A Biography of Elizabeth II She is the fifth longest reigning monarch in British history, and one of the most famous people in the world. Yet, despite a life lived at the center of the international stage, Elizabeth II remains an enigma. What kind of person is she? What does she stand for? How has she adapted to her role—if at all? How does she cope with problems that threaten the survival of the monarchy itself? Now, in the most authoritative and probing biography of Queen Elizabeth to date, one of Britain's most distinguished biographers and political historians reveals the sometimes surprising answers. In The Queen, Ben Pimlott creates a richly detailed, compelling portrayal of Elizabeth II—the individual, the institution, and the icon. Written with the cooperation of Buckingham Palace, this distinguished biography is enriched by unprecedented access to government and palace archives, as well as interviews with dozens of persons close to the queen, including Princess Margaret; the archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Runcie; Lord Charteris, the queen's longtime private secretary; and Hardy Amies, the royal dressmaker, and by access to the private diaries of Jock Colville, who served as private secretary to both the queen and Winston Churchill. The result is a penetrating examination that goes far beyond the typical royal biography. With the same sharp historical focus he brought to his acclaimed portrait of Harold Wilson, Pimlott reveals how Elizabeth's image has been manufactured and manipulated from her earliest childhood to suit the need of government. He explores the social, political, and psychological influences that shaped the queen's personality and the ideas she represents. Pimlott brings an illuminating perspective to the queen's relationship with her prime ministers, and he offers an intriguing view of the phenomenon of the monarchy itself—and of its future. Beginning in 1926, the year of Elizabeth's birth—and Britain's infamous General Strike—and continuing all the way into the era of Di and Fergie, this masterfully written account of the very public life of a very private woman is a fascinating, at times provocative, and vastly entertaining book. It is candid, respectful, intelligent, and certain to win admiration for both the author and his royal subject. "There will not be a better royal biography for many years."— The Daily Telegraph (London). "[Pimlott] has succeeded triumphantly. . . . He has written a book that can be enjoyed and admired by people who would never have imagined reading any previous royal biography." —The Independent (London). "An important and stimulating book." —Antonia Fraser author of Mary, Queen of Scots in The Guardian (London).
An updated edition of Ben Pimlott’s classic biography of the Queen: ‘There is no better biography of Elizabeth II.’ PETER HENNESSY, Independent on Sunday
In the legends, the Four saved the world from war and poverty. These incredible men walked the lands, seeking an audience with the ruler of each nation. They demanded that mankind focus its efforts on education, trade and culture. No longer would the people face starvation and terror. This commandment was enforced with displays of miraculous power. After all, it is difficult to argue with the Gods. Once finished, the Four left with a promise: If ever your people fall back into darkness, then we shall return. Now, over five centuries later, Sarene grows tired of her village life. Suffocated by the confines of her surroundings and the overbearing protection of her family, she yearns to have an adventure of her own. But the world outside is not as tranquil as it seems. And Sarene is already in danger...
Quite simply one of the best books of the year." —Michael Dirda, The Washington Post Ben Downing's Queen Bee of Tuscany brings an extraordinary Victorian back to life. Born into a distinguished intellectual family and raised among luminaries such as Dickens and Thackeray, Janet Ross married at eighteen and went to live in Egypt. There, for the next six years, she wrote for the London Times, hobnobbed with the developer of the Suez Canal, and humiliated pashas in horse races. In 1867 she moved to Florence, Italy where she spent the remaining sixty years of her life writing a series of books and hosting a colorful miscellany of friends and neighbors, from Mark Twain to Bernard Berenson, at Poggio Gherardo, her house in the hills above the city. Eventually she became the acknowledged doyenne of the Anglo-Florentine colony, as it was known. Yet she was also immersed in the rural life of Tuscany: An avid agriculturalist, she closely supervised the farms on her estate and the sharecroppers who worked them, often pitching in on grape and olive harvests. Spirited, erudite, and supremely well-connected, Ross was one of the most dynamic women of her day. Her life offers a fascinating window on fascinating times, from the Risorgimento to the rise of fascism. Encompassing all this rich history, Queen Bee of Tuscany is a panoramic portrait of an age, a family, and our evolving love affair with Tuscany. A Washington Post Notable Nonfiction Book of 2013
For the first time, Ben Pimlott ('the best writer of political biography new writing', Andrew Marr, Independent) treats the Queen seriously as the subject of historical biography.
Moments ago, Ellie and Jen Aston were in their small midwestern town of Groverton, but now, they find themselves on a parallel Earth, in the magical land of Kiamada. Accompanied by Alistair Doyle, his twin sister Kira, Kira's husband Jerry, and the giant Wiler, Theonus, Ellie and Jen have to adapt to their new lives in this similar, yet still different, world. Weird plants and strange animals aren't that surprising, but Bar Truga, the sentient island that is home to the Tayamu, is unlike anything Ellie and Jen had prepared themselves for. While Jen strives to regain her lost memories, Ellie must deal with her Tayamu powers coming in faster and stronger than they should. When a rare, surprising new ability manifests, Ellie suddenly finds herself with a new partner in life, and must learn to control this ability before she accidentally kills herself. Having received word from Nature that the uncrowned queen of Kiamada has returned home, Seaile, the First of the Tayamu, sets out with her apprentice to find the queen and restore her to the throne. But does the queen even want to rule? And why did she choose to leave in the first place? When Doyle is forced to reveal their presence in Kiamada, news reaches the despotic ruler of Kiamada, Mathon, who sets plans in motion to protect his rule...plans that will place Mathon on a collision course with the Tayamu, and bring old friends to a new world in search of help.
This is a semi-ficticious novel based on actual events that occured in Birmignham, AL around the turn of the 20th Century. The characters are traceable through newspaper accounts of the time, and the language employed is in the alliterative style of that day.
First Edition. 204 pages. Full-color. Queen Elizabeth II has been documented in an unusual way: Her Majesty’s portraits on banknotes of 29 countries. Her Majesty's portrait has been featured on the banknotes of 29 countries, the world's most featured portrait on banknotes since 1935 when she was only 9 years old. This educational and numismatic book covers over 500 high resolution banknote images, bring these beautiful pieces of currency, many now rarities, to life. 204 pages. Published in 2006 and the only banknotes reference and catalog in the world. The portrait of Queen Elizabeth II has appeared on banknotes in every continent except Antarctica. The first country to feature the queen on bills was Canada, which issued a banknote in 1935 featuring her as an 8-year old. Reviews: "I recently purchased a copy of a reference book of Queen Elizabeth banknote portraits by Peter Eu and Ben Chiew. The book is interesting in the fact that it is (so far) the definitive reference work of every banknote bearing the engraved image of Queen Elizabeth II. And when you think about it that's quite a feat. Elizabeth has reigned (or ruled) since 1952, so for the past 68 years countless banknotes from numerous UK Commonwealths have carried her image. This made me wonder if anyone has ever completed a complete set of QEII banknotes or coinage? Think about it. You'd have to have a complete set of everything Great Britain, New Zealand, Canada, Jamaica, Belize, Bahamas, Australia, Hong Kong, Cook Island, East Caribbean States, and other commonwealth members have issued since then (somewhere around about 20 countries in all). To attempt such a set would be on the same Herculean scale that Louis Eliasberg did when he completed the only complete set of U.S. coinage back in the 1950's. Anyway, the book is very interesting and features color plates and is over 200 pages. Copies can be found for around $20, which is much cheaper than the deep pockets (not to mention years) a complete collection would cost you to assemble." - Well worn Copper. "Now that is a book I would LOVE in my library. HMMM, gotta start searching. Thanks WWC, you have me on a mission. PS- Just bought a copy!!!" - It's Mokie. "Never got into bank notes. It amazes me the work that must be done to print a reference book. The dedication that it takes for a person or group to put together a book like that. A lot of this type of book does not have a bug audience." - Golfer. "Thanks for that! This is a book ive got to get in my library. Cheers, NM" - TheNumisMaster.
This book is about dwindling population in a colony of ants and a queen who wants to put a stop to it. Her action deepens the suspicion between her and some members of her colony led by Anton, an army general.This results in unrest as the perpetrators tried to upsurp power by force. Queen Antoinette and her counsel of lower queens were all seized. Anton was banished from the colony as a result of the compromise reached between the combatants.
Against the historical backdrop of the rise and fall of maneuvering kings and warring empires in 1 & 2 Kings and 1 & 2 Chronicles, the fictional series Kingdoms traces the saga of the dedicated advisor Iddo and his descendants. As he remains loyal to the memory of the just King Josiah and labors to keep his nation faithful to the Lord, Iddo struggles to protect his own family. ARMIES DESCEND ON A CITY WITH NO WALL. The grandeur and strength of Persia is far from Jerusalem--a city laid broken with no defense. But the Jewish people's safety rests in the empire's queen, as the beautiful Esther must decide whether to risk her life to save her people from genocide. Enemies encroach as the gamble of a queen and the hope of a prophet attempt to restore the fortunes of the chosen people.
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