Royal Survivor: The Life of Charles II

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The biographer of several prominent English literary figures (including Byron and Keats) turns his attention to a wily politician in this lively portrait of Charles II (1630-85). When he assumed the throne in 1660, Charles had already survived his father's 1649 execution during the English civil war and years of uneasy exile. His restoration had more to do with England's yearning for peace than any desire to reestablish the monarchy's ancient rights, in which Charles fervently believed, and Coote shows the king wielding personal authority and considerable guile to assert prerogatives that his parliament was determined to restrict. Baptized a Catholic on his deathbed, Charles never publicly declared his faith, knowing it would be unacceptable in Protestant England, nor did he let it interfere with his lighthearted affairs. Nonetheless, he was fond of his queen and refused to discard her when she failed to produce an heir. His political maneuvers ensured the peaceful succession of his brother James, who managed in a scant four years to provoke England's bloodless "Glorious Revolution" and the lasting abrogation of royal powers Charles had astutely maintained in trying times. Writing with vigor and color that suit his pleasure-loving subject, Coote limns a man of contradictions in an engaging work of popular biography. --Wendy Smith

Book Description

Royal Survivor is an important new biography of Charles II, one of Britain's most glamorous kings. In a sweeping narrative that takes the reader from palaces and battlefields through exile, bitterness, and triumph, Stephen Coote strips away the sentiment that has clouded Charles's merry monarch image revealing him to have been an altogether more brave and dangerous mana gambler, a fixer, a survivor. Depicting the twists and turns of Restoration public life, the horror of the Plague, the tragedy of the Fire of London and the allure of Charles's many mistresses (including the lustful Lady Castlemaine and the gloriously streetwise Nell Gwynn), Royal Survivor profiles an extraordinarily shrewd man who outlasted his enemies to save the monarchy, even as forces were forming that would make England a democracy.

Customer Reviews:

Very good biography.......2006-07-01

I found Stephen Coote's biography on King Charles II to be quite good. The book proves to be well written and well researched. The author managed to bring out the character and personality of this king in his biography that proves to be both informative and entertaining. I believed that the key element of this biography is the high readability of the book to almost anyone interested in the subject matter. Its a book written for the general masses, not for scholars or footnotes fanatics.

If there's a general weakness in the author's approach, it seem like the author appears to excused Charles' many extra-sexual activities. Coote regards Charles' high sexual activities as result of his dire poverty-stricken existence during his long exile. He seem to have more mistresses then most other Kings of England put together. King Charles II that come from this book appears to be a man, highly intelligent, got the "common touch" and acute in politics but he's also lazy, rash and live for the moment type of individual. He have endured what most Kings of England never had to endured and that created some interesting contradictions in his character which the book goes into very nicely.

This biography come highly recommended to anyone interested in this time period.

The adventure King.......2003-09-26

An amazing story of a prince gone into exile after his father's execution by parliament and his wanderings through Europe. Then his restoration to his father's throne as Charles II. He had an amazing sexual appetite, which led to all the illegitimate children, including the doomed, Duke of Monmouth. Charles II seemed to enjoy life, dodged parliament to the end and ultimately died a Catholic, and paved the way to his son, Monmouth's demise; his brother, James II's abdication; and his nephew, William III of Orange ascension to the throne. Great book. The house of Stuart could never be called boring.

Excellent Story of an Perplexing King.......2002-01-08

Stephen Coote's biography on Charles II is an enjoyable story of a man who the author has titled `Royal Survivor'. This book, which is just under 400 pages (hardback format), takes the reader on a trip with Charles II, through his trials and tribulations, his victories and his defeats. We follow Charles II from boyhood, the death of his father and his attempt to re-claim the throne which met its end at the Battle of Worcester. Then the author takes us along with Charles II as he makes an exciting escape from England back into exile and then his triumphant return to the Throne of England.

We then settle into an account of Charles II as the King of England, his conflicts with Parliament and the tales of his many mistresses. We follow the story through the period of the Restoration and other great events that occurred during his reign. After finishing this book I really believed that I had gained a better understanding of the subject and the times. In fact I came away from feeling that the King wasn't all that bad and maybe he did try to do his best for England (within a certain framework).

Not only did the book offer an account of Charles II and his private life but we are also provided with accounts of his struggle with the Dutch provinces, France and its King, along with the plague and the Great Fire of London. I would not consider the book to be an in-depth biography but more of a narrative history offering the reader a general overview of the subject. That said, I still found the story interesting and learnt quite a few things along the way.

I believe that anyone who enjoys good history without too many dates and names will be quite taken with this account of Charles II. The book provides the reader with a free flowing narrative, holding your interest throughout the whole story. The book is well presented and has a number of black and white photographs of the period. Overall this is an excellent story and well worth the time to read.

Excellent biography.......2001-07-11

Stephen Coote's biography of Charles II, _Royal Survivor_, is a superb story in every respect. It suffers a lack of the kings' portraits, but I suspect this is no fault of Mr. Coote who excels beautifully in bringing a wealth of information to his readers. The biographer's evenhanded approach nicely integrates Charles' personal life with late 17th century politics, economics, science, medicine, social studies and religion. Mr. Coote spends a number of pages discussing Catholic-Anglican antagonism, showing again that moderns have gained little insight from our ancestors' mistakes.

The book has very few weaknesses. A royal genealogy diagram would be helpful, but many are available. A few parallels with modern history are neatly if briefly presented. Little is written about those close to Charles who survived his death in 1685, his queen, mistresses and children. And I was curious if those who helped save Charles' life during his flight in 1651 were suitably rewarded once he became king!

I very much enjoyed Mr. Coote's style and presentation. He reads well and easily, and I often had trouble setting his book down, wondering what would happen. The author is particularly strong when explaining European politics and religious doctrines, ordinarily dry and difficult topics. His book is highly recommended.

Don't waste your time........2001-03-06

This book has gotten good reviews in this forum, but I'd like to offer a dissenting viewpoint. This book may have a "lively" style but it is poorly researched. It appears as though the author did no research in archives. The material has all appeared elsewhere. The bulk of the book is based on secondary sources. Fully 85% of the footnotes are from secondary sources. Some quotations are rendered with no footnotes at all. The footnotes aren't even consistent in their form. This a poorly researched & sloppily edited book. There are much better books on Charles that you can get.

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ROYAL SURVIVOR: THE LIFE OF CHARLES II
Stephen Coote
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000O7JB1S

Royal Survivor: The Life of Charles II.(Book Review): An article from: The Historian

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Royal Survivor: The Life of Charles II.(Book Review): An article from: The Historian
Johann P. Sommerville
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000B9DR46
Release Date: 2005-09-03

Book Description

This digital document is an article from The Historian, published by Thomson Gale on March 22, 2003. The length of the article is 503 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Royal Survivor: The Life of Charles II.(Book Review)
Author: Johann P. Sommerville
Publication: The Historian (Magazine/Journal)
Date: March 22, 2003
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 65 Issue: 3 Page: 752(2)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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Royal Survivor, A Life of Charles II
Stephen Coote
Manufacturer: New York: St. Martin's Press, 2000
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NVAJSO

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Royal Survivor. The Life of Charles II
Stephen Coote
Manufacturer: Palgrave Macmillan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTM3JS

Book Description

In recognition of Lou Gehrig's 100th birthday celebration, a portion of each sale will be donated to the ALS Association.

2003 marks the 100th anniversary of Lou Gehrig's birth. Gehrig's career is bigger than his stats. His spirit is more significant than the disease which destroyed him. His story is more than a baseball story, yet it brings to life an extraordinary time in baseball history.

The nearly hour long CD tells of Gehrig's personal life, his baseball career, and his battle with ALS. The story was written and is told by one of America's greatest storytellers, Carol Birch. The story of this man's life is its own home run.

Customer Reviews:

A well-told tale.......2006-04-04

Having grown up in the New York metropolitan area as a baseball fan, I was well acquainted with the story of Lou Gehrig. At least I thought I was until I listened to Carol Birch's spirited retelling of his life. I knew of his statistics and his tragic demise, but Carol brought this American hero to life. Too many baseball fans are unaware of those who so gracefully pioneered the game. However, Carol's story will be enjoyed not only by baseball aficionados but also by anyone who enjoys a good story - which covers everyone.

Lou Gehrig: The Story of a Great Man.......2003-06-10

This is an excellent CD. It highlights the life of a man who started with humble beginnings and rose to true greatness. Carol Birch reveals not only the highlights that made Lou Gehrig a superb ball player, but she also paints a portrait of a man who understood humility and viewed his achievements as a gift he received.

It is a fascinating dialog that reminds us that a true hero is one who gives of himself asking nothing in return and faces difficulty with courage. Quite a contrast to the shooting stars of today that receive so much undeserving praise. This CD was enjoyed by everyone in my family.

Customer Reviews:

Truly amateurish biography.......2007-04-02

The greatest actress in the world deserves a masterpiece of a biography-and this book is no masterpiece. Aside from many inaccuracies, it's weirdly short on information about it's subject. Entire sections are about other people (eg. the inspriration for Jane Tennison-interesting, but not appropriate in a book about someone else!) The author seems to be trying desperately to fill his book, and too much of it is useless information. A real disappointment. While I collect every movie and item I can get my hands on that has Helen Mirren in it, not even I would buy this book (thankfully I found it at my library). Any pertinent information it contains can be found easily on the internet. I hope a good writer out there is planning on honoring this divine woman with a stellar biography. It's long overdue.

Beware of inaccuracies.......2004-01-30

Just thumbing through this I found two errors. Russell Crowe
did not win back to back Oscars and Helen did not lose to
Susan Sarandon but to Dianne Wiest in 1994. Don't know how many
more there are. Too bad the author did this because it makes
me suspect that there are other inaccuracies. Dame Helen
deserves better. There are a lot of nice photographs included.

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In the Frame
Helen Mirren
Manufacturer: Weidenfeld & Nicholson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Actors & Actresses | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

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Prime Suspect 7 - The Final Act

ASIN: 0297851977

In the Frame: My Life in Words and Pictures

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In the Frame: My Life in Words and Pictures
Helen Mirren
Manufacturer: Atria
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Entertainers | Arts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1416567607

Average customer rating:

Helen Mirren
Helen Mirren
Manufacturer: Weidenfeld & Nicolson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0297844520

Book Description

This collection of essays on Ronald Stevenson, one of the great 20th-century Romantic composer-pianists, covers virtually all of his musical works. Contributions from a number of leading authorities include Malcolm MacDonald (writing on orchestral music), Ates Orga (writing on piano works), Alistair Chisholm (writing on chamber music), and James Reid Baxter (writing on Stevenson's position in Scottish culture). Reproductions of a selection of Stevenson's exquisite piano miniatures, in facsimiles of the composer's calligraphic script, are included.

Ronald Stevenson: The Man and His Music - A Symposium

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Ronald Stevenson: The Man and His Music - A Symposium

Manufacturer: Toccata Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000H5X6S6

Book Description

Author J. C. Wilson compiles 117 puzzles that cover over a thousand persons and items related to outstanding Black achievements throughout history.

Look up, down, and diagonally to uncover a “hidden treasure” of the names of Black achievers in a wide range of interesting topics such as arts and entertainment, business, civil rights, communications, education, literature, politics, sports, and many more.

Sharpen your pencils and test your wits as you delight in discovering new and exciting trivia facts about individual pioneers such as Hazel Scott, Biddy Mason, Nat Turner, Max Robinson, James Meredith, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Garrett A. Morgan, Shirley Chisholm, Joseph Willis, Jack Johnson, and many more.

A brief achievements profile and biographical index at the end of Giant Word Search Puzzle Book of Notable Black Firsts and Facts provides quick information about all of the individuals featured throughout this compilation of brainteasers. The book also contains a fun multiple choice/true or false quiz that highlights many Black accomplishments. Every question and answer is challenging and educational!

Download Description

Author J. C. Wilson compiles 117 puzzles that cover over a thousand persons and items related to outstanding Black achievements throughout history.

Look up, down, and diagonally to uncover a 'hidden treasure" of the names of Black achievers in a wide range of interesting topics such as arts and entertainment, business, civil rights, communications, education, literature, politics, sports, and many more.

Be Your Own Mentor: Strategies from Top Women on the Secrets of Success
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Advice Helpful to Women at All Stages of Career

A must read for women in business

Put "personal publicity" on your mentoring agenda!

How To Get To The Top!

Wonderful quotes

Be Your Own Mentor: Strategies from Top Women on the Secrets of Success
Sheila Wellington , and Betty Spence
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Women & Business | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Guides | Job Hunting & Careers | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Motivational | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

How to Say It For Women: Communicating with Confidence and Power Using the Language of Success

Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office: 101 Unconscious Mistakes Women Make That Sabotage Their Careers

Play Like a Man, Win Like a Woman: What Men Know About Success that Women Need to Learn

A Woman's Guide to Successful Negotiating: How to Convince, Collaborate, & Create Your Way to Agreement

Secrets of Six-Figure Women: Surprising Strategies to Up Your Earnings and Change Your Life

ASIN: 037550060X
Release Date: 2001-02-27

Amazon.com

All of us, from birth onward, learn by emulating others. Yet when it comes to our professional lives, we often forget that what we see, we imitate, and what we imitate, we become. This is obviously a positive thing for those who have found successful, encouraging mentors in their fields, but finding those mentors is still much easier for men than for women. In Be Your Own Mentor, Sheila Wellington seeks to provide women not only with advice on locating appropriate mentors, but with the tools to mentor themselves and the opinions, advice, and encouragement of women leaders worth emulating.

Wellington speaks from a broad range of experience. Having spent 20 years working in public health and one term as the first female Secretary of Yale University, she now serves as the president of Catalyst, a nonprofit research organization that works to advance women in business. Catalyst has conducted numerous interviews, surveys, and focus groups on the subject of women succeeding and excelling in their professional lives, and the results of much of that research is included here. CEOs from industry and the nonprofit world, law-firm partners, university presidents, and senior consultants all add their two cents' worth (or more like six figures' worth) to Wellington's observations on everything from planning your career and avoiding being boxed in to learning how to network efficiently and successfully integrate your work life with your home life.

Be Your Own Mentor is jam-packed with informative statistics, useful suggestions, and encouraging reminders--almost to the point of overload. With so many "voices" and so many topics covered, it's easy to feel a little overwhelmed. Despite this organizational drawback, however, this book is a useful tool for women, especially those just starting out. And for the avid emulator, who better to learn from than the likes of Zoe Baird, respected lawyer and president of the Markle Foundation; Betty Beene, president and CEO of United Way of America; Ellen Hancock, chairman and CEO of Exodus Communications; and Anne Mulcahy, president and COO of Xerox Corporation? On that note, the appendix, which provides career-path profiles of each of the pioneers quoted, is one of the most interesting sections of the book. --S. Ketchum

Book Description

Surprising secrets of success from some of America's women leaders; all the things a mentor would tell you are revealed in this mentor-in-a-book. Sheila Wellington, the president of Catalyst, draws on Catalyst research, contacts, and know-how to tell you how to understand the unspoken rules in the real world of work today and how to get ahead.

Catalyst studies reveal that having a mentor is the crucial key to success at work, and it's the single advantage men usually have, and women usually don't. Even at the best organizations for women, there is still a shortage of mentors. Be Your Own Mentor becomes that mentor for you, providing through stories and eye-opening advice a step-by-step guide to advancement. How to master the art of networking, how to create opportunities to gain experience and visibility, how to manage time, how to negotiate salary, and much, much more is discussed, as you learn from leading women how they got where they are, the mistakes they feel they've made along the way, and how they created lives of achievement and satisfaction. Hear from women such as Carly Fiorina (CEO, Hewlett-Packard), Cathleen Black (president, Hearst Magazines), Judith Rodin (president, University of Pennsylvania), and Andrea Jung (president and CEO, Avon). From that first resume all the way to the CEO's office, Be Your Own Mentor guides you along your path to success.

Be Your Own Mentor gives advice from top women on how to:
Devise a short-term and long-term career strategy
Gain visibility in the workplace and in your field
Create opportunities to gain valuable experience
Change your career path
Negotiate salary
Balance work and family
And much, much more...

Download Description

Be Your Own Mentor reveals the secrets and savvy business insights of top women in business and acts as a stand-in mentor for readers. From the first resume all the way to the CEO's office, this book guides readers along the path to success. The book describes what a mentor is, why women need one, and offers real-life stories to help women master the art of networking, creating opportunities, time management, salary negotiation, and much more.

Customer Reviews:

Advice Helpful to Women at All Stages of Career.......2001-09-24

I bought the book "Be Your Own Mentor" during a transitional time in my career. The advice offered has provided me with many great ideas on advancing my career. I thought the get ahead basics were especially helpful. As I was looking for a new position, the job search advice helped me to form opinions on how this new position could be a stepping stone to my future. It urged me to take a look at my career as a progression of jobs on my resume. Additionally, Sheila Wllington offered advice that I had not read in traditional job search books. I think this book is helpful to women at all stages of their career whether just starting out or ready for a mid-career change. If you think you need some advice from successful women and need some ideas on how to further your career I highly recommend this book.

A must read for women in business.......2001-07-31

I wish this book had been around when I was just starting out in business. I would be a lot better off today if I had gotten the great advice it gives out. Much of the writing is based on research done at Catalyst, so is fact-based. Shelia Wellington uses her vast experience and connections to give a road map for success for women in the business world. Many nuggets of advice from women who have reached the highest levels in their careers. A must read.

Put "personal publicity" on your mentoring agenda!.......2001-05-18

Being your own mentor is a critical concept and certainly includes mastering the art of networking. But a good self-mentoring plan must also include achieving corporate and community visibility. To really take charge of your career there is no substitute for creating a strategic 'personal' publicity plan. Your boss won't do it, and neither will your mentor. It is up to YOU. People have to know who you are, what you stand for, and why they should hire you, promote you, or do business with you. That's really taking charge of your career.

How To Get To The Top!.......2001-03-10

I wish I'd had Be Your Own Mentor years ago. It's chock-full of what to do when you're trying to get ahead at work, with do's and don'ts I've not heard anywhere else. It explains the kinds of jobs that will take you to the top and tells you which won't. And something else it does that you can't get elsewhere: women at the top (like Carly Fiorina of Hewlett Packard) tell you what to do when specific problems arise at work -- like how to land an assignment you want, or what to do when you meet bias, or how to get people who can help you on your side. Includes useful tips on building credibility and taking charge of how you're perceived, or for getting out of a dead end situation with a difficult boss, plus sensible advice about dealing with guilt as you're balancing personal life and work. You gain access to many wise women -- the older sisters everyone needs, who genuinely want to help you reach your goals. My son says most of the career tips will work for him, too, but women especially can use this practical, smart advice book by Spence and Wellington all through their careers.

Wonderful quotes.......2001-03-05

This is an interesting book, perfect for people just out of school or in the first 2-3 years of a career. The advice in the book is solid, and the quotes from the pioneer women are especially interesting and informative. It is refreshing to hear their perspectives, and they provide wonderful information, ideas, and a sense of sisterhood.

My main complaint about the book is there is no new information or anything groundbreaking. Most of the author's ideas are obvious, and she should let the pioneer women speak some more.

Overall, I would recommend this book to young women just starting out who are not quite sure what to expect or if they are on the right track. The pioneer quotes are worth the price of the book.

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