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The Jacobite Rising of 1715
Colin Mustful Colin Mustful

The Jacobite Rising of 1715

Winifred Maxwell, who’s story is featured in Patricia’s Bernstein’s novel A Noble Cunning, rescued her husband from the Tower of London after he was captured at the Battle of Preston. The event that led to his capture and rescue is known as the Jacobite Rising of 1715.

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The History of Hot Chocolate: A Sweet Saga
Patricia Bernstein Patricia Bernstein

The History of Hot Chocolate: A Sweet Saga

In Patricia Bernstein’s novel, A Noble Cunning, hot chocolate plays a key role in the heroine’s plot to rescue her husband from the Tower of London. At the time, hot chocolate was quite a novelty in Europe. But where did it come from, and how did it become popular? Find out by reading our blog.

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Daring Escapes, Tragic Failures - Historic Attempts at Escape
Colin Mustful Colin Mustful

Daring Escapes, Tragic Failures - Historic Attempts at Escape

In Patricia Bernstein’s upcoming novel, A Noble Cunning: The Countess and the Tower, Bethan Glentaggart, attempts to rescue her husband Gavin from the Tower of London. This is based on the real-life story Winifred Maxwell, Countess of Nithsdale. That leads us to wonder…what other daring escapes have been attempted throughout history?

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Religious Freedom in England - It could have happened a lot sooner than it did
Patricia Bernstein Patricia Bernstein

Religious Freedom in England - It could have happened a lot sooner than it did

Anti-Catholic religious persecution lasted for over 200 years in Britain. But the persecution of thousands of British Catholics could have ended long before it did, if King James II had had his way. In the midst of all the bloody upheavals over religion in Europe, Britain came close to granting all of its citizens religious freedom in 1688, long before tolerance was available in other European nations.

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Meet the Intern - Hannah Karau
Guest User Guest User

Meet the Intern - Hannah Karau

Hannah Mae Karau is an undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota, where she is majoring in English, minoring in Creative Writing, and obtaining a Certificate in Editing and Publishing. She’s also our new intern! Check out our blog to learn more.

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Famous Novel Openings Explained: Invisible Man
Bex Roden Bex Roden

Famous Novel Openings Explained: Invisible Man

Ralph Ellison’s award-winning novel Invisible Man opens with the line, “I am an invisible man.” The novel, published in 1952, is a reflection of Ellison’s place in society. But why did he feel invisible and what did that say about American society? Volunteer contributor Bex Roden explains.

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Famous Novel Openings Explained: A Tale of Two Cities
Bex Roden Bex Roden

Famous Novel Openings Explained: A Tale of Two Cities

Charle’s Dickens’ novel A Tale of Two Cities opens with the famous line, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” This line has become something we often hear, but what did it actually mean within the context of Dickens’ novel? Volunteer contributor Bex Roden explains.

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Famous Novel Openings Explained: Moby Dick
Bex Roden Bex Roden

Famous Novel Openings Explained: Moby Dick

Herman Melville’s novel Moby Dick opens with the line, “Call me Ishmael.” Why did the author start with such a short, mysterious line and why was it the perfect opening for this genre-bending novel that has become a timeless classic? Find out by reading this blog post by volunteer contributor Bex Roden.

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HTF to Publish an Alternate History
Colin Mustful Colin Mustful

HTF to Publish an Alternate History

History Through Fiction is proud to announce that this fall we’ll be publishing Reclaiming Mni Sota: An Alternate History of the U.S. - Dakota War of 1862 by HTF founder and editor Colin Mustful. Read our press release to learn more.

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January Blog Series - Famous Novel Openings Explained: Pride and Prejudice
Bex Roden Bex Roden

January Blog Series - Famous Novel Openings Explained: Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice opens with the line, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” Learn more about the historical and literary context of this famous line by reading this blog post by volunteer contributor Bex Roden.

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