The Bearkeeper's Daughter - first US edition

by Gillian Bradshaw

Intrigue, bastardy and godlike privilege emerge as the chief motivators in a fanciful tale of the Byzantine Empress Theodora and John, the lowly scribe who materializes one day and addresses her as "Mother." Since he has clearly inherited her beauty and brains, he soon establishes himself not only as an impeccable record keeper and linguist but as an unparalleled military commander, defeating forces that far outnumber his own. John's uncertainties over his status and his unfamiliarity with a new life are deftly portrayed using a swift-moving, engrossing in plot and excellent characterization.

There are no previous owner's marks in the book, which has brown boards quarter bound with tan cloth, title in gold on the spine, maps decorate end papers. Nice clean copy.

The dust jacket price has not been clipped and would be fine except for a some very faint rubbing on the rear panel and at extreme edges.