In 701 B.C. the Assyrian empire was in its ascendancy. It had already vanquished the kingdom of Israel to the north including the capital at Samaria. It then prepared an assault on Judah and its capital at Jerusalem.
But in one of those significant events that changes the course of world history, Assyria was repelled. Jerusalem was saved until 586 B.C. when the Babylonians sacked the city, forcing its leadership class into exile.
Henry Aubin, in a major feat of scholarship, determines that Jerusalem was aided by a Kushite army from Africa which had marched northeast from the Nile valley. While the Bible attributes the Assyrian retreat to an angel and secular commentators cite pestilence, Aubin, in a meticulously documented work, demonstrates that an alliance with the African nation of Kush bolstered Jerusalem’s defences.
Kush, also known as Nubia, was located in what is now southern Egypt and northern Sudan. A monarchy that existed for more than 1000 years, from 900 B.C. to A.D. 350, Kushites held sway over Egypt from 712 B.C. to about 660 B.C. Of Egypt’s 31 dynasties, this, the 25th Dynasty, is the only one that all scholars agree, was black.
The commander of the Kushite expeditionary force was Taharqa (or as the Bible calls him Tirhakah). This Kushite prince, who had his own interests in halting Assyrian expansion, likely caught the aggressors by surprise as they prepared their siege of Jerusalem.
Aubin offers a thrilling military history and a stirring political analysis of the ancient world. He also sees the event as influential over the centuries.
The Kushite rescue of the Hebrew kingdom of Judah enabled the fragile, war-ravaged state to endure, to nurse itself back to economic and demographic health, and allowed the Hebrew religion, Yahwism, to evolve within the next several centuries into Judaism. Thus emerged the monotheistic trunk supporting Christianity and Islam.
“Rich describes the opulence of royal life in Constantinople set against conspiracy and betrayal… the more heavenly the surroundings, the more treacherous the characters.â€Toronto Star “The details of 16th-century life in Constantinople are delightfully portrayed, the storyline is compelling …. The Harem Midwife is an entertaining read, sure to please those who enjoyed The Midwife of Venice and certain to find new fans as well.â€Vancouver Sun “Love, roses, Turkish delight, blood, babies and a plucky heroine who triumphs. A great read!â€National Post
Doubleday Canada
2013
Gallery/Simon&Schuster
United States 2014
Ebury/Random House UK
2014
Tericum Kiado Hungary 2014
Boekencentrum Netherlands 2014
Juritzen Forlag Norway 2015
Oceanida Greece 2015
Hermes Bulgaria 2015
Roberta Rich
The Harem Midwife
Hannah and Isaac return in this opulent, riveting, and suspenseful tale–a sequel to the #1 national bestseller The Midwife of Venice. Hannah and Isaac Levi, Venetians in exile, have set up a new life for themselves in Constantinople. Isaac runs a newly established business in the growing silk trade, while Hannah, the best midwife in all of Constantinople, plies her trade within the opulent palace of Sultan Murat III, tending to the thousand women of his lively and infamous harem. But one night, when Hannah is unexpectedly summoned to the palace, she’s confronted with Leah, a poor Jewish peasant girl who has been abducted and sold into the sultan’s harem. The Sultan favours her as his next conquest and wants her to produce his heir, but the girl just wants to return to her home and the only life she has ever known. What will Hannah do? Will she risk her life and livelihood to protect this young girl, or will she retain her high esteem in the eye of the Sultan? An adventurous, opulent and deliciously exciting read, peopled with fascinating, unforgettable characters (a court eunuch; the calculating Sultan’s mother; the beguiling harem ladies; and a very mysterious young beauty from Rome who shows up on Hannah’s doorstep causing much havoc), this novel is sure to please fans of The Midwife of Venice and extend Roberta’s reputation as one of the most beloved historical fiction authors. Roberta Rich has once again brought history to life to delight all reader. She divides her time between Vancouver and Mexico. Learn more at: www.robertarich.com
