A superbly written and enjoyably readable book
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This is a meticulously researched and superbly written work that is more enjoyable to read than many novels. Harriet O'Brien's prose style slips effortlessly along carrying the reader with it as a viking longship might fearlessly plough the waves deftly dealing with every nuance of the sea. Not only does she deal tellingly with a much neglected period of English history, she also brings it to life in a vividly entertaining manner giving the reader a real feel of what life was like in those far off days.
Best of all, we are led into realising how important a woman's influence could still be in an age when the role of women was becoming more and more side-lined into subservience to men. When we realise that Emma was wife to two kings of England, mother of two kings of England and great aunt to a third, we also come to realise that this is a record unsurpassed by anyone else in the history of the nation. Here is a woman to be ranked as equally important alongside William the Conqueror.
We can only hope that Harriet O'Brien will write more history books. She certainly knows how to make history as enjoyable as, if not more so, than the best of novels. I can thoroughly recommend this book. Read it! You will not be disappointed.
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Fascinating glimpse at a turbulent half century
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Although for much of the book, Emma does not feature in the foreground due to the paucity of records, this provides a fascinating account of national and international politics in the first half of the 11th century; more of a "The Times of Queen Emma" approach, than a biography as such. It is amazing to think that twice in half a century England was conqered and much of its ruling class replaced by foreigners, first Danes, then Normans and Emma was near the heart of both these centres of power.
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Interesting and Informative
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I concur absolutely with the previous review. An excellent book, informative and beautifully written. Essential reading for any interested in the period, the author clears the murk that so often fogs the 10th / 11th centuries. My Granddaughters were fascinated to learn the origin of 'London Bridge is falling down, my Fair Lady'. Very highly recommend - you will not be disappointed!
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A superb book on pre-conquest England.
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Naturally, it's very hard to gain much in-depth knowledge on women in history from this era, but thanks to Queen Emma having commissioned a book in her lifetime a lot more light has been shed on the woman. The author has produced an absolutely fascinating book, with obvious passion on the subject and extensive research of documents and chronicles. When only a couple of chapters into the book the reader feels immediately sucked into the 11th Century. The writing style is excellent. Each chapter starts off with the author setting the scene/event as if you are seeing it through the eyes of a witness at the time. Then the majority of the chapter following these introductions examines all the available evidence theories and political machinations, while all the while placing things in context to Emma. This isn't normally a period of history I read about, but the background information on Emma alone inspires the reader to delve deeper. Queen to King Aethelred II(Unready), Queen to King Cnut, mother to King Harthacnut, mother to King Edward the Confessor, and Great Aunt to William the Conqueror. That's an amazing profile and she was indeed an amazing woman of her time.
History fans of all eras will find this book of great interest, and as the book is written in a very accessible style it can be enjoyed by all levels of history fan.
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