Comments and Suggestions Received.
Lately, I have been queried over my abstention from engaging in blogging, podcasting, or devoting additional efforts towards rectifying erroneous content present on many websites pertaining to the personalities I have extensively written about, including Lady Jane Grey and especially Betty Boop's origins. While I acknowledge that certain aspects of this phenomenon can be bothersome, it is worth noting that individuals seeking knowledge about a particular subject often rely on website content, which is frequently lacking proper citations, as opposed to thoroughly researched books. This inclination towards instant access to information, regardless of its accuracy, is a reflection of our contemporary society.
The process of compiling a book sometimes involves the accumulation, examination, and visitation of several sources over an extended period of time. I am unable to allocate sufficient time to engage in online activities aimed at rectifying the mistakes made by others. Apparently my works have been deemed worthy of receiving an Associated Fellowship with the Royal Historical Society-University of London due to my notable achievements in the field of early English historical writing, so it is safe to assume I am doing it correctly and I have been told so by scholars, a great compliment.
To be candid, I possess little personal interest in the content published on webpages or blogs, or podcasts, as these platforms are inherently impermanent. In contrast, I place higher importance on the eternal existence of my books. I strive to ensure our future generations have accurate information. These are the morals I work from. I have been called old school during lectures. I will accept that as old school.
A few individuals have indicated they find low sales numbers on Amazon.com. Please do not judge these, my sales are primarily to colleges, universities and schools as I am with an academic press. Please check sites like Worldcat.org. Worldcat.org is a catalog of books from all over the globe. Thank you for your understanding and all your questions.
My Most Asked Question:
"How helpful is the internet for you as an active well-published author?"
A simple answer-about 50%. I still must travel to libraries as many older publications have not been converted to digital. Please, take the time required to ensure our future generations have correct information available.
The Documents of Lady Jane Grey, Nine Days Queen of England, 1553.
A high-born, high-minded, and clever young lady was sacrificed on the pyre of ambition by her kin in this drama, which is depicted by primary sources, including Lady Jane's own letters. Published information on Lady Jane is sparse and conflicting. While some of those surrounding Lady Jane revealed themselves to be the very definition of treachery and betrayal, the youthful Lady Jane accepted her awful situation with astonishing courage. Her own performance is inspirational. As a result, readers and academics alike will have fresh questions after reading this thorough and precise analysis of Lady Jane Grey and her brief reign through primary and secondary sources.
James continues to receive critical acclaim for uncovering a rare and over looked letter from Lady Jane to Queen Mary that all other authors and historians have not discovered. A recent newspaper included this:
'Mr. Taylor unveils information not seen or shared since 1594 in this book. 7 years of hard work and research produced a fabulous rewards.'
“Taylor succeeds in furnishing insights into the remarkable mind of this young, 16th-century Protestant noblewoman” & “serious students of English history will relish the new material offered here”
Publishers Weekly, Jan 2005.
"Mr. Taylor’s hard work and diligent research has provided new information about Lady Jane Grey not seen in over 400 years. His literary contributions to historical research and studies is a valuable asset." Detroit Free Press. 2008.
ISBN: 978-0-87586-334-4-Biography
DA345.1.D9D63 2004
Algora Publishing, New York. 2004
The Shadow of the White Rose, Edward Courtenay, Earl of Devon 1526-1556.
Edward Courtenay, the twelfth Earl of Devonshire, walked a fine line that separated treason and loyalty to the crown. Although he spent over half of his life imprisoned in the Tower of London, he was considered a possible marriage partner for Mary Tudor. He was released from prison but ended his days adrift on the continent. Here, James Taylor has pieced together the story of his dramatic life through remnants of correspondence and documents from the era. This volume was prepared in consultation with current Earl of Devon.
ISBN: 978-0-87586-473-0-Biography
DA347.1.D48T39 2006
Algora Publishing, New York. 2006
Sir Thomas Wyatt the Younger, c.1521-1554 & Wyatt’s Rebellion.
Thomas Wyatt the Younger, born into a Catholic family with a history of loyal service to the Crown, was a supporter of Queen Mary — until she decided to marry Philip II of Spain. Wyatt had seen the horrors of the Spanish Inquisition and was dead set against tying England to this "foreigner." What happened next helped Mary earn the moniker "Bloody Mary." James D. Taylor Jr. has brought together all known surviving documents from the life of Thomas Wyatt the Younger and presents them in their original form, allowing the reader to piece together a pointillistic picture of the historical narrative, the thinking of a daring man, and the drama leading up to and during Wyatt's rebellion against the Queen.
ISBN: 978-1-62894-009-1-Biography
DA347.T39 2013
Algora Publishing, New York. 2013
Henry Grey (c.1500 -1554) A History in Documents.
Henry Grey gave up a comfortable, quiet and leisurely life to become one of the most powerful and influential figures in England. The father of Lady Jane Grey, he was descended from a distinguished and noble heritage back as far as 1100 CE that produced two queens. In the end, Henry Grey brought destruction upon his daughter and himself, as they were sent to the executioner within a week of each other.
A genealogy of the Grey family, descriptive information on Henry Grey's wife Frances Brandon — an ambitious granddaughter of King Henry VII, a list of Knights made by King Edward VI, and other historical documents accompany the text. The author also presents some dramatic narratives from the 1700s and 1800s which add flavor to the story and corrects several incorrect facts often reprinted.
ISBN: 978-1-62894-181-4-Biography
DA345.1.S84T39 2015
Algora Publishing, New York. 2015
The Voice of Betty Boop, Mae Questel.
Betty Boop has been a beloved icon for many years. She appears on practically everything, from household goods and clothing to automobile and motorcycle accessories, short films, and cartoons. Her seductive tiny form can be seen on practically anything. However, few people are aware of the voice that contributed to her rise to fame.
Mae Questel, a vocalist and actress from the United States, was the "boop" in "boop boop a doop." Betty Boop has a distinctive voice that millions of people have heard and remembered thanks to Mae Questel.
James D. Taylor, a historian, offers a glimpse inside the life of a great woman and the contributions she made to American popular culture in this book. She devoted her life to her profession and continued to be productive until the final ten years of her lengthy life.
The author gathered information for this biography through speaking with people like Woody Allen, Lou Hirsch, Doris Roberts, and Bob Newhart, as well as by listening to and watching countless hours of archival audio recordings and motion pictures. He claims that his admiration for this admirable and talented woman who entertained millions of people rose with each passing hour.
I hope Mrs. Questel enjoys the renewed and certainly deserved popularity again.
ISBN: 978-1-62894-204-0-Biography
Algora Publishing, New York. 2016
Helen Kane and Betty Boop. On Stage and on Trial
Betty Boop has been a beloved character since the 1930s. The quintessential “flapper,” her character was based on a handful of popular performers, and fans are still arguing who was the principal model.
This book is the only comprehensive collection of documented facts about Helen Kane, the face of Betty Boop. Historian James D. Taylor has painstakingly accumulated all the facts that can be found about her life and her performing career - and these details make for an interesting story in themselves.
Those who do know of Helen Kane are aware of the controversy that broke out and became a major court case. Mr. Taylor gained access to the official transcript of the trial that was a pivotal event in her life.
Too many short, inaccurate biographies have been published that incorrectly quote from that trial. Helen Kane was dedicated to her work and remained active until the last ten years of her life.
While Mae Questel was the vocal artist whose distinctive voice helped make Betty Boop a favorite character, it’s the image of Betty Boop that is most recognizable. She would not look the way she does if it had not been for the performances of Helen Kane.
ISBN-978-1-62894-240-8 Biography
DDC 782.42164092
Algora Publishing, New York. 2017
Complete State Trials of the Tudor Dynasty
This book presents the full documentation of all known and recorded capital trials during the Tudor dynasty.
Trials were very different back then. It was very rare for the accused to even have representation, and mainly people had to defend themselves; but one can read several examples of how individuals accused of treason skillfully defended themselves, evading the sentence of death.
Biographies have been published about some of these individuals, including the events that led up to the trials, but all too often the trials themselves have been left out of have been included only by way of a few exerts, so that this volume is the first to included as many are presented here.
The inducement to put together this book is two-fold. These trials were life and death events, an integral part of the individual's biographical story and of history; secondly, some readers of my past publications have requested a book just about the trials of those best known to readers interested in English Tudor history.
The trials included in this edition are accumulated from many sources. Only a very few cases, where actual trial records were not found, have been left out. During the reign of Elizabeth I, record keeping and trial transcripts became more frequent and regular.
Through this book, the refinement of Tudor law can be seen as it evolved from being a matter of the monarch's will to following clearly-established law that governed everyone.
ISBN 978-1-62894-376-4 State Trials.
Algora Publishing. New York. 2018.
The Queen's Eyes; Sir Nicholas Throckmorton 1513-1570
Sir Nicholas Throckmorton was a paragon of courage, loyalty and integrity during the turbulent and perilous days of the English Reformation. A diplomat, soldier, and politician, he served as ambassador to France and then Scotland, and played a critical role in managing the interactions between Elizabeth I of England, Mary Queen of Scots, and the French monarchy, calling upon not only his own refined skills, but also in liaisons, informants and spies who would save hundreds of lives and prevent conflicts.
Throckmorton skillfully balanced his allegiance to the crown with potential risk of treason, diligently supplying Queen Elizabeth with intelligence to help her safeguard hir kingdom and prevent the outbreak of war. Yet, Throckmorton frequently drew disapproval from others and he found himself imprisoned.
When Mary Tudor, a Roman Catholic, seized the throne from the Protestant Jane Grey, and subsequently declared her intention to wed Philip of Spain, also a Catholic, discontent spread throughout the kingdom. This culminated in the Wyatt rebellion. Hundreds were ruthlessly put to death. Sir Nicholas Throckmorton too, faced charges of treason and conspiracy against the crown. At trial, his vigorous and adept self-defense resulted in a complete acquittal, a rare outcome.
