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BOOKS RECOMMENDED FOR HISTORICAL TEXT  ON ANTIQUE NEEDLEWORK 
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GO TO OUR INDEX OF TITLES

A History of the Wife
by Marilyn Yalom.
From the perspective of modern marriage, this distinguished cultural historian charts the evolution of marriage in the Judeo-Christian world through the centuries and shows how radical that collective change has been. This is an intriguing study of laws, religious practices, social customs, economic patterns, and political consciousness that have affected generations of wives. This rich, lucid, just-published chronicle sheds new light on an institution most people take for granted. Hardbound, 441 pages, $30.00

Elizabeth: The Struggle for the Throne
by David Starkey.
This brilliant new biography concentrates on the early formative years of Elizabeth I's life, from her birth in 1533, to her accession in 1558, showing how her experiences of danger and adventure form her remarkable character and shaped her opinions and beliefs. It is a uniquely absorbing tale of one abused young woman's turbulent, courageous, and seemingly impossible journey to the throne. A host of extravagant characters, madcap scenes, and tragic plots are recreated in this meticulously researched book. Hardbound, 363 pages, $26.00

The Bayeux Tapestry: A Revolutionary New Interpretation
by Wolfgang Grape.
The world-famous, 73 meter-long embroidery, depicting the Norman Conquest of England, is one of the most important and enigmatic works of art. It is now seen as much more of a milestone in Western art than had previously been thought. It demonstrates exceptional artistic experimentation in its depiction of everyday reality, nature, and contemporary issues. The dominant view up to now has been that the tapestry (actually an embroidery) was produced in England. Backed up by meticulous research, the author succeeds in revising this theory, brilliantly arguing the case the tapestry originated in Bayeux. The entire tapestry is illustrated in color in this beautiful book,, softbound, 175 pages, $30.00

Squire Haggard's Journal:
A Bawdy Parody of an 18th Century English Gentleman's Diary
by Michael Green.
Described by The Observer as deplorably funny. Amos Haggard is a gargantuan, warty old toad of a character. Along with Roderick, his idiot son, he spends most of his time carousing with prostitutes and servant girls, drinking too much Madeira, evicting the poor, spitting on and firing his pistols at poachers, dissenters, and foreigners. Eventually, in order to escape their unpaid debts and an impending duel, Haggard et fils are forced to flee their rural estate and embark upon an unscheduled Grand Tour of Europe, where the fun continues! Softbound, 176 pages, $15.95

Witchcraze:
A New History of the European Witch Hunts (Our Legacy of Violence Against Women)
by Anne Llewellyn Barstow.
This is a powerful book focusing on gender and the power relations of the accusers and accused. Barstow reveals the horrifying violence against women committed in the name of religion and social order. She contributes a crucial perspective to awareness of the male fear and hatred of women in the early modern societies. This monumental work is the most comprehensive history of the European witch-hunts to date. Softbound, 256 pages, $15.00