Power and fame are often accompanied by scrutiny and speculation. And though today mass media lets the whole world in on the lives of politicians and t
heir families, it was often the case, albeit on a more limited scale, 200 years ago when the world's most powerful man, Napoleon, had to deal with the shaming indiscretions of his younger sister Paulette "Pauline" Bonaparte. Her affairs and extravagance had become such an embarassment, that in 1802, upon discovering her in the company of one of his generals, Napoleon had Pauline conveniently married off and relocated to Haiti. But despite being a constant source of gossip in Paris, Pauline was ultimately one of the emperor's most faithful companions, even generating profits for his cause (a second marriage to a wealthy viscount) after military defeats had left him financially bankrupt. Upon his final abdication to the Isle of Elba, Pauline would routinely be seen making visits to his confines and was frequently at his bedside during his last years of illness. (B BONAPART)
Cleopatra: Last Queen of Egypt / by Joyce A. Tyledesley
heir families, it was often the case, albeit on a more limited scale, 200 years ago when the world's most powerful man, Napoleon, had to deal with the shaming indiscretions of his younger sister Paulette "Pauline" Bonaparte. Her affairs and extravagance had become such an embarassment, that in 1802, upon discovering her in the company of one of his generals, Napoleon had Pauline conveniently married off and relocated to Haiti. But despite being a constant source of gossip in Paris, Pauline was ultimately one of the emperor's most faithful companions, even generating profits for his cause (a second marriage to a wealthy viscount) after military defeats had left him financially bankrupt. Upon his final abdication to the Isle of Elba, Pauline would routinely be seen making visits to his confines and was frequently at his bedside during his last years of illness. (B BONAPART)Cleopatra: Last Queen of Egypt / by Joyce A. Tyledesley
Perhaps the most glamorous female rulers of the entire B.C. period, Queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt has been celebrated over time by archaeologists, historians and gend
er studies pundits, not to mention the likes of Shakespeare and Elizabeth Taylor, as a woman renowned for her romantic conquests. In this new analysis of her, noted professor of history Tyledesley probes some of the most overlooked questions along with some of the more common queries concerning the life and reign of this "Jewel of the Nile". While her associations with the the world's most powerful men of the day--most notably Julius Caesar, Marc Antony and Pompey the Great--gave her name recognition, it was Cleopatra's political savvy like the furthering of trade between Africa and Europe and transitioning Egypt's then Hellenistic heritage into the Roman Era which helped cement her legacy. (B CLEOPATRA)
er studies pundits, not to mention the likes of Shakespeare and Elizabeth Taylor, as a woman renowned for her romantic conquests. In this new analysis of her, noted professor of history Tyledesley probes some of the most overlooked questions along with some of the more common queries concerning the life and reign of this "Jewel of the Nile". While her associations with the the world's most powerful men of the day--most notably Julius Caesar, Marc Antony and Pompey the Great--gave her name recognition, it was Cleopatra's political savvy like the furthering of trade between Africa and Europe and transitioning Egypt's then Hellenistic heritage into the Roman Era which helped cement her legacy. (B CLEOPATRA)Florence Nightingale: The Making of an Icon / by Mark Bostridge
While the world of medicine had made quantum leaps by the year 1850, particularly in the realm of disease treatment and surgical procedure, it's sister profession o
f nursing still lagged somewhat behind. Legendary British nurse Florence Nightingale would change all that in the space of a few decades. Born into wealth as the daughter of titled aristocrats, her sharp mind and visionary foresight would yield tremendous strides and save countless lives during her tenure as military nurse during the Crimean War. So well-appreciated were her valor and progressive innovations in hygiene and sanitation, that the entire nation--led by Queen Victoria herself--would celebrate her legacy. Bostridge's comprehensive account of the "Lady With the Lamp" is a great tell-all for anyone interested in this extraordinary woman. (B NIGHTINGA)
f nursing still lagged somewhat behind. Legendary British nurse Florence Nightingale would change all that in the space of a few decades. Born into wealth as the daughter of titled aristocrats, her sharp mind and visionary foresight would yield tremendous strides and save countless lives during her tenure as military nurse during the Crimean War. So well-appreciated were her valor and progressive innovations in hygiene and sanitation, that the entire nation--led by Queen Victoria herself--would celebrate her legacy. Bostridge's comprehensive account of the "Lady With the Lamp" is a great tell-all for anyone interested in this extraordinary woman. (B NIGHTINGA)Ida: A Sword Among Lions: Ida B. Wells and the Campaign Against Lynching / by Paula Giddings
Few women over the course of time have been as lauded for their courage as much as Ida B. Wells (Wells-Barnett). Continuing a struggle for equality and peaceful coexistence 
against insurmountable odds, Wells was a woman unalterably driven to end violence--particularly incidents of lynching--towards African-Americans at a time in America's history when women (especially women of color) were still seen as subsidiary figures in matters of public service and civil diplomacy. Spurred on by her vision of a time when social justice laws would be upheld regardless of gender, race or regional custom, Wells was often confronted but never off put by objectors to her cause, even becoming an active participant in the more nationalized Womens Suffrage Movement. Giddings new chronology of Wells' life follows her from her humble beginnings as the daughter of slaves in Mississippi to her period of notoriety as an outspoken--and often unpopular--individual during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. (B WELLSBAR)
against insurmountable odds, Wells was a woman unalterably driven to end violence--particularly incidents of lynching--towards African-Americans at a time in America's history when women (especially women of color) were still seen as subsidiary figures in matters of public service and civil diplomacy. Spurred on by her vision of a time when social justice laws would be upheld regardless of gender, race or regional custom, Wells was often confronted but never off put by objectors to her cause, even becoming an active participant in the more nationalized Womens Suffrage Movement. Giddings new chronology of Wells' life follows her from her humble beginnings as the daughter of slaves in Mississippi to her period of notoriety as an outspoken--and often unpopular--individual during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. (B WELLSBAR)
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