Elizabeth Steger Trindal

Advantages: Minimal. You will learn very little about the book's chief character, or the reasons for her terrible fate
Disadvantages: Endless genealogies of persons appearing in the book and too much of the author imposing thoughts, feelings etc upon what are not fictional characters.

.... It is not inconceivable, that Mary Surratt's sympathies lay with the South. Yet Elisabeth Steger Trindal will have it that Mary was apolitical. A view formed possibly on the ground that to admit Mary as a supporter of the Confederacy is tantamount to conceeding that she was also a murderess! As a result of this approach, the real questions surrounding the death of this unfortunate woman, are never addressed in the book. For example: Was Mary Surratt arrested before a general alarm was posted for John Wilkes Booth? If so, what was the basis for that arrest? Why did the military tribunal make a recommendation for mercy to President Andrew Johnson? If it thought that clemency in Mary Surratt's case was warranted, it was fully empowered to grant it, without reference to the President. Why did President Johnson remain obdurate despite the many representations... Read review

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Advantages: takes you to a world of make believe a welcome escape
Disadvantages: a little slow to start and get into not as easy reading as cecelias other books

...The story is set in Ireland in the town of Baile na gCroithe which translates as the Town of Hearts. The main character of this book is Elizabeth Egan who hides around her perfect house and her job as an interior designer. Left brokenhearted when her mother left when she was only young, Elizabeth was left to look after her younger sister Saoirse, as her father showed little interest. This abandonment by her mother as a child and the feeling of having to keep the rest of her family together had shaped her adult life. Unfortunately Saoirse is everything Elizabeth is not wild, carefree and also an alcoholic. She leaves a trail of destruction wherever she goes. Saoirse is always asking Elizabeth for money and has left her to bring up Luke Saoirse's 6 year old son. This was something Elizabeth definatley did not want she had done her share... Read review

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Advantages: Imformative, authorative, masterpeice
Disadvantages: Doesn't cover all of her life

...I purchased this book as a member of the History Guild. I had watched a couple of David Starkey's documentaries on tv and found him to be extremely knowledgeable and commanding. 'Elizabeth' only affirms those opinions. The book spans Elizabeth's life from her birth up to her ascession. (It may be pointed out, as I have done above, that failing to coverthe years of her reign is a drawback). However, Starkey has provided a clear picture of the events that Elizabeth went through which shaped the person that she was. From an abused child, called a heretic, traitor and disinherited, Starkey clearly shows using original documents how the political, religious and consitutional trials of England shaped Elizabeth into the formiddable monarch she ultimately proved to be. Starkey examines Elizabeth in contrast to her sister Mary, and thus we gain... Read review

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