mut des walisischen Volkes unter Beweis. Ein Mut, der die Jahrhunderte überdauert und in dem Herzen eines jeden Walisers lebt, ob Mann, Frau oder Kind. 

Beinhaltet eine ausführliche Zeitleiste, die 400 Jahre an walisischer und englischer mittelalterlicher Geschichte abdeckt.

Dieses Buch finden Sie bei Apple, Amazon und Everand

Hypatia von Alexandria

Als die westliche Welt in Dunkelheit versank, wagte sie, das Licht zu verteidigen.

Geboren im Jahr 355 der christlichen Zeitrechnung, im Nachhall von Konstantins Regierung, lebte Hypatia von Alexandria in einem zusammenbrechenden Römischen Reich. In einer Welt, in der der Gehorsam gegen religiöse Autoritäten über die Wissenschaft triumphierte, in der Logik und Verstand die neue Weltordnung bedrohten. Es war eine Welt an der Grenze zum düsteren Mittelalter, eine Welt, die über die Fragen Wissenschaft gegen Religion, Freiheit gegen Strenggläubigkeit, Toleranz gegen Hass entschied.

Über vierzig Jahre stand Hypatia zwischen dem dunklen Zeitalter und dem Licht der Philosophie, Künste und Wissenschaft. Auch wenn keines ihrer Werke die offensive Bücherverbrennung religiöser Fanatiker überdauert hat, so bleibt doch ihr Vermächtnis als eine der größten Gelehrten aller Zeiten.

Dies ist ihre faszinierende und wahre Geschichte.

Das Buch beinhaltet außerdem eine Bibliografie, eine detaillierte Zeitleiste und die Längen- und Breitengrade ausgewählter Städte des Römischen Reiches, sodass Sie die Wunder des Himmels gemeinsam mit Hypatia erkunden können.

Dieses Buch finden Sie bei Apple, Amazon und Everand

Kaiserin Mathilde, Herrin der Engländer

Die brüllende Löwin von England!

Geboren 1102 als Tochter von König Henry von England und Königin Matilda von Schottland, war Matildas einzigartige Abstammung von normannischem, sächsischem und schottischem Adel dazu gedacht, das England zu einen, das immer noch durch den Eroberungszug ihres Großvaters im Jahr 1066 geteilt war. Als das Schiffsunglück von 1120 sie zum einzigen überlebenden Kind ihrer Eltern machte, wurde Matilda plötzlich zur Erbin des englischen Throns, in einer Zeit, in der der Witan – und nicht der Wille des Königs – über die Thronfolge entschied.

Entdecken Sie die wahre Geschichte der ersten Frau, die aus eigenem Geburtsrecht ihren Anspruch auf den Thron geltend machte, und lassen Sie sich inspirieren!

Enthält auch Matildas Stammbaum, eine detaillierte Zeitleiste sowie Leseempfehlungen, sodass Sie weitere Möglichkeiten haben, sich weiterzubilden.

Dieses Buch finden Sie bei Apple, Amazon und Everand

Kaiserin Wu Zetian

Die meistgehasste Frau der chinesischen Geschichte!

Lassen Sie sich auf eine Zeitreise ein, mehr als tausend Jahre in die Vergangenheit, und treffen Sie die erste und einzige regierende Kaiserin Chinas. Geboren als Wu Zhao erhielt sie den Herrschertitel „Zetian“ erst Wochen vor ihrem Tod im Jahre 705 vor unserer Zeitrechnung. Sie war die unerwünschte Tochter des Finanzministers Wu Shihuo – zu intelligent, zu gebildet und zu politisch versiert, um eine gute Ehefrau abzugeben; zumindest laut den zeitgenössischen Analekten des Konfuzius.

Kann es somit verwundern, dass sie bis zum heutigen Tag die meistgehasste und umstrittenste Frau der chinesischen Geschichte ist?

Erkunden Sie das Leben von Kaiserin Wu und entdecken Sie, warum die Welt heute eine ganz andere ist: Weil sie zu tun wagte, was weder vor noch nach ihr einer anderen Chinesin auch nur im Traum einfiel.

Dieses Buch finden Sie bei Apple, Amazon und Everand

Kleopatra VII. Ägyptens letzte Pharaonin

Die aufregende und wahre Geschichte von Ägyptens bekanntester Königin!

Kleopatra Theo Philopator weigerte sich, zu tun, was man ihr sagte. In einem Zeitalter, in dem das Patriarchat selbst den hochrangigen Frauen Roms das volle Bürgerrecht verwehrte, regierte Kleopatra ihr Ägypten mit der Entschlossenheit, das Land unabhängig und frei von römischer Kontrolle zu behalten – um jeden Preis. Wenngleich Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus (der spätere Caesar Augustus) und seine politischen Verbündeten sie als bloße Verführerin dämonisierten, bewies Kleopatra VII., dass sie den drei mächtigsten Männern der römischen Welt ebenbürtig war: Gaius Julius Caesar, Marcus Antonius und Octavian Caesar.

Enthält eine detaillierte Zeitleiste, Leseempfehlungen/Bibliografie und ein besonderes Easter Egg für Science-Fiction-Fans.

Dieses Buch finden Sie bei Apple, Amazon und Everand

Königin Elizabeth Tudor. Der Weg zu Gloriana 

Königin Elizabeth Tudor ist auch heute noch als „Gloriana“ bekannt. Ein Name, der auf den Sieg ihrer kleinen Flotte wendiger Schiffe über die 131 Galleonen der spanischen Armada im Ärmelkanal am 6. August 1588 zurückgeht. 

Aber wie ist dies geschehen und warum wird die späte Regierungsphase Elizabeths als „goldenes Zeitalter“ bezeichnet? 

In diesem wunderschönen biographischen Sachbuch lernen Sie Elizabeth so persönlich kennen wie nie zuvor. 

Ob Sie Fan der Tudor-Dynastie sind, oder dies Ihre erste Entdeckungsreise in die englische Geschichte ist, Sie werden einen wertvollen Einblick in den Geist der vielleicht legendärsten Frau der Weltgeschichte bekommen – erzählt durch die Augen ihrer berühmten, oder auch berüchtigten, Beziehung zu Robert Dudley. Dieses Buch führt die Geschichte von Mary, Königin der Schotten, (erkundet in Buch 3) mit Königin Marys Gerichtsverhandlung und den daraus resultierenden Auswirkungen auf Elizabeth fort.

Enthält sechs mittelalterliche und elisabethanische Lieder, eine detaillierte Zeitleiste und eine ausführliche Liste mit Leseempfehlungen.

Dieses Buch finden Sie bei Apple, Amazon und Everand

Mary Königin der Schotten

Königin Mary Stuart war eine der beliebtesten und kontroversesten Frauen in der schottischen Geschichte. Als Enkelin von König James IV. und seiner Frau Margaret Tudor, legte Marys Status als rechtmäßige Erbin des englischen Throns, in Kombination mit der Gewalttätigkeit der schottischen Reformation, den Grundstein für eines der dramatischsten und am wenigsten verstandenen Leben des 16. Jahrhunderts.

Mary Königin der Schotten, erzählt ihre wahre Geschichte und legt dabei sein Hauptaugenmerk auf ihre Herrschaft als Königin von Schottland. Indem es mehr ihr Leben als ihren Tod in den Fokus rückt, zeigt es uns allen, warum sie wahrlich ihrer Zeit voraus war.

Eine frei geschriebene nicht fiktionale Biografie aus der Reihe Legendäre Frauen der Weltgeschichte.

Enthält vier historische Lieder.

Dieses Buch finden Sie bei Apple, Amazon und Everand

Seine rote Eminenz Armand Jean du Plessis de Richelieu

Priester. Geliebter. Staatsmann.

Kardinal Armand-Jean du Plessis, Duc de Richelieu, ist einer der berühmtesten – oder berüchtigtsten – Politiker aller Zeiten. Er wurde im bekannten Dumas-Roman „Die drei Musketiere“ zum Bösewicht gemacht, der echte Mann war ein engagierter, dem König und dem Land treuer Staatsdiener. Er war ein Mann der Logik und Vernunft, der unser Denken über Nationen und Nationalität veränderte. Er säkularisierte Kriege zwischen Ländern, förderte die Künste um des öffentlichen Wohls willen, begründete die erste Zeitung Frankreichs und erschuf Frankreich als das moderne Land, das wir heute kennen.

Angefüllt mit Musik der Epoche, Tanz und viel Romantik, versetzt Sie „Seine rote Eminenz“ zurück an den Hof von König Louis XIII., mit all seiner pulsierenden Lebendigkeit und Farbe.

Enthält acht zeitgenössische Lieder sowie Gebete, eine detaillierte Zeitleiste und eine umfangreiche Bibliografie, damit Sie noch mehr lernen können.

Dieses Buch finden Sie bei Apple, Amazon und Everand

Siehe auch Hörbücher auf #Deutsch

Serious about Series: Retail Links to your favorite series by Laurel A. Rockefeller

If you love to read or love to write for that matter, you know that book series are all the rage. But how do you find all the books in the series you love?

Many, but not all retailers, collect or at least tag books that come from the same series. In my experience these pages are often incomplete – which is why this blog includes all the books from each series in specific posts so dedicated. But what if you don’t want to scroll through all of that here? Easy: browse this post and you will find links to each retailer’s page for each series. Know of any pages I haven’t found (yet)? Comment with those links and I will check them out!

The Peers of Beinan series

genres: science fiction, paranormal romance, social scifi,

Explore a civilization in peril as blood feuds, political corruption, and tyranny seek to rip apart Beinarian society. Strongly influenced by Frank Herbert’s “Dune” series, Gene Roddenbury’s “Star Trek,” Glen Larson’s “Battlestar Galactica,” JRR Tolkien, and Dorothy “DC” Fontana, The Peers of Beinan takes you to a far away galaxy that feels just like home. Social issues explored include climate change, pollution, abortion, terrorism, domestic violence, and many more.

Amazon, Kobo, Smashwords

The Legendary Women of World History

genres: non-fiction history, narrative history, historical fiction, biography, women’s history

Begun in response to a lack of basic historical literacy in western Pennsylvania, the Legendary Women of World History seeks to improve history literacy for readers of all ages. With more than 75% available in audio format, many titles are accessible to children as young as four years old (use parental discretion in deciding age appropriateness). The series spans antiquity through the early 17th century. Most books are translated into multiple languages including Welsh, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, and Italian.

Amazon, Audible (minus newer releases Mary Queen of the Scots and Margaret of Wessex), Smashwords, Kobo.

Legendary Women of World History Textbooks

genres: history, narrative history, textbook, social studies, world history, ancient history, women’s history

The Legendary Women of World History Textbooks presents the same core content as the original Legendary Women of World History biographies – but with the addition of study questions after every chapter. These questions are exactly the same sort of questions that were presented in my textbooks in junior high and high school and are designed to promote both home school and public school learning, and augment existing curriculae.

In audio format, only two textbook editions are available: Hypatia of Alexandria Student-Teacher in English and Aliénor d’Aquitaine (Eleanor of Aquitaine in French edition). For reasons unknown, Audible is not offering Alienor, but you can find it on Apple Audiobooks. On Alienor, the student questions appear at the end of the book.

Find the Legendary Women of World History Textbooks series pages at Amazon and Smashwords.

Life with Cockatiels

genres: pet birds, pet guides, cockatiels, budgerigars, parrots, biographies, nature, science

More than any other books, the Life with Cockatiels is the most personal. Grounded in over 40 years of daily experience living with parrots, these books share what works, what doesn’t, and how to achieve a long, happy, and healthy life with your birds. The series starts with “Preparing for My First Cockatiel” which breaks down exactly what you need to buy to prepare your home for what cockatiels need, along with scientific data helping you understand who and what cockatiels are. “Preparing for My Senior Cockatiel” centers on nutrition and changes that come as your bird ages and develops age-related challenges like sight loss, along with practical suggestions on how to make needed adjustments. “Mithril and Me” is a biography for all my birds starting with my first bird, Luke, whom I bought in the third grade, through all my budgerigars and cockatiels from the early 1980s to its publication date in 2021.

All of these are filled with photos, including personal snapshots, to help guide you into a long, happy life with your birds.

Amazon, Kobo, Smashwords, Audible

Life in America

genres: American history, modern history, American Revolution, Early Republic, political science, women’s history, patriarchy, women’s rights, poverty

The Life in America series is all things American history. Beginning with the flash fiction “A New Start In the Niobrara for Mr. and Mrs. O’Malley,” the series steps outside of Laurel A. Rockefeller’s medieval history comfort zone. American Poverty and American Patriarchy are topically arranged, beginning with essays whose problems are then addressed in part two of each book with analysis and data from such sources as Forbes, Inc., Feeding America, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and the Bureau of Justice. The history of patriarchy and the resulting women’s rights movements are explored in depth with many surprises when it comes to women’s legal rights (including reproductive rights and abortion) in the United States. In Founding Mothers the lives of twelve women from diverse backgrounds are explored – both the famous and the largely forgotten. Music enters the series with Founding Mothers in a special appendix showcasing songs popular in colonial America and the Early Republic. Hear those songs sung in the audio edition.

Amazon, Smashwords

Notable Books Not in any series

Two of my books are not in series: the award-winning “His Red Eminence, Armand-Jean du Plessis de Richelieu,” and “The Arban and the Saman.” Both are historical in nature. Eminence is narrative history just like the Legendary Women of World History whereas Arban/Saman is a straight historical romance with some supernatural elements to it. Find links to these on this blog.

Find books and audiobooks by Laurel A. Rockefeller at your favorite retailer.

Amazon, Audible, Apple Books, Apple Audiobooks, Chirp, Everand, Barnes/Noble, Books A Million, BookBub, Good Reads, and YouTube.

Find books by Laurel A. Rockefeller on the series pages on this blog:

Peers of Beinan

Legendary Women of World History

Legendary Women of World History Textbooks

Legendary Women of World History and Peers of Beinan Dramas

Life in America

Life with Cockatiels

Audiobooks by Laurel A. Rockefeller

News from Spain. Excerpt from Eleanor of Aquitaine: a Play in Four Acts

Alienor d’Aquitaine is one of the most famous women in medieval history. The well-educated daughter of Duke William IX of Aquitaine, her father’s death made her the most eligible heiress in medieval Europe.

In this scene Eleanor learns of her father’s death.

Act I, Scene I

1137. April. Fields outside of Bordeaux, Aquitaine. ELEANOR is hunting with FALCONER near a beautiful lake. BIRD SONG chirps, quacks, and otherwise fills our ears melodiously.  Eleanor feeds her peregrine, Belle, from her gauntlet.

FALCONER

That’s a huge meal you are letting her have right now. She won’t want to take down another bird if you let her have so much at once.

ELEANOR

I don’t need another kill this morning. Besides, she hasn’t hunted since we left Poitiers and been forced to eat the mice we brought along for her. She deserves an extra-large meal this morning. This is our first opportunity to hunt since we arrived.

FALCONER

 I noticed Petronilla decided not to join us.

ELEANOR

Petronilla does not like outdoor pursuits.  Then again, she has no responsibilities to the duchy as I do. I take much more after my father. I love falconry, hunting, and riding in addition to the more indoor and womanly pursuits taught to noble women like dancing, spinning, weaving, and needlework. My father being a wise man, I’m also very well-schooled in household management and finance so that when he or, in time, my husband, is away the family estates will not suffer for lack of a proper administrator. Men may claim superiority to women in all things, but at the end of the day when men are off to war or pilgrimage or some other errand they think beneath the abilities of women it is the woman of the house who maintains each household, great or small, so that there is always money for the essentials of life.

FALCONER

 Like Belle’s food for the long journey here.

Eleanor puts Belle’s hood over her head and tightens it gently.

ELEANOR

Exactly like that.

HERALD ENTERS stage right and rushes to Eleanor.

HERALD

My lady, come quickly!

ELEANOR

What news?

HERALD

 Your father is dead, my lady. A bout of dysentery or poison has killed him. On his deathbed he made King Louis VI le Gros guardian over both your person and your inheritance.

ELEANOR

 Under what terms?

HERALD

 I do not know all the details, Your Grace. Except that you have inherited your father’s title, along with all of his lands and most of his money, all of it to be controlled by King Louis until he finds a suitable husband to transfer it permanently to.

ELEANOR

Messages between Bordeaux and Paris will take at least two weeks. I suggest we all return to the archbishop’s mansion. There is much to do and I cannot accomplish it from here.

(END OF SCENE)

Love this scene? Buy the full play at a retailer near you including Apple, Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes/Noble.

The Death of Princes. Excerpt from Empress Matilda of England: a Play in Five Acts

Empress Matilda of England was one of the most influential of the Angevins in medieval England. Yet few Americans have heard of her. Sent from London to live in the Kaiser’s court in Germany, she grew up in Mainz and fell in love with her intended, Kaiser Heinrich V.

In this scene from the play, Matilda spends one last moment with the Kaiser she grew to love.

ACT III, SCENE III

1125 23 May. Utrecht, Friesland. Kaiser Heinrich’s apartment. KAISER HEINRICH lays in bed attended by MATILDA ENGLAND who sits in a chair close to him.

KAISER HEINRICH

Come here, Matilda. I will get better, Liebling. This is not the end of our journey together, though I fear I may never give you children.

MATILDA ENGLAND

 I do not care about children!

KAISER HEINRICH

 Yes you do, if not for your own sake than for the security of my throne—and yours.

MATILDA ENGLAND

Mine? Who I am without you, Liebling?

KAISER HEINRICH

 Someone much greater, Liebling. I was a good Kaiser—but the people loved you and with good reason. Whatever success I had came from God and from you. You were my rock, my salvation, the steady hand that helped me persevere across all the challenges of my life. You who were the daughter of the neglected wife of your father, valued almost entirely because you are thrice royal. You are the greatest of your family, Matilda.

MATILDA ENGLAND

 Greater than my grandmother, Saint Margaret? Surely you speak blasphemy!

KAISER HEINRICH

(laughing weakly)

If it is blasphemy to recognize you for the treasure you are, then so be it. Considering my battles with Rome it can hardly be out of character!

MATILDA ENGLAND

(laughing)

Ja! What is one more insult against the papacy?

KAISER HEINRICH

(pulling her close and kissing her tenderly)

I would make love to you right now except I do not feel strong enough.  Can you forgive that?

MATILDA ENGLAND

(fighting back tears)

Always! Ich liebe dich, Heinrich.

KAISER HEINRICH

 Ich liebe dich, Matilda.

(Matilda weeps hysterically)

Do not cry, Liebling!  Please, do not cry.  I need to sleep a little more, that is all.

MATILDA ENGLAND

Then sleep, my love. May God grant you peace.

MATILDA ENGLAND EXITS. FADE OUT as KAISER HEINRICH DIES. CHURCH BELLS RING SLOWLY IN MOURNING. After ten chimes lights come up slowly over MATILDA ENGLAND dressed from head to toe in mourning white. The bells continue to chime five more times as Matilda speaks, then stop abruptly.

MATILDA ENGLAND

My husband is dead. The husband I did not want but came to love is dead. For eleven years I stood by him, helped him, and guided him with my wisdom and insight as if I were a priestess of old, before the Romans came and with them their patriarchal Church. After fifteen years I barely remember the empire of my father.  My tongue is thickly German. My English and my French are stilted. The German peoples are my peoples. From Löwen to Süpplingenburg to Berlin, Cologne, Mainz, Friesland, and beyond. They are my people and I am their Kaiserin. They love me and I love them.  But is it enough?  Here in the empire we have something similar to the Witan of England. We call it the Kurfürstenkollegium and its members are called Kurfürsten—Electors you might call them. Like the Witan, the Kurfürstenkollegium decides who rules the empire after the death of each Kaiser or sovereign Kaiserin.

Oh that the Kurfürstenkollegium would choose me to succeed my husband! Please God, let them choose me! I must succeed my Heinrich! Otherwise I surely must leave the only home I know and return to England. I do not want to return to England and yet I am certain my father King Henry will summon me back to London, a simple pawn in one of his political games, games that brought him to the throne two years before my birth. I must not be his pawn.  I must stay myself. But who am I? Princess? Pawn? Widow? Imperatrix. Imperatrix romanorum. Yes! I was crowned in Rome. Imperatrix romanorum. The Kurfürsten may vote for someone else. But no one, neither pope nor prince or baron or king can take that one thing that is mine:  I am imperatrix. They can force me to yield my power to a new Kaiser, but they can never take away my coronation as imperatrix.

(END OF SCENE)

Find Empress Matilda of England at a retailer near you including Amazon, Apple, Smashwords, and Barnes/Noble.

Eleanor Marries Henry Plantagenet. Excerpt from Eleanor of Aquitaine: a Play in Four Acts

Alienor d’Aquitaine is one of the most famous women in medieval history. The well-educated daughter of Duke William IX of Aquitaine, her father’s death made her the most eligible heiress in medieval Europe.

In this scene, Eleanor weds Prince Henry Plantagenet, son of Empress Matilda of England and her second husband, Geoffrey Plantagenet.

Act III, Scene III

1152, 18^th May. Bordeaux, Aquitaine. Cathédrale-Primatiale Saint-André. ELEANOR and HENRY PLANTAGENET stand in front of ARCHBISHOP as COURTIERS watch. BECKET stands beside Henry as his best man.

ELEANOR

I, Aliénor, duchesse d’Aquitaine, take thee, Henri Plantagenet, duc de Normandie et comte d’Anjou et du Maine, to be my wedded husband. I promise to be faithful to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honour you all the days of my life.

HENRY PLANTAGENET

I, Henri Plantagenet, duc de Normandie et comte d’Anjou et du Maine take thee Aliénor, duchesse d’Aquitaine, to be my wedded wife. I promise to be faithful to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honour you all the days of my life.

(Henry places a jewelled ring on Eleanor’s hand)

With this ring, I thee wed. All my worldly goods, I thee endow. All that I have, I give to thee, Aliénor, duchesse d’Aquitaine.

ARCHBISHOP

What God has joined together, let no man tear asunder.

(making the sign of the cross)

In nómine Patris et Fílii et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.

ALL

A-men.

ARCHBISHOP

My lord Plantagenet, you may now kiss your bride!

Henry Plantagenet kisses Eleanor.

BECKET/COURTIERS

(Ad lib cheers)

Hooray!

Félicitations!

Vive le duc et la duchesse !

HENRY PLANTAGENET and ELEANOR acknowledge the cheers with smiles and bows as they EXIT downstage left.

(END OF SCENE)

Love this scene? Buy the full play at a retailer near you including Apple, Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes/Noble.

This is not over! Excerpt from chapter four of Boudicca: Britain’s Queen of the Iceni

March, 2014. As women’s history month commenced and I famously queried those around me, asking them to name 10 women from history – which they failed to do, I responded to my anger and frustration by writing. The book: Boudicca: Britain’s Queen of the Iceni. Little did I guess that month that I was creating a new career for myself as a biographical historian. Ten years after initial publication, Boudicca remains a reader favorite and my most popular title in digital, paperback, and audio formats. Translated into many languages, you can listen to it in English, French, Spanish, and German.

The following scene is the famous “this is not over” scene from chapter four and the one featured in the audio excerpt on Audible.

Half an hour later, the red blood of the defeated defenders mingled with the blue war paint on their bodies. Among the wounded survivors was Prasutagus’ younger sister, Princess Maëlle.  Too hurt to keep fighting, a centurion bound her and dragged her.  Boudicca looked into the centurion’s lustful eyes, his intent to make her a slave of his bed chamber obvious to her after her own enslavement.  This was a fate far worse than death, Boudicca knew, yet also a traditional fate the Romans gave to nobles from conquered tribes.

Certain of their victory and with no further challenges from the people, the Roman soldiers went into each home, taking everything they could of value to them, seizing anyone still alive among Iceni nobility, and smashing much of what they could not or did not wish to take.  Lighting torches, they threw fire onto the thatched roofs, sending half of the village into flame.

Finally, they turned their attention to Boudicca and her daughters, still bound and gagged and under Marcus’ control, though all three struggled to free themselves.  Marcus sneered at Boudicca, “Our governor tells me you were once a slave amongst the Aedui – is it true?”

“I am queen of the Iceni, the chosen vessel of Cathubodva,” proclaimed the queen.

“Such fire and hatred,” noticed Marcus. “Only a slave feels such hatred.”

“Or a woman,” countered Boudicca.

“Slave, woman, barbarian – what is the difference?  You, Boudicca, are all three!”

“There is a saying among my people, Centurion.  Be careful of the warrior whose cause is just – but be terrified of the woman scorned and battle ready.  For her strength is greatest of all!”

“Really?” laughed Marcus, signaling at two soldiers.  Dragging out Alys and Morgan to where all could see, the Romans beat them to the ground, bruising and bloodying them before ravishing them and destroying their virtue.

Marcus laughed as he observed Boudicca’s anger, “Jealous, slave?”

“You invite the wrath of all our goddesses and gods.  Barbarians you call us?  There is no word for the violence and brutality you’ve done to them!”

“Done?  I’ve just begun.  Perhaps I should make you my personal slave for my bed chamber, eh?” considered Marcus cruelly.  “No … I think not.  A proper slave knows her place.  I have a better idea!” With a flick of his wrist, he motioned for Boudicca to be tied to a charred post to what was once Boudicca’s beautiful and luxurious home.  Forcing both Alys and Morgan to watch, he personally flogged the queen with thirty lashes of his whip, expecting her to scream with pain.

Proudly, Boudicca refused to scream.  Looking at his victim and now certain she too was now beaten into submission, Marcus picked up Alys and Morgan and took them along with the other captives and plunder, leaving Boudicca alone with the remains of her kingdom.

As soon as the Romans were out of sight and hearing range, a little girl came up to Boudicca with a knife which she used to cut her queen’s bonds, “Your highness, what shall we do?”

“First, we must bind up our wounds.  Get whoever is left and strong enough to search the village for clean linen or wool we can use to help the injured.  See if the Romans left us with honey and with any ground oats which we can use on the wounds.  Once we stop the bleeding and stabilize the hurt we must check our food supplies and ensure everyone eats today – especially the injured.  We are only as strong as our weakest person.  Now is the time we must all come together,” commanded Boudicca.

“But what about the Romans?  We cannot let them get away with our people like that?”

“If we can free them, we will – but not today.  We do not have the strength.  We must heal, recover our strength.  Then, once we are ready, I swear we will fight back.  Let the ravens of Cathubodva come now to us, let her power fill us!  We are not defeated.  This is not over!”

Spring Flowers Bloom in Johnstown

After writing about some of the beautiful places in New York City, I thought I would take a stroll through my “neck of the woods” as Al Roker puts it and take a few photos of the flowers and quiet places just a few blocks from my current apartment.

Central Park Johnstown

Essentially Johnstown’s town center square, Central Park is lush with flowers at this time of year. These photos are likely the last for the park as it is: plans are in the works to completely renovate the space and modernize it to make it more friendly to young families.

Pedestrian Walk

Nestled about a block and a half south of Central Park is a beautiful Pedestrian Walk and gardens with benches and planted flowers.

Prayer Garden at First Lutheran Church (415 Vine Street)

Located about three blocks from my apartment, I’ve passed the front of First Lutheran Church hundreds of times – but never approached from the north to visit its Prayer Garden. Here is the view facing south; the church wall seen here is its western wall facing towards Market Street.

Wherever you are, I hope you will take the time to walk through some of the beautiful green spaces in town you may not normally visit. Literally take time to smell the flowers and enjoy some time outdoors.

Off the Beaten Path: Must-Visit Favorite Places in Brooklyn

I love New York City. I especially love Brooklyn, New York. From 2000 to 2011 I lived in first northern New Jersey (where my beloved Mithril was hatched), then midwood Brooklyn. Along the way I discovered places I never knew about when I was tourist back in the 1990s coming with my boyfriend to visit his family living in the area. Most of these places tourists never hear about. Here are my top picks for going off the beaten path when in Brooklyn.

The Quaker Parakeets at Brooklyn College

With nests across midwood Brooklyn, nothing satisfies the bird watcher or parrot person better than watching the wild Quaker parakeets who live in Brooklyn. Come to the athletic field at Brooklyn College to see their most famous nests. Take the B49 bus along Ocean Ave and get off at Ave H. The Campus Road path to the nests is less than two blocks from there. If you are traveling during the warmer months the birds may be in the trees where they are especially hard to spot: their bright green feathers readily blend in with the leaves.

Greenwood Cemetery

Greenwood Cemetery was first built to bury the dead from the American Civil War, but its significance goes way further back in time. On August 27th, 1776 the Battle of Brooklyn raged between George Washington’s 5000 patriot soldiers against the Crown’s 20,000 – the largest armada of ships and soldiers the world had ever seen up to that point and greater in numbers than the entire population in Philadelphia. At one point in the battle several hundred Patriots were cut off from the rest of the Continental Army, shedding their blood across the land that is now Greenwood Cemetery. Most were drawn to the highest point and taken prisoner, rotting on the infamous prison ships moored in New York Harbor. Their bones are interred in a monument to them mere feet from where the Crown took them prisoner.

It’s a largely forgotten story from the War for Independence that I had the pleasure of hearing about during a special History Channel tour I took while a resident.

If birds are more your thing than war stories, the second largest colony of Quaker parakeets in Brooklyn also make their home in Greenwood, especially near the entrance. Walk along the grounds and you will hear the parrots, completely unaware of the blood-soaked history of the land they call their home.

The Bay at Sheepshead Bay

Named for a now extinct fish, Sheepshead Bay is bounded by the same name neighborhood and Manhattan Beach. Located only about three blocks south of the Sheepshead Bay subway station, it’s one of my favorite spots to see water birds in Brooklyn. Great food is to be found throughout the area, especially along Emmons Ave. which runs east-west along the width of the bay. If fishing is your thing, there are numerous opportunities, especially along the eastern side of the bay. But what I love best about the area are the water and sea birds who readily come to greet you and get a treats from you. It’s a very peaceful part of town and fish served at the area restaurants are especially fresh and delicious. As a bonus: the hotels there have great views of the water which my mother appreciated the time she stayed there to visit me.

The waterfall at Prospect Park is a hidden gem deep into the park. Well worth the long hike to reach.

Photo from 2007.

Prospect Park

Prospect Park is a man-made park designed by Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux, the same men who gave us Manhattan’s Central Park. It is not only beautiful with lakes, a skating rink in winter, and lots of opportunities for hiking (I especially love its waterfall) and bird watching, but it has a blood-soaked history as well. Along with Greenwood Cemetery, Prospect Park preserves part of the battlefield from August 27th, 1776 when George Washington’s 5000 Patriots from the newly formed Continental Army faced the Crown’s 20,000. The battle spanned most of Kings and Queens counties (hence the alternative name, “The Battle of Long Island.”). Only here and Greenwood is that hallowed ground less touched by the hustle and bustle of the city around it.

If that is not enough, you will find an enormous number of birds in the park. Come to the Audubon center at the Boathouse and you will get professional guidance on the park’s birds and how to find them. In the warmer months, the Audubon Center also hosts numerous free educational programs. At one I went to they had kestrels (a small falcon) they discussed. Lots of fun learning about birds of prey that afternoon.

The Boathouse and Audubon center are best reached by taking the B/Q train to the Prospect Park subway station. The main exit to the station takes you to the part where Prospect Park, Leffret’s House, Prospect Park Zoo, Prospect Park Carousel, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden all meet together in less than a city block span. All of these are favorite places in Brooklyn for me.

Located at 452 Flatbush Ave, Leffert’s House was built circa 1783 and was home to the family of that name. It’s a fantastic place for exploring over 200 years of local history. The museum holds regular events to help you experience different aspects of life for the Leffert family, both inside and outside the farm house. I’ve been to several and it’s wonderful every time I go.

After you enjoy Leffert’s house, walk a few yards to take in the Prospect Park Zoo. It’s not a major zoo like the more famous Bronx Zoo (which I visited as a tourist in the 1990s), but it’s a fun zoo. Located at 450 Flatbush Ave, it suffered severe damage last September (2023) causing closures. Hopefully though it will re-open soon as it really is one of my favorite places to visit in Brooklyn.

Finally, no trip to Prospect Park is complete without riding the Prospect Park Carousel. It is literally feet from the zoo at 452 Flatbush and is one of my favorite places for a Saturday afternoon date. Wholesome entertainment for the whole family.

Cherry trees, 10 April 2010.

Taken during Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s annual cherry blossom festival (Sakura Matsuri), the Brooklyn Botanic Garden features a “cherry walk” that is magical when the cherry trees are in bloom.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Last, but not least I love the Brooklyn Botantic Garden. It’s one of the most beautiful places in all of New York City – which is really saying something! With special events throughout the year, along with classes covering everything from how to not kill your house plants to tree planting to pretty much anything and everything you can imagine as it relates to plants, there is something for everyone. Special events like Sakura Matsuri celebrate the garden’s cherry trees which is one of the largest in the United States.

Koi fish in the Japanese garden. May 2007.

There’s also a children’s garden (with regular activities for children), a rose garden, and a massive Japanese garden featuring a pond filled with koi fish which you can feed via the fish food vending machines provided near the lake. On a good day you might also spot a cormorant sunning her feathers on a wood branch in the pond. There’s also turtles hanging out in rocks in and around the pond’s shallows.

Shinto shrine, May 2007

Walk along hidden paths and you will find a replica Shinto shrine which is one of my favorite places to go to meditate and pray.

Wherever you go in Brooklyn and no matter your taste in activities, Brooklyn New York offers you hidden away treasures to explore. Whether you are a tourist coming to town, a native Brooklynite, or live in the metro-area, come to Brooklyn and especially my favorite places and you won’t be disappointed.

News from London. Excerpt from Mary Queen of the Scots: a Play in Three Acts

The death of King Edward VI of England was a pivotal moment for both the Tudor dynasty in England and the Stewart/Stuart dynasty in Scotland. In this scene from “Mary Queen of the Scots: A Play in Three Acts” Queen Mary learns of the death of her English cousin. The song in this scene is a famous Scottish song from 1545 written and sung in Auld Scots.

Act I, Scene I

1553. Louvre Palace, Paris. Queen Mary’s private apartment. YOUNG MARY sits and plays her lute near a window overlooking the courtyard.

YOUNG MARY

(singing in Scottish as she plays along on her lute)

DEPAIRTE, DEPAIRTE, ALLACE I MOST DEPAIRTE. FROM HIR THAT HES MY HAIRT WITH HAIRT FULL SOIR; AGAIN’S MY IN DEID AND CAN FIND NO REMEID, I WAIT THE PAN’S OF DEID CAN DO NO MOIR.

FRANÇOIS ENTERS stage left excitedly.

FRANÇOIS

 Marie!  Marie! News from London!

YOUNG MARY

Quelles nouvelles?

FRANÇOIS

 Your cousin, King Edward the Sixth!

YOUNG MARY

What about him?

FRANÇOIS

 He’s dead!  He died of consumption three weeks ago.

YOUNG MARY

(crossing herself)

Poor lad!

FRANÇOIS

There is more, ma chérie.  Your cousin Lady Jane Grey, granddaughter of your great aunt Mary and the duke of Suffolk Charles Brandon, she is now imprisoned in the Tower of London!

YOUNG MARY

For what crime?

FRANÇOIS

The king tried to override his father’s last will and testament by making her queen instead of Queen Mary.  For nine days she ruled as Queen Jane before the queen and her sister the Lady Elizabeth entered London to claim the throne officially.  As soon as Queen Mary arrived, all support for Queen Jane disappeared.

YOUNG MARY

The people have spoken!  Let us pray that through the wisdom of Queen Mary we might see England restored to the true religion.”

FRANÇOIS

(crossing himself)

In nómine Patris et Fílii et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.

YOUNG MARY

Amen.

(END OF SCENE)

Find Mary Queen of the Scots, a Play in Three Acts at a retailer near you including Amazon, Apple, Smashwords, and Barnes/Noble.

Review: Great Value Chocolate Flavored Dairy Whipped Topping

I really like chocolate on my strawberries. It’s one of the few times when I will eat Hershey’s chocolate which I otherwise find bland and unpleasant. So when I noticed Walmart has a new chocolate flavor option to their dairy whipped topping, I decided to give it a try.

I tried it over fresh strawberries eaten by hand and with no other sweeteners. Then I tried it on top of strawberry shortcake: blended strawberries with a dash of sweetener (Stevia in this case) layered over some angel food or white cake.

In both cases, the chocolate whipped topping failed to live up to the taste of the regular, vanilla whipped topping that is the main stay. It’s not a strong enough chocolate taste to mesh well with the strawberries.

Put over a bowl of Breyer’s Natural Vanilla ice cream and I got the same result. It doesn’t add enough chocolate flavor to positively contribute to the dessert.

I will never buy it again. Definitely going back to the original vanilla flavor.

Self-Publishing: Book Earnings and Royalty Payment Timing

You finally published your latest literary masterpiece. The hard part of the process is done. Now it’s time to publish, get sales, and finally receive that royalty payment for your book.

But how and when you get paid for a sale varies greatly by the publishing platform and retailer selling your book. Here is a look at the timing between when someone buys your book (ebook, paperback, hard cover, and/or audiobook) and when you can expect to actually receive your royalty payment.

Kindle Direct Publishing (kindle books, paperbacks, hard cover books)

Kindle Direct Publishing (abbreviated KDP) pays you 60 days after the last day of every month. This is usually direct deposit into your bank. For example: books sold between December 1st and December 2023 were paid between February 29th and March 2nd, 2024. The difference in the date comes from currency conversions with your bank. This is because Amazon pays each “channel” (their word for the Amazon sites in each different country) separately and in the country-of-sale’s local currency. Sales in Germany are paid in Euros. Sales in Canada are paid in Canadian dollars. Sales in the UK are paid in British Pounds Sterling. You get the idea. Funds leave Amazon on the same date across the board – usually the 29th in every month (or February 28th most years) – but banks usually have to convert these other currencies and that takes time. Hence the three or four day window for all payments to be received, acknowledged, and credited to your bank account.

This 60 day payment lag applies to both kindle books and any paperbacks or hard cover books you publish through KDP. Payments are only sent when they exceed the minimum threshold for direct deposit – usually $10 USD if you live in the United States – otherwise they roll over to the next month and so on until the minimum is met.

Draft2Digital (ebooks, paperbacks)

Draft2Digital is KDP’s leading competitor for paperback books and now, through its acquisition of Smashwords, ebooks. Paperbacks are sent to the exact same retailers that KDP sends paperbacks to. Whereas ebooks are sent to ebook retailers such as Apple, Barnes/Noble, Kobo, and Everand. Whether paperback or digital, each of these retailers reports and pays earnings on its own schedule. According to Draft2Digital, “The stores that payout to you on a 3-month delay would be Kobo, Amazon, and Baker & Taylor. The stores that payout to you on a 2-month delay would be Apple, Barnes and Noble, OverDrive, Hoopla, Bibliotheca, Scribd, and Tolino. D2D Print-on-Demand (paperbacks) can take 3-4 months to verify royalties.

“Verified royalties are paid out to you on the next available payment date after having been added to your account given that the amount owed to you is greater than the payment threshold set on your payment method.

“Please keep in mind it takes 2-3 months to receive your first payment. Many of our stores are reporting the month after the sale and paid to you the following month but we do have stores that pay to us on a 2-month delay and are paid to you the following month.”

ACX (audiobooks)

ACX is Amazon’s audiobook publishing platform. It offers authors both exclusive and non-exclusive distribution contracts and both royalty share and per finished hour payment options. A royalty share contract limits publication to Amazon, Audible, and Apple retail sites. Under royalty share, the narrator and author each receive 20% of the net retail for each book sold. Per finished hour contracts pay the narrator at the time of project completion and can be either exclusive or non-exclusive, each option paying different royalty rates. Exclusive limits publication to Amazon, Audible, and Apple and pays 40% of net retail (same rate as royalty share, but author keeps all of the royalties here instead of sharing it). Non-exclusive pays just 25% of net retail, but allows for broader distribution.

ACX pays 30 days after the completion of each month. For example, sales between January 1st and January 31st, 2024 paid on February 27th, 2024 through direct deposit. As with KDP, if a specific month’s earnings does not exceed the minimum threshold for direct deposit, the earnings for that month roll over until the minimum is met.

Find Away Voices (audiobooks)

Find Away Voices (abbreviated FAV) is ACX’s leading competitor. Featuring expanded distribution to over 50 different retailers, including all of the aggregates used by public libraries and libraries for the blind, FAV puts your audiobooks in more retailers than ACX and pays a much higher royalty rate as well, usually between 50% and 80%, depending on the retailer. With Spotify’s recent acquisition of FAV, all audiobooks posted through FAV are by default available on Spotify. Authors choose which retailers from FAV’s extensive list to publish – or not publish – to.

Since FAV distributes audiobooks to Barnes/Noble, Everand, Apple, Kobo, etc. they receive earned royalties from those retailers on the same schedule as Draft2Digital.

Like KDP and ACX, FAV pays through direct deposit to your bank and generally requires a minimum of $10 USD before it pays royalties. Earn less than $10 USD in a given month and your earnings roll over until you reach that threshold.

Self-publishing can be a tough business. But armed with a little information and a lot of persistence, authors can succeed in this dynamic industry.

For more information about the publishing business please see:

The 3 “P”s of Audiobook Narrators

The 3 Ps of Audiobook Narrators Part Two

Find Away Voices Sales Report: A Detailed Look At “New Start in the Niobrara” audiobook

Why my newest releases are not available for kindle on Amazon.

How to Format Paperbacks Without Createspace’s Interior Templates

Babelcube beware: what authors need to know before signing a Babelcube contract

Going Global: A Look at Translation Options for Independent Authors

Livros em português: descrições e links de varejo

Se você mora nos Estados Unidos, provavelmente não ouve muito o português falado, muito menos escrito. Mas o português é uma língua bonita e decididamente diferente do espanhol, do italiano e do francês. Os livros a seguir são escritos por Laurel A. Rockefeller e estão disponíveis para você em português.

Adeus, A672E92 Quintus

O que você faria se soubesse que o seu mundo está chegando ao fim? Após a ciência ter confirmado a iminente aniquilação do planeta A672E92 Quintus, uma equipe diplomática fica encarregada de controlar a rivalidade cega das duas casas aptas para a jornada espacial, a Cashmarie e a Xing-li. Se falharem, certamente cada homem, mulher e criança perecerá. Como a disputa entre as casas permanece, são designados dois representantes para liderar o tratado de paz, aí surge o romance com um toque extrassensorial, e torna-se lendária a luta para se despedir do A672E92 Quintus e descobrir o seu novo lar: o planeta Beinan.

Encontre este livro na Apple, Amazon e Everand

Boudicca, a Rainha Bretã dos Icenos

Por que o corvo dos Morrígan chora? Apenas os Bretões cujo coração anseia pela verdadeira liberdade sabem! 

Em 43 a. C. a conquista da Bretanha pelos Romanos é quase certa — até que um encontro casual entre o Rei Prasutagus dos Icenos e uma escrava fugitiva da realeza, descendente da tribo dos Éduos da Gália muda o destino das ilhas britânicas para sempre. 

Levante-se para a liberdade com a estória verdadeira de Boudicca: a Rainha Bretã dos Icenos e descubra uma das mais inspiradoras estórias da história! 

Uma narração biográfica sobre Mulheres Legendárias da História Mundial.

Encontre este livro na Apple, Amazon e Everand

Catherine de Valois Princesa Francesa, Matriarca dos Tudor

A guerra a tornou Rainha da Inglaterra. O seu amor por um galês a tornou imortal.

Mais conhecida como a noiva de Agincourt, de Henry V, da peça shakespeariana “Henry V,” Catherine de Valois foi uma extraordinária mulher fervorosa, corajosa, e convicta, em uma era de mulheres politicamente poderosas.

Uma filha mais nova do Rei Charles VI da França, aterrorizada pela sua enfermidade mental, Princesa Catherine sobreviveu às devastações da esquizofrenia dele, a uma guerra civil em seu país, e à guerra do Rei Henry contra a França, para se tornar uma das rainhas mais fascinantes e corajosas da Inglaterra renascentista.

Uma biografia narrativa de Mulheres Lendárias da História Mundial.

Inclui uma árvore genealógica Guerra das Rosas, detalhada cronologia, e uma lista detalhada de sugestões de leitura/bibliografia.

Encontre este livro na Apple, Amazon e Everand

Cleópatra VII: A última governante do Egito

A emocionante história da rainha mais famosa do Egito!

Cleópatra Tea Filópator se recusava a fazer o que lhe era ordenado. Em uma período em que o patriarcado negava cidadania completa até mesmo às mulheres da elite romana, Cleópatra governou seu Egito determinada a mantê-lo independente e livre do controle romano — independentemente do preço. Demonizada como uma simples sedutora por Caio Júlio César Otaviano (o futuro César Augusto) e seus aliados políticos, Cleópatra VII provou ser igual aos três homens mais poderosos do mundo romano: Caio Júlio César, Marco Antônio e Otaviano César.

Inclui uma linha do tempo detalhada, uma lista de leituras sugeridas/bibliografia e um easter egg especial para os fãs de ficção científica.

Encontre este livro na Apple, Amazon e Everand

Gwenllian Ferch Gruffydd. A Princesa Guerreira de Deheubarth

A Heroica antepassada Galesa da rainha Elizabeth Tudor!

Nascida em 1097 no castelo de Aberffraw, a princesa Gwenllian Ferch Gruffydd ap Cynan sempre foi destinada a grandes coisas. Como filha de um dos maiores guerreiros de Gwynedd, ela cresceu forte e apaixonada – mais do que uma partida para seus irmãos mais velhos.

A seus dezesseis anos, a vida de Gwenllian mudou para sempre quando ela se apaixonou por Prince Gruffydd ap Rhys, o herdeiro de Rhys ap Tewdur, de Deheubarth. Juntos, marido e mulher lutaram e governaram o sul do País de Gales, desafiando a Conquista Normanda do País de Gales e provando de uma vez por todas a nobreza e coragem do povo galês, uma coragem que dura ao longo dos séculos e vive no coração de todo homem galês, mulher e criança.

Inclui uma extensa linha de tempo cobrindo mais de 400 anos de história medieval galesa e inglesa.

Encontre este livro na Apple, Amazon e Everand

Hipátia de Alexandria

Quando o mundo ocidental caiu na escuridão, ela ousou defender a luz.

Nascida em 355 EC, após o reinado de Constantino, Hipátia de Alexandria viveu em um império romano em colapso, um mundo onde a obediência às autoridades religiosas superava a ciência, onde razão e lógica ameaçavam a nova ordem mundial. Era um mundo à beira da Idade das Trevas, um mundo decidindo a questão da ciência versos religião, versos liberdade ortodoxia, versos de tolerância ódio.

Por mais de 40 anos, Hipátia ficou entre a idade das trevas e a luz da filosofia clássica, das artes e das ciências. Embora nenhum de seus livros tenha sobrevivido às agressivas queimadas de livros de fanáticos religiosos, seu legado continua sendo o de um dos maiores cientistas de todos os tempos.

Esta é a sua história verdadeira e fascinante.

Inclui bibliografia, um cronograma detalhado e coordenadas de latitude e longitude para as principais cidades do Império Romano, para que você possa explorar as maravilhas dos céus com Hypatia.

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Imperatriz Matilde da Inglaterra

A leoa destemida da Inglaterra!

Nascida em 1102 para o rei Henry da Inglaterra e para a rainha Matilde da Escócia, a ancestralidade normanda, saxã e escocesa de Matilde estava destinada a unificar a Inglaterra ainda dividida pela conquista do avô em 1066. Quando o Desastre do Barco Branco, em 1120, fez dela a única filha sobrevivente de seus pais, Matilde de repente se tornou herdeira do trono inglês em uma época em que o velho Witan saxão, e não o testamento do rei, ainda decidia a sucessão.

Descubra a verdadeira história da primeira mulher a reivindicar o trono inglês por direito próprio e inspire-se!

Inclui a árvore genealógica da família de Matilde, uma linha do tempo detalhada e uma lista de sugestões de leituras para que você possa continuar aprendendo.

Encontre este livro na Apple, Amazon e Everand

Imperatriz Wǔ Zétiān

A mulher mais odiada da história chinesa!

Viaje no tempo mais de mil anos e conheça o primeiro e único imperador do sexo feminino da China. Nascido Wǔ Zhào e dado o título reinado “Zétiān” apenas algumas semanas antes de sua morte em 705 dC, ela era a filha indesejada do chanceler Wǔ Shihuo – muito brilhante, muito instruída e muito politicamente focada para fazer uma boa esposa de acordo com interpretações contemporâneas dos Analectos de Confúcio.

Ela pode ser de admirar que até hoje ela continua a ser a mulher mais odiada em toda a história chinesa e um dos seus mais controversos?

Explore a vida da imperatriz Wǔ e descubra por que o mundo é um lugar muito diferente, porque ela ousou o que nenhuma mulher na China antes ou desde sempre sonhou.

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Margarida de Wessex

O século 11 foi uma época perigosa para os descendentes diretos do Rei Æthelred II Despreparado e de sua primeira rainha, Æfgifu of York. Nascida na Hungria depois da tentativa falha do Rei Canuto III de assassinar o seu pai, Eduardo, o Exilado, Margarida teve a vida virada de cabeça para baixo pela descoberta do Rei Eduardo, o Confessor, de que o seu pai continuava vivo — e com a consequente reconvocação de sua família à Inglaterra.

Agora, uma refém política mantida viva apenas enquanto serve aos interesses de homens poderosos, Margarida e sua família encontram no convite do Rei Máel Coluim mac Donnchadh Ceann à sua corte em Dunfermline, Alba, a resposta há muito esperada para as suas preces.

A Escócia jamais seria a mesma outra vez.

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Maria, a Rainha dos Escoceses, O Reino Esquecido

A Rainha Maria Stuart foi uma das mulheres mais amadas e controversas da história da Escócia. Neta do Rei Jaime IV e sua esposa Margaret Tudor, o status da Rainha Maria como herdeira-parente do trono da Rainha Isabel na Inglaterra, assim como a violência da Reforma Escocesa preparou o palco para uma das vidas mais dramáticas e mal compreendidas do século XVI.

Maria, a Rainha dos Escoceses conta a verdadeira história de Maria, concentrando-se principalmente em seu reinado como rainha da Escócia, celebrando sua vida mais do que sua morte e mostrando-nos porque ela era verdadeiramente uma mulher à frente de seu tempo.

Apresenta uma linha do tempo detalhada, uma lista de orações latinas com suas traduções para o Português e as letras de todas as quatro canções do período apresentadas no livro, incluindo “Depairte, Depairte” (1545) escrita em língua Ânglica Escocesa.

Encontre este livro na Apple, Amazon e Everand

Mithril e Eu: Uma história de amor

Mithril e Eu é a verdadeira história do vínculo especial que se forma entre humanos e pássaros. Começando com seu primeiro pássaro, um budgerigar (periquito) chamado Luke e, ao longo das décadas, Laurel A. Rockefeller leva você a uma jornada especial como só ela pode, aprendendo e crescendo como pessoa ao longo do caminho e amando cada pássaro que entra em sua vida.  Sincero, afetuoso e honesto, “Mithril e Eu” vai aquecer seu coração, fazer você chorar e inspirá-lo ao longo do caminho.

Repleto de fotos pessoais de quarenta anos de vida com pássaros. Perfeito para o amante de animais em sua vida.

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O território envenenado e a consorte curandeira

A Senhora Abadessa Cara encontra-se no meio de uma conspiração real quando viaja para a cidade sulista de Nan-li para investigar um misterioso surto de cânceres que assola a cidade.

Quando o tirânico Rei Gareth usa seu poder para impedi-la de descobrir a verdade, Cara encontra-se encurralada entre o amor e suas lealdades neste romance sombrio, que antecede “Os Fantasmas do Passado”.

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Organização para a Minha Primeira Caturra

Apresente o mundo maravilhoso das caturras aos seus filhos

Organização para a minha primeira Caturra, é um guia para si e para os seus filhos, para ajudar a saber o que é necessário para levar para casa a sua primeira caturra.

Ao contrário da maioria de livros que existem sobre caturras, este não tentam encobrir nada e foca-se em explicar o que necessita para estar preparado para a sua nova vida com o seu pássaro.

Completo com histórias na primeira pessoa e fotografias, vai ficar a saber como é a vida a amar caturras, há muitos anos. Um livro divertido quem adora animais!

Temas:
– Caturras sendo cacatuas
– Gaiolas principais
– Gaiolas de viagem e hospitalares (incluindo gaiolas para viagens áreas internas e internacionais)
– Espaços de lazer 
– Comida
– Brinquedos
– Poleiros
– Dispensadores de comida 
– Comunicar com uma caturra nova e tímida
– Prevenção de psitacose

– Jogos para o seu novo pássaro 

SEGUNDA EDIÇÃO

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Rainha Elizabeth Tudor, Tornando-se Gloriana

A Rainha Elizabeth Tudor ainda é conhecida hoje como “Gloriana”, por conta de sua pequena frota de navios ágeis que derrotou a Armada Espanhola, que possuía 131 galeões, no Canal da Mancha em 6 de agosto de 1588.

Mas como isso aconteceu, e por que a tardia Era Elisabetana ficou conhecida como “A Era do Ouro”?

Nesta bela e criativa narrativa biográfica, você conhecerá Elizabeth como nunca antes.

Se você é fã da Dinastia Tudor ou se esta é sua primeira vez explorando a história inglesa, você ganhará conhecimentos valiosos sobre a mente da, talvez, mulher mais lendária da história mundial, contada pelos olhos de seu famoso—ou infame—relacionamento com Robert Dudley. A história continua com Mary, rainha dos escoceses (explorada no terceiro volume) e seu julgamento e impacto em Elizabeth.

Contém seis músicas medievais e elisabetanas, uma linha do tempo detalhada, e uma longa lista de leituras sugeridas.

Encontre este livro na Apple, Amazon e Everand

Sua Eminência Escarlate, Armand-Jean du Plessis de Richelieu

Sacerdote. Amante. Político.

Da autora da série de biografias best-seller “Mulheres Lendárias da História do Mundo” …

O cardeal Armand-Jean du Plessis, duque de Richelieu, é um dos políticos mais famosos – ou infames de todos os tempos. Tornado um vilão no popular romance de Dumas, “Os Três Mosqueteiros”, o homem de verdade era um servidor público dedicado, leal ao rei e ao país. Um homem de lógica e razão, ele transformou a maneira como pensamos sobre nações e nacionalidade. Ele secularizou as guerras entre países, patrocinou as artes em prol do bem público, fundou o primeiro jornal na França e criou a França como o país moderno que conhecemos hoje.

Cheio de música de época, dança e muito romance, “Sua Eminência Escarlate” transporta você de volta à corte do rei Luís XIII em todas as suas cores vibrantes e vivas.

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Território Envenenado

GANÂNCIA CORPORATIVA. CORRUPÇÃO. PRAGA.
A cidade sulista Nanli ia bem até uma misteriosa praga infestar a cidade com medo e pavor.
Cumprindo o seu dever de descobrir a causa, a Lady Abadessa Cara corre contra o tempo para encontrar uma cura quando se vê diante de uma conspiração perigosa que põe em risco a sua vida e a das gerações futuras.

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Review: The Sweet Spot Becomes Downtown Johnstown’s Favorite Diner Cafe

Downtown Johnstown Pennsylvania is changing. Not only in the loss of Rite-Aid, Ideal Market, and the Cambria County Assistance office — three anchor businesses for downtown — but in the coming major renovations to Central Park (never to be confused with Manhattan’s Central Park) and the massive closings of established businesses bringing in new businesses.

The entire time I’ve lived in Johnstown, there has been some sort of restaurant at 145 Franklin street – that’s the business next door to the original downtown location for Rite Aid pharmacy before they moved to Vine/Market street. Over the years, that space was usually occupied by some sort of pizzeria. No longer. The Sweet Spot is now open there and from what I can see, has become the hottest and most popular place to eat downtown, especially if you are not looking for a formal, three to six course meal such as you get elsewhere downtown.

On 16 March 2024 I went with a neighbor to the Sweet Spot for lunch, arriving around 1045 – 1100 am. In the past (but not that day) they posted what must be an abridged menu in their window – information central to our decision to check them out.

I came for the swiss cheese mushroom burger, a comfort food of sorts because I ate them regularly back in Lincoln, Nebraska at the Runza locations across the city. Key to my assessment: are their swiss cheese mushroom burgers as good as the ones at Runza?

The menu above the ordering counter is minimal — both in listing what they offer and the prices. I had to ask a lot of questions and did not know they offered what is apparently their specialty selection of drinks, let alone the prices. For example, I was interested in ice cream and desserts with my burger – but none were on the board above me and there were no take out menus I could see. Only three or four side dishes were listed, all of them over $3.00. Next to the main counter is a refrigerator with some bottled/boxed beverages like 20 oz Pepsi, Mug root beer, boxed single serving tea and lemonade. No prices listed of course. Very minimal setup as far as I could see.

Fortunately the seating area and staff are many times better. Despite the small space, there are ample tables and sturdy chairs with ketchup and napkins on each table. Around half a dozen in total. On the opposite wall from where we were sitting is a framed t-shirt with a note that we can buy our own for around $25.00. Minimal, but at least comfortable – unlike the famous “Our Sons” restaurant on Broad street in Cambria City with its booths so tight and tightly packed you almost have to be a fashion model or a child to sit in them.

After a few questions i placed my order. The swiss cheese mushroom burger normally has onions; I informed them about my allergy which was very helpful to them. They said it was good that I came so early because mine was the first burger of the day and nothing in the kitchen had touched onions yet. A very positive quality about The Sweet Spot is precisely how much they care about food allergies. There’s a sign right in front of the cash register with allergy information. Top marks to them for caring.

In addition to the burger – which is very high quality meat – the swiss cheese mushroom burger is served on a quality, mid-sized bun. I wasn’t measuring it, but it’s roughly the size of a standard McDonalds burger. But the bread is much higher quality than McDonalds. Fresh mushrooms – not canned like most places – are cooked and layered over the swiss cheese. Upon that is a special sauce they make with their own blend of spices. “Smash sauce” I think they call it, but don’t quote me on that. If you want just one beef patty, the price is $6.99 plus tax and tip.

Yes tip, because after you place the order at the counter, they bring the food to you and offer exceptional table service. Most people I saw receive this table service are not tipping – but I did. This is not some hurried chain restaurant where they want to get you out the door fast, but a small business that is eager to please. I had at least 3 of the 5 staff members I saw come to my table to provide the best possible experience – much better service than at Eat’n Park and really any other formal restaurants where tips are more obviously expected. And no, they didn’t know I’m a writer! Let alone a writer who regularly leaves reviews online. There was genuine concern for both my health (food allergies!) and satisfaction. When I asked about some ketchup and mustard (the Smash Sauce doesn’t satisfy my taste) they were happy to oblige. If anything they served too much mustard and would do better to offer it in a squeeze bottle like the ketchup. 90% of what they served went into the trash – against my environmental sensibilities.

Meanwhile, as I ate, I found the place very busy, especially with takeout orders for custom made drinks. Drinks seem to be what The Sweet Spot is known for, despite the lack of signage about them. In the 30 minutes or so it took for me and my neighbor to eat our meals – he got the breakfast platter of ham, fried eggs, and toast – there were at least a dozen people coming in and out for custom drinks. Bubble tea? I couldn’t tell beyond looking up their website that they are known for them.

The Sweet Spot is a very busy little diner-cafe! A neighbor who works as a dog walker was also there and they were absolutely fine with the dog sitting there while she ate her meal. Count them a dog-friendly restaurant!

Overall, the quality of my burger was very high. After tip, it cost me over $8 – compared to the $2-$3 with McDonalds. Hence the value for the money has to be weighed according to your personal values. I wanted fries too – but at $4 for a serving of unknown size, I simply could not afford the money. Excluding the whole carb considerations that go with any level of diabetes.

This is definitely a quality establishment. The staff are friendly and eager to please. They want your business and will do anything to make you a regular customer.

Now if only they would post their full menu – somewhere! The full menu is not online, not displayed in the restaurant, and there’s no take away menus either to browse. In this they most need to improve. I’m not a regular and I don’t know what they have to offer, let alone how much each item costs. For me, as a patron, that information is essential. Likewise, they do not post their business hours – critical information.

For all of that, The Sweet Spot really is the hottest eating establishment in Johnstown, especially downtown. If you are coming to the area and want a great dining experience – especially if you are willing to spend extra for quality food – definitely come and give them a try! They are less posh than the Harrigan’s restaurant attached to the Holiday Inn Express and really do aim to please you when you walk in the door.

Come visit them at 145 Franklin street, across the street from Johnstown’s Central Park and close to Franklin/Main street.

Packing at Capacity: Packing Cubes and Suitcase Volume

Packing cubes are nothing new. For over twenty years (probably more) I’ve used packing cubes purchased at http://www.ebags.com for all my travel and most of my home organization needs.

The convenience of packing cubes is obvious – but just exactly how many can you fit into your suitcase? Several months ago I took out my stash of packing cubes, filled them, and put them to the test in my TravelPro4 luggage set: a 29″ bag, standard 25″ bag, and 21″ carryon.

To start with, let’s establish the sizes of each of my bags – yours may be slightly smaller or larger, including the wheels, depending on the brand and model. For the TravelPro4 series the measurements (including wheels, but excluding expansion) are:

29″ bag = 31 x 20 x 12″

25″ bag = 27.5 x 18.5 x 10″

22″ carry-on bag = 22 x 13 x 9″

Now for the packing cubes. I started collecting ebags packing cubes over 20 years ago; my collection is quite the assortment of standard large, medium, small, and slim cube (small, medium, and standard). Stores change their selection regularly; what I have may not be available to purchase right now.

Here are the dimensions for the cubes I have:

Ebags cubes – photo from http://www.ebags.com. From top to bottom: 14″ slim, 11″ small, 13.75″ medium, and 17.5″ large cubes.

Large cube: 17.5″ x 12.75″ x 3.25″

Medium cube: 13.75″ x 9.75″ x 3″

Small cube: 11″ x 6.75″ x 3″

Slim standard cube: 14″ x 5″ x 2.75″

Medium slim cube: 11” x 5” x 2.75”

Small slim cube: 7” x 5” x 2.75”

Now you know the sizes of each luggage piece and each packing cube, it’s time to layer them into your suitcase, putting the most breakable items into the middle of the bag if possible.

29” bag – 1 layer equals:

• 2 large cubes or
• 1 large + 2 medium or
• 2 medium + 1 slim + 1 to 2 small (depending on how you pack)

On average, a 29″ bag holds three layers.

25” bag – 1 layer equals:

• 1 large + 1 medium + 1 slim medium or
• 2 medium (+ 1 slim) 

Pack It Flat toiletry bag from Ebags fits slim and easy.

Two layers will fit in a 25″ bag, with the possibility of a third, depending on thickness. If you are packing a third layer, a slim toiletry bag or some shoes fits well, as will one or two throw blankets you might want to bring along for comfortable sleeping.

22″ carry-on bag holds:

• 1 large (fills entire bag bottom to top) or
• 1 medium + 1 small or
• 1 medium + 2 slim

Although I do plan on bringing a tote bag of some sort for those little comfort items I need during my flights, I am not making a plan for it using all packing cubes. If I use any, it will probably be to hold socks, headphones, power cables, my luggage scale, and maybe some snacks. All that depends on the trip.

Thankfully packing cubes allow me to maximize my space – especially in my checked bags and standard carry on – so that I don’t need to rigorously plan out what I’m bringing in my tote bag on any given trip. And while these are very convenient, it needs reminding that everything you pack adds weight and counts towards each airline’s weight rules. Completely empty, each of my bags weigh from 7 to 10 lbs, depending on size. Yours may be more or less.

Also remember when packing that if you want to bring any blankets and/or pillows that these must fit inside your suitcases – or be counted by the airlines as your one “personal item.” The only exception (check with your airline on this) is a neck pillow. This spring (2024) airlines are much more aggressively enforcing their rules about blankets, so be aware of that when planning your next trip. One tip: Walmart’s Mainstays throw blankets are not only properly sized for carry-on bags, but they are less bulky than most blankets marked as “travel blankets” and are usually less than $10. If you don’t care about color and pattern, you can pick one up for as low as $3 at walmart.com or in store. I bought two last time – one for me and one for my birds’ travel cage to cover them up at night when taking them out on overnight stays.

However you pack and wherever you are going, I hope this information helps you plan your next trip better. Bon voyage!

Hörbücher auf Deutsch: Buchbeschreibungen und Einzelhandelslinks

Hörbücher sind meine Leidenschaft. Seit 2014 habe ich viel in Hörbuchproduktionen in den vier verfügbaren Sprachen investiert: Englisch, Spanisch, Französisch und Deutsch. Obwohl viele meiner Blog-Beiträge Links zu Audioausgaben enthalten, ist es manchmal nützlich, einen einzelnen Beitrag zu Hörbüchern zu lesen, der sich auf Einzelhandelslinks konzentriert. Wenn Sie auf der Suche nach Ihrem nächsten tollen Hörstück sind, scrollen Sie gerne durch diesen Beitrag.

Boudicca: Britanniens Königin der Icener.

Warum schreit der Rabe der Morrigan? Nur Britannier mit Herzen für wahre Freiheit wissen es!

Im Jahre 43 n. Chr. scheint die römische Eroberung Britanniens nahezu gewiss – bis ein zufälliges Zusammentreffen von König Prasutagus der Icener und einer entflohenen Sklavin königlicher Herkunft vom Stamm der Aeduer in Gallien das Schicksal der britannischen Inseln für immer ändern.

Erheben Sie sich für die Freiheit mit der wahren Geschichte von Boudicca, Britanniens Königin der Icener, und entdecken Sie eine der berührendsten Erzählungen aller Zeiten!

Eine kreative, Non-Fiction Legendäre Frauen der Weltgeschichte-Biographie.

Dieses Hörbuch finden Sie bei Apple und Audible.

Catherine de Valois

Der Krieg machte sie zur Königin von England. Ihre Liebe zu einem Waliser machte sie unsterblich.

Catherine de Valois, am besten bekannt, als die Braut Henry des V. aus Shakespeares “Henry V.”, war eine außergewöhnliche Frau, voller Glauben, Mut und Überzeugung, in einem Zeitalter politisch mächtiger Frauen.

Als eine jüngere Tochter von König Charles VI. von Frankreich, der durch seine Geisteskrankheit gequält wurde, überlebte Prinzessin Catherine die verheerenden Auswirkungen seiner Schizophrenie, einen Bürgerkrieg im eigenen Land und den Krieg König Henry V. mit Frankreich und wurde eine der faszinierendsten und mutigsten Königinnen des Renaissanceenglands.

Dieses Hörbuch finden Sie bei Apple und Audible.

Kaiserin Mathilde, Herrin der Engländer

Die brüllende Löwin von England!

Geboren 1102 als Tochter von König Henry von England und Königin Matilda von Schottland, war Matildas einzigartige Abstammung von normannischem, sächsischem und schottischem Adel dazu gedacht, das England zu einen, das immer noch durch den Eroberungszug ihres Großvaters im Jahr 1066 geteilt war. Als das Schiffsunglück von 1120 sie zum einzigen überlebenden Kind ihrer Eltern machte, wurde Matilda plötzlich zur Erbin des englischen Throns, in einer Zeit, in der der Witan – und nicht der Wille des Königs – über die Thronfolge entschied.

Entdecken Sie die wahre Geschichte der ersten Frau, die aus eigenem Geburtsrecht ihren Anspruch auf den Thron geltend machte, und lassen Sie sich inspirieren!

Dieses Hörbuch finden Sie bei Apple und Audible.

Kaiserin Wu Zetian

Die meistgehasste Frau der chinesischen Geschichte!

Lassen Sie sich auf eine Zeitreise ein, mehr als tausend Jahre in die Vergangenheit, und treffen Sie die erste und einzige regierende Kaiserin Chinas. Geboren als Wu Zhao erhielt sie den Herrschertitel „Zetian“ erst Wochen vor ihrem Tod im Jahre 705 vor unserer Zeitrechnung. Sie war die unerwünschte Tochter des Finanzministers Wu Shihuo – zu intelligent, zu gebildet und zu politisch versiert, um eine gute Ehefrau abzugeben; zumindest laut den zeitgenössischen Analekten des Konfuzius.

Kann es somit verwundern, dass sie bis zum heutigen Tag die meistgehasste und umstrittenste Frau der chinesischen Geschichte ist?

Erkunden Sie das Leben von Kaiserin Wu und entdecken Sie, warum die Welt heute eine ganz andere ist: Weil sie zu tun wagte, was weder vor noch nach ihr einer anderen Chinesin auch nur im Traum einfiel.

Dieses Hörbuch finden Sie bei Apple und Audible.

Königin Elizabeth Tudor. Der Weg zu Gloriana

Königin Elizabeth Tudor ist auch heute noch als „Gloriana“ bekannt. Ein Name, der auf den Sieg ihrer kleinen Flotte wendiger Schiffe über die 131 Galleonen der spanischen Armada im Ärmelkanal am 6. August 1588 zurückgeht. 

Aber wie ist dies geschehen und warum wird die späte Regierungsphase Elizabeths als „goldenes Zeitalter“ bezeichnet? 

In diesem wunderschönen biographischen Sachbuch lernen Sie Elizabeth so persönlich kennen wie nie zuvor. 

Ob Sie Fan der Tudor-Dynastie sind, oder dies Ihre erste Entdeckungsreise in die englische Geschichte ist, Sie werden einen wertvollen Einblick in den Geist der vielleicht legendärsten Frau der Weltgeschichte bekommen – erzählt durch die Augen ihrer berühmten, oder auch berüchtigten, Beziehung zu Robert Dudley. Dieses Buch führt die Geschichte von Mary, Königin der Schotten, (erkundet in Buch 3) mit Königin Marys Gerichtsverhandlung und den daraus resultierenden Auswirkungen auf Elizabeth fort.

Dieses Hörbuch finden Sie bei Apple und Audible.

Verwandte Blogbeiträge

Audiolibros en Espanol

Audiolivres en francais

Where to Find Audiobooks by Laurel A. Rockefeller

Livres audio en français : descriptions de livres et liens de vente au détail

Les livres audio sont ma passion. Depuis 2014, j’ai investi massivement dans la production de livres audio dans les quatre langues disponibles : anglais, espagnol, français et allemand.

Bien que bon nombre de mes articles de blog incluent des liens applicables aux éditions audio, il est parfois utile d’explorer un seul article dédié aux livres audio qui se concentre sur les liens de vente au détail. Si vous recherchez votre prochaine bonne écoute, n’hésitez pas à faire défiler cet article.

Dans les versions les plus récentes (de septembre 2022 à aujourd’hui), vous trouverez au moins quatre liens de vente au détail pour chaque livre.

Aliénor d’Aquitaine: Édition Élèves & Enseignants

Jeune fille, Aliénor était le parti le plus recherché de toute la Chrétienté… et pas seulement à cause de sa beauté. Fille aînée du duc Guillaume X d’Aquitaine, elle avait hérité de son immense duché à l’âge de 15 ans et fut couronnée reine des Francs la même année.

Mais l’amour ne fut pas au rendez-vous pour cette magnifique duchesse, malgré deux mariages et dix enfants. Pourtant les troubadours chantèrent ses louanges, composèrent pour elle les premières chansons d’amour courtois, et c’est en son honneur que furent déclamées pour la première fois les légendes du roi Arthur et des chevaliers de la table ronde. Aliénor façonna deux empires naissants et fit de l’Aquitaine l’alliée de l’Angleterre la plus fiable sur le continent.

Aliénor d’Aquitaine fut une légende à son époque, elle l’est encore à la nôtre. Voici son histoire.

L’édition Élèves & Enseignants contient un guide d’étude après chaque chapitre.

Retrouvez ce livre chez Spotify, Apple, LibroFm, Kobo, Hoopla, Barnes/Noble, et beaucoup plus!

Au Revoir A672E92 Quintus

La planète A672E92 Quintus tombe en ruines. Alors que l’astre A672E92 prend de l’expansion à l’approche de la fin de son existence, menaçant d’envelopper la planète et tout ce qui y vit, les habitants s’entre-déchirent dans des conflits armés.

La tâche revient à deux invraisemblables délégués de ramener la paix entre les clans et de préparer leur peuple à l’inévitable : l’évacuation d’A672E92 Quintus et la migration de ses habitants vers les étoiles.

Retrouvez ce livre chez Apple, Audible

Boudicca: La reine des Icènes de Bretagne

Pourquoi le corbeau de Morrígan pleure-il ? Seuls les Bretons ayant à coeur la liberté le savent !

En 43 de notre ère, la conquête de la Bretagne par les Romains semble quasiment certaine – jusqu’à la rencontre fortuite du Roi des Icènes, Prasatagus, et d’une esclave en fuite appartenant à la lignée royale de la tribu gauloise des Éduens, change le destin des Iles Britanniques pour toujours. 

Levez-vous pour la liberté avec la véritable histoire de Boudicca : la reine des Icènes de Bretagne et découvrez un des destins les plus inspirants de l’Histoire !

Une biographie romancée des femmes légendaires de l’Histoire du monde.

Retrouvez ce livre chez Apple, Audible

Catherine de Valois: Princess de France, Matriarche des Tudors

La princesse française oubliée dont le courage lança la dynastie des Tudors.

La guerre la fit reine d’Angleterre. Son amour pour un Gallois la rendit immortelle.

Mieux connue comme la fiancée d’Azincourt d’Henri V, de la pièce « Henri V » de Shakespeare, Catherine de Valois était une femme de foi, courage et conviction extraordinaire dans un âge de femmes puissantes politiquement.

La plus jeune fille du roi Charles VI de France terrorisé par sa maladie mentale, Catherine de Valois survécut les ravages de sa schizophrénie, une guerre civile dans son pays, et la guerre d’Henri V contre la France pour devenir une des reines les plus courageuses et fascinantes de la Renaissance.

Une biographie narrative de la série des Femmes Légendaires de l’Histoire du Monde. 

Retrouvez ce livre chez Apple, Audible

L’impératrice Wu Zetian

La femme la plus haïe de l’histoire de la Chine ! 

Voyagez plus de mille ans en arrière dans le temps et rencontrez la première et unique femme empereur de la Chine. Née Wu Zhao et attribuée le titre de règne « Zetian » quelques semaines seulement avant sa mort en 705 CE, elle était la fille indésirable du chancelier Wu Shihuo — trop intelligente, trop éduquée et trop intéressée par la politique pour être une bonne épouse, selon les interprétations contemporaines des Entretiens de Confucius. 

Est-il surprenant que jusqu’à ce jour elle demeure la femme la plus haïe de toute l’histoire de la Chine et une de ses plus controversées ? 

Explorez la vie de l’impératrice Wu et découvrez pourquoi le monde est un endroit bien plus différent parce qu’elle a osé faire ce qu’aucune femme en Chine, avant et depuis, n’a jamais rêvé de faire.

Retrouvez ce livre chez Apple, Audible

Articles de blog connexes

Audiolibros en Espanol

Hörbücher auf Deutsch: Buchbeschreibungen und Einzelhandelslinks

Where to Find Audiobooks by Laurel A. Rockefeller

Cause for Murder: Hypatia Defends the Jews

In 2017 I wrote this paper as part of my work on “Hypatia of Alexandria.” After all this time I do not recall if I published it as a guest post on another blog or simply wrote it and forgot about it. Either way, I think this is a solid research paper deserving your attention. Enjoy

by Laurel A. Rockefeller

Written September 28th, 2017

15^th of March, 415 CE. In front of the Caesareum the greatest philosopher, astronomer, and teacher of the late Roman Empire is skinned alive and torn to pieces in a scene of gruesome murder. All of this is done on behalf of the new Patriarch of Alexandria, a man named Cyril, nephew of the great Patriarch Theophilus of Alexandria. Cyril had every motive for murder. Not only was Hypatia beautiful enough to tempt any man into sin (even at the age of sixty), but she dared the unthinkable for a woman:  she was political!

Cyril wanted absolute power.  It wasn’t enough that he was the most powerful man in what was becoming Eastern Orthodox Christianity. He needed secular power too! But the government was still Roman and a largely secular authority at that, despite Constantine making Christianity the official state religion just decades before.  Certainly, the government played no favourites among Alexandria’s three main factions:  Greeks, Jews, and Christians. But it did favour the wealthy and the intellectual elite which was heavily Greek and Jewish. Among the Greeks, none were more influential than Hypatia and her late father, Theon of Alexandria.

Hypatia’s place in Alexandria’s intellectual life made her natural allies to Jewish intellectuals, including the local rabbinate whom Cyril hated and rivalled against. Hypatia held no intellectual prejudices; she would learn from and teach anyone regardless of class, religion, or nationality. No book was forbidden to her nor unworthy of study, a lesson she mastered as she helped her father fulfil his duties as head librarian of Alexandria. Could it be any wonder she was the darling of those with a passion for learning?

To Cyril, such unfettered consumption of books was perilous. In his letter to the Colossians Saint Paul wrote, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.” Cyril believed this passionately. Like his uncle before him, that verse guided his belief that not only was Christianity the only one true religion, but that everyone must either convert to Christianity or be killed. And not just any Christianity either.  Every Christian must adopt a very specific form of Christian orthodoxy or else be treated the same as Jews and Pagans.

In this orthodoxy, education of females was unconscionable, even if the Roman government did find educating Roman citizen girls important to maintaining an orderly society. Females were to be silent and obedient and defer in all things to men. On this Cyril felt the epistles of St. Paul were quite clear.

Hypatia therefore represented everything that Cyril hated and found intolerable. An educated woman. A philosopher. A scientist. A pagan. A friend to Jews. She read forbidden books and taught forbidden things. She was political and not just political, she was so respected by the Roman authorities that what she advised was usually done.  In every way Hypatia stood in the way of Cyril’s ambition. She was a threat to Christian life and had to die.

Shortly after Hypatia’s murder, her greatest ally in the Roman Empire, Orestes, governor of Egypt mysteriously disappeared.  Coincidence?

Learn more about Hypatia in “Hypatia of Alexandria” by Laurel A. Rockefeller.  Available at Apple, Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes/Noble, kobo, and a retailer near you. 

Audio edition available at Apple and Audible.

Libros en español: descripciones de libros y enlaces minoristas

Boudica, Reina Británica de los Icenos

¿Por qué está gritando el cuervo de Morrigan? ¡Sólo los británicos con corazón que aspiran a la verdadera libertad lo saben!

En el año 43 de nuestra era, la conquista romana de Britania parece casi segura, hasta que un encuentro casual entre el rey Prasutagus de los icenos y una esclava fugitiva descendiente de la tribu de los eduos en Galia cambia el destino de las islas británicas para siempre.

¡Se levantará por la libertad con la historia real de Boudica: Reina de los icenos de Gran Bretaña y descubrirá una de las historias más inspiradoras de la historia!

Una biografía no ficticia sobre mujeres legendarias de la historia mundial.

Encuentre este libro en Amazon, Apple, Everand.

Catalina de Valois. Princesa francesa, matriarca de los Tudor

La olvidada princesa francesa cuyo valor catapultó a la dinastía Tudor

La guerra hizo de ella la reina de Inglaterra. Su amor por un galés la hizo inmortal.

Mejor conocida como la novia de Agincourt de Enrique V en ‘Enrque V’ de Shakespeare, Catalina de Valois era una mujer extraordinaria de fe, valor y convicción en una época con mujeres políticamente poderosas.

Hija menor del rey Carlos VI de Francia, aterrorizada por su enfermedad mental, la princesa Catalina sobrevivió a los estragos de su esquizofrenia, una guerra civil en casa y la guerra del rey Enrique con Francia para convertirse en una de las reinas más fascinantes y valientes del Renacimiento.

Encuentre este libro en Amazon, Apple, Everand

Cleopatra VII: El ultimo faraón de Egipto

¡La emocionante historia real de la reina más famosa de Egipto!

Cleopatra Thea Philopator se negó a hacer lo que le dijeron. En una época en la que el patriarcado negaba la ciudadanía plena incluso a las mujeres romanas más elitistas, Cleopatra gobernaba su Egipto decidida a mantenerlo independiente y libre del control romano, a cualquier precio que fuera necesario. Demonizada como una simple seductora por Cayo Julio César Octavio (el futuro César Augusto) y sus aliados políticos, Cleopatra VII demostró ser igual a tres de los hombres más poderosos del mundo romano: Cayo Julio César, Marco Antonio y Octavio César.

Incluye una cronología detallada, una lista de lecturas y bibliografía sugeridas; así como un huevo de Pascua especial para los fanáticos de Doctor Who.

Encuentre este libro en Amazon, Apple, Everand

Emperatriz Matilda de Inglaterra

¡La leona rugiente de Inglaterra!

Nacida en 1102 del rey Enrique I de Inglaterra y la reina Matilda de Escocia, la herencia real única de Matilda, normanda, sajona y escocesa fue destinada a unificar a una Inglaterra todavía dividida por las conquistas de su abuelo en 1066. Cuando en 1120, el Desastre del Barco Blanco la hizo la única hija sobreviviente de sus padres y Matilda se volvió la heredera al trono inglés en un tiempo en el que el viejo Witan sajón y no la voluntad del rey decidían la sucesión.

Descubre la verdadera historia de la primera mujer en reclamar el trono de Inglaterra por su propio derecho e inspírate.

Incluye el árbol genealógico de Matilda, una línea del tiempo detallada y lecturas sugeridas para que puedas seguir aprendiendo.

Encuentre este libro en Amazon, Apple, Everand

Emperatriz Wǔ Zétiān

¡La mujer más odiada en la historia de China! Viaje en el tiempo más de mil años y conozca al primer y único emperador femenino de China. Nacida Wǔ Zhào, recibió el título de su reinado como “Zétiān” pocas semanas antes de su muerte en el año 705 de nuestra era. Fue la hija no deseada del Canciller Wǔ Shì Huo: demasiado brillante, demasiado educada, y demasiado políticamente centrada para fungir como una buena esposa según las contemporáneas interpretaciones de las Analectas de Confucio. ¿Puede ser de extrañar que al día de hoy ella sigue siendo la mujer más odiada en toda la historia de China y una de las más controvertidas? Explora la vida de la emperatriz Wǔ y descubre por qué el mundo es un lugar muy diferente ya que se atrevió a lo que ninguna mujer en China antes o desde entonces había soñado.

Encuentre este libro en Amazon, Apple, Everand

Gwenllian Ferch Gruffydd: la princesa guerrea de Deheubarth

¡La heroica antepasada galesa de la reina Isabel Tudor!

Nacida en 1097 en el castillo de Aberffraw, la princesa Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd ap Cynan siempre estuvo destinada a grandes cosas. Hija de uno de los guerreros más grandes de Gwynedd, creció siendo fuerte y apasionada, siendo incluso más que un reto para sus hermanos mayores.

A los dieciséis años, la vida de Gwenllian cambió para siempre cuando se enamoró del príncipe Gruffydd ap Rhys, el atribulado heredero de Rhys ap Tewdur de Deheubarth. Juntos, marido y mujer lucharon y reinaron el sur de Gales, desafiando a la conquista normanda de Gales y demostrando de una vez por todas la total nobleza y valor del pueblo galés, un valor que sobrevivió durante siglos y que vive en el corazón de cada hombre, mujer y niño galés.

Incluye una extensa cronología de más de 400 años de la historia medieval de Gales e Inglaterra.

Encuentre este libro en Amazon, Apple, Everand

Hipatia de Alejandría

Cuando el mundo occidental cayó en la oscuridad, ella se atrevió a defender la Luz.

Nacida en 355 d.C., tras el reinado de Constantino, Hipatia de Alejandría vivía en un Imperio Romano colapsado, un mundo donde la obediencia a las autoridades religiosas venció a la ciencia, donde la razón y la lógica amenazaban el nuevo orden mundial. Era un mundo al borde de la Edad Oscura, un mundo que decidía la cuestión de la ciencia contra la religión, libertad contra la ortodoxia, tolerancia contra el odio.

Durante más de 40 años, Hipatia estuvo entre las edades oscuras y la luz de la filosofía clásica, las artes y las ciencias. Aunque ninguno de sus libros sobrevivió a la agresiva quema de libros de los fanáticos religiosos, su legado sigue siendo el de una de los mejores científicos de todos los tiempos.

Esta es su fascinante historia real.

Incluye bibliografía, una línea de tiempo detallada y coordenadas de latitud y longitud para las principales ciudades del Imperio Romano para que pueda explorar las maravillas de los cielos con Hipatia.

Encuentre este libro en Amazon, Apple, Everand

La gran crisis de sucesión

La última heredera posible de la dinastía Gurun tiene ante sí una difícil decisión: seguir los dictados de su corazón y casarse con el caballero que siempre la ha amado o casarse con un rival político ambicioso y cruel con la esperanza de asegurar el futuro de su familia.


¿Qué puede hacer una joven e inocente princesa?


El futuro del planeta Beinan está en peligro cuando la gran crisis de sucesión amenaza a todos los seres queridos de la princesa Anlei en esta romántica precuela de Fantasmas del pasado.

Encuentre este libro en Amazon, Apple, Everand

La Reina Isabel Tudor, Viaje a Gloriana

“Se me ha ordenado por su consejo ir a la Torre, un lugar más apto para un falso traidor que para un súbdito verdadero, lo que, por lo que se, lo quiera o no, aún ante este reino lo soy”, escribió la Princesa Isabel Tudor en su carta de última hora a su hermana la Reina María mientras los guardias esperaban para transportarla a la Torre de Londres.

La reina Isabel es tal vez la soberana más legendaria y celebrada en la historia inglesa. Aún así, ¿crees que la conoces suficientemente bien?

En esta hermosa biografía narrativa, explorarás el camino de Isabel desde “Lady Isabel” hasta “Gloriana” a través de la lente de su relación con Robert Dudley, una relación mucho más contenciosa de lo que la mayoría de la gente cree. Política y religión colisionan, provocando que Isabel se tenga que consolar a sí misma con su música; y una decisión muy difícil se presenta ante ella mientras complots en su contra amenazan el trono.

Toma el viaje a Gloriana y descubre un lado de Isabel que no sabías que existía.

El libro incluye seis canciones medievales e Isabelinas, una línea de tiempo detallada, así como una extensa lista de lecturas sugeridas. Continúa “María reina de los escoceses”.

Encuentre este libro en Amazon, Apple, Everand

María Estuardo, reina de Escocia: El reino olvidado

La reina María Estuardo fue una de las más amadas y controversiales mujeres en la historia de Escocia. Nieta del rey James IV y su esposa Margaret Tudor, con un estatus de heredera aparente al trono inglés junto con la violencia de la Reforma Protestante Escocesa dio lugar a una de las vidas más dramáticas y poco entendidas del siglo XVI.

Este libro cuenta la historia verdadera de María, enfocándose principalmente en su reinado como reina de Escocia, celebrando su vida más que su muerte y mostrándonos a todos nosotros porque era una mujer adelantada a su tiempo.

Encuentre este libro en Amazon, Apple, Everand

Margarita de Wessex

El siglo XI fue una época peligrosa para pertenecer a la línea ininterrumpida del rey Æthelred II el Indeciso y su primera reina, Æfgifu de York. Nacida en Hungría tras el intento fallido del rey Canuto III de asesinar a su padre, Eduardo el Exiliado, Margarita vio cómo su vida daba un vuelco cuando el rey Eduardo el Confesor descubrió que su padre había sobrevivido, y la consiguiente devolución de su familia a Inglaterra.

Convertida en un rehén político que sólo se mantenía vivo mientras sirviera a los intereses de los hombres poderosos, Margarita y su familia encontraron en la invitación del rey Máel Coluim mac Donnchadh Ceann Mhor a su corte en Dunfermline, en Alba, la respuesta largamente esperada a sus plegarias.

Escocia nunca volvería a ser la misma.

Encuentre este libro en Amazon, Apple, Everand

Preparándome para mi primera cacatúa ninfa

«Preparándome para mi primera cacatúa ninfa» es una guía para ti y tus hijos, para ayudarles a saber cómo prepararse antes de traer a casa su primera cacatúa ninfa.

A diferencia de la mayoría de los libros acerca de ninfas, éste no trata de cubrirlo todo, pero se enfoca en lo que necesitas tener listo para iniciar tu nueva vida en compañía de tu ave.

Con este libro lleno de anécdotas e imágenes, conocerás la vida con cacatúas ninfa a través de mis muchos años en compañía de ellas. ¡Un libro divertido para cualquiera que ame a los animales!

Los temas abarcados incluyen:

•Las ninfas son cacatúas

•Jaulas primarias

•Jaulas de viaje y jaulas hospital (incluidas jaulas para vuelos domésticos e internacionales)

•Espacios de juego

•Comida

•Juguetes

•Perchas

•Recipientes de alimento

•Comunicación con una ninfa nueva o tímida

•Prevención de la psitacosis (la principal enfermedad transmitida entre humanos y aves)

•Juegos para jugar con tu nueva ave

Encuentre este libro en Amazon, Apple, Everand

Su Roja Eminencia, Armand-Jean du Plessis de Richelieu

Sacerdote. Amante. Estadista.

El cardenal Armand-Jean du Plessis, duque de Richelieu, es uno de los políticos más famosos o infames de todos los tiempos. Hecho un villano en la popular novela de Dumas, “Los tres mosqueteros”, el verdadero hombre era un servidor público dedicado y leal al rey y al país. Un hombre de lógica y razón, transformó nuestra forma de pensar sobre las naciones y la nacionalidad. Secularizó las guerras entre países, patrocinó las artes por el bien público, fundó el primer periódico en Francia y creó a Francia como el país moderno que conocemos hoy.

Detrás de escena, du Plessis con frecuencia sufría de migrañas paralizantes y malaria. Oculto a la vista, pero siempre a su lado estaba Anne Rochefeuille, su querida amiga, enfermera y amante. Su igual intelectual, Anne trabajó incansablemente para capacitar a su cardenal para lograr la grandeza, su amor mutuo prohibido por la iglesia católica romana a la que sirvió Armand.

Lleno de música de época, baile y mucho romance, “Su Roja Eminencia” te transporta de regreso a la corte del rey Luis XIII en todo su color vibrante y vivo.

Ganador del Premio Libro Godiva 2019.

Encuentre este libro en Amazon, Apple, Everand

Audiolibros en español: descripciones de libros y enlaces minoristas

Los audiolibros son mi pasión. Desde 2014 he invertido mucho en producciones de audiolibros en los cuatro idiomas disponibles: inglés, español, francés y alemán.

Aunque muchas de las publicaciones de mi blog incluyen enlaces aplicables a ediciones de audio, a veces resulta útil explorar una sola publicación dedicada a audiolibros que se centre en enlaces minoristas. Si está buscando su próxima gran escucha, no dude en desplazarse por esta publicación.

Audiolibros disponibles en orden alfabético:

Boudica: Reina Británica de los Icenos

¿Por qué está gritando el cuervo de Morrigan? ¡Sólo los británicos con corazón que aspiran a la verdadera libertad lo saben!

En el año 43 de nuestra era, la conquista romana de Britania parece casi segura, hasta que un encuentro casual entre el rey Prasutagus de los icenos y una esclava fugitiva descendiente de la tribu de los eduos en Galia cambia el destino de las islas británicas para siempre.

¡Se levantará por la libertad con la historia real de Boudica: Reina de los icenos de Gran Bretaña y descubrirá una de las historias más inspiradoras de la historia!

Una biografía no ficticia sobre mujeres legendarias de la historia mundial.

Encuentre este audiolibro en Apple, Audible.

Catalina de Valois. Princesa francesa, matriarca de los Tudor

La olvidada princesa francesa cuyo valor catapultó a la dinastía Tudor

La guerra hizo de ella la reina de Inglaterra. Su amor por un galés la hizo inmortal.

Mejor conocida como la novia de Agincourt de Enrique V en ‘Enrque V’ de Shakespeare, Catalina de Valois era una mujer extraordinaria de fe, valor y convicción en una época con mujeres políticamente poderosas.

Hija menor del rey Carlos VI de Francia, aterrorizada por su enfermedad mental, la princesa Catalina sobrevivió a los estragos de su esquizofrenia, una guerra civil en casa y la guerra del rey Enrique con Francia para convertirse en una de las reinas más fascinantes y valientes del Renacimiento.

Encuentre este audiolibro en Apple, Audible.

Cleopatra VII: La última faraona de Egipto

¡La emocionante historia real de la reina más famosa de Egipto!

Cleopatra Thea Philopator se negó a hacer lo que le dijeron. En una época en la que el patriarcado negaba la ciudadanía plena incluso a las mujeres romanas más elitistas, Cleopatra gobernaba su Egipto decidida a mantenerlo independiente y libre del control romano, a cualquier precio que fuera necesario. Demonizada como una simple seductora por Cayo Julio César Octavio (el futuro César Augusto) y sus aliados políticos, Cleopatra VII demostró ser igual a tres de los hombres más poderosos del mundo romano: Cayo Julio César, Marco Antonio y Octavio César.

Encuentre este audiolibro en Apple, Audible.

Emperatriz Wǔ Zétiān

¡La mujer más odiada en la historia de China! Viaje en el tiempo más de mil años y conozca al primer y único emperador femenino de China. Nacida Wǔ Zhào, recibió el título de su reinado como “Zétiān” pocas semanas antes de su muerte en el año 705 de nuestra era. Fue la hija no deseada del Canciller Wǔ Shì Huo: demasiado brillante, demasiado educada, y demasiado políticamente centrada para fungir como una buena esposa según las contemporáneas interpretaciones de las Analectas de Confucio. ¿Puede ser de extrañar que al día de hoy ella sigue siendo la mujer más odiada en toda la historia de China y una de las más controvertidas? Explora la vida de la emperatriz Wǔ y descubre por qué el mundo es un lugar muy diferente ya que se atrevió a lo que ninguna mujer en China antes o desde entonces había soñado.

Encuentre este audiolibro en Apple, Audible.

Hipatia de Alejandría

Cuando el mundo occidental cayó en la oscuridad, ella se atrevió a defender la Luz.

Nacida en 355 d.C., tras el reinado de Constantino, Hipatia de Alejandría vivía en un Imperio Romano colapsado, un mundo donde la obediencia a las autoridades religiosas venció a la ciencia, donde la razón y la lógica amenazaban el nuevo orden mundial. Era un mundo al borde de la Edad Oscura, un mundo que decidía la cuestión de la ciencia contra la religión, libertad contra la ortodoxia, tolerancia contra el odio.

Durante más de 40 años, Hipatia estuvo entre las edades oscuras y la luz de la filosofía clásica, las artes y las ciencias. Aunque ninguno de sus libros sobrevivió a la agresiva quema de libros de los fanáticos religiosos, su legado sigue siendo el de una de los mejores científicos de todos los tiempos.

Esta es su fascinante historia real.

Encuentre este audiolibro en Apple, Audible.

María Estuardo, reina de Escocia: El reino olvidado

La reina María Estuardo fue una de las más amadas y controversiales mujeres en la historia de Escocia. Nieta del rey James IV y su esposa Margaret Tudor, con un estatus de heredera aparente al trono inglés junto con la violencia de la Reforma Protestante Escocesa dio lugar a una de las vidas más dramáticas y poco entendidas del siglo XVI.

Este libro cuenta la historia verdadera de María, enfocándose principalmente en su reinado como reina de Escocia, celebrando su vida más que su muerte y mostrándonos a todos nosotros porque era una mujer adelantada a su tiempo.

Encuentre este audiolibro en Apple, Audible.

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Last lines: Biographies by Laurel A. Rockefeller

If you still use twitter, you may have noticed a recent discussion among the writing community regarding how best to end your latest book. After all, you have spent weeks or months, sometimes years writing your book, but how then do you best end it?

I like to end my books on a high note – which is odd when you realize that biographies necessarily end with the death of the biography subject. But death doesn’t have to be sad; every one of the people whose stories I am telling have a legacy, an impact on both the lives of those who knew them and on us today.

Here then are the final lines for each of my biographies. All of these books are available in both digital and paperback editions at a retailer near you.

Boudicca: Britain’s Queen of the Iceni.

Audio edition available.

Moira sat and looked intently at her mother, letting her eyes un-focus and letting herself go into the trance that marked the Sight, “You were my mother before.”

“I was.”

“Are we finally together again?  Have I finally found you?”

“Yes, Alys, you have.”

Catherine de Valois: French Princess, Tudor Matriarch.

Audio edition available.

“In time, Jasper and I were allowed to enter King Henry’s service where we all became the best of friends – just as she wanted us to be from the beginning.”

Henry hugged Edmund affectionately, “And so we are.  No brothers can be closer than we are.  Mum would be proud.”

Mary Queen of the Scots: the Forgotten Reign.

Audio edition available.

Nineteen years of imprisonment in England followed.  Nineteen years of sorrow and pain.  Until at last she fell victim to her own envy for Elizabeth’s crown, falling into a trap made for her by English spymaster William Cecil.  In October fifteen eighty-six the nobles of England tried Queen Mary for treason against Queen Elizabeth, the verdict and sentence decided before the trial began.  For weeks Queen Elizabeth debated, delaying the sentence of death.  Until at last on the eighth of February fifteen eighty-seven Queen Mary stood proudly to face her death as the queen she was.  Words of compassion she spoke that morning.  Gifts she gave to all those who were kind to her.  Beneath her black velvet gown she wore crimson, the colour of Catholic martyrs.  She died that day with grace and charm. “In my end is my beginning,” was her life-long motto.  All those who hated her in life came to love her in death with memory warm and glowing. 

And so with love conclude we this tale of love, of courage, of Scotland.

Queen Elizabeth Tudor: Journey to Gloriana.

Audio edition available.

“The final years of Elizabeth’s reign became known as the ‘Golden Age’ with the queen now called ‘Gloriana’ in honour of her triumph.  Theatre and arts expanded, England grew rich, and the Spanish Empire waned. On the twenty-fourth of March sixteen hundred and three Queen Elizabeth died in her palace in Richmond.  News immediately spread to King James of Scotland, Queen Mary’s beloved son, who was quickly proclaimed King James the First of England, the first king to rule over England, Scotland, and Wales.  The first King of Great Britain.”

“Do you think the divide between England and Scotland will ever heal?” asked Elizabeth.

“Only time will tell, my friend. We may never know.  But think of this:  we will be one of the first from England to live in the new world.  To that I say, let the adventure begin!”

Empress Wu Zetian.

Audio edition available.

“There are people who are smarter, more educated, perhaps wiser in China and around the world.  But this no one can deny:  the world is a better place because she dared defy traditional ideas of womanhood. She dared do what is right, not just for herself, but for all people.”

Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd: the Warrior Princess of Deheubarth.

Years passed in constant warfare with the English.  In time Gwenllian’s brother Owain Gwynedd became king after their father.  In Deheubarth younger son Rhys ap Gruffydd became Gwenllian’s greatest legacy.  For from his bloodline flowed the great hope for Wales when Owain ap Maredudd ap Tudur was born in Ynys Môn. And though the castle where Princess Gwenllian was born did not survive to Owain’s time her life was still remembered in Gwynedd, in Deheubarth, and across all of Wales.  As Owain helped King Henry the Fifth win against French at the Battle of Agincourt and as he secretly wed the dowager queen Catherine de Valois years later, the story of his foremother Princess Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd stayed ever dear to his heart. Did his grandson, Henry Tudor remember the valour of Princess Gwenllian as he killed King Richard III in fourteen eighty five at the Battle of Bosworth Field?  Who is to say?

The world is a strange place and history has a funny way of making right the evil deeds done against the innocent.  And so one must think that surely in some place beyond this physical world, Princess Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd, the warrior princess of Deheubarth watched the coronation of Queen Elizabeth Tudor, a woman born of her blood and legacy, and smiled.

Empress Matilda of England.

Audio edition available.

“Eleanor is right,” added Matilda. “Sooner or later Thomas would have to choose between his duties to the pope and his duties to England. Maybe not now, or this year, or even this decade, but eventually the subject will come up. Right now Becket is your man, your servant, and no one else’s.”

“My mind is made up on this matter,” declared King Henry. “You will be ordained as a priest and elevated as my archbishop of Canterbury.”

Thomas Becket paced before meeting the king’s eyes, “Very well then. Your wish is my command.  But do not say you were not warned by the wisest women in all of England!”

Hypatia of Alexandria.

Audio edition available.

“Hypatia’s murder had a chilling effect on intellectual life in Alexandria. Though it did not immediately end advanced learning in the city, Cyril’s increase in power and authority sent a clear message that anyone who challenged the teachings of the Church, no matter how unintentionally, could expect the same fate.

“What about Bede? Does this mean his books are worthless?”

“Bede was first and foremost a monk,” explained Prioress Hildegard.  “His loyalties were first to mother Church. For all must submit to the rulings of our church leaders and profess agreement with them, no matter if they are right or wrong. To fail to do so is to risk being burned as a heretic. Who will risk that when it is far easier to obey the Holy Father in Rome? And yet … I cannot obey.  The visions God gives me supersedes everything. Popes, bishops, archbishops are all men!  I do not know yet what the answer is to the problem, but this I do know:  I will find the answer!”

Cleopatra VII: Egypt’s Last Pharaoh.

Hypatia shook her head, “More tragic is that these books here in Alexandria are the only records that contradict Octavian and those who sought his favour like Plutarch, books no doubt the Patriarch of Alexandria will see burned at the soonest opportunity.

“Remember that tyranny always comes at the expense of the Truth.  Never forget that. And above all else, never stop resisting those who offer the most convenient explanations for why things are as they are. Be kind and patient with others, civil in your disagreements. Question everything you see and hear. Verify every story. Seek the Truth and the Truth will find you—if you are wise and if your heart is kind.”

Margaret of Wessex: Mother, Saint, and Queen of Scots.

Audio edition available.

“It was my mother who commissioned a proper biography of her, you know. She made sure that everyone who knew and remembered my mother told their story to be recorded. She was such a pious woman, even though in her piety she took away long cherished customs and traditions. And if this new clan system that is rising up in opposition to royal authority endures, then we must count that too as part of Margaret’s legacy.  For it was out of love for her that Malcolm took away so much cherished heritage.  The Picts never wrote things down, you see, unlike the Welsh.  What was lost because of Malcolm’s love for Margaret will never be restored. Alba may endure, but it is a changed land forever,” remembered Matilda.

“We can only go forward, Your Highness. Never back. And though you grieve, rightly, for the loss of your beloved husband Heinrich, surely you must understand:  you too will heal. For you are the hope of many queens and kings. You are the blood unbroken of Princess Bethoc of House Dunkeld of Alba. You are the blood unbroken of Æfgifu of York of House Wessex. And you are the heiress of the Angevin dynasty through your father. Whatever the future holds for you, milady, your legacy, and therefore your grandmother’s, will endure forever.”

Hildegard von Bingen.

Audio edition available.

“But it was not simply the number of books that remains impressive, Katharina. She challenged the severe restrictions put on women, especially by the Church, and won most of the time.  She revolutionized the role of women and won improvements in the lives of women that even today are difficult to catalogue thanks to her wisdom and hard-earned respect from secular rulers. Few people in history have made greater contributions to our society and culture. She did it all through peaceful means. Her sword was her pen, her well-earned reputation as a wise woman, and her willingness to serve God by serving others,” finished Abbess Johanna.

“A true role model for all of us –women and men, religious and secular,” concluded Katharina.

“Do not forget Hildegard, Sister Katharina.  For her example will serve you well if you join Martin Luther’s reformation of the Church.”

“I will not forget and shall apply these lessons for all of my life.  God asks nothing less. Her legacy shall live in my heart. Now and always. A-men.”

Katharina von Bora: First Lady of the Reformation.

Audio edition available.

“Disease broke out in Saxony. In December 1552 Katharina fled to nearby Torgau, hoping to escape the Black Death.  Falling, she broke her hip and died. She was buried in St. Mary’s Church in Torgau where she is remembered and honoured as few women are.

“Without seeking power or glory for herself, without high birth or wealth, Katharina von Bora changed our world through the power of love and the power of living her Faith instead of talking about it. Conscious of the attention she received as Martin Luther’s wife, she strove to be the model pastor’s wife, the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31.  She succeeded beyond all imagination.”

Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Youngest son John Lackland ascended the English throne, taking a new wife, also named Isabella, after Isabella of Gloucester secured her annulment from him. Together John and Isabella of Angoulême had five children, despite John’s continued infidelities and persistent agitations. In 1215 John’s agitations towards his clergy and nobility culminated in the Great Charter – the Magna Carta – John’s most enduring legacy.

For Eleanor’s part she spent the remaining years of her life in retirement in Anjou, cared for by the nuns at Fonteyrault Abbey near Chinon. In 1204 she died and was buried there at the abbey.  She was eighty-two years old.

His Red Eminence, Armand-Jean du Plessis de Richelieu.

The world was readying itself for Armand’s exit from the stage of life. Without Anne’s steady hand, Armand found it harder to fight off his illnesses. Often, despite the happiness of his bird’s company, he dreamed of her and remembered the vision of her spirit he saw as she died. The Phoenix, glorious phoenix—and the angel she said was what his spirit looked like. As the usual lethal plots raged and old enemies died off, Armand prepared to die, remembering his Anne and pondering many of the things she said.

Tuberculosis set in, making it hard to breathe. The final illness, these final pains. He was ready. For heaven? For another life as a human being? The Hour of Becomings? A wedding among the standing stones in France? Wales? England? Scotland? He did not know. But he hoped with all his heart that everything that Anne sensed and told him was true—that he would see her soon somehow, somewhere, by some divine plan his humanity could not comprehend. To serve together in government. To teach. To learn. To wed. But most of all to love. 

Fourteen biographies with fourteen endings! Are you excited to read more? Find links to the Legendary Women of World History series and to His Red Eminence on this blog.

All of these books are available in multiple languages including your choice of French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, and Italian. Both Boudicca and Gwenllian are also available in Welsh, part of my commitment to preserving the Welsh language for centuries to come.

The stranger at the fire. Excerpt from The Arban and the Saman

Good morning. I hope everyone had a great Chinese New Year this February and are happily enjoying the first days of spring. Last year I shared with you an excerpt from “The Arban and the Saman” from chapter 4 when Biya arrives in the nuzhen capital of Mukdan in Liaoning. Today I would like to bring you a little further into Biya’s quest, to a fire side encounter with a mysterious lady who seems to appear out of nowhere.

Stranger at the Fire. Excerpt from chapter 5 of “The Arban and the Saman.”

Biya continued to travel for two more weeks, eager to hear news of Mongol movements. With no clear sign of her husband or any Mongol encampments for that matter, she started to wonder once more about her quest. As she made camp for the night Biya noticed a lone figure walking towards her, a woman with jet black hair, a black hat, and a black coat. Green eyes peered through the hat’s furry brim. The lady bowed respectfully, “May I share your fire?”

Biya starred at the woman, “Of course!”

“Xiexie,” smiled the woman as she sat down and warmed her hands close to the fire. “You are far from home.”

“What?”

“You are far from home. By your clothing I can tell you are nűzhen.”

Biya sat down across from her, “Yes, yes I am. I am from a town near Mukden.”

“Your heart is in Mukden, but also not,” observed the woman. “You seek something, someone yet you feel like you do not know the way.”

“How do you know that?”

“I know many things. Do not despair. You are nearer to completion of your quest than you realized. This is the nature of all great doings. Never does a quest seem more hopeless than just before it is accomplished.  You will accomplish yours.”

Biya opened her mind’s eye, “You see much clearly. Do you see how I will accomplish this?”

The woman unbuttoned her coat and pulled out a beautiful, ancient-looking liu qin, its strings and its body made from materials Biya had never seen before, “You know how to play?”

“Yes.”

The woman handed the instrument to Biya, “Then it is yours to aid you. It is not magic, but it is very old and has excellent tone to it. Those assigned to pacify nűzhen towns after the fall of Zhongdu are restless and weary. Come to them with music and disguise yourself suitably and you will find yourself where you most need to be.”  Rising, the woman buttoned her coat and disappeared into the night once more.

Find The Arban and the Saman at a retailer near you including Apple, Amazon, Smashwords, Everand and Barnes/Noble. Audio edition features “Spring in Luoyang” performed in both English and Chinese. Available at Apple and Audible. Italian edition available at Apple and Amazon.

Gwenllian and Gruffydd Ready for Battle. Excerpt from Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd: A Play in Three Acts

Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd is famous in Wales as the national heroine – but barely known outside it. Her story of heroism against impossible odds inspires us all.

In this scene Gwenllian and husband Gruffydd ap Rhys prepare for battle following the New Year’s Day 1136 outbreak of fighting between the Normans and Welsh at Carn Goch.

ACT III, SCENE I

1136 1^st January. COURTYARD to Dinefwr Castle.  It is early morning. At stage right are the royal stables with its horses off-stage. Upstage five year old twins PRINCESS NEST FERCH GRUFFYDD AND PRINCESS GWLADUS FERCH GRUFFYDD chase a small group of chickens and ducks who wander around the upstage area for several beats before they EXIT upstage left. HERALD ENTERS downstage right and runs off-stage at downstage left.  An ALARM BELL suddenly rings loudly and persistently. GWENLLIAN appears half-dressed from above window stage right. PRINCE GRUFFYDD ENTERS downstage left.  A GROOM and a WELSH SOLDIER meet the prince from upstage right and begins to buckle armour onto the prince. GWENLLIAN ENTERS downstage right. Her LADY IN WAITING throws a cloak over her shoulders and buckles a sword around her waist.

GWENLLIAN

(to Prince Gruffydd)

What news, Gruffydd? Why the alarm?

PRINCE GRUFFYDD

Carn Goch is under attack from the Normans!

GWENLLIAN

What?  On New Year’s Day?  Do not the English celebrate the holidays, especially with so much snow on the ground?

PRINCE GRUFFYDD

The English didn’t start this one, my love; we did.  I just received a report that over one thousand Welshman have marched up from the south to take back their farms and pastures from the Norman soldiers who displaced them.  The people are cold and their flocks are starving.  They are within their rights to take back their homes!

GWENLLIAN

I couldn’t agree more!  That’s why I’m coming with you!

(to groom)

Ready my horse.

GROOM EXITS STAGE RIGHT.

PRINCE GRUFFYDD

(tenderly)

You realize this could be a trap to capture us, don’t you?

GWENLLIAN

(laughing)

It’s always a trap, sweetheart!

(ALL EXIT STAGE RIGHT as lights FADE OUT)

(END OF SCENE)

Find Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd A Play in Three Acts at a retailer near you including Amazon, Apple, Smashwords, and Barnes/Noble.