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Writing poetry and making up stories since she was a child, Ann only began to write for publication when her children left home. Her ambition was to write science fiction, but, fascinated by Swansea Castle and distracted by a major stroke she researched local history, an interest that culminated in the publication of her first book Alina, The White Lady of Oystermouth, a local history book told as a story, at Easter 2012. Early retirement gave her more time to concentrate on her writing.
The sales of over 300 copies of Alina in local shops and museums, and at speaking engagements, led to a second local history book, Broken Reed: The Lords of Gower and King John in September 2013, and then to The Magna Carta Story: The Layman’s Guide to Magna Carta at Easter 2015. The latest book, Medieval Gower Stories, is a collection of ten other stories she found in her research, published in October 2017. The next book will be Swansea Miracle.
During her stroke recovery she wrote poetry, which she published as My Stroke of Inspiration in August 2015, a surprisingly cheerful collection. She is still writing science fiction, a series called Flight of the Kestrel, and the first book Intruders was published in April 2016. The second, Alien Secrets, was published in October 2018. The third, Crisis of Conscience, was published in 2021. Look out for book 4, Planet Fail.
Also a surprisingly cheerful collection of her stroke poetry, My Stroke of Inspiration, and a Christian help book, Blinded by the Light.
Reviewed by Tommy Wong for Readers' Favorite
The Magna Carta Story: The Layman's Guide by author Ann Marie Thomas is a well-researched history book. This is evidenced by the long list of references in the bibliography. The appendix contains a full translation of the Magna Carta from the British Library website. In addition to the bibliography and appendix, it contains an introduction, a conclusion and eight chapters. The central character in this history is King John. The book describes how John became a king, even though he was not expected to, and how he finally became a party to the birth of democracy. Appropriately, the book was released in 2015 to coincide with the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta.
I really like John’s story as we can clearly see what life can offer. He had three older brothers and was the youngest son; he was therefore not expected to inherit the throne. Yet, due to a series of misadventures to his brothers, he actually became King of England and the Angevin empire. Is this a blessing? After becoming king, John was more interested in using the position for his own ends instead of serving the people. Does this sound familiar? As a consequence, he was excommunicated by the pope, and also became the last of the Angevin kings as he lost all his lands in France during his reign. So, acquiring wealth and power may not be a blessing. On the other hand, due to the discord between King John and his people, the Magna Carta was drafted, which was a peace treaty between a recalcitrant king and his exasperated people. Although King John never signed the charter, the idea was formed that no king is above the law, and justice is the right of every man. So you see, for whatever John had done, he was a party to the birth of democracy.
This is a well written book. I particularly appreciate the effort Ann Marie Thomas has put in, which is obviously significant. This book is recommended for those who are interested in the history of the Magna Carta.
