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unsolvedmysteries1's review
challenging
informative
sad
medium-paced
3.75
I learned a great deal about Joan of Arc, and Yolanda of Aragon. I’d never heard of Yolanda of Aragon, which is one the main points of this book. Very informative.
beastreader's review against another edition
3.0
I am familiar with the story of Joan of Arc but not the back story of how she received a strong push from a woman named Yolande of Aragon. Yolande is a mystery to me. She was strong, smart, convincing, and a great chessmaster. I call her a chessmaster because in order to play the game of chess you have to be strategic, patient, have a good game plan and anticpate your opponent's moves. Also as the saying goes "Behind every great man is a great woman".
However as much as I liked learning about Yolande, I must admit that in the beginning I found her childhood and story a bit dry. Then came JOan's story and I kind of skimmed over it as I already knew how it would end. The last third of the book was what I liked. It talked about Joan and Yolande and how they came to be. Yolande becamse more of a prominent fiigure in thie book then to me. She had a reason for everything that she did. Again still in awe of what Joan did. One of the best parts of this whole book is the foot notes. They were like extra bonuses to this book. They gave a quick fact about a person or event. I almost would have rather read the foot notes then the book. People wanting to learn more about Joan may be a little disappointed as this book is more focused on Yolande and the back story then just Joan. However if you do enjoy history then you will enjoy this book. The Maid and the Queen is some good reading.
jessesierra's review against another edition
3.0
Finished this a while ago. I think this shows how often I come on this site anymore. Now to write the paper.
suannelaqueur's review against another edition
5.0
For those who love this sort of thing, this is the sort of thing they will love. I love this sort of thing, yet I have a terrible habit of reading biographies of tragic historical figures and thinking I'll get an alternate ending this time. Spoiler alert: this time, after being exploited, abused, interrogated and subjected to a sham trial in which the record was falsified to get the already-decided-upon verdict the English wanted, and without the ungrateful French King lifting a finger to intercede, Joan is burned at the stake and her remains dumped into the Loire. Wow, who saw that coming?! Anyway, Yolande of Aragon is one badass bitch. Goldstone is a badass historian and one of the top draft picks for my Fantasy All-Star Teachers League. (Of course, there isn't any such thing, but there should be.)
direads's review
4.0
Nancy Goldstone does a very good job with this book. It's as easy to read as a novel. I'd recommend it to fans of Philippa Gregory, who'd like to foray into non-fiction.
I didn't know many specifics about Joan of Arc and knew nothing about Yolande of Aragon. It's really interesting to read about powerful women at a time when woman really were bargaining chips as much as anything else.
I didn't know many specifics about Joan of Arc and knew nothing about Yolande of Aragon. It's really interesting to read about powerful women at a time when woman really were bargaining chips as much as anything else.
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