Doomed Queens: Royal Women Who Met Bad Ends, From Cleopatra to Princess Di

Doomed Queens: Royal Women Who Met Bad Ends, From Cleopatra to Princess Di [Kris Waldherr] on leondumoulin.nl *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers.
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They always had to be on their toes and all too often even devious plotting, miraculous pregnancies, and selling out their sisters was not enough to keep them from forcible consignment to religious orders. Over the course of fifty irresistibly illustrated and too-brief lives, Doomed Queens charts centuries of regal backstabbing and intrigue.

Royal Women Who Met Bad Ends, From Cleopatra to Princess Di

We meet well-known figures like Catherine of Aragon, whose happy marriage to Henry VIII ended prematurely when it became clear that she was a starter wife—the first of six. And we meet forgotten queens like Amalasuntha, the notoriously literate Ostrogoth princess who overreached politically and was strangled in her bath. While their ends were bleak, these queens did not die without purpose. Kris Waldherr is an author, illustrator, and designer whose art has been exhibited in the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

It makes a girl glad she was born a commoner. Inspired by Your Browsing History. Looking for More Great Reads? Download our Spring Fiction Sampler Now. LitFlash The eBooks you want at the lowest prices. What did they have in common? For a while they were crowned in gold, cosseted in silk, and flattered by courtiers.

But in the end, they spent long nights in dark prison towers and were marched to the scaffold where they surrendered their heads to th Illicit love, madness, betrayal—it isn't always good to be the queen. But in the end, they spent long nights in dark prison towers and were marched to the scaffold where they surrendered their heads to the executioner.

And they are hardly alone in their undignified demises. Throughout history, royal women have had a distressing way of meeting bad ends—dying of starvation, being burned at the stake, or expiring in childbirth while trying desperately to produce an heir. They always had to be on their toes and all too often even devious plotting, miraculous pregnancies, and selling out their sisters was not enough to keep them from forcible consignment to religious orders.

From Cleopatra suicide by asp , to Princess Caroline suspiciously poisoned on her coronation day , there's a gory downside to being blue-blooded when you lack a Y chromosome. Kris Waldherr's elegant little book is a chronicle of the trials and tribulations of queens across the ages, a quirky, funny, utterly macabre tribute to the dark side of female empowerment.

Over the course of fifty irresistibly illustrated and too-brief lives, Doomed Queens charts centuries of regal backstabbing and intrigue.

We meet well-known figures like Catherine of Aragon, whose happy marriage to Henry VIII ended prematurely when it became clear that she was a starter wife—the first of six. And we meet forgotten queens like Amalasuntha, the notoriously literate Ostrogoth princess who overreached politically and was strangled in her bath. While their ends were bleak, these queens did not die without purpose. Their unfortunate lives are colorful cautionary tales for today's would-be power brokers—a legacy of worldly and womanly wisdom gathered one spectacular regal ruin at a time. Paperback , pages. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.


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Doomed Queens: Royal Women Who Met Bad Ends, From Cleopatra to Princess Di

Lists with This Book. A quirky yet educational list of Doomed Queens that is organized by time period. I learned a lot and was entertained- everything that I look for in a non-fiction book. Therefore any woman blocking the way to power was a threat to be eliminated. Common ways to bump off an inconvenient consort included beheading, burning, drowning, poison, stabbing, strangling, starving, and forcing suicide A quirky yet educational list of Doomed Queens that is organized by time period. Common ways to bump off an inconvenient consort included beheading, burning, drowning, poison, stabbing, strangling, starving, and forcing suicide.

One would think that a queen's power would afford her a measure of protection, but it didn't. Here's one of the facts I learned: But in death, Arsinoe was buried with the queenly honors that had been denied her in life. Her remains were interred in a tomb in the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

I also learned the Roman viewpoint of the fury of Boudicca, queen of the Iceni: Here's a historical fiction about Boudicca if you're interested: The Eagle and the Raven.

The actions of Princess Diana broke the Queen's heart

Doomed Queens includes plenty of puns and amusing witticisms. Take this passage from the chapter about Brunhilde: Or in Sibyl of Jerusalem's entry: Recommended for readers interested in royal stories and unfortunate yet powerful females. Reluctant readers may enjoy Doomed Queens because of the short chapters and light-hearted delivery of some seriously sad history. View all 16 comments. Aug 01, Melki rated it really liked it Shelves: Despite the perks of royalty, it's usually not good to be the queen. And here are fifty examples of ladies who found that out the hard way!

First of all, this is a beautiful book. From the reapers decorating the endpapers to the sepia-toned print to the illustrations, many by the author, it's lovely to behold. And the flaps feature paper dolls - with removable heads! Well, I guess technically, ALL paper dolls have removable heads Man, I think I might have wasted my childhood! Throughout hist Despite the perks of royalty, it's usually not good to be the queen.

Throughout history, little has been valued as much as a male heir. And that's where the female steps up to the plate Or, as we learn in this book, the sacrificial altar. To avoid war, the powers that be send their daughters to sleep with their enemies and bear their children Like chess queens, women are moved about the game board but are sacrificed first to protect the king especially if their wombs prove infertile or they become too power hungry. The author employs an extremely tongue-in-cheek style in relating her tales of womanly woes. Her observations are droll and delightfully irreverent, occasionally bordering on the snarky.

I loved it, but I imagine some readers might find it disrespectful. Anyone who refers to Rasputin as the Elmer Gantry on steroids of tsarist Russia and Prince Charles as scouring the social registry for a future queen whose knickers were clean of intrigue deserves an invitation to tea in my book. Due to the nature of the topic, the book does tend to get a little repetitive, not to mention depressing, and is probably best taken one small chunk at a time. Still though, it was a riveting read and a great way to meet some gals who were guilty of little more than marrying the wrong man at the wrong time.

Dec 13, Wellington rated it liked it. This fun little book detailing the lives - and more importantly deaths - of fifty queens. While the book does talk about Anne Boleyn and Maria Antoinette, you could also see some names almost swept away by history like Cleopatra's sister. Written with a wry sense of humor with multiple choice tests to quiz what the reader remembers and the odd anecdote here and there, this book can enchant the history buff.

Dec 28, Chantal E. While I learned about some women I had never heard of before, I noticed some glaring inaccuracies in the chapters about some of the ones I had, most notably Queen Joan of Naples. The book was also a little too gimmicky and I'm not sure what age group it was intended for? I did like the author's drawings and the quotes she used from the Doomed Queens themselves.


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Some chapters were definitely better than others. The chapters on Cleopatra's sisters Berenice and Arsinoe being two of the better ones. Plus it is rather pretty and it is a book I am going to keep for the quotes and to remind me to look up more about the women I had never heard of before or just knew in name. Nov 11, GoldGato rated it really liked it Recommends it for: Readers obsessed with royals.

When you play at being a peasant, you risk being killed by one. This was a fun book! Along with the usual biographies and methods-of-death for these once supreme leading ladies, the reader can also cut out Doomed Queens paper dolls, answer quizzes, download backgrounds for the dolls, and discover what type of Doomed Queen you might be. This is as interactive as a p-book can get. While we might know of Marie Antoinette, Anne Boleyn, and Mary Queen of Scots, there were so many others who don't immediately come to mind when one says, "Doomed!

Justice served late doesn't remedy death served early. For instance, Gertrude of Meran was murdered by jealous Hungarian nobles who blamed her for the King's transfer of lands to the people. Her husband didn't want to upset those evil aristocrats, so he simply re-married. But decades later, when her son came to power, well watch out you bad, bad killers.

Little Bela patiently tracked them down, one by one. A little late for Gertrude, but justice was truly served. Look before you leap onto the throne. Then there was Oghul Ghaimish. This woman was the wife of the leader of the Mongol Empire, so she thought she was tough doody. When he died of too much drink, Oghul had to fight off the claims of yet another grandson of the Great Genghis Being a woman, she was accused of being a witch and forced to commit suicide. Kris Waldherr has designed a book full of fact and whimsy in the illustrations.

I certainly went to her website to see her Doomed Queens playing cards and other items perfect for a holiday stocking or two.


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Sep 25, Amanda [Novel Addiction] rated it really liked it Shelves: I don't even know how I found this. Probably browsing through the Goodreads recommendation section. But this was a great read. If you want an in depth historical account of each queen - look elsewhere, this has just enough information to get the point across and give the reader a good idea of what happened. And for all those little girls who dreamed of being a princess? This is what could happen! Jan 01, Mel rated it really liked it Shelves: This book goes over 50 doomed queens throughout history, giving a brief overview and summary of their lives and what brought their demise.

From this book I now have a better idea of who I want to read more about throughout the rest of the year, and look forward to learning more about some of these women in history! Dec 07, Lauren rated it really liked it Recommends it for: Recommended to Lauren by: The holidays are approaching, soon the weather will cool down, and there will be nothing you want to do more than lay around in your best gown, your necks and fingers dripping with opulence as you sip exotic hot teas and cocoas.

Doomed Queens by Kris Waldherr

When you find this time for yourself this month you need to have a copy in-hand of Doomed Queens: It is the type of book that, as you approach those last pages you think, "oh my! How can I possibly make these last six pages last longer! How can it be over so soon! Author Kris Waldherr has presented us with 50 fabulous Queens, who may have found themselves asking -"oh my! How can I possibly make these days last longer!

For a moment you will dip into the life of a Queen. You do not stay for long, but long enough to know her. Each Queen you visit is fascinating in her own way and her story is capped off with a humorous 'Cautionary Moral' to help us make better informed decisions in our own fabulous lives. On top of that Waldherr has illustrated the book, and the imagery and "Graphics Key" are excellent. Idea for using as classy bookmarks! I typically know what I'm getting into with books like this, because intrigue, drama, and sex sell. But when it is about people I really know a lot about, I have very little patience and give very little leeway for incorrect facts.

I should have passed on this book as soon as I read this in the introduction: However, when all things were equal, I allowed t I typically know what I'm getting into with books like this, because intrigue, drama, and sex sell. However, when all things were equal, I allowed the scales to tip toward the more colorful version. Especially if you want your work to be taken seriously as non-fiction. This book was nothing more than a sensationalistic, glib, flippant and unfunny stab at some of the most fascinating women in history.

They were not well-served in this volume and I hope anyone reading it takes most of this with nothing more than a grain of salt and does their own research to find out the actual facts about the lives of the women who interest them. Jun 28, Heather Domin rated it it was amazing. Short, snarky, punchy, irreverent, all those others adjectives - I'm sure plenty of people trash it for that, the ones who can't bear to have history taken from its sacred pedestal and made relatable and humorous and relevant to gasp! I disagreed with a few bits of trivia like Mary Boleyn's kids being Henry's bastards , but the writer clearly states in the intro AND the notes that, when faced with conflicting evidence, she went for the more salacious versi I loved this.

I disagreed with a few bits of trivia like Mary Boleyn's kids being Henry's bastards , but the writer clearly states in the intro AND the notes that, when faced with conflicting evidence, she went for the more salacious version. It's not meant to be meaty analysis - it's an appetizer tray of funky little tidbits. I wish I could write blog posts this entertaining.

I had this marked for the wrong book: Doomed Queen Anne instead of Doomed Queens, so this review is just a correction. Not as good as I was led to believe or expected, this book covers the deaths and events leading to the deaths of queens and other female royalty over the centuries. Each queen is given only a page or two, so the history is very superficial.

In addition, the flippancy which is meant to be humorous just doesn't work. A bit of interesting trivia, but I don't recommend it. Mar 12, Mariana rated it really liked it Shelves: What a lovely, entertaining book! But really, it's a fun book about a sad subject. I was interested in many of these women beforehand but after it, I discovered many more I wish to read about so kudos, Kris Waldherr! Also, I especially loved the illustriations and mini quizzes at the end of the chapters and the one at the end. Blue blood or no, you are more regal than most. Use your powers for good.

Doomed Queens

Nov 19, Jamie rated it liked it Shelves: Fun, quick read about 50 queens and princesses- each person taking up usually the most of 2 pages. Not sure the age range for this one- since the quizzes at the end were really silly. Also, at times the wry sense of humor I felt was a little much and rolled my eyes quite a bit. Wish this had a little bit more information rather than the constant sarcastic jabs.

Beautiful book though- the flaps has cut out dolls and there are skulls, reapers, and incredible artwork throughout. Jul 31, Amanda rated it it was ok. This is a great idea, but it would have actually been a reliable book if a majority of it wasn't based on "popular" history generalizations and vague ideas that stem from historical propaganda instead of historical fact and actually based off some truth. I suppose the drama with these quasi-historical skits are good to help someone learn some history in an entertaining way though. Perfunctory, flippant and boring.

With such great subject material, how could this have happened? I want my time back. This is my kind of history book! Kris Waldherr also has a sassy writing style which I love. Similar to Michael Farquhar, who I also adore. Jan 02, Nancy rated it did not like it Shelves: Finished this only because I had paid for it. I thought it would be a trashy good read, but it was only trashy. Superficial and unfunny, labored prose, and quizzes, for gack's sake!

Jun 22, Ananya Ghosh rated it it was amazing Recommended to Ananya by: Kris Waldherr's book, where history meets humor, profiles around 50 royals who didn't quite meet a hunky dory end. The book follows them over a period when incest, killing your spouse, matricide and filicide seem to be in vogue: While being doomed, either by fate or by their own deeds, was the common denominator, some of these women grabbed my attention more than the rest. Accordingly, I took notes: Crazy queen part 1. Mother of Alexander the Grea Kris Waldherr's book, where history meets humor, profiles around 50 royals who didn't quite meet a hunky dory end.

Mother of Alexander the Great. This crazy woman was crazy about snakes. Not just that, she was extremely cunning and violent and a fan of god Dionysus and his eccentric rituals. Olympias wasn't any Bella Swan to cry over her breakup.