Listmania!
The Best of Historical Fiction and Non-Fiction
The Lost King of France: The Tragic Story of Marie-Antoinette's Favourite SonThe Lost King of France: The Tragic Story of Marie-Antoinette's Favourite Son by Deborah Cadbury
Buy used from: £0.25
Possibly the best piece of historical non-fiction I've ever read. It's haunting, chilling and utterly absorbing.
Gone with the WindGone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Buy new: £6.47 / Used from: £0.01
This is simply my favourite book EVER! 'Gone with the Wind' lives up to the hyperbole. It earns its position as a literary classic.
Nicholas & AlexandraNicholas & Alexandra by Robert K Massie
Buy new: £6.49 / Used from: £1.09
An emotive personal examination of one of Europe's most tragic royal families. Unputdownable!
The Secret Diary Of Anne BoleynThe Secret Diary Of Anne Boleyn by Robin Maxwell
Buy new: £5.46 / Used from: £2.34
A highly empathetic fictitious look at a truly inspirational woman and queen and the perfect antidote to 'The Other Boleyn Girl!'
Marie Antoinette: The JourneyMarie Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Fraser
Buy used from: £2.41
One of Antonia Fraser's best biographies, and it certainly clears away some of the more unfortunate rumours about Marie-Antoinette.
Coldheart CanyonColdheart Canyon by Clive Barker
Buy new: £5.59 / Used from: £0.01
An eerie ghost-story that looks at the greed and danger that lies at the heart not only of Modern Hollywood but also the corruption of the silent movie era. History with a heavy mythical bent.
Divorced, Beheaded, Survived: Feminist Reinterpretation of the Wives of Henry VIIIDivorced, Beheaded, Survived: Feminist Reinterpretation of the Wives of Henry VIII by Karen Lindsey
Buy new: £7.99 / Used from: £4.36
A fascinating take on the oft-told story of Henry's six queens.
River GodRiver God by Wilbur Smith
Buy used from: £0.01
A gory and exciting look at the fall of the Egyptian Middle Kingdom. Action-adventure meets historical literature.
The Fall of the French Monarchy: Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and the Baron De BreteuilThe Fall of the French Monarchy: Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and the Baron De Breteuil by Munro Price
Buy used from: £11.00
Award-winning, it cetainly gets under the skin of the French royal family and the monarchy's collapse in 1792.
The Memoirs of CleopatraThe Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George
Buy new: £6.48 / Used from: £0.01
A supremely readable and epic tale of the famous Cleopatra's life told in the first person.
The Most Beautiful Woman in the World: The Obsessions, Passions and Courage of Elizabeth TaylorThe Most Beautiful Woman in the World: The Obsessions, Passions and Courage of Elizabeth Taylor by Ellis Amburn
Buy used from: £2.36
A light but enjoyable look at the life of the screen goddess.
A Night to Remember - TitanicA Night to Remember - Titanic by Walter Lord
Buy used from: £0.01
A classic of historical faction, even after half a century it's still the defining book for many on the 'Titanic' disaster.
The Romanovs 1818-1959The Romanovs 1818-1959 by John Van Der Kiste
Buy new: £6.22 / Used from: £3.05
Looking at the entire Romanov family from the life of Alexander II until long after the revolution, this book is a must for all royal history fans.
Royal Merry-go-round: The Story of Louis XVRoyal Merry-go-round: The Story of Louis XV by Frank W. Kenyon
Even years after I first read it, this story (despite being slightly to sympathetic to its leading character) is a fantastic read. The women in Louis's life come out particularly well!
Wilful Murder: The Sinking of the "Lusitania"Wilful Murder: The Sinking of the "Lusitania" by Diana Preston
Buy new: £5.99 / Used from: £0.01
A fantastic and emotional look at the 'Lusitania' and her role in modern history.
The Autobiography of Henry VIIIThe Autobiography of Henry VIII by Margaret George
Buy new: £6.47 / Used from: £0.01
Another of Ms George's historical epics, told through the eyes of a royal monster.
Anne Of The Thousand Days [VHS] [1969]Anne Of The Thousand Days [VHS] [1969]
Buy used from: £3.45
Now, into films. This is one of the finest historical movies of all time. Genevieve Bujold and Richard Burton turn in stellar performances!
A Night To Remember / The Making Of A Night To Remember [DVD] [1958]A Night To Remember / The Making Of A Night To Remember [DVD] [1958]
Buy new: £8.98 / Used from: £3.35
Another historical classic, which like the book it's based on, has stood the test of time.
Elizabeth R - Part 3 [VHS] [1971]Elizabeth R - Part 3 [VHS] [1971]
Buy used from: £0.04
The acting in this, particularly from Glenda Jackson, compliments the splendid historical research and makes this series unmissable!
The Six Wives Of Henry VIII - Anne Of Cleves [VHS] [1970]The Six Wives Of Henry VIII - Anne Of Cleves [VHS] [1970]
Buy used from: £2.20
Another BBC drama, probably the finest in the series, that looks at the life of one of England's less well-known queens.
The Lost Prince [VHS] [2003]The Lost Prince [VHS] [2003]
Buy used from: £3.50
Beautifully made, directed and presented. 'The Lost Prince' is a fabulous and objective look into the golden age of European royalty told through the eyes of a sick and ailing child.
Cleopatra (3 Disc Special Edition) [1963] [DVD]Cleopatra (3 Disc Special Edition) [1963] [DVD]
Buy used from: £4.90
Lavish and stunning 1969 film that treats the famed Egyptian monarch with the respect she undoubtedly deserves. Brilliant performances from Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Rex Harrison.
Henry VIII [DVD] [2003]Henry VIII [DVD] [2003]
Buy used from: £3.80
Recently shown on ITV, this drama is racy, sexy and the performances of Ray Winstone, Helena Bonham-Carter, David Suchet, Emilia Fox and Emily Blunt are all fantastic!
Gone With The Wind [1940] [DVD]Gone With The Wind [1940] [DVD]
Buy used from: £9.99
Like the book, the movie is a MUST.
Jezebel [VHS] [1938]Jezebel [VHS] [1938]
Buy used from: £4.99
A fantastic look at a story of ambition, deceit and redemption in the "Ole South."