Dangerous Weakness

  For a more in-depth explanation, see:

  https://history.state.gov/milestones/1801-1829/barbary-wars

  https://vivalalgerie.wordpress.com/2012/07/16/rais-hamidou/

  http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/white_slaves_01.shtml

  The Seraglio

  There was little room in the story to expand on the workings of the Ottoman court. However, every effort was made to accurately reflect life in the Seraglio in these ways: The valide sultan was a powerful figure under most sultans. Her administration was vast and complex. The Seraglio was a place of learning and culture. By the nineteenth century, the power of the valide sultan had waned somewhat from earlier centuries, but she continued to be an influential figure.

  A few words about language: “Seraglio” is the term for the sultan’s personal living quarters within the palace complex. “Harem” is the word for the women themselves.

  For a more in depth explanations see:

  http://www.nadinevalidesultan.org/ottomanharem.html

  http://www.theottomans.org/english/family/harem.asp

  Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus

  Observant readers may notice that I moved the publication of the book back two months to suit the needs of the story. Lily’s conversation with Catherine about Frankenstein takes place in February 1818. The small London publishing house of Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, & Jones actually published the work March 11, 1818. Mary Shelly published it anonymously and with a preface by her husband Percy Bysshe Shelley and with a dedication to her father, the radical philosopher William Godwin. It got largely, but not entirely, unfavorable reviews.

  For more on the lives and loves of Will, Jamie, and Andrew, be sure to read:

  Dangerous Works

  Dangerous Secrets