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Jean Stubbs
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The Ironmaster (The Brief Chronicles series Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Jean Stubbs (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 522 ratings
The page-turning Howarth saga continues! For fans of Nadine Dorries, Maeve Binchy, Freda Lightfoot and Dilly Court.

Can each of the Howarth children find their place in the world?

Lancashire, 1785



Although they were all raised together at Kit’s Hill, Ned and Dorcas Howarth’s three children prove to have very different callings.

Headstrong Charlotte raises a family in London, while helping to run her husband’s radical press.

Dick’s love of the land and his childhood home prompts him to follow in his father’s footsteps as an honest yeoman farmer.

And ambitious William, a blacksmith’s apprentice, dreams of becoming master of his own ironworks.

Living in a time of great change and turbulence, all three must keep their nerve to succeed on their chosen paths…

The Ironmaster is the second book in The Brief Chronicles, a gripping family saga set in rural Lancashire during the Industrial Revolution.

‘Powerful … a splendid read and a worthy successor to Kit’s Hill’ – Yorkshire Post

THE BRIEF CHRONICLES SERIES:
Book One: Kit’s Hill
Book Two: The Ironmaster
Book Three: The Vivian Inheritance
Book Four: The Northern Correspondent
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  1. Book 2 of 4
    The Brief Chronicles series
  2. Print length
    506 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    November 13, 2019
  5. File size
    2.9 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B081J7ZM5X
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sapere Books (November 13, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 13, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.9 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 506 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 522 ratings

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Jean Stubbs

Jean Stubbs

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
522 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's plot engaging, with one mentioning how it follows the Howarth's journey from great triumphs to great tragedy. Moreover, the book evokes strong emotions, with one customer noting how it paints detailed pictures of each character.

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6 customers mention "Plot"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, with one review highlighting its great triumphs and great tragedy, while another appreciates how it keeps the story flowing smoothly.

"...It brought many emotions to surface. I definitely recommend to readers of historical fiction. I do plan to read the next in this series...." Read more

"...A satisfying tale in every way. From great triumphs to great tragedy to a great family standing together in love and solidarity...." Read more

"Enjoy the continuity of keeping the story flowing smoothly without “time jumps” to figure out...." Read more

"...The Ironmaster was great and probably the most important book for chronology of the series...." Read more

4 customers mention "Emotion level"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book emotionally engaging, with one review noting how the author paints detailed pictures of each character, while another describes it as heart wrenching.

"...It brought many emotions to surface. I definitely recommend to readers of historical fiction. I do plan to read the next in this series...." Read more

"...does an outstanding job of the continuence of painting detailed pictures of each character as they grew. They were amazingly unpredictable!..." Read more

"...Her main characters of Ned Howarth and Dorcas Wilde are so vividly human and become the foundation of a strong and lasting family ...." Read more

"I enjoyed every written word. Ms. Stubbs is a master in characterization!..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • C Woods
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
    Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This second book in the Kit's Hill family saga is even better than the first in my opinion as the children of Ned and Dorcas are now adults with growing families.

    The political issues in England during the turn of the century, late 1700's to early 1800's, are laid out and described by their impact on the social order. The meanness of those who held themselves as better than the working poor is highlighted by the political activism of the times. With revolutions in America and France and wars highlighting the daily discussions of the populous and suppression of free speech in England, and the industrial revolution changing the entire landscape both geographically and politically, this story presents the many aspects and their effects on the Howarths. I love that daughter Charlotte is a woman before her time and her radicalism is prominently threaded through the plot juxtaposed in its dynamic with her older brother William's rise to riches/power as the ironmaster.

    This is a well written and conceived plot which I totally enjoyed reading. It brought many emotions to surface. I definitely recommend to readers of historical fiction. I do plan to read the next in this series. I've learned much.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Ironmaster
    Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    A continuation of the story of lives loved in the beginnings of Industrial age England,. With all its class distinctions.
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  • Littlebit
    5.0 out of 5 stars TERRIFIC sequel to Kit's Hill!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Loved following the Howarth's journey one more time. A satisfying tale in every way. From great triumphs to great tragedy to a great family standing together in love and solidarity. This is a book that doesn't disappoint.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mamoosa
    5.0 out of 5 stars Much better than the first book!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Enjoy the continuity of keeping the story flowing smoothly without “time jumps” to figure out. Story seemed complete now I’m curious what will be left to follow!
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  • LC
    3.0 out of 5 stars Mildly interesting but …
    Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    It ended strong, and I was happy with how she finished the storyline. The family is interesting but the politics and even the Industrial Revolution don’t make for good reading to me. I told myself a third of the way through the book that I wouldn’t continue with the series and even considered not finishing the book.
    Now I sort of want to know what happens with the family but I’m not sure if it’s worth the time.
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  • d op
    5.0 out of 5 stars Heart wrenching!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    If you like historical fiction and family sagas, you can not miss with this series.
    In book 2, the author does an outstanding job of the continuence of painting detailed pictures of each character as they grew. They were amazingly unpredictable!
    The book brings laughter, joy, as well as great sorrow.
    It truly takes you on a whirlwind of emotions that at times I felt it too much to bear, But I had to see what was next!!! And promptly down loaded book 3! I think you will enjoy this series.
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  • Thalia
    5.0 out of 5 stars Marvelous love story
    Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Jean Stubbs has woven a truthful solid love story beginning with Kits Hill and continuing with the Ironmaster. Her main characters of Ned Howarth and Dorcas Wilde are so vividly human and become the foundation of a strong and lasting family . Stubb's readers will fall in love with this couple and champion their children in the same manner as the steadfast parents. I am eager to read the next books in The Brief Chronicles series.
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  • Ann Rule Fan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Reading The Ironmaster Made All the Difference
    Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    The Ironmaster is the second book in a series of four, which begins with (The Howarth's of) Kit's Hill. I read the first one, which I checked out from our library, and eagerly went back for more - only to find that our library had only Vol. I and Vol. IV. I started to read Vol. IV: The Northern Correspondent - but it was clear I had missed over 30 years of life in the English countryside from the late 1700s and early 1800s. I searched Amazon for this second volume AND the third and ordered both.

    Wow! If I hadn't read The Ironmaster and The Vivian Inheritance, the whole meaning of this series would have been lost. The Ironmaster was great and probably the most important book for chronology of the series.

    For anyone that loves historical romance, these books are a must-read!
    6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Jenny Wren
    5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent series
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 18, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    The books are the product of outstanding research and historic detail is extremely good, the characterisation is sympathetic and the people very well drawn. I would thoroughly recommend the whole series as an absorbing and excellent read.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Family saga in industrialising Lancashire
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 23, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Gripped by Kit’s Hill, I moved on to the sequel and was fully rewarded with the developing tale. In the era of Peterloo, very absorbing, particularly for my northern English heritage. So much social and economic history in this family saga.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 30, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Not one to read with distraction around terribly interesting and enlightening a new world and lesson in our fascinating history
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  • Mrs. S. Daughtree
    5.0 out of 5 stars Real history in an entertaining story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 4, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Didn’t dislike anything. This was the middle book of a trilogy but could be easily read as a single book
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  • Alan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Industrial social conditions
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 5, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    A vivid & outstanding portrayal of the beginnings of the industrial revolution & the accompanying social issues.
    Report

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