This is a nicely illustrated and very basic life of Jane Austen, apparently intended for young adults. (I think that any adult who automatically turns up their nose at YA books is a fool.) Sidebars include accounts of major personalities and events, such as the Prince Regent and Napoleon. I don't consider it to be nearly as good as Carol Shield's Jane Austen: A Life (Penguin Lives), which is about the same length, but it is simpler, quicker read and the reader may prefer an illustrated biography. It includes a bibliography, notes, and index, and a list of a few major websites. ( )