{"product_id":"9781101607664","title":"The Secret History: A Novel of Empress Theodora","description":"\u003cb\u003eWhere Theodora went, trouble followed….\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eIn sixth-century\u003c\/i\u003e \u003ci\u003eConstantinople, one woman, Theodora, defied every convention and all the odds and rose from common theater tart to empress of a great kingdom, the most powerful woman the Roman Empire would ever know. The woman whose image was later immortalized in glittering mosaic was a scrappy, clever, conniving, flesh-and-blood woman full of sensuality and spirit whose real story is as surprising as any ever told\u003c\/i\u003e….\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eAfter her father dies suddenly, Theodora and her sisters face starvation and a life on the streets. Determined to survive, Theodora makes a living any way she can—first on her back with every man who will have her, then on the stage in a scandalous dramatization of her own invention. When her daring performance grants her a backdoor entry into the halls of power, she seizes the chance to win a wealthy protector—only to face heartbreak and betrayal.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eEver resilient, Theodora rises above such trials and, by a twist of fate, meets her most passionate admirer yet: the emperor’s nephew. She thrives as his confidant and courtesan, but many challenges lie ahead. For one day this man will hand her a crown. And all the empire will wonder—is she bold enough, shrewd enough, and strong enough to keep it?\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eREADERS GUIDE INCLUDED","brand":"Penguin Publishing Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47127946821872,"sku":"9781101607664","price":4.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781101607664_p0.jpg?v=1763688479","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781101607664","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}