Historical Fictionistas discussion

HI all, it's time to start nominating for July's group read.

There's no theme this time around - any HF book can be nominated.

ONE nomination per person. Please text link to title and author. If the title (at least) is not linked, the nomination will not be counted. Please DO NOT use cover images to link.

Nominations will go until June 29th, and then we'll vote.

I nominate "The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb" by Melanie Benjamin. It's about the life story of the world's shortest woman, Lavinia Warren, married to the world's shortest man, General Tom Thumb, but who was really in love with her boss, P.T. Barnum. A used hardcover is available on Amazon for only $2.99 and a used paperback is only $6.18. It's been getting mostly 5 stars.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/96...

I'd like to nominate The Assassin's Wife by Moonyeen Blakey, an intricately detailed and richly emotional look at what it was like to live during the Wars of the Roses! http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...

I'd like to nominate The Arrow Chest by Robert Parry.

Enemy of God by Bernard Cornwell! An historical account of the Duke of Battles!!

I would like to nominate My Enemy's Cradle by Sara Young a story centered around the "Lebensborn" Program.

Doc by Mary Doria Russell

Description: "Born to the life of a Southern gentleman, Dr. John Henry Holliday arrives on the Texas frontier hoping that the dry air and sunshine of the West will restore him to health. Soon, with few job prospects, Doc Holliday is gambling professionally with his partner, Mária Katarina Harony, a high-strung, classically educated Hungarian whore. In search of high-stakes poker, the couple hits the saloons of Dodge City. And that is where the unlikely friendship of Doc Holliday and a fearless lawman named Wyatt Earp begins— before the gunfight at the O.K. Corral links their names forever in American frontier mythology—when neither man wanted fame or deserved notoriety."

I'd like to nominate These Is My Words byNancy E. Turner.

Reminder: Please text link to title and author. If the title (at least) is not linked, the nomination will not be counted. Please DO NOT use cover images to link.

I would like to second by Melanie Benjamin. I really liked which she also wrote.

I nominate Wedded to War Heroines Behind the Lines: Civil War

Description: This is the first book in a series based on the real life stories of women who lived and worked during the Civil War. The author has done extensive research around the lives of military women during the Civil War for a nonfiction title and became inspired to share their stories in a fictionalized depiction based on her historical research.

Charlotte Waverly is a 28 year-old upper-class woman from New York and one of only 100 women chosen for nursing training. On the battlefields, she and the other nurses find themselves up against corruption, opposition and wounded men such as they have never seen before. Charlotte's life intersects with that of an Irish immigrant who turns to the unthinkable when faced with starvation after her husband leaves for war. These women find hope and gain restored lives as war wages all around.

My nomination is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I suggest The Snow Child, a wonderful debut novel based in the homesteading era of 1920s Alaska. Part fairy tale, part love story, part historical novel of the final untamed frontier. I found it captivating it so many ways.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11...

Garth wrote: "Doc by Mary Doria Russell

Description: "Born to the life of a Southern gentleman, Dr. John Henry Holliday arrives on the Texas frontier hoping that the dry air and sunshine of the West will res..."

Garth,
I was going to warn you about those high-strung, classically-educated Hungarian whores; they are scheming hystrionics and definitely not to be messed with. Watch out!

The Unseen by Katherine Webb
Description: A vicar with a passion for nature, the Reverend Albert Canning leads a happy existence with his naive wife, Hester, in their sleepy Berkshire village in the year 1911. But as the English summer dawns, the Cannings' lives are forever changed by two new arrivals: Cat, their new maid, a disaffected, free-spirited young woman sent down from London after entanglements with the law; and Robin Durrant, a leading expert in the occult, enticed by tales of elemental beings in the water meadows nearby.

Quickly finding a place for herself in the underbelly of local society, Cat secretly plots her escape. Meanwhile, Robin, a young man of considerable magnetic charm and beauty, soon becomes an object of fascination and desire. Sweltering in the oppressive summer heat, the peaceful rectory turns into a hotbed of dangerous ambition, forbidden love, and jealousy--a potent mixture of emotions that ultimately leads to murder

My nomination is The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer

i'd love to read the Snow Child, also; it looks really good :)

How about reading my book "Daughters of Iraq"? It is a History Fiction book based on my family story. Please check it out.

Thanks, Revital

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11...

I read in the instructions no nominations that are not linked or that are linked via cover image, and I'm seeing a bunch of this. No offense, but I'm wondering if anyone bothers to read the instructions?

No suggestions of my own this month but I'll second The Book Thief or The Snow Child.

My nomination is The Book Thief as I'd love to read that one again. It's the whole reason I became addicted to historical fiction.
The Book Thief

Might be disqualified on page count but can't hurt to nominate:

Fathers and Crows by William T. Vollmann

I'd like to nominate The Absolutist by John Boyne http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10... - Poignant and eye opening.

I'd like to nominate The Book Thief too.

I'd like to nominate a place beyond courage by elizabeth chadwick A Place Beyond Courage

I nominate The Greatest Knight

Outstanding Elizabeth Chadwick book depicting the life of William Marshall in 1100's

I would like to nominate The First Man in Rome by Colleen McCullough.
It's a long read, but very rewarding, in my (very humble) opinion :)
Might be a delight to discuss :)

I would like to nominate Jackdaws by Ken Follett. I have not read it, but the reviews look pretty good.

I nominate The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks

The Queen's Vow by C.W. Gortner http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...
my reserved copy just came in at the library and I can't wait to read it!

i would like to nominate Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution by michelle moran. the book is rich in revolutionary history

I nominate The Song of Troy by Colleen McCullough.

Tracey wrote: "i would like to nominate Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution by michelle moran. the book is rich in revolutionary history"

We've already had a book discussion on this book: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5... . Do you want to nominate something else?

how about The Yellow House: A Novel, i just bought it

How about Sacred Hearts by Sarah Dunant? Set in 16th century Italy, looks interesting.

Judith wrote: "I nominate The Song of Troy by Colleen McCullough."

I second that!!!!!!!
Actually I think I'll vote for your nomination, Judith, rather than mine ;)

Judith wrote: "I nominate The Song of Troy by Colleen McCullough."

I second Judith's nomination.

I have long wanted to read the Song of Troy. But as far as I can tell it is not available electronically. I think it is even out of print.

If I am wrong, please let me know.

Victoria_Grossack wrote: "I have long wanted to read the Song of Troy. But as far as I can tell it is not available electronically. I think it is even out of print.

If I am wrong, please let me know."

It's still in print in the UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Song-Troy... (haven't checked, but I'd bet in Australia too). But you are right about it being unavailable as an ebook (at least for Kindle).

I'm wavering about whether to vote for my own nomination now too. So many great books people have put forward!

Victoria_Grossack wrote: "I have long wanted to read the Song of Troy. But as far as I can tell it is not available electronically. I think it is even out of print.

If I am wrong, please let me know."

I was able to get it in paperback secondhand quite recently.

Victoria_Grossack wrote: "I have long wanted to read the Song of Troy. But as far as I can tell it is not available electronically. I think it is even out of print.

If I am wrong, please let me know."

I haven't been able to find any of Colleen McCullough's books in ebook form. :(

I have read Song of Troy, and I really liked it. I think it would make for a very interesting discussion. :)

Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati

Books that are not available electronically - and especially those that are also out of print - are very difficult for those in non English speaking countries. That is one reason the participation wrt Aztec is so poor.

I understand that... That's something that should be taken into consideration when voting.

Hmm, what about Sharon Kay Penman When Christ and His Saints Slept

While it's easy to get most of McCullough's books (well, the Roman series, at least) I found it's extremely difficult to find the Song of Troy :-/

(luckily, I have this book since the good old times of the paperbacks :))

Rachel wrote: "Garth wrote: "Doc by Mary Doria Russell

Description: "Born to the life of a Southern gentleman, Dr. John Henry Holliday arrives on the Texas frontier hoping that the dry air and sunshine of the..."

We'll have to read the book to find out!

Zoe wrote: "While it's easy to get most of McCullough's books (well, the Roman series, at least) I found it's extremely difficult to find the Song of Troy :-/

(luckily, I have this book since the good old tim..."

I have a ton of McCullough books, but not sure if I have Song of Troy. I'll have to check.

Michelle/ wrote: "I read in the instructions no nominations that are not linked or that are linked via cover image, and I'm seeing a bunch of this. No offense, but I'm wondering if anyone bothers to read the instru..."

I was wondering the same thing... looks like it died down, though.