...and one more, here's a selection that my book club read about one of history's truely adventurous women....
Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow is a great pirate -- I could watch him all day. But honestly, he can't hold a candle to real-life pirate Grace O'Malley.
Born in 1530, Grace sailed the waters between Ireland and Spain first at her father's side and then as captain of her own fleet. Her life, her role as the "mother of the Irish Rebellion," and her relationship with Queen Elizabeth I are captured in Robin Maxwell's book, "Wild Irish."
Maxwell introduces her readers to English life in Elizabeth's court (including courtiers such as Shakespeare and Bacon) as well as to Irish life under Ireland's 1000-year-old Brehon Law. Although the cast of characters can become overwhelming -- the book needs an organization chart -- the motivation of the two women, their families and their confidants is clear. Elizabeth vows to possess the Emerald Isle in her lifetime just as Grace vows to prevent it. Both women are strong, clever and bow to no man.
"Wild Irish" is a great read if you enjoyed novels like "The Other Boleyn Girl," if you are looking for solid female characters, or if you are a fan of engaging historical fiction. I would recommend that you take the time to get a map of Ireland and have pen and paper handy to track the many players and their various names and titles.
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