Page 87 - All About History - Issue 34-16

Reviews

JASPER TUDOR:

DYNASTY MAKER

The unknown Tudor
Author Terry Breverton Publisher Amberley Price £9.99 Released Out now

asper Tudor seems to have passed through history may be hard to come by, the book runs
history overlooked, but the half brother of through every detail known of his immediate
Henry VI was an integral part of the Wars of family. Later, Breverton talks of how Jasper was
the Roses, as Breverton’s book details. an integral part of the Wars of the Roses. He
J Taking the reader from the very sustained a victory at Bosworth, where Richard III
beginning of his life, covering the circumstances fell. Without Jasper, the Tudor family would have
surrounding his family at the time of his birth, crumbled, and the epic dynasty that followed
noting the causes of the warring families of York would have been thwarted.
and Lancaster and ending with his death in 1497, At the time of its publication, Jasper Tudor:
Breverton’s scope is wide. Dynasty Maker was the only book covering the
In the chapters dedicated to Jasper and his earl. Since, it has spurred several other titles into
older brother Edmund’s youth, Breverton explores publication, finally giving Jasper the recognition
their mother’s life, who, having been widowed in he seemingly deserves.
1422, moved on with Owain Tudor, her servant Overall, Breverton offers an intriguing outlook
and a Welsh commoner, which was frowned upon on an often ignored part of British history. For
by the state. It’s a life that sounds like the plot of a anyone interested in the Tudor time period, or
terribly inaccurate historical drama, yet this is the indeed for those looking to find out more about
circumstance of Jasper. It makes for an intriguing the wars, this is a worthwhile read that will offer
read; his early life is every part as interesting as a unique point of view on one of the defining
his involvement in the wars. While his sibling’s periods of British history.

THE COLLECTOR’S CABINET

An entertaining and accessible guide to the oft
exclusive world of antiques

Author Marc Allum Publisher Icon Books Price £8.99 Released Out now

ollowing on from the success of his first book never tire of reading. Often only a page or two
The Antiques Magpie, Antiques Roadshow is dedicated to a topic, but rather than feeling
regular Marc Allum has created a treasure inconclusive, it encourages the reader to go away
trove of facts, fictions and anecdotes within and carry out their own further research. Lists,
Fthe pages of The Collector’s Cabinet. infographics, images and fact boxes also contribute
Aimed at enthusiasts and more seasoned to the readability of The Collector’s Cabinet,
collectors alike, even those with no experience in making it both a textual and visual delight.
the world of antiques will find plenty to take away Use of the first person in works of nonfiction
from this entertaining read. Be it a chuckle over can risk sounding lazy, but its use in The
an unfortunate mispronunciation at an auction, or Collector’s Cabinet gives the book a conversational
shock at the amount people will pay for a faked tone, and helps Allum’s passion and expertise to
mermaid mummy, Allum’s book acts as both an really shine through. His frequent warnings about
accessible source of information and an amusing the dangers of collecting, from buying and selling
account of his personal experiences. Sure, there ivory to copyright laws, are not only helpful but
are some parts that may be less appealing to the also create the impression that he genuinely cares
inexperienced reader – the guide to registration about his readers.
numbers being one of them – but it’s easy to skim Overall, The Collector’s Cabinet is an
over these should the need arise. exceptionally entertaining read, and one that
The book is split into short sections, allowing should definitely have a place on the bookshelf of
readers to dip in and out at their leisure and any keen antiquarian.
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