Tuesday, June 09, 2009

The Eastern Regional Library Show 3rd June 2009

Library staff members Lesley Conway and Pia Butcher run a radio show each Wednesday 12:05pm-12:45pm on Eastern FM 98.1 called The Eastern Regional Library Show. Tune in next Wednesday for a great show.

On 3rd June show

Napoleon Bonaparte was very generous to his brothers and sisters, making them kings and queens of countries he conquered. His younger sister Pauline was the exception, and Lyn says that in the latest biography of her, she comes across as a bit silly, naive, not a paticularly pleasant person, and very promiscuous. Yet she was also very beautiful, courted by many, and was devoted to her brother, who loved her and lavished her with jewels and money. In Flora Fraser's biography Pauline Bonaparte : Venus of Empire we have a very readable picture of the politics, the manouvering and the scandals of the Republic. Pauline accompanied Napoleon on his first banishment, and supported his attempted return to power which was ended at the battle of Waterloo.

Another dip into history is The sisters who would be queen : the tragedy of Mary, Katherine and Lady Jane Grey by Leanda De Lisle. As Lyn said, when we study history, we often think of there being a seamless continuity between one king or queen and the next. More often than not, the transition is surrounded by conspiracy and ambitious double dealing. As we discover in this book, not only Lady Jane Grey but her two sisters were groomed for power by their family, and came to unhappy ends. It is a fascinating look at the politics of the time and the people who held power behind the throne.

Music today was from Chris Isaak's new CD Mr Lucky

---- Lesley

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