The Heir

by Barbara Taylor Bradford

Book Overview

At the age of thirty-three, Edward Deravenel, having survived harrowing years of betrayal, threats from ruthless enemies, countless lovers, and a war that ravaged his country, is finally king of his company. It's 1918, an influenza pandemic is sweeping the country, and Edward has a family and a business to protect. He must thread his way between his loyal brother, Richard, and his treacherous middle brother, George, an alcoholic bent on self-destruction . . . but not before he tries to ruin Edward and his good name. Meanwhile, the wrath of his ever-jealous wife, Elizabeth, is reaching a boiling point as suspicions about Edward's relationships with other women arise.Politics of inheritance are intense, and different family factions vie for honor over the years. An heir is needed to keep the Deravenel name alive, but tragedy and death remain obstacles at every turn. The choices include a loyal caretaker, a jealous rumormonger, a charming young woman, a sickly boy, and the scion of the family Edward ousted from power years before. Barbara Taylor Bradford triumphs once again with a novel about passion, treachery, marriage, and family, and the compromises we're forced to make for power and love.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312354622
• ISBN13: 9780312354626
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 470 Pages
• Weight: 1.01 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.3" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

The Heir

I just love all Barbara Taylor Bradford books, I have most of hers in my collection. This one is just wonderful.

Good read: The Heir

After I understood Bab's play on the modern day Plantagenet and Tudor historical dynasty, which happened in the middle of the first book (even though she gave a hint - slow on the uptake), I loved the second book, the Heir, when Henry VIII (Harry) comes into the storyline. Can't wait to read Being Elizabeth, the sequel.

THE HEIR

ANOTHER WONDERFUL SERIES OF BOOKS FROM MS. BRADFORD. IHAVE ENJOYED EVERONE OF HER BOOKS. I READ THE FIRST IN THIS RAVENSCAR DYNASTY AND THIS ONE WAS JUST AS GOOD . GTRAT CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT I COULD HARDLY PUT IT DOWN

an impeccable voice performance

After his splendid performance of the audio edition of The Ravenscar Dynasty who else to give voice to the second in Bradford's trilogy than British actor and playwright John Lee? His delivery is again impeccable as he successfully brings to life a large cast of characters. His voice is deep with a slight British accent - all the better to read these roles with. Listeners who have felt withdrawal symptoms without a Bradford saga to lose themselves in have shown they're delighted with the trials and tribulations, maladies and machinations of the Deravenel family. Bradford is deft at plotting stories of multi generational families and The Heir is not an exception as the now 33-year-old Edward Deravenel struggles to hold his company together in the midst of an influenza epidemic, and the plotting of brother George. As if this were not enough, he finds no solace or comfort in the arms of his wife Elizabeth. While Bradford's storyline is unsurprising, it's pure magic for many. - Gail Cooke

A Stunning Family Saga

No one writes a better family saga than Barbara Taylor Bradford. And her latest novel, The Heir is a prime example of this author at her best. The Heir picks up where Ravenscar Dynasty left off... with the dashing Edward Deravenel rebuilding his family business empire and sparring with his argumentative wife, Elizabeth, and his turncoat brother, George. Edward seems to have a firm grip on his life, until a series of family tragedies strike. As Edward begins to lose control, he makes crucial plans for the future which are later played out by his decendants as the story moves along. There are kidnappings, unsolved murders and a score of treachery that befall the family. Through it all, Edward's daughgter, Bess is thrust into the spotlight. It is Bess who must try and pick up the pieces of a crumbling family dynasty.