The Hidden Hindu (Book 1)

Exhilarating.... A precise yet imaginative reading of the past.... Readers will love this book finding it wholly absorbing and rewarding. Hilary Mantel Booker Prize winning author ofWolf HallPrize-winning historian Helen Castor delivers a compelling eye-opening examination of women and power in England witnessed through the lives of six women who exercised power against all oddsand one who never got the chance.With the death of Edward VI in 1553 England for the first time would have a reigning queen. The question was: Who?Four women stood upon thecrest of history: Katherine of Aragons daughter Mary; Anne Boleyns daughter Elizabeth; Mary Queen of Scots; and Lady Jane Grey. But over the centuries other exceptional women had struggled to push the boundaries of their authority and influenceand been vilified as she-wolves for their ambitions. Revealed in vivid detail the stories of Eleanor of Aquitaine Isabella of France Margaret of Anjou and the Empress Matilda expose the paradox that Englands next female leaders would confront as the Tudor throne lay before themman ruled woman but these women sought to rule a nation. Full of beautiful imperiled ladies; fearless knights; and remarkable often unbelievable turns of fortune. Cleveland Plain Dealer[Helen Castor is] an accomplished and elegant historian. Miranda SeymourNew York Times Book ReviewGripping.... A superb history. Simon Sebag MontefioreDaily Telegraph LondonFascinating. Kirkus Reviews[The] turns of fortune will fasten royalty readers to Castors lively narrative. BooklistCastors.... tight storytelling makes this unusually fine royal history enjoyable reading. Publishers Weekly starred review