Easton Press Antonia Fraser books
The Wives of Henry the Eighth - signed first edition - 1992
Royal Charles: Charles the II and the Restoration - 1996
Love Letters: An Anthology - 2001
Franklin Library Antonia Fraser books
Mary Queen of Scots - signed limited edition - 1981
Quiet as a Nun - Franklin mystery series - 1990
Lady Antonia Fraser biography
Lady Antonia Fraser, born on August 27, 1932, in London, England, is a highly esteemed British author and historian. She is renowned for her captivating biographies and historical works that vividly bring the past to life. Born Antonia Margaret Caroline Pakenham, she is the daughter of the 7th Earl of Longford and the 6th Countess of Longford. Educated at the Dragon School in Oxford and Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, Fraser's early literary endeavors included works of fiction and non-fiction. She gained recognition for her historical writings, particularly biographies that focused on prominent figures from different periods.
One of her most notable biographies is Mary Queen of Scots (1969), a critically acclaimed work that delves into the tumultuous life of the Scottish queen. Fraser's ability to combine meticulous research with a compelling narrative style made the biography a success, earning her widespread praise. In addition to her biographical works, Fraser has explored various historical periods and figures. Her diverse bibliography includes books on Oliver Cromwell, King Charles II, and Marie Antoinette. Her writing is characterized by a keen attention to detail, a commitment to historical accuracy, and a talent for presenting complex historical events in an engaging manner.
Beyond her literary contributions, Antonia Fraser is known for her active involvement in cultural and public life. She was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1999 and later elevated to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2011 for her services to literature. In addition to her literary honors, Fraser has served as the President of the Society of Authors and has been a frequent contributor to newspapers and journals. Antonia Fraser's literary achievements extend beyond her historical works, as she has also ventured into detective fiction. Collaborating with her second husband, the celebrated playwright Harold Pinter, she co-wrote a series of detective novels featuring the character Jemima Shore. Lady Antonia Fraser's enduring influence on the literary and historical landscape is a testament to her talent for bringing history to life through her engaging narratives and meticulous research. Her contributions have not only enriched the understanding of historical figures but have also made history itself an accessible and fascinating subject for a wide readership.
Quiet as a Nun - Jemima Shore Series Book 1
When a murder takes place in a secluded tower at Blessed Eleanor's Convent in Sussex and the victim is an old school friend, Britain's most popular TV reporter Jemima Shore finds herself in the middle of a disturbing puzzle. The dead woman, a nun, was to inherit one of the largest fortunes in Britain. Jemima walks into the eye of a worldly storm of fear - and the more she learns, the clearer it becomes that more lives, including her own, are being threatened.
Mary Queen of Scots
More than 400 years after her death, Mary Queen of Scots remains one of the most romantic & controversial figures in British history. Fraser's classic biography of her won the James Tait Prize when it was 1st published in '69, became an international bestseller & was translated into 9 languages.
Mary passed her childhood in France & married the Dauphin to become Queen of France at 16. Widowed less than 2 years later, she returned to Scotland as Queen after a 13 year absence. Her life then entered its best known phase: early struggles with John Knox & the Scottish nobility; marriage to Darnley & his mysterious death; marriage to Bothwell, the chief suspect, that led directly to her captivity at the hands of Queen Elizabeth; her long imprisonment that ended with the labyrinthine Babington plot to free her & her execution at age 44.
Fraser's biography, 4 years in the writing, enters fully into the life of an historical figure who continues to capture the popular imagination, & provides an answer to the question, `What was Mary Queen of Scots really like?'
She had everything dazzling beauty, brilliant wit, captivating charm, unflinching courage. Born to reign, she was every inch a queen as she made her imperious moves on the chessboard of power. But she could not rule her own impulsive heart, and she scandalized her people with her passions, was betrayed by the brutal and powerful man she loved, and was lured into the deadly spider's web woven by her envious and unforgiving cousin, Elizabeth of England. Here is the unforgettable story of Mary Queen of Scots, who lost a throne for love, and gained immortal triumph in her ultimate hour of tragedy.
"Ground-breaking ... One of the greatest international bestsellers of the post-war period" Andrew Roberts, - Daily Telegraph
"Reads like an engrossing novel - A fluent narrative style, a perfect eye for physical detail, a rich sense of the black comedy that the period demands & a high feeling for the central tragedy" - Sunday Times
"Lady Antonia Fraser tells Mary's story movingly, with scholarship, insight & balance. It's the sort of biography of Mary which has long been needed."- The Scotsman
An infant queen. A teenage widow. Beautiful, flamboyant Mary Queen of Scots had a formidable intellect but her political sense formed at the absolute court of France plunged her country into a maelstrom of intrigue, marriage and murder. Upon fleeing to England she was held captive by her cousin Elizabeth I. In this classic biography, reissued for the fiftieth anniversary of its publication, acclaimed historian Antonia Fraser relates the enthralling story of Mary's life and untimely end.
The Wives of Henry VIII
Antonia Fraser's bestselling biography of Henry VIII's six wives; a subject of enduring fascination.In an evocative portrait of Tudor England, the author of The Warrior Queens presents a provocative study of the diverse and complex characters of the six wives of Henry VIII and their impact on their world.
In a sweeping narrative, Fraser traces the cultural, familial and political roots of each of Henry's queens, pushes aside the stereotypes that have long defined them, and illuminates the complex character of each. The result is a superb work of history through which these six women become as memorable for their own achievements and mistakes as they have always been for their fateful link to Henry VIII.
The six wives of Henry VIII - Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard and Catherine Parr have become defined in a popular sense not so much by their lives as by the way these lives ended. But, as Antonia Fraser conclusively proves, they were rich and feisty characters. They may have been victims of Henry's obsession with a male heir, but they were not willing victims. On the contrary, they displayed considerable strength and intelligence at a time when their sex supposedly possessed little of either.
Royal Charles - Charles II and the Restoration
The acclaimed biographer details the life, reign, and impact of King Charles II of England, revealing him to have been far more serious, sensible, and competent than has been thought.Following a youth of poverty and bitter exile after his father's execution, the ousted king first challenged, then made his magnificent escape from, Cromwell's troops before he was eventually restored to his throne in triumph in 1660.
Spanning his life both before and after the Restoration, Antonia Fraser's lively and fascinating biography captures all the vitality of the man and the expansiveness of the age.
Comments
Post a Comment
Share your best book review and recommendation