A SAMPLE OF REGENCY... NONFICTION |
One of the joys of writing historical fiction is the historical research it requires. I write about the Regency because I love to read about the Regency, in fiction and non-fiction, and here I list some of my favourite research books in the hope that they will enhance your Regency romance reading experience. |
There are innumerable books about Jane Austen, her times, her life, and her world. Following are two of the best: Jane Austen: Her Life by Park Honan 0-449-90319-2 trade pbk, 1987, Fawcett Columbine Jane Austen In Style by Susan Watkins 0-500-27900-4 trade pbk, 1990, Thames & Hudson previously published as Jane Austen's Town and Country Style There are many other good books with an Austen touch: Jane Austen's England by Maggie Lane 0-7090-3709-0 trade pbk, 1989, Robert Hale Limited Jane Austen and Food by Maggie Lane 1-85285-124-4 hc, 1995, The Hambledon Press Jane Austen's Christmas by Maria Hubert 0-7509-1307-X trade pbk, 1996, Sutton Publishing Jane Austen and The English Landscape by Mavis Batey 1-55652-306-8 hc, 1996, Barn Elms Publishing The Wit and Wisdom of Jane Austen ed by Michael Kerrigan ISBN 1-8702-601-2 hc Fourth Estate Ltd. Austen Country by Tom Howard ISBN 1-85627-783-6 hc Grange Books The Jane Austen Cookbook by Black & Le Faye 1-55652-242-8 hc British Museum Press The World of Jane Austen by Nigel Nicolson ISBN 0-75380-017-9 Phoenix Illustrated, Orion Pub. The History of England by Jane Austen Penguin Classics Catharine by Jane Austen Penguin Classics |
There are likewise many books about the Regent of the 'Regency', and his times. These two titles are good starting points: The Prince of Pleasure and his Regency 1811-20 by J. B. Priestley Sphere Books, trade pbk, 1971 George IV: Regent and King 1811-1830 by Christopher Hibbert hc, Allen Lane, 1975 More general history of the period is found in: Years of Victory by Arthur Bryant 1802-1812 London, Collins, 1945 hc The Age of Elegance by Arthur Bryant 1812-1822 London, Collins, 1950 hc The Rise and Fall of a Regency Dandy: The Life and Times of Scrope Berdmore Davies by T.A.J. Burnett ISBN 0-19-285124-1 pbk Oxford University Press A Residence at the Court of London by Richard Rush ISBN 0-7126-1780-9 Century Hutchinson |
For views of the Regency world, try: Britain Portrayed: A Regency Album 1780-1830 by John Barr 0-7123-0174-7, hc, 1989, The British Library Regency England: The Great Age of the Colour Print by Reay Tannahill, The Folio Society Limited, 1964 hc. Mrs. Hurst Dancing and Other Scenes from Regency Life 1812-1823 by Gordon Mingay with original watercolours by Diana Sperling. ISBN 0-575-03035-6 hc London, Victor Gollancz Ltd., 1981 |
Life 'below stairs' is well documented: The Complete Servant: Regency life below stairs by Samuel & sarah Adams, Butler & Housekeeper 1-870962-09-5 trade pbk, 1993, Southover Press The Housekeeping Book of Susanna Whatman ISBN 0-7126-1755-8 National Trust Classics |
About the Napoleonic Wars: Die Hard! Dramatic Actions from the Napoleonic Wars by Philip J. Haythornthwaite ISBN 1-85409-447-5 pbk Arms & Armour Press/Cassell Uniforms of Waterloo by Haythornthwaite, Chappell and Cassin-Scott ISBN 1-85409-394-0 pbk Arms & Armour Press/Cassell |
About Regency Architecture: Architectural Drawings of the Regency Period: 1790-1837 by Giles Worsley ISBN 1-55835-044-6 hc Americn Instit. of Architects Press London's Georgian Houses by Andrew Byrne ISBN 0-9511459-0-8 pbk The Georgian Press |
