Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Deborah Fisher is an author of historical non fiction and this title examines William and Mary. I knew little about their reign or how William came to the throne when it should have been James II. I now understand! Deborah Fisher is very easy to read and I particularly enjoyed this title as she includes detail about many of the places and palaces involved. It would be an interesting companion volume for anyone travelling to Holland ir even York, London and other parts of the UK as she explains the significance in this monarchy.

Both were keen gardeners and the Kant, Sweet William is attributed to the king. In Scotland, the plant is known as stinking Willy and much reviled, even to this day ad I now understand the resentment. I’ve really enjoyed this title. I didn’t realise just how much these two ( and particularly William as a usurper) had shaped and influenced the monarchy. Their legacy lives on in many of the palaces and gardens still in use. The question of William’s legitimacy to the throne remains unanswered, but this is a brilliant account of their reign.

NetGalley, Anita Wallas

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I was definitely excited to dive into this title! My previous reading on William and Mary was Jonathan Keates’ volume in the Penguin Monarch series and which explored the reign of the dual monarchs very succinctly. William and Mary came to the throne after the Glorious Revolution when James II, Mary’s father, was forced out of power (papists, warming pan babies, and a shrieking Anne, oh my!) William faced the unique position of being brought in as a foreign leader mostly tolerated because of his British queen. In her work Fisher highlights important aspects of their lives and reign to shed light on a pair often overlooked in history.

In the introduction the author asserts that William and Mary have largely remained a mystery to many which was very true of my own experience with the co-monarchs. Although I’ve done plenty of reading about the Stuarts, my knowledge of the pair was sorely lacking. With this in mind, I especially enjoyed the first chapter which centers around William’s childhood and upbringing. It certainly helped to foster a better understanding of his early life and the vivid descriptions of the Netherlands and the various buildings were fantastic. Equally enjoyable were the chapters about Mary’s early life and the beginnings of their married life. I imagine marriage to William would have been a difficult adjustment for Mary and I think Fisher does this view great justice.

Stylistically, I love the way Fisher structures her chapters. She discusses their personal history and then weaves in these great passages about places they would have been before sort of returning to what significance it might hold for them. I really appreciated this approach, because reading so much information can be tiresome, which is avoided here with interesting little anecdotes about William and Mary and their relatives sprinkled throughout. The text offers plenty of details about William’s militaristic career and also aims to shed light on moments where Mary exercised authority independently making for a fascinating account. This was a great little work and I enjoyed reading it, particularly Fisher’s ability to so thoroughly conjure visions of locations like The Hague or places like Whitehall Palace.

NetGalley, Nicholas Artrip

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

"William and Mary: A History of Their Most Important Places and Events" by Deborah Fisher offers an insightful and engaging exploration of the significant locations and moments that have shaped the history of William & Mary. Fisher’s thorough research and accessible writing bring to life the college’s rich heritage, highlighting its impact on American history and education. This book is a valuable read for alumni, students, and anyone interested in the storied past of one of the nation’s oldest institutions of higher learning.

NetGalley, Elizabeth Schmit