 "This is real history - not a whitewashed novel. I loved it!" | 2008-09-27 |
| - Reviewed By lindalinguvic |
| Recently I've become interested in the Tudors. I've been following the series on television and have also read a few historical novels. This book, however, is different because it is not a novel. It is a biography. All I can say is WOW - truth really is stranger than fiction - and much more fascinating.br /br /It starts with a short history of the three Tudor siblings. Then, we meet King Edward VI I, a child being manipulated by the men in power. We get to know him as he grows more and more aware of his own power. He believes in the Protestant religion and he and his advisers have put restraints on Catholicism. Of course his oldest sister, Mary, who is in her late twenties and has been raised Catholic is unhappy and resists all the new laws, but he is firm in his own beliefs. By the age of 15, though, he is dying. It is a painful and tragic death and takes a long time. The reader is not spared any of the details. In order to keep England Protestant, on his dying bed, he chooses the next in succession - his cousin Lady Jane Grey, merely 15 years old at the time. She didn't want to be Queen, but was forced into it. Her reign was short (only nine days) and tragic. Soon, Mary became Queen.br /br /This all seems so simple, but, it fact it is quite complicated. The book describes the many plots and subplots, intrigues and politics of the time. Long imprisonments and beheadings were common. And later, during Mary's reign, Protestant heretics were burned at the stake. The reader is not spared any of the grisly details. There were times I got the shivers but I was glad this was not whitewashed history. This was real, it happened, and the writing was so good that I felt I was right there. The author managed to insert constant historical references, including actual letters, into the narrative. br /br /I learned a lot. I didn't know that Queen Mary had been married to a Spanish prince. I hadn't realized that the younger sister, Elizabeth, had spent much of her life imprisoned. I didn't understand the complexities of the constant warfare with other countries. And, even though I knew about the division between the Protestants and Catholics, this book really described the ends that Mary went to in order to force Catholicism on the English people.br /br /It's all here, packed into a mere 366 pages. Well, almost. The book ends with Mary's death and Elizabeth's ascension to the throne. It then simply mentions that Elizabeth enjoyed a 45-year reign. I definitely plan to read some other biography about that reign. But I now have the background to understand it better.br /br /I loved this book and was sorry it ended. Highly recommended. br / |
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 "henry's children" | 2008-08-15 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2RUZFTKUMLNAX |
| This was a very well written and entertaining book. It was not dry and historical. I was very engrossed in it and found it a very good read if you are interested in Tudor history. I am glad she she spent time on Mary Tudor, because not as much is written about her or her brother as Elizabeth. I found this to be a very good book. |
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 "Tedious history" | 2008-07-27 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1QDS4IERT928A |
| The author demonstrates meticulous research in this book. This is the fourth of her books I have read and find her style clear,dull and somewhat easier to read than the Congrsssional Record.If you are seeking an accurate history with overmuch detail, Alison Weir is the author for you. I prefer a history book with a theme which holds my attention and doesn't wander into taxing paragraphs of detail,dull detail. |
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| "Perfect and in time" | 2007-12-21 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2RTEIBSJT4MHI |
| Once again (I bought three books related with Henry VIII) the contents were the expected, the conditions in wich I received the book were perfect, and in a very reasonable lapse of time |
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| "Better than I thought!" | 2007-11-14 |
| - Reviewed By User: AT41MLKR6ZSVT |
| From the moment I picked up this book, I got glued. I have never read anything about Henry or his children in the past. I had been wanting to read about Elizabeth but it took awhile for me to find the right book. I read many reviews on the books written about her and based on those reviews, Alison Weir was the biographer I chose. Many have commented how she has put this book and the book on Elizabeths adult life together very well. And she has by my opinion. I'm still reading the book and look forward to reading about Elizabeth's adulthood. |
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| "She did it again" | 2007-04-11 |
| - Reviewed By User: AX2SE77IXZ0E1 |
| As usual Alison Weir has written a great non-fiction. The research that she does makes her my number one author. |
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| "The first of many more!" | 2007-01-18 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3V28HK99U5O3Y |
This was my first voluntary non fiction historical read. I am impressed! This story was very easy reading. I don't think I really had any idea what was going on back then, the English "subjects" must have been completely at a loss as to what religion to practice. I was disappointed that the book didn't go more into Elizabeth's reign but I now understand that there is another book out there ready to explain it. The only advice I could offer someone who is about to read it is: keep up with people's names/titles. As they are given (and taken away) titles they are from then on referred to as their new title. If you miss the transition or don't make a metal note, you get lost as to who the author is talking about.
I think my biggest shock was when Mary took over, after complaining and moaning about being able to practice her own religion (Catholic), and how she shouldn't have to give up her beliefs...moan...moan...moan (she did a lot of that). She takes over and forces her own religion onto everyone else, I had no idea "Bloody Mary" was a real name, I just thought it was something you scared the crap out of your friend with in the girls bathroom back in middle school. I just dated myself didn't I?
Final thought: I enjoy fiction for the most part, I actually recommended this book to friends. |
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| "Fantastic Follow-up to Six Wives" | 2007-01-02 |
| - Reviewed By munder46 |
| Alison Weir has done it again. I love historical fiction, including such as The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory, and wanted to expand my reading to nonfiction. I started with Weir's Six Wives of King Henry VIII and was not at all disappointed! I just finished Children of Henry VIII and could not be happier with it. (though it is misleading to think that she discusses Elizabeth's actual reign because she does not) By this did not prevent me from giving it a well deserved 5 stars. She made historical nonfiction exciting! I am now looking for more of her books. She is fair, unbaised, and I truly appreciated how she would present ideas and clearly state what evidence did or did not support certain perspectives. I learned much and am thrilled to add it to my library. |
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| "Super" | 2006-11-04 |
| - Reviewed By User: A26MSC2VALGX4W |
| Very well written, quite engaging. Alison Weir makes the Tudor family and their problems come alive. Great for anyone who enjoys history. |
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| "slightly disappointing" | 2006-09-24 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3KWYVBO70PN68 |
| In her forward, Ms. Weir states that this novel would be the first to look into the personal lives of the heirs of Henry the Eight and their relationships to one another.....well if that was PERSONAL then the heirs of Henry the Eighth must have known each other only as competition to the throne rather than siblings in the vaguest sense. I was disappointed by the book. While it was factually accurate it failed to hold my attention or provide me with a passionate look inside the lives of the characters. I suggest picking it up on a bargain table or borrowing it from a friend. |
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