The Maid and the Queen, Nancy Goldstone
The Maid and the Queen, Nancy Goldstone
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The Maid and the Queen
The Secret History of Joan of Arc

Author: Nancy Goldstone

Narrator: Sandra Burr

Unabridged: 11 hr 42 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/29/2012


Synopsis

"Attention, Game of Thrones fans: The most enjoyably sensational aspects of medieval politics—double-crosses, ambushes, bizarre personal obsessions, lunacy and naked self-interest—are in abundant evidence in Nancy Goldstone's The Maid and the Queen." (Laura Miller, Salon.com)Politically astute, ambitious, and beautiful, Yolande of Aragon, queen of Sicily, was one of the most powerful women of the Middle Ages. Caught in the complex dynastic battle of the Hundred Years War, Yolande championed the dauphin's cause against the forces of England and Burgundy, drawing on her savvy, her statecraft, and her intimate network of spies. But the enemy seemed invincible. Just as French hopes dimmed, an astonishingly courageous young woman named Joan of Arc arrived from the farthest recesses of the kingdom, claiming she carried a divine message-a message that would change the course of history and ultimately lead to the coronation of Charles VII and the triumph of France.Now, on the six hundredth anniversary of the birth of Joan of Arc, this fascinating book explores the relationship between these two remarkable women, and deepens our understanding of this dramatic period in history. How did an illiterate peasant girl gain access to the future king of France, earn his trust, and ultimately lead his forces into battle? Was it only the hand of God that moved Joan of Arc-or was it also Yolande of Aragon?

About Nancy Goldstone

Nancy Goldstone's previous books include Four Queens: The Provençal Sisters Who Ruled Europe and The Lady Queen: The Notorious Reign of Joanna I, Queen of Naples, Jerusalem, and Sicily. She has also coauthored five books with her husband, Lawrence Goldstone. She lives in Westport, Connecticut.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Geoff

If you read one book about Joan of Arc, it should not be this one. If you read three, though, this should be the third. First read Tuchman's "A Distant Mirror" to get the best possible picture of the Maid and her times. Then read "Joan of Arc: Her Story" by Pernoud to appreciate the depth of her achi......more

Goodreads review by Nicky

I'm not sure why people are tagging this as historical fiction, because it's being marketed as non-fiction and was certainly in the library and bookshop as non-fiction. Nor is it written as though it were fiction, and it has a wealth of footnotes and a bibliography which suggests a great deal of res......more

Goodreads review by Suanne

For those who love this sort of thing, this is the sort of thing they will love. I love this sort of thing, yet I have a terrible habit of reading biographies of tragic historical figures and thinking I'll get an alternate ending this time. Spoiler alert: this time, after being exploited, abused, in......more

Goodreads review by Carole

Loved reading about Yolanda of Aragon's impact on Joan of Arc's rise to fame. Nancy Goldstone writes readable history, and fills in the players very often overshadowed by Joan's greatness. She recreates the world of the French court, explaining how Joan and her alleged contact with Heaven justified......more