Pigs In Space
Hope Diamond: The Cultural History of a Legendary and Cursed Gem - Richard Kurin
Yes, it is, essentially, a biography of a diamond. 300 pages of diamond information and history. Yet, it's a pretty damn cool diamond. Shifting through 3 phases of its existence, the Hope diamond has morphed from stunning gemstone to cursed finery - the book explores the gem through the people who have owned it and the history and political aspects of the times in which they lived. The story of the diamond starts in the time of Marco Polo, where Tavernier purchases it from Indian diamond mines, traces through the French Revolution, through Cartier and the beginning of the "cursed" history, ending in a display case in the Smithsonian. Not a quick read, but an interesting read. I know more about diamonds than I could ever care to again. Also, I want more jewelery.
The Princes in the Tower - Alison Weir
Now is the winter of our discontentmade glorious summer by this son of YorkYeah, before he was Richard III, he was the big poopyheaded uncle of Edward V strugging with jealousy over not receiving the throne from his brother, Edward IV, despite his years of good service. Not satisfied with the idea of merely helping Edward V until he came of age, Richard III (then a duke) pranced around like a lolly, screaming "Treason!" left and right, sacking people and removing their heads. Edward V and his younger brother were forced into the Tower of London, where they disappeared. Rumors about their fate became the subject of much controversy - Did Richard III murder his nephews? Weir explores the fate of the young princes in the tower like a detective, outlining the history while inferring the motivations and the fates that lead to their disappearance.
An Unsuitable Job for a Woman - PD James
PD James writes some of the best, classical detective stories you'll find. An Unsuitable Job for a Woman introduces Cordelia Gray, a young female detective who takes over the detective firm when her partner commits suicide. Assigned to find out why the son of a famous scientist killed himself (suicide appears to be a theme here :P ), Gray is taken on a whirlwind tour of Cambridge, fending off the advances of both males and murderers.
Yes, it is, essentially, a biography of a diamond. 300 pages of diamond information and history. Yet, it's a pretty damn cool diamond. Shifting through 3 phases of its existence, the Hope diamond has morphed from stunning gemstone to cursed finery - the book explores the gem through the people who have owned it and the history and political aspects of the times in which they lived. The story of the diamond starts in the time of Marco Polo, where Tavernier purchases it from Indian diamond mines, traces through the French Revolution, through Cartier and the beginning of the "cursed" history, ending in a display case in the Smithsonian. Not a quick read, but an interesting read. I know more about diamonds than I could ever care to again. Also, I want more jewelery.
The Princes in the Tower - Alison Weir
Now is the winter of our discontentmade glorious summer by this son of YorkYeah, before he was Richard III, he was the big poopyheaded uncle of Edward V strugging with jealousy over not receiving the throne from his brother, Edward IV, despite his years of good service. Not satisfied with the idea of merely helping Edward V until he came of age, Richard III (then a duke) pranced around like a lolly, screaming "Treason!" left and right, sacking people and removing their heads. Edward V and his younger brother were forced into the Tower of London, where they disappeared. Rumors about their fate became the subject of much controversy - Did Richard III murder his nephews? Weir explores the fate of the young princes in the tower like a detective, outlining the history while inferring the motivations and the fates that lead to their disappearance.
An Unsuitable Job for a Woman - PD James
PD James writes some of the best, classical detective stories you'll find. An Unsuitable Job for a Woman introduces Cordelia Gray, a young female detective who takes over the detective firm when her partner commits suicide. Assigned to find out why the son of a famous scientist killed himself (suicide appears to be a theme here :P ), Gray is taken on a whirlwind tour of Cambridge, fending off the advances of both males and murderers.