The Historian
by Elizabeth, Kostova-
To you, perceptive reader, I bequeath my history....Late one night, exploring her father's library, a young woman finds an ancient book and a cache of yellowing letters. The letters are all addressed to "My dear and unfortunate successor," and they plunge her into a world she never dreamed of-a labyrinth where the secrets of her father's past and her mother's mysterious fate connect to an inconceivable evil hidden in the depths of history.The letters provide links to one of the darkest powers that humanity has ever known-and to a centuries-long quest to find the source of that darkness and wipe it out. It is a quest for the truth about Vlad the Impaler, the medieval ruler whose barbarous reign formed the basis of the legend of Dracula. Generations of historians have risked their reputations, their sanity, and even their lives to learn the truth about Vlad the Impaler and Dracula. Now one young woman must decide whether to take up this quest herself-to follow her father in a hunt that nearly brought him to ruin years ago, when he was a vibrant young scholar and her mother was still alive. What does the legend of Vlad the Impaler have to do with the modern world? Is it possible that the Dracula of myth truly existed-and that he has lived on, century after century, pursuing his own unknowable ends? The answers to these questions cross time and borders, as first the father and then the daughter search for clues, from dusty Ivy League libraries to Istanbul, Budapest, and the depths of Eastern Europe. In city after city, in monasteries and archives, in letters and in secret conversations, the horrible truth emerges about Vlad the Impaler's dark reign-and about a time-defying pact that may have kept his awful work alive down through the ages.Parsing obscure signs and hidden texts, reading codes worked into the fabric of medieval monastic traditions-and evading the unknown adversaries who will go to any lengths to conceal and protect Vlad's ancient powers-one woman comes ever closer to the secret of her own past and a confrontation with the very definition of evil. Elizabeth Kostova's debut novel is an adventure of monumental proportions, a relentless tale that blends fact and fantasy, history and the present, with an assurance that is almost unbearably suspenseful-and utterly unforgettable.
Reviews
Review this book!
On Jan 17, 2007, fict said
Riding a bit on the coat tails of the Da Vinci Code and awfully similar in theme, but at least much better written with something approaching real-life dialogue.
On Dec 16, 2005, Raabe said
Excellent fictional account of the mystery of Vlad Tepes.
Available Copies
THE HISTORIAN - First UK Printing Signed/Inscribed
by Kostova, Elizabeth
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Fine
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Published
- 2005
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Sastamala, FIN
- Item Price
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€308.00
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London: Little Brown & Co., 2005. 1st Edition . Hardcover. Fine/Fine. First Printing of the First UK edition. A superb, unread copy of the author's international bestseller. Nicely inscribed, signed and dated pre-publication to the seller by name. Loosely inserted into the book a personal note to the seller from the publisher. Very Fine in unclipped dustjacket and… Read more about this item Item Price
€308.00
The Historian
by Elizabeth Kostova
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Published
- 2005
- Binding
- Trade Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780316730303
- Quantity Available
- 1
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Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Item Price
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€4.73
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Little, Brown, 2005. Trade Paperback. Very Good. Item Price
€4.73
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The Historian
by KOSTOVA, Elizabeth
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Fine
- Published
- 2005
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780316730310
- Quantity Available
- 1
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Gloucester City, New Jersey, USA
- Item Price
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€378.08
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New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2005. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. First edition. Fine in fine dustwrapper. Signed on the titlepage and additionally very warmly Inscribed by Kostova on the dedication page to her fellow author and mentor Nicholas Delbanco: "and for Nicholas, cherished mentor, great reader of this book, with endless thanks, Elizabeth. May 2005." Delbanco taught creative writing… Read more about this item Item Price
€378.08
The Historian: Signed
by Kostova, Elizabeth
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Fine
- Edition
- 1ST
- Published
- 2005
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780316011778
- Quantity Available
- 1
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CARSON CITY, Nevada, USA
- Item Price
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€113.38
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U.S.A.: Little, Brown and Company, 2005. Book. Fine. Hardcover. Signed by Author(s). 1ST. Outstanding Copy - Signed By The Author On The Title Page. A First Edition, First Printing. Book Is In Fine Condition. Boards Are Clean, Not Bumped. Fore Edges Are Clean. Interior Is Clean And Legible. Not Remaindered. Dust Jacket Is In Fine Condition. Not Chipped Or Crinkled.… Read more about this item Item Price
€113.38
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The Historian
by Kostova, Elizabeth
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Fine
- Edition
- Signed First Edition
- Published
- 2005
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780316011778
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- 1
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Santa Monica, California, USA
- Item Price
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€70.89
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Synopsis: To you, perceptive reader, I bequeath my history….Late one night, exploring her father's library, a young woman finds an ancient book and a cache of yellowing letters. The letters are all addressed to "My dear and unfortunate successor," and they plunge her into a world she never dreamed of-a labyrinth where the secrets of her father's past and her… Read more about this item Item Price
€70.89
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The Historian
by Kostova, Elizabeth
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Fine in Archival Plastic Cover
- Edition
- First Edition, First Printing
- Published
- 2005
- Binding
- Cloth & Boards
- ISBN
- 9780316011778
- Quantity Available
- 1
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SANDY, Oregon, USA
- Item Price
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€249.53
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New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2005. First Edition, First Printing. Cloth & Boards. Fine/Fine in Archival Plastic Cover. A handsome First Edition, First Printing of Kostova's best-selling book, signed by the author for Parrish Books on July 5, 2005 in Portland, Oregon, one of her earliest signings. With number line 10 9 8 7 6 5 4… Read more about this item Item Price
€249.53
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The Historian (Signed, Limited Deluxe Edition)
by KOSTOVA, ELIZABETH
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- No Jacket
- Edition
- Deluxe
- Published
- 2005
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
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Potomac, Maryland, USA
- Item Price
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€661.64
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First Edition thus, First Printing. Limited Deluxe Edition, #34 of only 150 printed. Signed by Kostova (25 copies were retained by the author for personal use). Fine, as new. No jacket as issued. Specially-bound and housed in a beautiful slipcase covered in a reproduction of a sixteenth-century map of the Balkans by Sebastian Munster. Dragon illustration to front board by… Read more about this item Item Price
€661.64
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THE HISTORIAN: A Novel.
by Kostova, Elizabeth.
- Condition
- Used - Fine in fine dust jacket.
- Jacket Condition
- fine
- Published
- (2005.)
- Binding
- SIGNED hardcover first edition -
- ISBN
- 9780316011778
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- 1
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Ione, California, USA
- Item Price
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€56.71
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Boston:: Little Brown,, (2005.). SIGNED hardcover first edition -. Fine in fine dust jacket.. First printing. The author's first novel, an academic thriller, went quickly into many later printings. From the dj: "Late one night, exploring her father's library, a young woman finds an ancient book and a cache of yellowing letters. The letters are all addressed… Read more about this item Item Price
€56.71
The Historian: *Signed*
by Kostova, Elizabeth
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Fine
- Edition
- First Edition
- Published
- 2005
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780316011778
- Quantity Available
- 1
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carson city, Nevada, USA
- Item Price
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€118.15
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Great Britain: Little, Brown and Company, 2005. Book. Fine. Hardcover. Signed by Author(s). First Edition. SIGNED by the AUTHOR on the Title page. Signature only. Author's debut novel A First edition, First printing. Book is in Fine condition. Boards are clean, not bumped. Fore edges are clean. Interior is clean and legible. Not remaindered. Dust Jacket is in Fine… Read more about this item Item Price
€118.15
The Historian: The captivating international bestseller and Richard and Judy Book Club pick
by Elizabeth Kostova
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780751537284
- Quantity Available
- 1
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GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
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€0.96
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Paperback. Good. Item Price
€0.96
The Historian: Signed
by Kostova, Elizabeth
- Condition
- Used - Near Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Near Fine
- Edition
- 1ST
- Published
- 2005
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780316011778
- Quantity Available
- 1
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CARSON CITY, Nevada, USA
- Item Price
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€113.38
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U.S.A.: Little, Brown and Company, 2005. Book. Near Fine. Hardcover. Signed by Author(s). 1ST. An Excellent Copy - Signed By The Author On The Title Page. A British First Edition, First Printing. Book Is In Near Fine Condition. Boards Are Clean, No Real Shelf Wear. Interior Is Clean And Legible. Not Remaindered. Dust Jacket Is In Near Fine Condition.… Read more about this item Item Price
€113.38
The Historian
by Elizabeth Kostova
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Published
- 2006-02-06
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780751537284
- Quantity Available
- 1
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Devizes, Wiltshire, GBR
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€4.72
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Sphere. Time Warner, 2006-02-06. paperback. Good. 19 to 25 cm tall, Octavo, (8vo). Posted within 1 working day. 1st class tracked post to the UK, Airmail tracked worldwide. Robust recyclable packaging. Item Price
€4.72
The Historian
by Elizabeth Kostova
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Published
- 2006
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780751537284
- Quantity Available
- 1
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Morangis, FRA
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€4.73
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Sphere, 2006. Paperback. Very Good. Slight signs of wear on the cover. Different cover. Ammareal gives back up to 15% of this item's net price to charity organizations. Item Price
€4.73
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Historian, The
by Kostova, Elizabeth
- Condition
- Very Fine/New
- Jacket Condition
- Very Fine/New in Mylar
- Edition
- First Edition First Printing
- Published
- 2005
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780316730310
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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COSTA MESA, California, USA
- Item Price
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€99.25
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London, United Kingdom: Little, Brown & Co.(UK) Ltd,, 2005. Authors first book.. Signed by Author. First Edition First Printing. A Hardbound Book. Very Fine/New/Very Fine/New in Mylar. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. A Not Price Clipped Book. Item Price
€99.25
The Historian: The captivating international bestseller and Richard and Judy Book Club pick
by Elizabeth Kostova
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780751537284
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
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€1.18
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Paperback. Very Good. Item Price
€1.18
The Historian
by Kostova, Elizabeth
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Fine
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Published
- 2005
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Lakewood, Colorado, USA
- Item Price
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€121.93
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London, United Kingdom: Little, Brown, 2005 Signed by Kostova. Fine/Fine.. Signed by Author(s). 1st Edition. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. Item Price
€121.93
The Historian
by Kostova, Elizabeth
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good
- Edition
- First Edition
- Published
- 2005
- Binding
- Hard Cover
- ISBN
- 9780316011778
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Spray, Oregon, USA
- Item Price
-
€9.45
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Description:
Boston: Little, Brown & Company, 2005. First Edition. Hard Cover. Good/Very Good. 8vo 8" - 9" tall. Sturdy, attractive hardcover copy, spine and binding tight, pages bright and clear, and only minimal wear to covers and tips. Section of text-block split, still holding firm to backstrip. Bright and shiny dust jacket, illustrated, moderately worn. 642 pp.Member, I.O.B.A.,… Read more about this item Item Price
€9.45
The Historian
by Kostova, Elizabeth
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Published
- 2005
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780316011778
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
CARSON CITY, Nevada, USA
- Item Price
-
€10.40
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Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.: Little Brown & Co, 2005. Book. Very Good. Hardcover. 1st Edition. A Good Reading Copy - Book Is In Very Good Condition. Boards Have A Light Amount Of Shelf Wear/Rub, A Bit Bumped. Fore Edges Have A Moderate Amount Of Reading Wear. Interior Is Clean And Legible. Not Remaindered. Dust Jacket Is In Very Good Condition.… Read more about this item Item Price
€10.40
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The Historian
by Elizabeth Kostova
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Fine
- Edition
- First Edition/First Printing
- Published
- June 14, 2005
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780316011778
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Haddonfield, New Jersey, USA
- Item Price
-
€11.34
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Fine in Fine dust jacket. An unusually clean, crisp and unread copy of the author's 1st book. Item Price
€11.34
The Historian
by Kostova, Elizabeth
- Condition
- Used - Near Fine
- Edition
- Advance Uncorrected Proof
- Published
- 2005
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780316730310
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
CARSON CITY, Nevada, USA
- Item Price
-
€12.24
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U.S.A.: Time Warner Books Uk, 2005. Book. Near Fine. Soft cover. Advance Uncorrected Proof. Excellent Copy - Softcover - Uncorrected Proof/Advance Reading Copy - Book Is In Near Fine Condition. Boards Have The Tiniest Bit Of Shelf Wear. Page Edges Have Been Turned, Very Light Wear. Interior Is Clean And Legible. Not Remaindered.. Item Price
€12.24