Tudor: Passion. Manipulation. Murder. The Story of England’s Most Notorious Royal Family – Leanda de Lisle
I honestly couldn’t remember if I’d read this book, so I decided to (re?)read it. It’s a good, comprehensive overview of the Tudor family and their dynasty. Leanda de Lisle explores the lives of all of the Tudor monarchs and the wider Tudor relations. If a general history of the Tudor family and era interests you, be sure to check this one out.
Shawnee Captive: The Story of Mary Draper Ingles – Mary R. Furbee
Mary Draper and her family settled in Virginia’s New River Valley in the late 1700s. She married a fellow settler named William Ingles, and they began a life on a property on the current site of Virginia Tech’s campus (hence my interest). I’m assuming her family provided the name for Draper Road in Blacksburg. Mary was kidnapped during a Shawnee raid on her community, and this book recaps her escape and return to her family. It’s a really quick read but is pretty interesting.
The Alamo Story: From Early History to Current Conflicts – J.R. Edmondson
I went to San Antonio back in 2017 for a conference and visited the Alamo with one of my friends who had never been there. My visit rekindled my interest in the Alamo (I wrote a paper in 10th grade on the battle), and I bought this book. The title gives you an idea of what it’s about. It covers the history from the early Spanish missionaries and the creation of the mission through the famous battle. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it.
Beyond the Household: Women’s Place in the Early South, 1700-1835 – Cynthia A. Kierner
Fair warning: this book will probably be really boring to most people. It examines the roles of women in the South from the colonial to the antebellum era. It’s a good read if you like women’s history or are really interested in colonial American history.
In the Footsteps of Anne Boleyn – Sarah Morris and Natalie Grueninger
The authors describe this as part history book and part guide book. They examine the houses and places associated with the life of Anne Boleyn, from her birth to her death. The authors formatted the book so that you can read it in one setting (like me) or take it with you as you tour the places featured in the book (like what I want to do). If you love Anne, you’ll love this book.
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