From School Library Journal
Grade 7 Up–This biography begins promisingly with a delineation of Eleanor's character and a clear setting of the scene (both in time and place). However, by the midway point, the text turns into a sometimes confusing recitation of events. There are numerous errors, misspellings, and omissions; the maps are woefully inadequate (two antique reproductions are impossible to decipher, while the one modern map is incomplete). The same 19th-century, romanticized portrait of Eleanor appears twice in the book as well as on the cover. Sapet repeatedly uses Catholic terminology without definition (Virgin Mary, abbot, cardinals, martyr, mass, atone, penance, papal decree, defrocked). No teen biography of Eleanor to date can compare with Polly Schoyer Brooks's superbly written Queen Eleanor: Independent Spirit of the Medieval World (Houghton, 1999).–Ann W. Moore, Schenectady County Public Library, NY
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Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
Gr. 8-11. When she died, at the age of 82, Eleanor of Aquitaine had married two kings, helped lead the Second Crusade to Jerusalem, outlived 8 of her 10 children, and skillfully influenced European alliances for well over half a century. Highborn, well educated, strong willed, and politically adept, she influenced many of the dramatic events and social changes that occurred in twelfth-century Europe, from the rise of courtly love to the division of kingdoms. This clearly written biography provides a vivid account of Eleanor's eventful life as well as sets her story within the broader context of her times. The richly colored illustrations include many reproductions of paintings and engravings from a variety of periods as well as photos of historical sites and artifacts connected with the queen. Back matter features a time line, source notes for quotes, and a list of books and Internet sites. An attractive resource for library collections, this biography is rich in both narrative and visual details. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
