Hi Grace2you,

I also enjoy historical fiction. One of my favorite reads last year was The Widow Of The South, by Robert Hicks. It's a work of fiction based on a remarkable woman of the Civil War era named Carrie McGavock. Not of epic proportion and a rather quick read, but fascinating nonetheless.

Linda293

Hello Midge,

Recently, I read Bevery Swerling's New York series. City of Dreams, Shadowbrook, City of Glory, and City of God. These are packed with history of early Manhatten and old New York begining with Dutch settlement of Nieuw Amsterdam 1661.  The saga follows the story of two families, the Turners and the Der Vries.  Historical personalities are introduced including George Washington, and early medical techniques are vividly detailed as the story of the first surgeons and their gruesome techniques are interwoven into facinating stories about revenge, betrayal, patriots, pirates, riots, love and war.  Swerling leaves nothing undone as she introduces readers to the development of Manhatten; Wall Street, Del Monico's, Bellvure Hospital, Hudson Bay/NY Harbor, Rroadway, St. Patricks, Except for City of Glory, each book was an exciting and 'fast' read. Also, Edward Rutherfurd's New York is now available and promises to be packed with a lot of early NY history.

Hi Maizie,

I love historical fiction fan especially those novels about New York (my home town) I have a few titles of some books that I loved.  One of my favorite books of all time is Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove.  The novel Paradise Alley by Kevin Baker is great.  His depiction of New York City during the 1860's draft riots seemed very real and alive.  I would also recommend Hey Day by Kurt Anderson and Interpretation of Murder by Jed Rubenfeld.  Please let me know what you would recommend--any books about NY?

Thanks, Midge

I have some historical mysteries that take place in the Middle East in the late 1930's and during WW II. The protagonist is a female archaeologist. The first in the series is A FLY HAS A HUNDRED EYES. It takes place in Jerusalem during the British Mandate. When a British archaeologist is killed on the way to the opening of the Rockefeller Museum in 1938, and artifacts are missing from his site, the British police fail to investigate. His assistant, Lily Sampson is plunged into a labyrinth of intrigue and danger when she tries to find out who killed him and recover themissing artifacts. The second in the series, THE TORCH OF TANGIER, takes place in Morocco during WW II. Lilu is recruited by the OSS to help in the prepartions for Operation Torch, the allied invasion of North Africa.

Have you read , The Boelyn Girls by Phillipa Gregory ?

I read Rage of Angels many years ago and rememebr liking it alot. 

Maybe you would like to read the followup to Pillars of the Earth . World without End.

I'm home from Arkansas and reading Outlander instead of my book for my reading group meeting.  It's good but it might be too close to romance books for me.  I'll give it more time - at least until the heroine jumps back into her own time.  I'd love to learn more about Irish history.

I know that there's a sequel to Pillars of the Earth, but I haven't picked it up yet.

I'm going to keep a list of the books mentioned here.  I've bought books that delve into the history of England's kings and queens.  I watched Elizabeth when it was on TV and loved it.

Nancy