A true-life story that inspired no fewer than five novels — including Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure tale, Kidnapped – A. Roger Ekirch’s Birthright recounts the ordeal of an orphaned aristocrat who is freed from years of punishing labor in America to claim his rightful place.
In 1728, at twelve years of age, Jemmy Annesley was kidnapped from Dublin and shipped by his uncle to the colonies as an indentured servant. Amazingly, Uncle Richard usurped the boy’s inheritance of five aristocratic titles belonging to the mighty house of Annesley, together with sprawling estates in Ireland, England, and Wales. Fast forward to an epic trial held in Dublin, which was the greatest family estate ever put before a jury, and a road to redemption followed closely by a rapt public, including George II, king of England.
We at Wonders & Marvels have three copies of Birthright as our giveaway. To enter, just comment before 11:59 p.m. EST February 1, 2010 in response to this question:
What aristocratic family are you really a member of?
You are given the go-ahead to freely make stuff up! Good luck. (At this time, books can only be shipped to U.S. addresses.)
Tagged as:
Birthright,
Giveaway,
Professor Roger Ekirch
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Sounds like a great read and always enjoy true-life stories!
Ha Ha…I wish! Actually, I think I’m a long lost Tudor. Queen Elizabeth I is a kindred spirit! I should move to England and claim my heritage
Sounds very interesting. As to belonging the aristocracy, no family is more grand nor more satisfying than the one I was born to (aristocratic or not).
Sounds very interesting. As to belonging to the aristocracy, no family is more grand nor more satisfying than the one I was born to (aristocratic or not).
For real, I descend from Harriet Beecher Stowe, and a long line of hell-raising women after her.
I have always believed that I would fit in marvelously with the Devonshire set. Not only do I adore Chatsworth as a home, but so much scandal in the past, too!
Mary Todd Lincoln was a great-great aunt & my 6th great grandfather was chief of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians…way cool! That is my little claim to fame…the book though sounds really interesting. I hope I wim…if not here I come local bookstore.
I like Aarti’s answer!! I would LOVE to say that I descend from the artistocratic family of the Talbots of Elizabethan times.. more specifically, Bess of Hardwick who married into the Shrewsbury name. Wouldn’t that be grand? I find Bess of Hardwick a wonderful epitome of the aristocracy, escpecially for the fact that she was a successful FEMALE landowner, such as was the Chatsworth home that Aarti mentions above.
But no.. that would not be reality..there are just rumors that we are related General Robert E Lee and Pocahantas but I take that with a pound of salt.
I would love a chance to read Birthright =)
The Wallen clan on Whales! Thanks for the giveaway!
Rachelhwallen@gmail.com
I think I really should have been a Vanderbilt. Living in the Biltmore seems like it would have been so perfect for me.
Thanks for the giveaway!
s.mickelson at gmai dot com