18th century

""That's how it is for us servants. No one pays you much heed; mostly you're invisible as furniture. Yet you overhear a conversation here, and add a little gossip there. Then you find something, something you should not have found." Irrepressible Biddy Leigh, under-cook at the foreboding Mawton Hall, only wants to marry her childhood sweetheart and set up her own tavern. But when her elderly master marries the young Lady Carinna, Biddy is unwittingly swept up in a world of scheming, secrets, and lies. Forced to accompany her new mistress to Italy, she documents her adventures and culinary discoveries in an old household book of recipes, The Cook's Jewel. Biddy grows intrigued by her fellow travelers, but her secretive and unconventional mistress is the most intriguing of all. In London Biddy finds herself attracted to her mistress's younger brother. In France she discovers her mistress's dark secret. At last in Italy, Biddy becomes embroiled in a murderous conspiracy, knowing the secrets she holds could be a key to a better life, or her downfall. Inspired by eighteenth-century household books of recipes and set at the time of the invention of the first restaurants, An Appetite for Violets is a literary feast for lovers of historical fiction. Like Jo Baker's Longbourn, it opens a window into the fascinating lives of servants, while also delivering a suspenseful tale of obsession and betrayal"--.

"Discusses the creation and execution of the US Constitution in the early says of the United States"-- Provided by publisher.

A biography tracing the life of literary genius Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Examines his work on political theory, "The Social Contract," and his groundbreaking treatise on education, "Emile.".

From plantation owners' wives to indentured servants, women in the colonies had varied duties that readers will find fascinating in this format.

Introduces the life of Crispus Attucks, an African-American sailor and rope maker who became one of the first to die for independence at the Boston Massacre in 1770, and discusses the roles of other African American patriots during the American Revolution.

A brief introduction to Thomas Paine, who wrote the pamphlet "Common Sense" which explained why the American Colonies should gain their independence from Great Britain.

A brief biography of Betsy Ross and an introduction to her work during the American Revolution to make the first American flag.

Discusses the history of the Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common sense" and its influence in convincing colonists that separation with England was necessary.

Born in Jamaica, Francis Barber was brought to London by his owner in 1750 and became a servant in the household of the renowned Dr. Samuel Johnson. Although Barber left London for a time and served in the British navy during the Seven Years' War, he later returned to Johnson's employ. A fascinating reversal took place in the relationship between the two men as Johnson's health declined and the older man came to rely more and more upon his now educated and devoted companion. When Johnson died he left the bulk of his estate to Barber, a generous (and at the time scandalous) legacy, and a testament to the depth of their friendship. There were thousands of black Britons in the eighteenth century, but few accounts of their lives exist. In uncovering Francis Barber's story, this book not only provides insights into his life and Samuel Johnson's but also opens a window onto London when slaves had yet to win their freedom.

Chronicles the life and career of Mary Wallstonecraft who is considered to be the founder of modern feminism, and describes her life and work in eighteenth-century Europe.