Carolly Erickson Boeken

In her powerful new book, Carolly Erickson brilliantly captures the queen’s voice, her hopes and her suffering. We follow, mesmerised, as she reveals every detail of a remarkable, eventful life – from her teenage years when she began keeping a diary to her final days when she awaited her bloody appointment with the guillotine. An historical entertainment that elaborates imaginatively and whimsically on the actual lives of Marie Antoinette, Louis XVI, Axel Fersen, and their peers. The Hidden Diary gives the reader the carthartic, visceral experience of reliving Marie Antoinette’s life – as fictionally elaborated. Erickson creates a memorable, sympathetic, vivid image of this Queen that she hopes will stay in the mind and heart of the reader after the book is closed. ‘Writers of historical fiction must tread a fine line between loving one’s protagonists while telling the truth about them. arolly Erickson has executed this balancing act with the same scorching wit and great-heartedness that has always illuminated her biographies.’ – Robin Maxwell, author of The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn. Carolly Erickson holds a Ph.D. in medieval history from Colombia University and was a college professor before becoming a writer. She has written many historical biographies, including The First Elizabeth, Her Little Majesty, and Alexandra.

Josephine Tasher de la Pagerie, born on the island of Martinique, became one of the most envied women who ever lived. As the wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, Josephine was assumed to be a worthy consort for her astounding husband, a woman as beautiful as he was invincible. When he crowned her Empress of France in 1804, her extraordinary destiny seemed to be fulfilled. Yet the truth behind the glorious symbolism was much darker. Using her trademark ability to penetrate and explain the psychological make-up of her subjects, Erickson paints a fascinating portrait of an immensely complex and ultimately tragic woman.

The lives and deaths of the Romanov family are redolent with color and drama, but the personal life of the beautiful Tsarina Alexandra has remained enigmatic. Under Erickson's masterful scrutiny the full dimensions of the Empress's singular psychology are revealed: her childhood bereavement, her long struggle to attain her romantic goal of marriage to her handsome cousin Nicholas, anguishing shyness, the struggles with her in-laws, a false pregnancy, her increasing eccentricities as she became more preoccupied with matters of faith, and her growing dependence on a series of occult mentors, the most notorious of whom was Rasputin. With meticulous care, long-practiced skill, and generous imagination, Erickson has brought Alexandra and her family back to life. Taking advantage of material unavailable until the fall of the Soviet Union, Erickson portrays Alexandra's story as a closely observed, enthrallingly documented, progressive psychological retreat from reality.

The book offers a detailed exploration of Queen Victoria's life, highlighting her childhood, personal relationships, and her interactions with friends, family, and the public. It provides an insightful look into her character and the complexities of her reign, revealing the woman behind the crown and the societal influences that shaped her.

Exploring the life of Catherine of Aragon, this novel delves into her tumultuous marriage to Henry VIII and her role as the mother of Mary I. It highlights her strength, resilience, and the political and personal challenges she faced in a patriarchal society. The narrative offers a poignant portrayal of love, betrayal, and the quest for power, shedding light on a pivotal figure in history whose influence shaped the course of England.

Hunchbacked Richard III, the Virgin Queen Elizabeth I, and the grieving widow Victoria - often the colourful kings and queens of England seem like mere caricature, while less familiar rulers like William IV or Henry VI have faded into the shadows of history. This title covers monarchs ranging from William the Conqueror to Elizabeth II.

Exploring the life of Catherine Parr, the last wife of Henry VIII, this novel delves into her resilience and intelligence in a tumultuous court. As a woman navigating the dangers of the Tudor dynasty, Parr's story highlights her role not only as a queen but also as a reformer and a caregiver. The narrative intricately weaves historical events with personal struggles, showcasing her strength in a male-dominated world while offering insights into love, loss, and the pursuit of power amidst political intrigue.

In Lilibet , master biographer Carolly Erickson turns her skill at writing un-put-downable narrative to telling the remarkable story of Elizabeth II, Queen of England.With her customary psychological insight, historian Erickson traces the queen's gilded but often thorny path from her overprotected girlhood to her ascension to the throne at twenty-five to her personal and national difficulties as queen.Lilibet shows us an Elizabeth we thought we knew-but shows her in a different as a small, shy woman with a sly and at times raucous sense of humor, a woman who appears stiff in public, but in private enjoys watching wrestling on TV. A woman most at home among her horses and dogs. And a woman long annealed to heartbreak and sorrow, who has presided over the decline of Great Britain and the decline in prestige of her own Windsor dynasty.Far from being a light, gossipy treatment of a celebrity, Lilibet tells the queen's story from her point of view, letting the reader relive Elizabeth's long and eventful life with all its splendid ceremonies, momentous responsibilities and family clashes. Through it all we glimpse, as never before, the strong and appealing sovereign who has ruled over her people for half a century and more, a ruler of immense wealth, international esteem and high character whose daily life is grounded in the bedrock of common sense.

In the tumultuous late reign of Henry VIII, lively Catherine Howard captures the king's attention, unaware that her past as the lover of several men will come back to haunt her. Married to Henry, she ultimately reveals her true affections for his gentleman usher, Tom Culpeper.

Set against the backdrop of Tudor England, this novel delves into the life of Jane Seymour, the third wife of Henry VIII. It explores her tumultuous marriage, which began shortly after Anne Boleyn's execution, and her desperate desire to provide the king with a male heir. The narrative captures Jane's struggles and sacrifices, ultimately leading to her tragic fate as she fulfills her role in securing the Tudor legacy. Through rich historical detail, the story reveals the complexities of love, power, and duty in a perilous court.