When I was first asked to review Historical Heartthrobs: 50 Timeless Crushes from Cleopatra to Camus I have to admit I jumped at the chance. My last experience reviewing a book from Zest Books was so much fun and I had a feeling that one would be too. And I was right! This book is cute and fun and it would make the perfect gift for someone to help introduce them to some of the most interesting and potentially sexiest figures in history.
Kelly Murphy and Hallie Fryd a fantastic job picking out fifty historical figures (male and female) to examine in this book. Each heartthrob gets 3 to 4 pages and is looked at in the context of their life story, their sex life, their importance, and their best feature. Then each of them is rated on a 1-5 heat factor scale! It was interesting to see where some of them ranked. Especially the ones that I was surprised were included like John Wilkes Booth. Sorry but I don’t find assassins to be that attractive. Luckily, neither did she!
Now who may you ask is one of my historical heartthrobs? Well, if I had to choose one, I think I would have to go with my lady-crush on a certain Molly Brown who was not one of the chosen heartthrobs in this book.
Margaret Brown with the captain of the Carpathia
Historically known as the unsinkable Molly Brown, although no one really called her that, Margaret “Maggie” Tobin Brown was a very interesting woman. Well before she set foot aboard the Titanic, she was making waves of her own fighting for women’s rights and to reform the American justice system in Colorado. In fact, she ran for senate TWICE before women could even legally vote. She was a fiery, independent lady who definitely made her mark on history. I’m always yearning to learn more about her and follow the strong example that she set forth.
Historical Heartthrobs obviously isn’t the only book that one should be given in order to learn about historical figures but is still a good conversation starter. So, come on and check it out. Who knows, maybe there’s a new historical heartthrob just waiting for you!
About the authors:
Kelly Murphy
Born and raised among the sprawling cornfields of rural Pennsylvania, Kelly Murphy now writes from her child-sized apartment in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Her articles have appeared in Brokelyn, Brooklyn Based, Chic Today, NCTE’s The Council Chronicle, and various other publications. A Penn State graduate, Kelly currently works in publishing. Hallie Fryd is the author of Scandalous!: 50 Shocking Events You Should Know About (So You Can Impress Your Friends), which was a Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Winner in 2012.
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Disclaimer: Received from publisher.
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Oskar Schindler – he was a brave man with an even bigger heart.
don’t have one
My historical heartthrob is probably Prince Albert. He was so devoted to Queen Victoria and very cute in the movie!
Hmm, my historical heartthrob…I’m going to have to go with Dylan Thomas, despite the obvious drawbacks.
Gary Cooper – a real man when men were men.
Man, I wish I took more history classes in school. Or at least more INTERESTING ones! I never knew about Margaret Brown before and that is a SHAME.