Joanne Paul was briefly a lecturer at the University of Sussex, but, on the success of this book, decided to ditch academia and become a full time writer with a mission to bring good history to the masses. I wish her well. Academia today is a lot like the Tudor court, full of unscrupulous people and constantly shifting loyalties. I admire Paul’s immense energy and her refreshing approach to her craft. I suppose it’s not really relevant, but I love the fact that at her launch party she wore a dress in a fabric printed with the same gorgeously opulent pattern of this book. The history profession needs more people with style like her.