KIRSTIN DOWNEY is the author of The Woman Behind the New Deal, which was a finalist for the 2009 Los Angeles Times Book Prize. She was one of the writers of the New York Times bestselling Report of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, and was previously a staff writer at the Washington Post, where she shared in the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of the Virginia Tech shootings. She was a Neiman fellow at Harvard University in 2001. She is married to Neil Warner Averitt, and together they have five children.
A finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize!
Longlisted for the 2015 PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award for
Biography!
A Kirkus Best Biography of 2014!
"A tale of feminist ambition that reads like a pulpy novel. (Don't
be a snob that's a good thing.)" TIME
"[An] immensely provocative figure... [who] successfully maneuvered
in an almost exclusively male world of politics." Kathryn Harrison,
The New York Times Book Review
"In a fascinating revisionist portrait, Downey sketches a monarch
both adored and demonised, and makes the case that Isabella laid
the foundation for the first global superpower." BBC.com
"From Game of Thrones to Pillars of the Earth, popular culture
offers up medieval stories where royal blood grabs for power, where
crucial alliances are built between church and state, where
important people suddenly fall over dead after a sumptuous meal,
poisoned by a hidden rival. But this world did, in fact, exist, and
the subject of Kristen Downey s new biography, Queen Isabella of
Castile, maneuvered through it with unlikely and thrilling
success... Downey writes with eloquence and intensity about
Isabella s life." BookPage
"A strong, fascinating woman, Isabella helped to usher in the
modern age, and this rich, clearly written biography is a worthy
chronicle of her impressive yet controversial life." Kirkus
Reviews, starred review
"Kirstin Downey triumphantly restores Isabella to her rightful
place in history. This is an engrossing new portrait of one of the
most fascinating and controversial women who ever lived." Amanda
Foreman, author of the New York Times bestseller Georgiana: Duchess
of Devonshire
"Kirstin Downey makes medieval history read like a modern day
thriller.Queen Isabella's life unfoldedatthe pivotal moment when
the old world was astonished by the discovery of the new, and this
graceful and insightful biographyrevealsher crucial role in making
it happen." Deirdre Bair, National Book Award-winning author of
Samuel Beckett
"In this astonishing biography, Kirstin Downey brings to life the
most powerful queen in history, whose extraordinary impact on the
world for good and ill continues to this day. Downey is
particularly good at showing the human side of Isabella, whose life
was an unending struggle to assert herself while navigating the
countless intrigues and treachery of men who wanted to bring her
down, including her own faithless and jealous husband, Ferdinand.
It's a fascinating story with great resonance for today." Lynne
Olson, author of the New York Times bestseller Those Angry Days:
Roosevelt, Lindbergh and America's Fight Over World War II
"Queen Isabella was the most important woman in the history of
Europe, and more than any person of her era she set the stage for
modern Europe and America. Using Muslim, Jewish, and Christian
sources, Kirstin Downey's gripping biography reveals how Isabella
acquired such importance and vividly narrates the incredible drama
of her life." Jack Weatherford, author of the New York Times
bestseller Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World
"Perfect for both historical novices and experts in European
history, this solidly-researched, engaging description of Isabella
s achievements also humanizes her through discussion of her
intricate relationships with combative family members and allows
readers to see Isabella s fingerprints on Renaissance culture and
religion." Publishers Weekly"
A finalist for the "Los Angeles Times" Book Prize!
Longlisted for the 2015 PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award for
Biography!
A "Kirkus "Best Biography of 2014!
"A tale of feminist ambition that reads like a pulpy novel. (Don't
be a snob that's a good thing.)" "TIME "
"[An] immensely provocative figure... [who] successfully maneuvered
in an almost exclusively male world of politics." Kathryn Harrison,
"The New York Times Book Review
""In a fascinating revisionist portrait, Downey sketches a monarch
both adored and demonised, and makes the case that Isabella laid
the foundation for the first global superpower." BBC.com
"From "Game of Thrones" to "Pillars of the Earth," popular culture
offers up medieval stories where royal blood grabs for power, where
crucial alliances are built between church and state, where
important people suddenly fall over dead after a sumptuous meal,
poisoned by a hidden rival. But this world did, in fact, exist, and
the subject of Kristen Downey s new biography, Queen Isabella of
Castile, maneuvered through it with unlikely and thrilling
success... Downey writes with eloquence and intensity about
Isabella s life." "BookPage"
"A strong, fascinating woman, Isabella helped to usher in the
modern age, and this rich, clearly written biography is a worthy
chronicle of her impressive yet controversial life." "Kirkus
Reviews," starred review
"Kirstin Downey triumphantly restores Isabella to her rightful
place in history. This is an engrossing new portrait of one of the
most fascinating and controversial women who ever lived." Amanda
Foreman, author of the "New York Times" bestseller "Georgiana:
Duchess of Devonshire
""Kirstin Downey makes medieval history read like a modern day
thriller.Queen Isabella's life unfoldedatthe pivotal moment when
the old world was astonished by the discovery of the new, and this
graceful and insightful biographyrevealsher crucial role in making
it happen." "Deirdre Bair, National Book Award-winning author of
"Samuel Beckett
"""In this astonishing biography, Kirstin Downey brings to life the
most powerful queen in history, whose extraordinary impact on the
world for good and ill continues to this day. Downey is
particularly good at showing the human side of Isabella, whose life
was an unending struggle to assert herself while navigating the
countless intrigues and treachery of men who wanted to bring her
down, including her own faithless and jealous husband, Ferdinand.
It's a fascinating story with great resonance for today." Lynne
Olson, author of the "New York Times" bestseller "Those Angry Days:
Roosevelt, Lindbergh and America's Fight Over World War II"
"Queen Isabella was the most important woman in the history of
Europe, and more than any person of her era she set the stage for
modern Europe and America. Using Muslim, Jewish, and Christian
sources, Kirstin Downey's gripping biography reveals how Isabella
acquired such importance and vividly narrates the incredible drama
of her life." Jack Weatherford, author of the "New York Times"
bestseller ""Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World""
"Perfect for both historical novices and experts in European
history, this solidly-researched, engaging description of Isabella
s achievements also humanizes her through discussion of her
intricate relationships with combative family members and allows
readers to see Isabella s fingerprints on Renaissance culture and
religion." "Publishers Weekly""
A "Kirkus "Best Biography of 2014!
"A tale of feminist ambition that reads like a pulpy novel. (Don't
be a snob--that's a good thing.)" --"TIME "
"[An] immensely provocative figure... [who] successfully maneuvered
in an almost exclusively male world of politics." --Kathryn
Harrison, "The New York Times Book Review
""In a fascinating revisionist portrait, Downey sketches a monarch
both adored and demonised, and makes the case that Isabella laid
the foundation for the first global superpower." --BBC.com
"From "Game of Thrones" to "Pillars of the Earth," popular culture
offers up medieval stories where royal blood grabs for power, where
crucial alliances are built between church and state, where
important people suddenly fall over dead after a sumptuous meal,
poisoned by a hidden rival. But this world did, in fact, exist, and
the subject of Kristen Downey's new biography, Queen Isabella of
Castile, maneuvered through it with unlikely and thrilling
success... Downey writes with eloquence and intensity about
Isabella's life, making what could have been a distant history into
a dramatic page turner." --"BookPage"
"A strong, fascinating woman, Isabella helped to usher in the
modern age, and this rich, clearly written biography is a worthy
chronicle of her impressive yet controversial life." --"Kirkus
Reviews," starred review
"Kirstin Downey triumphantly restores Isabella to her rightful
place in history. This is an engrossing new portrait of one of the
most fascinating and controversial women who ever lived." --Amanda
Foreman, author of the "New York Times" bestseller "Georgiana:
Duchess of Devonshire
""Kirstin Downey makes medieval history read like a modern day
thriller. Queen Isabella's life unfolded at the pivotal moment when
the old world was astonished by the discovery of the new, and this
graceful and insightful biography reveals her crucial role in
making it happen." --"Deirdre Bair, National Book Award-winning
author of "Samuel Beckett
"""In this astonishing biography, Kirstin Downey brings to life the
most powerful queen in history, whose extraordinary impact on the
world -- for good and ill -- continues to this day. Downey is
particularly good at showing the human side of Isabella, whose life
was an unending struggle to assert herself while navigating the
countless intrigues and treachery of men who wanted to bring her
down, including her own faithless and jealous husband, Ferdinand.
It's a fascinating story with great resonance for today." --Lynne
Olson, author of the "New York Times" bestseller "Those Angry Days:
Roosevelt, Lindbergh and America's Fight Over World War II"
"Queen Isabella was the most important woman in the history of
Europe, and more than any person of her era she set the stage for
modern Europe and America. Using Muslim, Jewish, and Christian
sources, Kirstin Downey's gripping biography reveals how Isabella
acquired such importance and vividly narrates the incredible drama
of her life." --Jack Weatherford, author of the "New York Times"
bestseller ""Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World""
"Perfect for both historical novices and experts in European
history, this solidly-researched, engaging description of
Isabella's achievements also humanizes her through discussion of
her intricate relationships with combative family members and
allows readers to see Isabella's fingerprints on Renaissance
culture and religion." --"Publishers Weekly"
"A tale of feminist ambition that reads like a pulpy novel. (Don't
be a snob--that's a good thing.)" --"TIME "
"[An] immensely provocative figure... [who] successfully maneuvered
in an almost exclusively male world of politics." --Kathryn
Harrison, "The New York Times Book Review
""In a fascinating revisionist portrait, Downey sketches a monarch
both adored and demonised, and makes the case that Isabella laid
the foundation for the first global superpower." --BBC.com
"From "Game of Thrones" to "Pillars of the Earth," popular culture
offers up medieval stories where royal blood grabs for power, where
crucial alliances are built between church and state, where
important people suddenly fall over dead after a sumptuous meal,
poisoned by a hidden rival. But this world did, in fact, exist, and
the subject of Kristen Downey's new biography, Queen Isabella of
Castile, maneuvered through it with unlikely and thrilling
success... Downey writes with eloquence and intensity about
Isabella's life, making what could have been a distant history into
a dramatic page turner." --"BookPage"
"A strong, fascinating woman, Isabella helped to usher in the
modern age, and this rich, clearly written biography is a worthy
chronicle of her impressive yet controversial life." --"Kirkus
Reviews," starred review
"Kirstin Downey triumphantly restores Isabella to her rightful
place in history. This is an engrossing new portrait of one of the
most fascinating and controversial women who ever lived." --Amanda
Foreman, author of the "New York Times" bestseller "Georgiana:
Duchess of Devonshire
""Kirstin Downey makes medieval history read like a modern day
thriller. Queen Isabella's life unfolded at the pivotal moment when
the old world was astonished by the discovery of the new, and this
graceful and insightful biography reveals her crucial role in
making it happen." --"Deirdre Bair, National Book Award-winning
author of "Samuel Beckett
"""In this astonishing biography, Kirstin Downey brings to life the
most powerful queen in history, whose extraordinary impact on the
world -- for good and ill -- continues to this day. Downey is
particularly good at showing the human side of Isabella, whose life
was an unending struggle to assert herself while navigating the
countless intrigues and treachery of men who wanted to bring her
down, including her own faithless and jealous husband, Ferdinand.
It's a fascinating story with great resonance for today." --Lynne
Olson, author of the "New York Times" bestseller "Those Angry Days:
Roosevelt, Lindbergh and America's Fight Over World War II"
"Queen Isabella was the most important woman in the history of
Europe, and more than any person of her era she set the stage for
modern Europe and America. Using Muslim, Jewish, and Christian
sources, Kirstin Downey's gripping biography reveals how Isabella
acquired such importance and vividly narrates the incredible drama
of her life." --Jack Weatherford, author of the "New York Times"
bestseller ""Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World""
"Perfect for both historical novices and experts in European
history, this solidly-researched, engaging description of
Isabella's achievements also humanizes her through discussion of
her intricate relationships with combative family members and
allows readers to see Isabella's fingerprints on Renaissance
culture and religion." --"Publishers Weekly"
"A strong, fascinating woman, Isabella helped to usher in the
modern age, and this rich, clearly written biography is a worthy
chronicle of her impressive yet controversial life." --"Kirkus
Reviews," starred review
"Kirstin Downey triumphantly restores Isabella to her rightful
place in history. This is an engrossing new portrait of one of the
most fascinating and controversial women who ever lived." --Amanda
Foreman, author of the "New York Times" bestseller "Georgiana:
Duchess of Devonshire
""Kirstin Downey makes medieval history read like a modern day
thriller. Queen Isabella's life unfolded at the pivotal moment when
the old world was astonished by the discovery of the new, and this
graceful and insightful biography reveals her crucial role in
making it happen." --"Deirdre Bair, National Book Award-winning
author of "Samuel Beckett
"""In this astonishing biography, Kirstin Downey brings to life the
most powerful queen in history, whose extraordinary impact on the
world -- for good and ill -- continues to this day. Downey is
particularly good at showing the human side of Isabella, whose life
was an unending struggle to assert herself while navigating the
countless intrigues and treachery of men who wanted to bring her
down, including her own faithless and jealous husband, Ferdinand.
It's a fascinating story with great resonance for today." --Lynne
Olson, author of the "New York Times" bestseller "Those Angry Days:
Roosevelt, Lindbergh and America's Fight Over World War II"
"Queen Isabella was the most important woman in the history of
Europe, and more than any person of her era she set the stage for
modern Europe and America. Using Muslim, Jewish, and Christian
sources, Kirstin Downey's gripping biography reveals how Isabella
acquired such importance and vividly narrates the incredible drama
of her life." --Jack Weatherford, author of the "New York Times"
bestseller ""Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World""
"Perfect for both historical novices and experts in European
history, this solidly-researched, engaging description of
Isabella's achievements also humanizes her through discussion of
her intricate relationships with combative family members and
allows readers to see Isabella's fingerprints on Renaissance
culture and religion." --"Publishers Weekly"
"From "Game of Thrones" to "Pillars of the Earth," popular culture
offers up medieval stories where royal blood grabs for power, where
crucial alliances are built between church and state, where
important people suddenly fall over dead after a sumptuous meal,
poisoned by a hidden rival. But this world did, in fact, exist, and
the subject of Kristen Downey's new biography, Queen Isabella of
Castile, maneuvered through it with unlikely and thrilling
success... Downey writes with eloquence and intensity about
Isabella's life, making what could have been a distant history into
a dramatic page turner." --BookPage
"Kirstin Downey triumphantly restores Isabella to her rightful
place in history. This is an engrossing new portrait of one of the
most fascinating and controversial women who ever lived." --Amanda
Foreman, author of the "New York Times" bestseller "Georgiana:
Duchess of Devonshire
""Kirstin Downey makes medieval history read like a modern day
thriller. Queen Isabella's life unfolded at the pivotal moment when
the old world was astonished by the discovery of the new, and this
graceful and insightful biography reveals her crucial role in
making it happen." --"Deirdre Bair, National Book Award-winning
author of "Samuel Beckett
"""In this astonishing biography, Kirstin Downey brings to life the
most powerful queen in history, whose extraordinary impact on the
world -- for good and ill -- continues to this day. Downey is
particularly good at showing the human side of Isabella, whose life
was an unending struggle to assert herself while navigating the
countless intrigues and treachery of men who wanted to bring her
down, including her own faithless and jealous husband, Ferdinand.
It's a fascinating story with great resonance for today." --Lynne
Olson, author of the "New York Times" bestseller "Those Angry Days:
Roosevelt, Lindbergh and America's Fight Over World War II"
"Queen Isabella was the most important woman in the history of
Europe, and more than any person of her era she set the stage for
modern Europe and America. Using Muslim, Jewish, and Christian
sources, Kirstin Downey's gripping biography reveals how Isabella
acquired such importance and vividly narrates the incredible drama
of her life." --Jack Weatherford, author of the "New York Times"
bestseller ""Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World""
"Forget the power behind the throne--that sobriquet would never
satisfy a woman as strong-willed and intelligent as Isabella I.
According to biographer Downey, Isabella was definitely the
ultimate power broker in the dynamic duo commo
"In this astonishing biography, Kirstin Downey brings to life the
most powerful queen in history, whose extraordinary impact on the
world -- for good and ill -- continues to this day. Downey is
particularly good at showing the human side of Isabella, whose life
was an unending struggle to assert herself while navigating the
countless intrigues and treachery of men who wanted to bring her
down, including her own faithless and jealous husband, Ferdinand.
It's a fascinating story with great resonance for today." --Lynne
Olson, author of the "New York Times" bestseller "Those Angry Days:
Roosevelt, Lindbergh and America's Fight Over World War II"
"Kirstin Downey makes medieval history read like a modern day
thriller. Queen Isabella's life unfolded at the pivotal moment when
the old world was astonished by the discovery of the new, and this
graceful and insightful biography reveals her crucial role in
making it happen." --Deirdre Bair, National Book Award-winning
author of "Samuel Beckett
"
"Queen Isabella was the most important woman in the history of
Europe, and more than any person of her era she set the stage for
modern Europe and America. Using Muslim, Jewish, and Christian
sources, Kirstin Downey's gripping biography reveals how Isabella
acquired such importance and vividly narrates the incredible drama
of her life." --Jack Weatherford, author of the "New York Times"
bestseller ""Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World"
""Kirstin Downey triumphantly restores Isabella to her rightful
place in history. This is an engrossing new portrait of one of the
most fascinating and controversial women who ever lived." --Amanda
Foreman, author of the "New York Times" bestseller "Georgiana:
Duchess of Devonshire"
" "
"Kirstin Downey makes medieval history read like a modern day
thriller. Queen Isabella's life unfolded at the pivotal moment when
the old world was astonished by the discovery of the new, and this
graceful and insightful biography reveals her crucial role in
making it happen." --Deirdre Bair, National Book Award-winning
author of "Samuel Beckett
"
"Queen Isabella was the most important woman in the history of
Europe, and more than any person of her era she set the stage for
modern Europe and America. Using Muslim, Jewish, and Christian
sources, Kirstin Downey's gripping biography reveals how Isabella
acquired such importance and vividly narrates the incredible drama
of her life." "
"--Jack Weatherford, author of the "New York Times" bestseller
""Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World"
""Kirstin Downey triumphantly restores Isabella to her rightful
place in history. This is an engrossing new portrait of one of the
most fascinating and controversial women who ever lived." --Amanda
Foreman, author of the "New York Times" bestseller "Georgiana:
Duchess of Devonshire"
" "
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