{"product_id":"the-secret-history-stephanie-thornton-9780451417787","title":"The Secret History: A Novel of Empress Theodora","description":"\u003cb\u003eWhere Theodora went, trouble followed....\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eIn sixth-century\u003c\/i\u003e \u003ci\u003eConstantinople, one woman, Theodora, defied every convention and all the odds and rose from common theater tart to empress of a great kingdom, the most powerful woman the Roman Empire would ever know. The woman whose image was later immortalized in glittering mosaic was a scrappy, clever, conniving, flesh-and-blood woman full of sensuality and spirit whose real story is as surprising as any ever told\u003c\/i\u003e.... \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAfter her father dies suddenly, Theodora and her sisters face starvation and a life on the streets. Determined to survive, Theodora makes a living any way she can--first on her back with every man who will have her, then on the stage in a scandalous dramatization of her own invention. When her daring performance grants her a backdoor entry into the halls of power, she seizes the chance to win a wealthy protector--only to face heartbreak and betrayal. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eEver resilient, Theodora rises above such trials and, by a twist of fate, meets her most passionate admirer yet: the emperor's nephew. She thrives as his confidant and courtesan, but many challenges lie ahead. For one day this man will hand her a crown. And all the empire will wonder--is she bold enough, shrewd enough, and strong enough to keep it? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eREADERS GUIDE INCLUDED\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Stephanie Thornton\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 045141778X\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780451417787\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Penguin Publishing Group\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 07\/02\/2013\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 448\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.75lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.20h x 5.40w x 1.00d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eRomantic Times\u003c\/i\u003e 08\/01\/2013 pg. 39 - Very Good","brand":"Stephanie Thornton","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":43919791620351,"sku":"9780451417787","price":22.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/products\/img_c657af6f-4ed6-4c9b-8beb-03864feec0d5.jpg?v=1680811934","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-secret-history-stephanie-thornton-9780451417787","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}