Scan barcode
bookwarm_220's review against another edition
This book did not engage me, either by the structure, plot, or writing style. It's the story of 4 sisters who married well and became Medieval Queens. It sat by my side for 8 or 9 days and every time I picked it up I grew bored and set it down again. I wasted a week of reading time.
iceangel9's review against another edition
challenging
informative
medium-paced
3.75
A nonfiction recounting of four Provencal sisters who all became queens. Set amidst the turmoil that was Europe in the thirteenth century, four obscure sisters rose to power and helped redraw the map of Europe. The book is not as dry as it sounds and is very informative. I had no idea queens went on the Crusades with their husbands. The power dynamics and political posturings are fascinating.
tmathews0330's review against another edition
3.0
A time period I've read little about, this book is readable and solid in information.
kaylamatz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
slow-paced
3.75
Well written book about a family in the 1200s. Writer gave a lot of helpful context.
margocandela's review against another edition
3.0
This is exactly the type of historical non-fiction that I enjoy. It read like a novel, but was the true story of four interesting sisters who became queens during the 13th century.
cupiscent's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Provides a really interesting angle on the history of the time, that really does highlight how small (or perhaps tightly controlled) western Europe was. Very readable but also very well researched. I would occasionally have preferred less general history and more on the women, but I'm sure the author did her best.
kathieboucher's review against another edition
4.0
It's amazing to think about a Europe where kings (and queens!) raise armies, attack each other, and marry off their tiny children based on dynastic plotting. And the pope's role in all this--quite the spectacle.
ifyouhappentoremember's review against another edition
5.0
This was quite the saga.
Goldstone manages to juggle four narratives while making the history and the politics of 13th Century Europe easily understood and interesting.
Of the four sisters, I’d say Sanchia was my favorite sister. Poor lady didn’t ask for much but had a very unhappy personal life.
Goldstone manages to juggle four narratives while making the history and the politics of 13th Century Europe easily understood and interesting.
Of the four sisters, I’d say Sanchia was my favorite sister. Poor lady didn’t ask for much but had a very unhappy personal life.
littletaiko's review against another edition
4.0
European history is not an area I'm that familiar with especially 13th century European history so I headed into this book knowing pretty much nothing. After reading this informative, interesting, and immensely readable book about the four sisters from Provence who became queens, I am definitely wanting to read more about that time and these people. It's so hard to imagine living in a time where 13 year olds are married and running the country, albeit with the help of advisors and possibly a parent. It's also a fairly unruly and unsettling time as crusades are launched, property takeovers are common, and the whims of the ruling powers change. This isn't a book for someone interested in serious scholarly research but is instead geared at someone like me who wants to learn more and be entertained at the same time.