Susan Watkins (2)

For a non-fiction book, this one was as engaging as a novel and just as easy to read. Watkins takes us through an in-depth look at the styles of the Georgian era in English history, describing what life would have been like for Jane Austen. She has broken this investigation into 5 chapters: Grace and Manners; The Country House; Interior Styles; Fashion; and Entertainment and with the exception of the interior chapter, I was quite smitten.

She also cleverly weaves excerpts form the Austen show more novels, along with snippets from the many letters Jane Austen wrote or those that were written to her by family, and this interaction between fact and fiction illustrates the many styles of the day and is beautifully done.

I never knew much about the Georgian era before but it was a time of great changes, both in lifestyle and in the people themselves, and I have learnt so much more than what you can gleam from the stories. I read this book across two days which should be a testament in itself as to its readability, and would recommend it as a great companion piece for the Austen novels. show less

This is the same book as Jane Austen Town and Country Style. It is one of the best introductions to the Regency era that I have encountered.

Beautiful photos and history of Queen Elizabeth through her life. Most impressive section was on the Elizabethan architecture that was developed during her reign and the fantastic castles built in her honor. The portraits of Elizabeth are also the closest approximations that I have yet seen.

A well documented work with many color photographs is liberally strewn with quotations from the time period telling the tragic story of Mary, the half sister of Queen Elizabeth I, who was put to death over false charges to remove a challenge to Elizabeth for the throne of England.