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.

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THE HISTORIAN - First UK Printing Signed/Inscribed

THE HISTORIAN - First UK Printing Signed/Inscribed

by Kostova, Elizabeth

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
Fine
Edition
1st Edition
Published
2005
Binding
Hardcover
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1
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Sastamala, FIN
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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
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£267.50
The Historian

The Historian

by Elizabeth Kostova

Condition
Used - Very Good
Published
2005
Binding
Trade Paperback
ISBN 10
0316730300
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Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Little, Brown, 2005. Trade Paperback. Very Good.
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The Historian
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The Historian

by KOSTOVA, Elizabeth

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
Fine
Published
2005
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0316730319
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Gloucester City, New Jersey, USA
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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
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£321.20
The Historian: Signed

The Historian: Signed

by Kostova, Elizabeth

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
Fine
Edition
1ST
Published
2005
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0316011770
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CARSON CITY, Nevada, USA
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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
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The Historian
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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 10
0316011770
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SANDY, Oregon, USA
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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
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The Historian
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The Historian

by Kostova, Elizabeth

Condition
Used - Fine
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Fine
Edition
Signed First Edition
Published
2005
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0316011770
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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
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THE HISTORIAN: A Novel.
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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 10
0316011770
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Ione, California, USA
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£48.18

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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
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Historian, The
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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 10
0316730319
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COSTA MESA, California, USA
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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.
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£84.32
The Historian: Signed

The Historian: Signed

by Kostova, Elizabeth

Condition
Used - Near Fine
Jacket Condition
Near Fine
Edition
1ST
Published
2005
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0316011770
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CARSON CITY, Nevada, USA
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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
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The Historian

by Elizabeth Kostova

Condition
Used - Very Good
Published
2006
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0751537284
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Morangis, FRA
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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.
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£4.02
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The Historian: A Novel

by Kostova, Elizabeth

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Used - Very Good
Edition
1st Edition
Published
2005
Binding
Soft cover
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Beverly Hills, California, USA
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Little Brown & Co, 2005. 1st Edition. Soft cover. Very Good. Boston: Little Brown & Co, 2005. Copyright page states First Edition and has 1 on the number sequence. SIGNED by the author on the title page. This is an Uncorrected Proof. Softcover book in very good condition.
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£68.26
The Historian

The Historian

by Elizabeth Kostova

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Used - Good
Published
2006-02-06
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0751537284
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Devizes, Wiltshire, GBR
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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.
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£3.99
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The Historian: *Signed*

by Kostova, Elizabeth

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
Fine
Edition
First Edition
Published
2005
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0316011770
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carson city, Nevada, USA
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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
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The Historian

by Kostova, Elizabeth

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Used - Fine
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Fine
Edition
1st Edition
Published
2005
Binding
Hardcover
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London, United Kingdom: Little, Brown, 2005 Signed by Kostova. Fine/Fine.. Signed by Author(s). 1st Edition. Hardcover. Fine/Fine.
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£103.59
The Historian

The Historian

by Kostova, Elizabeth

Condition
Used - Good
Jacket Condition
Very Good
Edition
First Edition
Published
2005
Binding
Hard Cover
ISBN 10
0316011770
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Spray, Oregon, USA
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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
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The Historian

The Historian

by Kostova, Elizabeth

Condition
Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
Very Good
Edition
1st Edition
Published
2005
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0316011770
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CARSON CITY, Nevada, USA
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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
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The Historian: The captivating international bestseller and Richard and Judy Book Club pick

The Historian: The captivating international bestseller and Richard and Judy Book Club pick

by Elizabeth Kostova

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Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0751537284
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GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
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Paperback. Good.
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£1.00
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The Historian

by Kostova, Elizabeth

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
Near fine
Edition
First UK edition-4th reprint
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0316730319
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Southampton, Hampshire, GBR
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Little, Brown & Company. First UK edition-4th reprint. Hardcover. Fine/Near fine. Fine/Near fine.Little,Brown,2005.First UK edition-4th reprint.Red hardback(silver lettering to the spine,two small nicks on the edges of the cover and spine) in fine condition,with Dj(small colour mark,ink mark,nicks and creases on the Dj cover) in near fine condition.Illustrated with a b/w map inside the front and back cover.Nice… Read more about this item
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The Historian
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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 10
0316011770
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Haddonfield, New Jersey, USA
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Fine in Fine dust jacket. An unusually clean, crisp and unread copy of the author's 1st book.
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£9.64
The Historian

The Historian

by Kostova, Elizabeth

Condition
Used - Near Fine
Edition
Advance Uncorrected Proof
Published
2005
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0316730319
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1
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CARSON CITY, Nevada, USA
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£10.40

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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..
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£10.40