Subjects:  1. (Isabella Lucy),   2. 1831-1904   3. Biography   4. Bird, Isabella L   5. Description and travel   6. Frontier and pioneer life   7. General   8. History   9. History - General History   10. History: American   11. Rocky Mountains   12. United States - Colonial Period   13. United States - General   14. Women   15. Women travelers   16. History / United States / General   17. Journeys   

Subjects:  1. 1451-1504   2. Biography   3. Biography & Autobiography   4. Biography / Autobiography   5. Biography/Autobiography   6. Europe - Spain & Portugal   7. Historical - General   8. Isabella   9. Queen of Spain,   10. Queens   11. Royalty   12. Spain   

Customer Reviews (2)

One of the most gifted historical novelists
Having been a Tudor fan for some time now, I was interested to read about the parents of Catherine of Aragon (Henry VIII's first wife). This book was a stirring read, with numerous prominent figures of the time making an appearance. The story covers the birth of the Inquisition and the trials and tribulations of Christopher Colobus getting the backing of the sovereigns for his voyage of discovery, disupted crowns and lands. Amazing to realise the amount of research that went into the writing of this book, considering it was written in the 1960s, without the aid of the internet.

Una novela sobre los Reyes Católicos de España....
Como siempre, Jean Plaidy nos presenta una emocionante novela histórica llena de aventuras, intrigas, odios y luchas por el poder. En esta ocasión, la historia comienza con Isabel de Castilla, quien desde muy niña tuvo que vivir en medio de una guerra de civil para asegurarse el poder. Casada con el Rey Fernando de Aragón, logra unificar políticamente a España y expulsar a los árabes en el año 1492. Los reyes católicos pasarían a la historio como los grandes promotores del descubrimiento de América, pero también como los tristemente inventores de la Inquisición, que cobraría la vida de muchos inocentes. Lea este apasionante relato sobre la vida y obra de Isabel y Fernando, los Reyes Católicos de España, fundadores de un inmenso imperio... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ferdinand   2. Fiction   3. Isabella   

Customer Reviews (1)

Read this before you visit the museum....
I wish I had known of this book *before* a recent visit to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. The museum building itself is breathtaking when you walk in. And then you move from room to room and see so many of the works referred to in this biographical account of her life, her artist friends, and her collection activities. Now so many of the pieces have interesting backstories--I must go back to the museum!
The biography itself is fairly straighforward, but paired with a visit to the museum is quite a worthwhile package. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography   2. Biography / Autobiography   3. Biography/Autobiography   4. Historical - U.S.   5. Women   

Subjects:  1. 1886-1953   2. Arizona   3. Biography   4. Biography & Autobiography   5. Biography / Autobiography   6. Biography/Autobiography   7. Business   8. General   9. King, Isabella Greenway,   10. Legislators   11. New Deal, 1933-1939   12. Political   13. United States   14. United States - 20th Century   15. Women   16. Women legislators   

Customer Reviews (2)

A good read, but remember the stylistic differences.....
Lady Gregory faithfully renders old Irish stories into a form that we clods that only speak English can understand. She does not, however, make them more prosaic, or fix them into what we normally find as our story format! They are true to the original structures of the genre, and are much more lively and fun for that. My wife places them firmly in the nature of Irish legend, which she calls "We went over there and stole their cow!" (Tain Bo Cuailnge is basically a story of a cow theft, and is one of the most famous stories of Irish legend). I love the split style, and it does give the reader a good understanding of the way stories were related in the old days. A must for those who want to know where some of the ancient Irish names derive!

Irish Myths brought to Life
The works of Lady Gregory are the best way to get a pure taste of the original Irish Myths - unless you are fluent in Gaelic and can get a hold of older copies. Lady Gregory's elequent speech and style breathes life into Ireland's forgotten Heroes and Gods! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Epic literature, Irish   2. Fiction   3. Folklore & Mythology - Mythology   4. Heroes   5. Ireland   6. Legends   7. Mythology, Celtic   8. Sociology   9. Translations into English   

Customer Reviews (6)

Towers over baseless criticisms
A well-researched and documented account of Isabel of Spain and her times. Despite the wild and ignorant condemnations by a very few biased and unhistorically-minded individuals, this book is very honest, well-argued (if one considers the use of logic and reason as the key to effective argument or propositioning) and historically sound. Walsh makes no statement which is not at least supportable using the historical documents available to us. Contrary to one statement I have heard, the book was in fact appreciated and recognized by the professional historical community, though it is true that some had criticisms of it on this point or that (the case for almost any good work of history.) One particular case of this is the La Guardia case, which Walsh's treatment of came under fire from Dr. Roth. Walsh, however, defended himself brilliantly in a published article afterwards and maintained the probability (or at the very least the possibility) of his own position regarding that much disputed case. Any serious and honest researcher of the period could, regardless of personal biases and viewpoints, vouch for the essential faith to and adherence to the available primary sources by Walsh. Once upon a time, during research for my B.A. in history, I had occasion to closely study many of the documents relating to this Queen and which Walsh made use of, and can safely say that I never found anything contradictory to a single one of Walsh's important propositions. The charge of anti-semitism, which those same few whom I have mentioned already above level against him, fails for two main reasons. 1) Walsh's already mentioned historical soundness and integrity (i.e.- straightforward use of the availabe information...thats what history is!!). This is to say, that Walsh does not twist or manipulate the documentary evidence in any way so as to present a false picture of the conversos or Jews or anyone else. His account does not mismatch with the facts that we know. 2) Walsh's own attitude towards the Jewish faith and it's adherents, has been well published and can be seen collectively as definitely not anti-semitic (see particularly his essay on Moses in 'Characters of the Inquisition' and others of his works.) One must understand that, yes, Walsh was a practicing Catholic and that entails a certain theologic viewpoint towards the Jewish faith (which, incidentally, includes a recognition of its unique and important character and mission in history) but to assert that a believing Catholic (that is, one who believes that what his Church teaches is true..such as regarding its teaching towards those who reject the divinity of Christ) cannot write accurate history is itself pure prejudice and indefensible bias. For the record, it is also important to note that Walsh detested Nazism, as a hateful, irreligious, and violent force. He and it had nothing in common.
I recommend this book as an excellent full-length study of Isabel whose only comparable rival is Dr. Carroll's much newer 'Isabel of Spain'. Good reading.

Anti-Semitic Tract Has a Life of Its Own
My wife received this revolting 1930 text as a Christmas present. First browsing, then reading it, I found myself back in a world of blood libels, religious hatred, and cultural prejudice, retold with great relish and approval by the author. Walsh revives and gives complete credence to tales of Jewish ritual torture of Christian children and desecration of Catholic religious artifacts, tales which the Church itself has disowned for centuries.

All the problems of 15th century Spain are laid at the feet of Jews. Walsh concludes that their subsequent torture, massacre and expulsion from Spain were only their just desserts. Although this book is widely admired in neo-Nazi circles (just search the Web), it was scorned by reputable historians and critics, even in the prejudiced time of its publication.

Isabella I of Spain
William Thomas Walsh's, Isabella of Spain, was a well-written, informative and interesting novel. Even though it was not fiction, but a biography of a queen of Spain, it was nonetheless very involved with dramatic and suspensful aspects of history. The setting of the book is in Spain during the 15th and 16th centuries. Spain has been split by civil war for many years when this young girl ascends to the throne. Walsh's tone of the book is that, this country has been tearing itself apart for so long, that when this new ruler comes to power, he shows her as a savior to her disraught country. Walsh shows Queen Isabella as to be a very round and dynamic character. First of all, she is deeply religious with a strong sense of fait. With that she sees the Islamic Moors a significant threat to European Christianity. With that she carries out her campaigns against the Moors and even the Jews of her own country in her defense for the Faith. She uses brutal tactics to attempt to convert and also exterminate the other "threatening faiths". The ture irony of this story is that in all of her years of study, she knows that the true sense of Christianity is respect and love of thy neighbor, not war. Although this novel is set in Renaissance Spain, Walsh uses the Old English dialect to tell the story of a Spanish queen, and also indirectly impart the Enlish power on all of Europe. Finally, the theme of this biography is one of faith. Queen Isabella carries out all of her wars and crusades no matter what the cost is. She, in all honesty, believes that what she is doing is for the good of men and for the good of Christianity. She stands by her beliefs when the whole of Europe claims that she is immoral and unjust in her actions. This is how Queen Isabella became to be known as, "The Last Crusader". ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography/Autobiography   2. General   3. Religion - Contemporary Issues   

Subjects:  1. Anthologies (multiple authors)   2. Classics   3. Early modern, 1500-1700   4. England   5. English poetry   6. English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh   7. Fiction   8. Literature: Classics   9. Poetry   10. Renaissance   11. Women authors   12. English   13. Modern period, c 1500 onwards   14. Poetry & poets: classical, early & medieval   15. Poetry anthologies: 16th to 18th centuries   

Subjects:  1. History   2. History - General History   3. History: American   4. United States - State & Local - General   5. United States - State & Local - Middle Atlantic   

Customer Reviews (1)

Four Stories
Collection 5 contains four stories. I consider this the best of the Collections I have read so far, and I've read most of them.

The Enchanted Barn by GHL is a story of an oldest daughter, Shirley Hollister, who finds herself supporting her ill mother and younger brothers and sisters after her father's death. She works as a poorly paid stenographer, and learns that they must vacate their tiny dark house in the city. She uses her last dime to ride a trolley into the country to find a home, and discovers a beautiful old stone barn in an idyllic setting, with a stream, fresh air, trees, and sunshine. The handsome young wealthy owner, Sidney Graham, agrees to rent it to her -- and then proceeds with some modifications. When the family moves to the country, the mother starts to recover and the children grow stronger. Young Shirley is asked to the city to work with some important governmental papers, and is kidnapped by evil men. Sidney Graham sets out to find her -- and you will have to read the story yourself to learn the ending. The story is pure fun, especially the part about fixing up the barn, and one of the best GHL has written.

The Love Gift by GHL is a story of young milliner living in a cheap boardinghouse, who can make beautiful hats. And of a poor young minister who goes in search of a respectable hat for his older mother. The two become friends after the beautiful poor young milliner sells him a beautiful hat for a very low price, and the minister shows her about Jesus. Do they fall in love? Read the story yourself to find out.

Miranda, by GHL is part of a sequence of stories that began with the book "Marcia Schuyler." It takes the story of Miranda Griscom and her own secret love, young Allan Whitney. Years ago, Allan had been wrongly accused of a crime and had fled out west, with only Miranda believing firmly in his innocence, and helping him to flee. When he returns to town years later after cleared of wrong-doing, will he remember his long-time faithful friend?

Agatha's Unknown Way is a story by Isabella Alden. Young Agatha Hunter grew up in India, and returns to the states to stay with her Aunt & Uncle for health reasons. While in the states, she attends a city missionary meeting, hoping to be inspired and encouraged and to be able to encourage her parents who are still in India. When she discovers only apathy, she is pushed beyond her usual shyness to help change things. A chance encounter and a mistaken identity change not only her life, but the lives of those around her. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christian fiction, American   2. Fiction   3. Fiction - Romance   4. Love stories, American   5. Romance - General   

Subjects:  1. Animals - Farm Animals   2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks   3. Children: Babies & Toddlers   4. Fiction   5. Leadership   6. Sheep   7. Social Situations - Values   8. Spain   

Customer Reviews (1)

Great book - so much to admire in this woman!
I loved this book. What a character! Not only did she travel the world, but she did it with her own money and under her own leadership. Admittedly, she hired lots of support (whole entourages in some cases) but nevertheless, the journies were hers and hers alone. I've done alot of traveling as a single woman, and even these days it takes some courage and self-reliance. I have much admiration for Isabella Bird, who went to all these far-flung places before there were all the modern conveniences and attitudes. Phenomenal woman! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (Isabella Lucy),   2. 1831-1904   3. Biography   4. Biography & Autobiography   5. Biography / Autobiography   6. Biography/Autobiography   7. Bird, Isabella L   8. Great Britain   9. Historical - General   10. Literary   11. Travelers   12. Women   13. Women travelers   

Subjects:  1. Biography   2. Biography / Autobiography   3. Biography/Autobiography   4. General   5. Models (Persons)   6. Motion Picture Acting   7. Motion picture actors and actr   8. Motion picture actors and actresses   9. Rossellini, Isabella   10. United States   

Subjects:  1. Art   2. Art & Art Instruction   3. Art Museums And Galleries   4. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - Museum   5. Guidebooks   6. History - General   7. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museu   8. Reference   

Subjects:  1. Christian fiction, American   2. Fiction   3. Fiction - Religious   4. Love stories, American   5. Religious - General   6. Romance - Short Stories   

Subjects:  1. Art   2. Art & Art Instruction   3. Biography   4. Commercial Art   5. Design - General   6. Designers   7. Dictionaries   8. Graphic Arts - General   9. Graphic arts   10. Reference   

Customer Reviews (1)

Corny and old-fashioned in a delightful way.
Collection #6 includes three stories by Grace Livingston Hill: The Best Man, The Big Blue Soldier, and the Witness. There is also included one story written by Grace's aunt, Isabella Alden: As in a Mirror.

The Best Man was all right. The plot twists strangely and unbelievably, and amazingly ends well. Not Grace's best work, but not too awfully bad.

The Big Blue Soldier is some better, dealing with the sad plight of a soldier returning from the war. He receives aid from our young heroine Mary Amber (reluctantly) and her Aunt Marilla. This story is quite short; only 7 chapters. It makes you think about guys who have to come home after a war only to fight new, small personal wars with their failing health or their relationships with loved ones and strangers.

The real jewel in this book is The Witness. I found it a moving, though fictional, account of a Christian man's testimony of faith through his life and family, and then his shocking death. His testimony affects the life of at least one of his former torturers. If you haven't read this story yet, you must get this collection for this story alone!

The last story, As in a Mirror, is sort of a Prince and the Pauper remake. A rich society man decides to test whether society is so far advanced as he thinks regarding the issue of homelessness. So he dresses like a tramp and sets out on foot to see if there are any kind people in the world. After months of travelling on foot, without money, he finds employment, eventually, with a family on their farm, his questions are answered, and he finds a way to reveal his true identity. This is a pretty good story, but not as good as The Witness!

Keep in mind that Grace wrote her stories in the first part of the 20th century. Her stories are old-fashioned, but her characters show the timeless quality of living their faith in Jesus Christ. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christian fiction, American   2. Fiction   3. Fiction - Religious   4. Love stories, American   5. Religious - Romance/Historical   

Subjects:  1. Algebra - General   2. Diophantine analysis   3. Mathematics   4. Science/Mathematics   5. Mathematics / General   6. Number theory   7. Geometry - Algebraic   

Customer Reviews (2)

Formidable, frumpy and brave
After 125-plus years, Isabella Bird comes across as a formidable, judgmental, frumpy and brave (if not foolhardy) woman who saw parts of Colorado at a time and in a condition that a lot of us wish we could have seen it. Her standard for measuring anything human (character, behavior, diet, education, etc.) can pretty much be summed up in the formula "English and Christian, good; everything else, bad."

She was keenly observant, although her writing style seems overwrought, romantic and sentimental (I'm trying not to say "cheesy") by our standards.

Most remarkable, though, is her bravery and her (apparent) charisma. By her account, she was welcomed wherever she went, and even the grotesquely grizzled recluse Jim Nugent fell for her -- she hints that he proposed marriage. And she went places alone, in winter, that you are more likely to read about these days in cautionary tales from the Colorado State Patrol or a search and rescue unit, where the protaganist ends up in a coffin.

Was she telling the truth? Maybe. Probably. Better-educated people than I seem to take her at her word. And the detail in her stories has the ring of authenticity. So, OK, let's take her at her word.

As a witness to a pre-sprawl, pre-Vail, pre-John Denver period of the Colorado Rockies, she is fairly readable and considerably entertaining. And her precise and photographic descriptions of the people and landscape are invaluable. You just have to keep in mind that she's looking (which is to say, judging everything) through the lens of a smug 19th century Englishwoman.

A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains
The book was an interesting account of Bird's travels through the Rocky Mountains, but as I read it, I kept wondering why, why, why? Why would a 41-year old woman travel through the Rockies on horseback in winter? Living in the area where she traveled, I appreciate the descriptions of the mountains and the awesomeness of nature which she elegantly describes. The book is an interesting travel log of her journey and adventures in 1873. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 18th And 19th Century Description And Travel   2. Adventurers & Explorers   3. Biography   4. Biography & Autobiography   5. Biography / Autobiography   6. Biography/Autobiography   7. Essays & Travelogues   8. Frontier and pioneer life   9. Historical - General   10. Historical - U.S.   11. Rocky Mountains   12. U.S. Local History - Rocky Mountain States   13. Women   14. Bird, Isabella L   15. Journeys