The Library of Romance is a series of books concerning the romance of scientific facts, be it biology, chemistry, history, or politics. This volume is one of history, concerning an account of the known facts of piracy, starting with the Vikings, and arching in history and geography toward an account of piracy in Chinese waters at around the time of publication of this volume (1914). – Summary by Carolin [chương_files]
The assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy on November 22, 1963, was a cruel and shocking act of violence directed against a man, a family, a nation, and against all mankind. . . . This Commission was created on November 29, 1963, in recognition of the right of people everywhere to full and truthful knowledge concerning these events. This report endeavors to fulfill that right and to appraise this tragedy by the light of reason and the standard of fairness. It has been prepared with a deep awareness of the Commission’s responsibility to present to the American people an objective report of the facts relating to the assassination. – Summary from Chapter 1 of the report [chương_files]
John Parsons Cook was a 28 year old bachelor, from a good family but not in robust health. He studied to become a lawyer, but instead of following that career, turned to raising race horses. In November 1855, during a visit to the Shrewsbury races, he was taken violently ill. He was attended by the 80 year old local doctor Dr. Bamford, and Cook’s friend and sometimes partner, Dr. Palmer. William Palmer was a physician and surgeon, a widower and father. His appearance instilled confidence and invited trust. But were appearances deceptive? Was he, in fact, a cool, calculating and vicious serial murderer, who used his knowledge and skill for evil ends, to escape the effects of an addiction that was destroying his life? There are numerous references to this case in fiction, by Dickens, Sayers, Hitchcock and others; and the familiar salutation “What’s your poison?” is believed to date from the events of this case. This is true courtroom drama, more gripping than fiction and it will have you guessing until the end.( Lynne Thompson) [chương_files]
Edward Lamplough describes 22 battles that all occurred in Yorkshire over many time periods and political contexts. – Summary by lightcrystal [chương_files]
Tactical Studies on the Battles around Plevna, or in German, Der Kampf um Plewna, examines with a critical eye the actions and engagements of the siege of Plevna (now Pleven in Bulgaria) during the Danube Campaign of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78. In doing so it offers a rare glimpse into the military art as practiced by the Imperial Russian army, and an unfiltered evaluation of it to German Imperial sensibilities. For an index of places relevant to the text, along with their modern names, click this hyperlink. -Summary by Alister [chương_files]
An encyclopaedia (a digest, the author calls it) of nautical terms and other words relevant to navigation, the character of seamen, this book is full of surprising meanings for words in a nautical context. The original was published as one book, here divided into volumes. – Summary by Czandra [chương_files]
Dumas, with the assistance of several friends, compiled Celebrated Crimes, an eight-volume collection of essays on famous criminals and crimes from European history. Includes The Man in the Iron Mask and Martin Guerre. – Summary by Michele Eaton [chương_files]
Harry Houdini, master illusionist and contortionist, unmasks the various ways that criminals take advantage of their victims. (Summary by Lee Ann Howlett) [chương_files]
Dumas’s ‘Celebrated Crimes’ was not written for children. The novelist has spared no language–has minced no words–to describe the violent scenes of a violent time. In some instances facts appear distorted out of their true perspective, and in others the author makes unwarranted charges. The careful, mature reader, for whom the books are intended, will recognize, and allow for, this fact. (from publisher’s note) The first volume comprises the annals of the Borgias and the Cenci. The name of the noted and notorious Florentine family has become a synonym for intrigue and violence, and yet the Borgias have not been without stanch defenders in history. Another famous Italian story is that of the Cenci. The beautiful Beatrice Cenci–celebrated in the painting of Guido, the sixteenth century romance of Guerrazi, and the poetic tragedy of Shelley, not to mention numerous succeeding works inspired by her hapless fate—will always remain a shadowy figure and one of infinite pathos. ( From introduction) [chương_files]
Dumas chronicles the court intrigues that led to the execution of Marie La Roux Constantin. La dame Constantin was known by French nobility in the 17th century as the “midwife to the Queen’s daughters.” This title was, in reality, a dark jest as her business was providing dangerous (often maternally fatal) abortions to women ensnared in the machinations of powerful noblemen. This case also highlights how strongly gender inequalities permeated the justice system of this time as reviews by historians, like Dr. Leigh Whaley, found La Constantin was condemned “without any tangible evidence against her.” – Summary by jvanstan [chương_files]
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