Fact Fiction Friday ~ Mayflower

Continuing our new and regular feature here at Historical Fiction.  

Each Friday we will publish an historical fact based upon the date. Each fact will be accompanied by a book(s) title and perhaps a review or other snippet.

13th June 1957. Today marks the anniversary of Mayflower II reaching Plymouth Mass, USA having sailed from Plymouth England and by coincidence is about forty miles of where I sit writing this post.

Today I am giving two books. Firstly this one which is an account of the second voyage in 1957. 

The voyage of Mayflower II by Warwick Chartlon.

The second book is Of Plymouth Plantation 1620 - 1647 by William Bradford. 

Fact Fiction Friday ~ Operation Neptune

Continuing our new and regular feature here at Historical Fiction.  

Each Friday we will publish an historical fact based upon the date. Each fact will be accompanied by a book(s) title and perhaps a review or other snippet.

6th June 1944. Today marks the anniversary of Operation Neptune - D Day, when 150,000 Allied Expeditionary Force landed on the shores of Normandy.

There are many books written about the subject and it is a fascinating one. The "simple" crossing of so many troops, from all nations coming together in such a tactical way with the task of capturing Europe from the Nazi regime. 

I know from my own research that my Grandfather was in North West Europe and arrived on 25th July 1944. What did he see I wonder? 

This book is on my book list, because whilst my Grandfather did not take part in D-Day or the events leading up to it (he had been in Sierra Leone for over two years prior to that) this book will set the scene for what he observed and the emotions that go along with that. He passed away in 1974 and I have his war medals framed and hanging on my landing and I am truly proud of his contribution.

Operation Neptune by Vice-Admiral B.B Schofield

Why not leave a comment. Did you have family members who took part in D-Day or served in the services during the Second World War?

Fact Fiction Friday ~ Juliet and her Nurse by Turner

Continuing our new and regular feature here at Historical Fiction.  

Each Friday we will publish an historical fact based upon the date. Each fact will be accompanied by a book(s) title and perhaps a review or other snippet.

Image courtesy of The Tate Gallery, London

30th May 1980 - Sees the sale of the painting by Turner "Juliet & Her Nurse" sell for $6.4 million. The painting itself had already been owned since 1836 when it was painted by eight people including Turner. This sale was in fact the highest any artwork had sold for at auction.

The book I am going to recommend this week is this one, which is an eBook and available from Amazon.

Joseph Mallord William Turner - 150 Romantic Paintings

Whilst not absolutely historical fiction, it does give rise of interpretation of how Europe was during this period. The painting itself was painted whilst George III was still King, Victoria still a Princess and even though we can allow for some artistic license, we get to ponder the question. Is this what it was like?

The preview of the book does list the pictures that are contained within the eBook. It is fascinating (or is it just me that thinks that?) to look at a painting of a spot you know and compare the image to the current reality. Is there a glimpse of truth or is it artistic license, or even a combination of the two?

Fact Fiction Friday ~ The Mounties!

Continuing our new and regular feature here at Historical Fiction.  

Each Friday we will publish an historical fact based upon the date. Each fact will be accompanied by a book(s) title and perhaps a review or other snippet.

23rd May 1873 - Today celebrates the day when Canada introduced the North West Mounted Police Force.

The book is Forty Years in Canada by Samuel B Steele, which I have added to my library list.

There is some archive material online for those who, like me have a relative who served in the Mounted Police Force. This archive online is a fascinating resource for the genealogist or someone who is simply curious!

Fact Fiction Friday ~ Joan of Arc

Continuing our new and regular feature here at Historical Fiction.  

Each Friday we will publish an historical fact based upon the date. Each fact will be accompanied by a book(s) title and perhaps a review or other snippet.

16th May 1920 - Was the day that Joan of Arc was canonised as a Saint. In fact, a documentary on Joan of Arc is the first documentary I recall watching, that was in about the late 1970's.



Therefore this week's book is Joan of Arc by Edward Lucie-Smith. This is not a book I have read personally. There are some good reviews over at LibraryThing. There are also several free Kindle books listed at Amazon

• Joan of Arc by Ronald Sutherland Gower 
• Joan of Arc, A heroine of France by Evelyn Everett Green

Fact Fiction Friday ~ The Channel Islands

Continuing our new and regular feature here at Historical Fiction.  

Each Friday we will publish an historical fact based upon the date. Each fact will be accompanied by a book(s) title and perhaps a review or other snippet.

9th May 1945 - The Channel Islands are formerly liberated by the British.

This week the book is Outpost of Occupation by Barry Turner.

I have not read this particular book, but I have visited Jersey the largest of the five Channel Islands. The Islands are especially proud of how they managed the occupation. All round the various islands there is reminders of this period of their history, none more so than the Underground Hospital on Jersey.

I visited them in 2011 and was simply amazed by what I saw. I certainly recommend it and there are further posts on my own Blog - Anglers Rest.

Fact Fiction Friday ~ Robinson Crusoe

Continuing our new and regular feature here at Historical Fiction.  

Each Friday we will publish an historical fact based upon the date. Each fact will be accompanied by a book(s) title and perhaps a review or other snippet.

25th April 1719 - Daniel Defoe publishes "Robinson Crusoe" 

Is this a classic for you? 
A regular read or perhaps you have never read it.

What say you?

Fact Fiction Friday ~ The Titanic

Continuing our new and regular feature here at Historical Fiction.  

Each Friday we will publish an historical fact based upon the date. Each fact will be accompanied by a book(s) title and perhaps a review or other snippet.

11th April 1912 - RMS Titanic leaves Queenstown Ireland for New York.

Today I am going to feature this book; Titanic Survivor: The Memoirs of Violet Jessop, Stewardess

Fact Fiction Friday ~ Sir Francis Drake

Continuing our new and regular feature here at Historical Fiction.  

Each Friday we will publish an historical fact based upon the date. Each fact will be accompanied by a book(s) title and perhaps a review or other snippet.

4th April 1581 - Francis Drake is Knighted by Elizabeth I for completing his circumnavigation of the World.

This biography, Sir Francis Drake by John Sugden is well researched and an easy to read book. There is much on line data about Drake. He was born in Tavistock, some 35 miles from where I am currently sitting.

Without the curiosity and bravery of men like Drake how small would our world be I wonder?

Fact Fiction Friday ~ Crimea and Florence Nightingale

Continuing our new and regular feature here at Historical Fiction.  

Each Friday we will publish an historical fact based upon the date. Each fact will be accompanied by a book(s) title and perhaps a review or other snippet.

28th March 1854 - France and Britain declare war on Russia in the Crimean War.

For those who like the historical aspect of this period how about this comprehensive book by Trevor Royle which features the duration of the War (1854 - 1856).

Probably one of the most famous Victorians to have lived is Florence Nightingale. This book, The Making of an Icon by Mark Bostridge looks a promising read.

Fact Fiction Friday ~ Henry V

Continuing our new and regular feature here at Historical Fiction.  

Each Friday we will publish an historical fact based upon the date. Each fact will be accompanied by a book(s) title and perhaps a review or other snippet.

21st March 1413 ~ Henry V becomes King of England.

Possibly the most well known of Shakespeare's work is this classic, Henry V.

Alternatively, there is this biography of Henry V by John Matusiak

Fact Fiction Friday ~ Kraków Ghetto

Continuing our new and regular feature here at Historical Fiction.  

Each Friday we will publish an historical fact based upon the date. Each fact will be accompanied by a book(s) title and perhaps a review or other snippet.

14th March 1943 - Kraków Ghetto, one of the five biggest Ghetto's created in Poland by the Nazi regime was "liquidated"

One of the most horrific and yet memorable part of my degree in history was the visiting of one of the former camps. The silence, the desolation and the staunch reminder that so many people perished. Yet, some people, against all the odds survived and have been brave enough to record the life during this very dark part of European history.

Fact Fiction Friday ~ Alexander Graham Bell

Continuing our new and regular feature here at Historical Fiction.  

Each Friday we will publish an historical fact based upon the date. Each fact will be accompanied by a book(s) title and perhaps a review or other snippet.

7th March 1876 - Alexander Graham Bell is issued with a patent for the item we know as the telephone.

Reluctant Genius by Charlotte Gray Is the story of the great inventor.

Fact Fiction Friday ~ Siege of LadySmith

Continuing our new and regular feature here at Historical Fiction.  

Each Friday we will publish an historical fact based upon the date. Each fact will be accompanied by a book(s) title and perhaps a review or other snippet.

28th February 1900 ~  The Second Boer War - 118 Day Siege of Ladysmith is lifted. The book to accompany the fact is Siege by David Humphry. 

I read this book back in 2007 when I obtained an early advance, signed copy. Pop back tomorrow when I will share my review of the book!

Fact Fiction Friday ~ Battle of Verdun

Continuing our new and regular feature here at Historical Fiction.  

Each Friday we will publish an historical fact based upon the date. Each fact will be accompanied by a book(s) title and perhaps a review or other snippet.

21st February 1916 ~ The Battle of Verdun begins in France in 1916. The battle was to last ten months, covering a front of 15 miles. More than 700,000 men died. The book to accompany the fact is this biography of The Price of Glory: Verdun 1916 by Alistair Horne.

Fact Fiction Friday ~ Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH!)

Continuing our new and regular feature here at Historical Fiction.  

Each Friday we will publish an historical fact based upon the date. Each fact will be accompanied by a book(s) title and perhaps a review or other snippet.

14th February 1852 ~ Great Ormond Street Hospital became the first hospital to provide inpatient beds specifically for children in London (The National Children's Hospital in Dublin had been established in 1821).

The book to accompany today's fact is The Remarkable Story of Great Ormond Street Hospital by Kevin Telfer.

Fact Fiction Friday ~ Do Not Pass Go!

Continuing our new and regular feature here at Historical Fiction.  

Each Friday we will publish an historical fact based upon the date. Each fact will be accompanied by a book(s) title and perhaps a review or other snippet.

7th February 1935 ~ The popular and classic board game, Monopoly was invented this day in 1935. The book to accompany today's fact is Do Not Pass Go by Tim Moore

Whilst this book is not a historical fiction it does, in addition to being very funny give historical facts about the locations named on the traditional board game.

Anyone for Monopoly?

Fact Fiction Friday ~ Gunpowder, Treason and Plot!

Continuing our new and regular feature here at Historical Fiction.  

Each Friday we will publish an historical fact based upon the date. Each fact will be accompanied by a book(s) title and perhaps a review or other snippet.

31st January 1606 ~ Guy Fawkes, the Orchestrator for plotting against Parliament and King James was executed today. The book to accompany today's fact is Faith and Treason: The Story of the Gunpowder Plot by Antonia Fraser

Fact Fiction Friday ~ Heading to India

Continuing our new and regular feature here at Historical Fiction.  

Each Friday we will publish an historical fact based upon the date. Each fact will be accompanied by a book(s) title and perhaps a review or other snippet.

24th January 1857 ~ The University of Calcutta was founded as the first University in Asia. Today there are two books to accompany the fact. First is The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. This book I read back in 2005. From my brief notes I enjoyed it as it made my top ten of the year!

The second book is a book I read more recently, I think back in 2013. I recall being excited to read it, and the book was good, but it could have been so much better. That book is The Fishing Fleet by Anne De Courcy

Fact Fiction Friday ~ Captain James Cook

Continuing our new and regular feature here at Historical Fiction.  

Each Friday we will publish an historical fact based upon the date. Each fact will be accompanied by a book(s) title and perhaps a review or other snippet.

17th January 1773 ~ Captain James Cook and his crew were the first Europeans to sail around the Antarctic Circle. The book to accompany the fact is this biography of Captain James Cook written by Richard Hough.