Current Reading - February 2026

New calendar month! Share your reads.

Henry VIII's Controversial Aunt, Honor Lisle by Amy Licence
First full length biography about Lady Honor Lisle who was married to Arthur Plantagenet, uncle of Henry VIII. The couple resided in Calais while Arthur was the governor at his uncle's appointment.

Finished Convoys: The British Struggle Against Napoleonic Europe and America by Roger Knight

Finished The Last Dynasty, which struck me as a solid history of the Ptolemaic regime.

Wrapped up Caesars Palace Grand Prix; the author did his footwork but he wouldn't know narrative flow if it came up and kicked him in the jaw.

Finished Empire of the Sum: The Rise and Reign of the Pocket Calculator by Keith Houston

Finished: Prince Rupert of the Rhine: King Charles I's Cavalier Commander by Mark Turnbull
New biography about Charles I's famous nephew who fought during English Civil War.

Finished a disappointing Wars of the Mexican Gulf: The Breakaway Republics of Texas and Yucatan, US Mexican War, and Limits of Empire 1835-1850 by Benjamin J Swenson

Currently reading through The Inheritance of Rome by Chris Wickham. It focuses on the Early Middle Ages (or "Dark Ages") largely through the legacy of the Roman Empire, although the book does examine the time period outside of this influence. My main complaint is the writing in several places can be a little awkward; however, I do think that the book is still very informative.
I'm also reading through John Adams Under Fire by Dan Abrams and David Fisher. It examines John Adams as he defends the British soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre. So far, I'm finding it very informative.

>7 jztemple: As I've noted before, I always maintain a little skepticism about the products of Pen & Sword; while they've done good work, they're just as likely as to bring forth a pot-boiler.

If you are interested in Colorado narrow gauge railroads, read Little Engines and Big Men. It's a wonderful read and hearing about this type of railroading from someone who worked the areas in Colorado is a great treat in my humble opinion! Just finished it up last night after a suggestion from another member of the Librarything Railroad (The LTR) group. Didn't know I even had the book!

The Scapegoat: The Brilliant Brief Life of the Duke of Buckingham by Lucy Hughes-Hallett
Biography of George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, who was a favorite of James I.
In fiction, he appears in The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas who's in love with Queen Anne of Austria. Buckingham has got some attention through the TV historical drama series "Mary & George."

Started: Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Hearts by Nadine Akkerman

I read a library copy of this book when it came out and decided to get it for my collection.

Finished an excellent The Gunpowder Age: China, Military Innovation, and the Rise of the West in World History by Tonio Andrade