Pepin's bastard: The story of Charles Martel [Paperback]

Diana M. Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 1999

Historical fiction. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Diana M. Johnson
Pepin's Bastard: The Story of Charles Martel, A Novel
1. Charles Martel, Mayor of the Palace 688?-741--Fiction. 2. Pepin de Gros, Mayor of the Palace 635?-714--Fiction. 3. France--History 688-732--Fiction. 4. Moslems in France 721-632--Fiction.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A compelling and heart-stirring story of the triumphant ascent to power and glory of Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne." --JoAnn Levy, author of "Daughter of Joy, a novel of Gold rush San Francisco"

"This is a gem of a book. As much as possible, it is based on historical fact. The author can trace her ancestry back to this time period. It's interesting, very well done, and recommended." --Paul Lapen, "Dead Trees Review"

From the Author

After writing about Pepin de Vain and Egar-the-Magician in "Destiny's Godchild" I looked at other names written into the roots of our family tree, the trunk of which is Charlemagne. As always, I was looking for a story. And I found one in Charles Martel, Charlemagne's grandfather. He was the bastard son of Mayor of the Palace, Pepin de Gros, hated by Pepin's wife so ferociously she almost succeeded in killing him, and a hero in the mold of the Biblical King David!

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Product Details

• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: Superior Book Pub (November 15, 1999)
• ISBN-10: 0966150414
• ISBN-13: 978-0966150414
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,614,828 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Diana M. Johnson is a fourth generation Californian, and a direct descendant of the great medieval king, Charlemagne. She is a member of the Conejo Valley Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) the First California Company, Jamestowne Society, and the Order of the Crown of Charlemagne. She attended Occidental College, and graduated from UCLA with honors. Her Masters Degree was earned from California State University of Northridge. As a member of the California Writers Club, she has served as Treasurer and President of the San Fernando Valley Branch, as well as CWC State Board Representative and State Treasurer. She was awarded the coveted Jack London Award for service to CWC. She was also founding president of the West Valley Branch. She is a retired teacher who taught music in the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills Unified School Districts, earning awards for Excellence in Education in both districts. Author of six historical novels, her first book, "Destiny's Godchild" was awarded the Book Publicists of Southern California IRWIN Award. Her other titles include, "Pepin's Bastard, the Story of Charles Martel" "Quest for the Crown, the Story of Pepin the Short" "Cradle of a Nation, a Story of Colonial Virginia" "Will & Davy, a Colonial Virginia Childhood" for young readers 10-14, and "Wagons to Hangtown a Story of the California Gold Rush." She and her husband Bill love to travel, and have even flown their own plane across the United States. She enjoys speaking to all kinds of groups, and can be reached at [e-mail].

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Arising from the era of the great medieval king, Charlemagne, June 12, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pepin's bastard: The story of Charles Martel (Paperback)

Pepin's Bastard: The Story Of Charles Martel is Diana M. Johnson continues her series of historical novels arising from the era of that great medieval king, Charlemagne. But Charlemagne's empire still lies some distance into the future when Charles (the bastard son of Pepin de Gros) is born out of wedlock. Pepin's wife Plectruda is jealous of Charles and will stop at nothing to secure his death so that the power of kingship will be secured for her own legitimate sons. Pepin's Bastard is the thrilling story of how Charles survives, only to face the Muslims who are pouring over the Pyrenees Mountains and waging jihad (holy war) against the Christians -- seeking to exterminate or covert them and thereby dominating Europe as they had mastered the Middle East.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting novel based on actual history, October 22, 2005

By 

Paul Lappen (Manchester, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pepin's bastard: The story of Charles Martel (Paperback)

Set approximately 1300 years ago, this historical novel is about Charles, born of an illegitimate relationship. His father, Pepin de Gros, is Mayor of the Castle in Cologne (the real authority), and Plectruda, his wife, is past childbearing age. Charles is born to Alpaida, one of the servant girls. Plectruda is irate, and even though Charles' claim to the throne is tiny, she makes sure that he never gets anywhere near it. Growing up, Charles is teased and tormented about his parentage by the other children. Always called Pepin's Bastard instead of Charles, it gets to the point where he might as well make that his legal name.

In his early teens, he is sent to a faraway castle, run by a man named Dodo, to learn how to be a soldier. He spends his winters at the monastery at Metz to learn reading, writing and arithmetic, a rarity. He marries, and starts a family, knowing that if Plectruda gets her hands on any of them, their life span will be very short. Charles rises through the ranks at the castle, becoming Captain of the Guard. Meantime, the throne in Cologne keeps changing hands, usually through assassination. One night, Charles receives the wife and teenage daughter of Grimwald, the latest occupant of the throne and one of Plectruda's sons. They tell a harrowing tale of fleeing at night, with just the clothes on their backs. Charles and the daughter have a child and get married, almost wrecking his marriage to Rotruda, his wife, but there is a reason for it.

Around the year 700, the Franks in northern Europe were a bunch of disorganized tribes, constantly attacking each other. Charles unites them under his banner, and takes the name Charles Martel (Charles the Hammer). The book ends with the first battle with a heretofore unknown group, the Muslims, coming from the southwest.

This is a gem of a book. As much as possible, it is based on historical fact. The author can trace her ancestry back to this time period, to a man named Pepin the Vain (read part 1 of this trilogy). It's interesting, very well done and recommended.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From Val Middler Middlebrook, February 7, 2001

By 

Val Middler Middlebrook (San Dimas CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pepin's bastard: The story of Charles Martel (Paperback)

Having just finished Destiny's Godchild, I was eager to read Diana Johnson's sequel. Her knowledge of history and love of her subject is remarkable. This book is a fictional story that brings to life many characters from history who helped to form our destiny long before Charlemagne's reign. One of the most heartwarming characters is Charles Martel (Charles the Hammer). Ms. Johnson takes you from his unwanted birth to the heart stopping war where his army of foot soldiers defeated the well-trained Muslim horsemen under extremely unequal circumstances, thus saving Europe for Christianity.  You will marvel at the fictional character Egar's wisdom and insightfulness as he mentors Charles' wife throughout her life. Charles' strong character and unyielding integrity will give you a real-life hero taken from the pages of history. Definitely a must read!!! Val Middler Middlebrook, author of "Val's Victory: Defeat was NEVER an Option."