READERS’ COMMENTS
"A riveting story infused with striking literary images makes THRONES a wonderful read."
Paul M. Levitt
Professor of English
University of Colorado at Boulder
"I think the book is not only right on the mark historically, but the narrative is exciting and the issues involved are quite original. That is, this is a wonderful work of historical fiction that is so steeped in the times that very often, it was difficult to distinguish between what was real and what was not. THRONES is a superbly written, and even more skillfully drawn, novel that informs as well as excites the reader. Gloria has an ear for the dialect as well as the debate over the key issue of the times (and one that still resonates in the body politic): slavery."
Thomas W. Zeiler
Professor, History and International Affairs
Director, Global Studies Residential Academic Program
University of Colorado at Boulder
"Musings While Reading THRONES
In chapter three Rebecca pulls off a "dead-on" rant on male chauvinism and male manipulated organized religion. The interaction between Rebecca and Cathel leaves me curious about the complicated relationships of servants and those served. Nathan Coulter's bond with Brick reveals the same intricacy.
BBC and PBS could take a lesson for the world news roundup at
the beginning of chapter eight and many other
sections of the novel that expound on the forces that were driving the states
apart in the late 1840's.
Coulter's view on slavery and the Hobson's choice of slave holders seems well
reasoned. pp123-26.
I had never made the distinction about slavery in the deep South compared to the plight
of the slaves in Virginia.
Bradfield's unraveling of this complicated dilemma gave me a better understanding of the
hypocrisy of Jefferson being a
slave owner, yet abhorring the institution of slavery.
Reading
THRONES was interesting, delightful, entertaining, educational and
titillating. The ending
was surprising and left me looking forward to Gloria Parnham Bradfield's sequel."
Jamie Chapman, EdD
Hampton, VA
"THRONES is a fascinating read. Bradfield weaves a tapestry of interesting and complex personalities in interesting and complex times - the little known history of the time leading up to our Civil War. The conversations are brilliant, the descriptions delicious. Her similes and metaphors are marvelous and fresh - "Silence fell like a guillotine", "...that stopped Calhoun like a bridge out.", "He has baited his trap with so much cheese he left no room for the rat." When she writes about food, I salivate, when about beauty, I'm inspired. But most of all, I appreciate her biting, accusatory, witty and humourus conversations (especially about the male dominance of everything). They rival the political wit, humor, and acumen of Christopher Buckley. Bradfield explains the contradictions, politics, economics, and complications of slavery. She seems to have a perfect command of the early American vernacular. All in all, it's a wonderful read, and amazingly relevant to our fractious times. "
Genie Reed
Spirit Lake, Iowa
For questions or comments, please contact Reader Relations at info@THRONESthebook.com.