Synopses & Reviews
Together with two eminent historians, #1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory presents “an engrossing introduction to three courageous matriarchs who shaped English history” (Publishers Weekly).In this unique presentation, Gregory and her collaborators offer extensive biographical essays on the lives of three key figures from her Wars of the Roses novels: Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford; Elizabeth Woodville; and Margaret Beaufort.
In her essay about Jacquetta, Gregory breaks new ground, creating the first summation on the duchess’s life ever written and based on primary sources. David Baldwin, author of four books about the people and events of the Wars of the Roses, tells the story of Elizabeth Woodville, and Michael Jones, fellow of the Royal Historical Society, writes Margaret Beaufort’s story.
The Women of the Cousins’ War also includes an insightful introduction by Gregory, which answers many of the questions posed by her fans and history scholars: What is the difference between writing history and writing historical fiction? How much of a role does speculation play in writing each? How much fiction and how much fact should there be in a historical novel?
Review
"[Gregory] again brings insight to English history, recreating the power struggle between two of the nation's most notable women in a tale fresh for modern readers. There's no question that she is the best at what she does." --Associated Press
Review
and#8220;An engrossing introduction to three courageous matriarchs who shaped English history.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;An engaging and interesting read . . . Fans of Gregoryand#8217;s novels should enjoy this glimpse into both her creative process and her essays on the three women who served as inspiration for her and#8216;Wars of the Rosesand#8217; novels.and#8221;
Review
and#8220;The publication of two books this season by Philippa Gregory gives us not only two more fascinating portraits of the English Wars of the Roses, it also opens a window onto the way the bestselling author of andlt;Iandgt;The Other Boleyn Girlandlt;/Iandgt; applies her craft.and#8221;
Synopsis
#1 andlt;I andgt;New York Timesandlt;/Iandgt; bestselling author Philippa Gregory joins two eminent historians to explore the extraordinary true stories of three women largely forgotten by history: Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford; Elizabeth Woodville, queen of England; and Margaret Beaufort, the founder of the Tudor dynasty.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt;In her essay on Jacquetta, Philippa Gregory uses original documents, archaeology, and histories of myth and witchcraft to create the first-ever biography of the young duchess who survived two reigns and two wars to become the first lady at two rival courts. David Baldwin, established authority on the Wars of the Roses, tells the story of Elizabeth Woodville, the first commoner to marry a king of England for love. And Michael Jones, fellow of the Royal Historical Society, writes of Margaret Beaufort, the almost-unknown matriarch of the House of Tudor. andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Beautifully illustrated throughout with rare portraits and source materials, andlt;I andgt;The Women of the Cousinsand#8217; Warandlt;/Iandgt; offers fascinating insights into the inspirations behind Philippa Gregoryand#8217;s fiction and will appeal to all with an interest in this epic period.
About the Author
Philippa Gregory is the author of several bestselling novels, including andlt;iandgt;The Other Boleyn Girlandlt;/iandgt;, and is a recognized authority on womenandrsquo;s history. Her Cousinsandrsquo; War novels are the basis for the critically acclaimed Starz miniseries andlt;iandgt;The White Queenandlt;/iandgt;. She graduated from the University of Sussex and received a PhD from the University of Edinburgh, where she is a Regent. She holds an honorary degree from Teesside University, and is a fellow of the Universities of Sussex and Cardiff. She welcomes visitors to her website, PhilippaGregory.com.andlt;Bandgt;David Baldwin andlt;/Bandgt;taught history at the Universities of Leicester and Nottingham for many years, and is the author of four books dealing with people and events of the Wars of the Roses, including the acclaimed andlt;Iandgt;Elizabeth Woodville, Mother of the Princes in the Tower.andlt;/Iandgt;andlt;Bandgt;Michael Jonesandlt;/Bandgt; did his Ph.D. on the Beaufort family, and subsequently taught at the University of South West England, the University of Glasgow, and Winchester College.andnbsp; He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and now works as a writer and media presenter.andnbsp; He is the author of six books, including andlt;iandgt;The King's Motherandlt;/iandgt;, a highly praised biography of Margaret Beaufort, which was shortlisted for the Whitfield Prize.