Full and Partial Decapitations

Originally published on 11/11/08.

... on book covers, that is.

Since most of the books I read come in anonymous little green boxes, it has only been since doing medieval-novels.com that I have become aware of a disturbing practice.. book covers that cut off all or part of a person's head.

To paraphrase Jerry Seinfeld, what is that all about? I just looked at Sandra Worth's new novel, The King's Daughter, and there is Elizabeth of York with the top of her head missing.

I mean you expect this sort of thing on erotica.. who cares what's way above those pecs, right? (I jokes.) But look at some of these covers and tell me if they don't make you a little queasy.







Even one of the designs for my own novel, An Involuntary King, had my hero's face split in half from crown to chin.. when you are engaged in medieval warfare, that hits a little too close to home, thank you very much. I opted for the shield and sword.

Someone told me that when a biography of Thomas Jefferson's wife was published there was no extant painting of the poor woman, so the publisher put someone else on the cover sans tête. Maybe Ms. Jefferson liked her dress...

Please, someone, tell me why our histoorical figures are being selectively guillotined? I mean, Marie Antoinette, oui.. but tout le monde?