What I’m Reading: “Queen Anne: The Politics of Passion” by Anne Somerset
It’s been a while since I’ve read some non-fiction history so I was very pleased to be able to pick up “Queen Anne, The Politics of Passion” (Harper Press), Anne Somerset’s biography of Queen Anne (Life: 1665 – 1714; Reign: 1702-1714.)
So far I am about a third of the way through and really enjoying it. This is serious biography so not a light read, but Somerset writes well, incorporating detailed research into a highly readable account of the life and times of Queen Anne, the last Stuart monarch of the United Kingdom. (And in fact Union between Scotland and England was, I believe, achieved during her reign—although I haven’t got to that bit yet.)
A tribute to Somerset may be that although Anne herself is not a terribly dynamic personality, the biographer still manages to imbue her story with interest—and the period is certainly fascinating. So far the work is charting the emergence of political parties in national politics (in this case the “Whigs” and the “Tories”), the War of the Spanish Succession in Europe and the genius of John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, as well as the cultural strength of the period with writers such as Swift and Defoe making their mark.
Anyway, on the strength of what I’ve read so far, I recommend it if you like biography and or non fiction history. But here are links to a couple of more official views:
And how about you, dear readers: what are you reading right now?
Sounds like you could be tempted to try your hand at historical fiction once the Wall of Night is finished? 😉
I love reading historical fiction as well as non fiction and would never say never—but right now, I can’t see myself writing historical fiction next.
This sounds like a worthwhile read. The two reviews you linked to were fascinating – were they of the same book?:)
Currently I’m reading Macbeth: a true story by Fiona Watson and The Read-aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease
Yes, the two reviews were both for “Queen Anne.”:)
And two books on the go at once: a woman after my own heart!
The Heart of our Game: People and Personalities in New Zealand Rugby by Steve Hale
Dance with t he Devil by Sherilyn Kenyon
various sociology books.
I knew I could rely on you to have books on the go, Jan. 🙂
Funny, I just picked up a non fiction book for the first time in a while too. I’m reading “The Sea Kingdoms, the History of Celtic Britain and Ireland” by Alistair Moffat. Oh, and “Stranger in a Strange Land” by Robert Heinlein.
“The Sea Kingdoms” history sounds really interesting, like exactly my kind of non fiction.:) As for “Stranger in A Strange Land” — that is definitely a classic. I would be interested to hear how you ‘find’ Valentine Michael Smith…