Subject
Great Britain -- History -- Charles II, 1660-1685 -- Biography Books
Best books
John Aubrey
Brief Lives, Vol. 1
"Brief Lives, Vol. 1" by John Aubrey is a collection of short biographies written in the last decades of the 17th century. Aubrey gathered intimate portraits of notable figures including Francis Bacon, William Shakespeare, and Thomas Hobbes by seeking out people who personally knew his subjects. Left chaotic at his death, the manuscripts were later organized by editors. Beloved for its gossipy tone and vivid glimpses into the unofficial lives of the famous, Aubrey's work captures colorful details that formal documents never could.
John Aubrey
Brief Lives, Vol. 2
"Brief Lives, Vol. 2" by John Aubrey is a collection of short biographies written in the last decades of the 17th century. Aubrey gathered intimate portraits of prominent figures by seeking out people who knew them personally, creating vivid sketches rather than formal accounts. His subjects include Francis Bacon, William Shakespeare, Thomas Hobbes, and Ben Jonson. Left unorganized at his death, the manuscripts reveal an unofficial, gossipy glimpse into the lives of extraordinary individuals, capturing colorful details that traditional biographies might miss.
Wilbur Cortez Abbott
Colonel Thomas Blood, Crown-stealer, 1618-1680
"Colonel Thomas Blood, Crown-stealer, 1618-1680" by Wilbur Cortez Abbott is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book delves into the extraordinary life of Thomas Blood, an infamous figure in English history known for his audacious exploits, including an attempt to steal the English crown. Abbott's work not only chronicles Blood's life but places him within the broader context of political turbulence during the Restoration period in England. The opening of the book sets the stage for a captivating tale of adventure and intrigue. It begins by assuring the reader of the authenticity of Blood's story, which is as remarkable as any fictional account, yet founded in actual historical occurrences and documentation. Blood emerges as a daring character whose bold undertakings, such as the kidnapping of the Duke of Ormond and the audacious theft of the crown jewels, highlight a life lived on the fringes of law and order. As the narrative unfolds, we are introduced to the causes and contexts of his criminality, interweaving with critical historical moments and figures of the era, effectively making Blood a representative of an important class struggling against the tides of change in post-Civil War England.
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