2011 NF Release: The Maid and the Queen: The Secret History of Joan of Arc by Nancy Goldstone

I know this one is way off, but I am so excited for it!! I really enjoyed her book Four Queens: The Provencal Sisters Who Ruled Europe and I have The Lady Queen sitting on my shelf.

There is no US release date or cover yet, but I will bring it to you when it's revealed and remember Book Depository has FREE SHIPPING to the US.

Miniature of Joan of Arc, circa 1450-1500
by Nancy Goldstone

UK Release Date:  December 31, 2011

SYNOPSIS:  How did an illiterate 17-year-old peasant girl manage to become one of histories most salient females? It is almost 600 years ago that Joan of Arc's breathtaking story culminated in the restoration of France's hereditary monarchy and saved her kingdom from English domination. At the age of thirteen, Joan heard the voices of angels that would change her life forever: she was to become the saviour of France and fight against the English. Astonishingly, Joan's holy guidance led her on an arduous eleven-day journey into the unknown. Only when Joan had restored the Dauphin back to his original birthright in an official coronation would he be able to resume his rule as France's legitimate king. Joan summoned and led an impressive army of French loyalists against the English, marking the siege at Orleans as an exhilarating English defeat that would liberate the city. The following year witnessed Joan's capture by the enemy. After a series of heroic endeavours to escape cruel adversaries, Joan was subjected to trial by inquisition. It is in Rouen, the heart of France, that Joan's courageous journey came to a heartbreaking conclusion. This is the story at the core of centuries of myth-making. But what if we no longer accept this tale? What if we question whether the Heavens and their angels were truly Joan's only source of strength and power? What if we demand a different narrative? This revisionist biography unearths the secular and verifiable basis for Joan's heroic exploits: Yolande of Aragon, a forgotten mentor. This is a story of not one life, but two; two lives that together were intertwined in the restoration of France's greatness. 

Thoughts?

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9 comments:

  1. Looks like a good one! I hate to admit that I am so lacking in my knowledge of Joan, so this book will be added to the Wishlist. I enjoyed Four Queens, so I'm sure Goldstone will deliver.

    Thanks for the peek! :-)

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  2. I adore Joan of Arc! If you have seen my slide show on my blog of some of my most favorite historical figures, Joan is on there. I bought a biography of Joan several years ago and I read it for a book review I had to do for my Renaissance/Reformation history class. Unfortunately, I was not that impressed with that book. It was called Joan of Arc: Maid, Myth & History by Timothy Wilson Smith. Now this book sounds like an interesting concept. I'm not an overtly religious person. I believe in God and I have faith, but I'm not sure if I've always believed the spiritual premise of Joan's actions. This book sounds as though it will open up some new doors to the truth of Joan of Arc. Thanks for sharing Amy!

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  3. There is always more behind the stories that take on legendary scale. One can accept the Joan Of Arc story of legend while accepting the the historical facts behind it. It may change you perception a bit, but it doesn't change the fact that she existed and did something that changed history. To me the factual details will make the story more interesting.

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  4. Me too. My knowledge of Joan is very, very sketchy! Thanks for the post.

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  5. I have the coolest old poster of Joan of Arc played by Sarah Bernhardt. I'll definitely want to read this one.

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  6. Joan of Arc is someone I have always wanted to know more about...this one sounds like a winner...

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  7. I just finished a nonfiction book about Joan. The author tried to debunk everything there too. While she did a decent job with some of it, she left out a lot of Joan's life...or little tidbits, which I thought was interesting.

    I'll read it and add it to the JOA pile of books I've read. Not sure what else this author can add or take away from Joan's life.

    Either way you slice it I'm a JOA fan. I'm even debating on which image to use for my JOA tattoo!

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  8. @ YA Librarian...which non-fiction book did you read??

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