Product Description

Emma was one of England's most remarkable queens: a formidable woman who made her mark on a Europe beset by Vikings. By birth a Norman, she married and outlived two kings of England and witnessed the coronations of two of her sons: Harthcnut the Viking and Edward the Confessor. She became an unscrupulous political player and was diversely regarded as a generous Christian patron, the admired co-regent of the nation, and a ruthlessly Machiavellian mother. She was, above all, a survivor: her life was punctuated by dramatic falls, all of which she overcame. Her story is one of power, politics, love, greed and scandal in an England caught between the Dark Ages and the Norman invasion of 1066.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #42404 in Books
• Published on: 2006-06-19
• Released on: 2006-06-19
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

Review
'Harriet O'Brien recreates this intriguing and complex world with skill and imagination' David Horspool, Daily Telegraph 'O'Brien's story is a dramatic one, and her Queen Emma a commanding, shrewd and manipulative figure ... genuinely powerful' Guardian 'The story of a determined, manipulative and forceful woman ... the account of her life reveals England as a rich nation with strong Christian tradition' History Today 'This is a lean and muscular narrative, often elegantly so ... She gives a potent reminder of how pivotal a role women could play even in such an ostensibly macho society - and of how contingent an entity England really is' Helen Castor, Guardian

Guardian
‘O’Brien’s story is a dramatic one, and her Queen Emma a commanding, shrewd and manipulative figure … genuinely powerful’

About the Author
Harriet O'Brien is a writer and editor working in London for a range of newspapers and magazines including The Independent and Conde Nast Traveller. Her first book, Forgotton Land - a Rediscovery of Burma won the Yorkshire Post Best First Work Award in 1991.

Customer Reviews

A superb book on pre-conquest England.
Naturally, it's very hard to gain much in-depth knowledge on women in history from this era, but thanks to Queen Emma having commissioned a book in her lifetime a lot more light has been shed on the woman.

The author has produced an absolutely fascinating book, with obvious passion on the subject and extensive research of documents and chronicles. When only a couple of chapters into the book the reader feels immediately sucked into the 11th Century.

The writing style is excellent. Each chapter starts off with the author setting the scene/event as if you are seeing it through the eyes of a witness at the time. Then the majority of the chapter following these introductions examines all the available evidence theories and political machinations, while all the while placing things in context to Emma.

This isn't normally a period of history I read about, but the background information on Emma alone inspires the reader to delve deeper. Queen to King Aethelred II(Unready), Queen to King Cnut, mother to King Harthacnut, mother to King Edward the Confessor, and Great Aunt to William the Conqueror. That's an amazing profile and she was indeed an amazing woman of her time.
History fans of all eras will find this book of great interest, and as the book is written in a very accessible style it can be enjoyed by all levels of history fan.

Fascinating glimpse at a turbulent half century
Although for much of the book, Emma does not feature in the foreground due to the paucity of records, this provides a fascinating account of national and international politics in the first half of the 11th century; more of a "The Times of Queen Emma" approach, than a biography as such. It is amazing to think that twice in half a century England was conqered and much of its ruling class replaced by foreigners, first Danes, then Normans and Emma was near the heart of both these centres of power.

Interesting and Informative
I concur absolutely with the previous review. An excellent book, informative and beautifully written. Essential reading for any interested in the period, the author clears the murk that so often fogs the 10th / 11th centuries. My Granddaughters were fascinated to learn the origin of 'London Bridge is falling down, my Fair Lady'. Very highly recommend - you will not be disappointed!