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eBook Category: Science Fiction Hugo Award Nominee
eBook Description: In the 22nd century, the nascent Time Research Institute has been granted a permit by the Church of the Holy Hostage to take Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's second wife. The equations show a .798 probability that Anne's disappearance, just one month after the birth of her daughter Elizabeth, will prevent the English civil war one hundred years later. The Institute, however, underestimated Anne's ability to manipulate her captors.

eBook Publisher: Fictionwise.com, Published: Asimov's, 1991
Fictionwise Release Date: April 2001

120 Reader Ratings: Great Good OK Poor

Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: Adobe Acrobat (PDF) [214 KB], eReader (PDB) [66 KB], Palm Doc (PDB) [55 KB], Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [51 KB], Microsoft Reader (LIT) [75 KB] - PocketPC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [119 KB], hiebook (KML) [155 KB], Sony Reader (LRF) [88 KB], iSilo (PDB) [46 KB], Mobipocket (PRC) [58 KB], Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [85 KB], OEBFF Format (IMP) [79 KB]
Words: 16485
Reading time: 47-65 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Format:  Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud DISABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED

If you have ever wondered what on earth could have caused Henry VIII to wreck his marriage, split with the Pope, and cause enormous religious strife in England, then check out “And Wild For to Hold” by Nancy Kress. The answer, of course, is Anne Boleyn. She is so central to the suffering of so many that she is kidnapped by altruistic time travelers. As Kress portrays Boleyn, she is smart, beautiful, passionate when she wants to be, and coolly controlled all the time—exactly what it must have taken to win the heart of the King of England (even if only temporarily!). The naively altruistic kidnappers are no match for her powers as she wreaks havoc in the future, leading to a trial where this time the cards are stacked in her favor. In a very entertaining story, Kress effectively points out the importance of women in history. Unfortunately, the Alternative History and time travel genres mirror mainstream history in their dearth of stories dealing with the substantial impact of women in history. Recommended for Alt History and time travel fans, as well as those who like strong female characters. -Paul Walker, Fictionwise Recommender

"There are other, bloodier religious wars to prevent than the English civil war."

"True, Your Holiness," the director said humbly. At least it looked like humility to Lambert. "But ours is a young science. Identifying other time streams, focusing on one, identifying historical fulcra--it is such a new science. We do what we can, in the name of Peace."

Everyone in the room looked pious. Lambert kept her face blank. In the name of Peace--and of prestigious scientific research, attended by rich financial support and richer academic reputations.

"And it is Peace we seek," Brill pressed, "as much as the Church itself does. With a permanent permit to take Anne Boleyn hostage, we can save countless lives in this other time stream, just as the Church preserves peace in our own."

The High Priest played with the sleeve of her robe. Lambert could not see her face. But when she looked up, she was smiling.

"I'll recommend to the All-World Forum that your hostage permit be granted, Director. I will return in two months to make an official check on the Holy Hostage."