Average customer rating:
- The riddle of the Boleyn Inheritance
- Reign of terror
- Captivated by the Tudors
- Not the best, but interesting
- The Boleyn Inheritance
|
The Boleyn Inheritance
Philippa Gregory
Manufacturer: Touchstone
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 Historical
| British
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Literary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Historical
| Genre Fiction
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
The Constant Princess
-
The Other Boleyn Girl
-
The Virgin's Lover
-
The Queen's Fool: A Novel
-
Katherine
ASIN: 0743272501 |
Book Description
THREE WOMEN WHO SHARE ONE FATE: THE BOLEYN INHERITANCE
ANNE OF CLEVES
She runs from her tiny country, her hateful mother, and her abusive brother to a throne whose last three occupants are dead. King Henry VIII, her new husband, instantly dislikes her. Without friends, family, or even an understanding of the language being spoken around her, she must literally save her neck in a court ruled by a deadly game of politics and the terror of an unpredictable and vengeful king. Her Boleyn Inheritance: accusations and false witnesses.
KATHERINE HOWARD
She catches the king's eye within moments of arriving at court, setting in motion the dreadful machine of politics, intrigue, and treason that she does not understand. She only knows that she is beautiful, that men desire her, that she is young and in love -- but not with the diseased old man who made her queen, beds her night after night, and killed her cousin Anne. Her Boleyn Inheritance: the threat of the axe.
JANE ROCHFORD
She is the Boleyn girl whose testimony sent her husband and sister-in-law to their deaths. She is the trusted friend of two threatened queens, the perfectly loyal spy for her uncle, the Duke of Norfolk, and a canny survivor in the murderous court of a most dangerous king. Throughout Europe, her name is a byword for malice, jealousy, and twisted lust. Her Boleyn Inheritance: a fortune and a title, in exchange for her soul.
The Boleyn Inheritance is a novel drawn tight as a lute string about a court ruled by the gallows and three women whose positions brought them wealth, admiration, and power as well as deceit, betrayal, and terror. Once again, Philippa Gregory has brought a vanished world to life -- the whisper of a silk skirt on a stone stair, the yellow glow of candlelight illuminating a hastily written note, the murmurs of the crowd gathering on Tower Green below the newly built scaffold. In The Boleyn Inheritance Gregory is at her intelligent and page-turning best.
Customer Reviews:
The riddle of the Boleyn Inheritance.......2007-10-10
This book is amazing. If you make yourself the question "What is the Boleyn Inheritance?" The author will give you hints through the book, and you can make some guess of which the answer will be. It is just at the very end of the book, that you will find out the answer, which is a breathtaking surprise.
Reign of terror.......2007-10-06
Having just finished the last page of this book, I'm still feeling rather trembly(if that's a word!) and shaken at the picture of complete horror and terrible fear painted so brilliantly by Philippa Gregory. Poor, Katherine Howard was the 5th wife of the murderous Henry V111, a pretty but vapid child of fifteen and as silly and stupid a 15 year old as one could imagine. The poor ditz of a creature was used by her family, the aristocratic and ruthless Howards, who also produced Queen Anne Boleyn, and manipulated into captivating the King who had deteriorated into a madman with a gross, infected and ulcerated body and who had become a complete megalomaniac. The other part of the story which was more interesting to me, was the story of Anne of Cleves who was Henry's 4th wife but who, through dint of cleverness and good luck, escaped the headman's axe by agreeing to the annulment of her marriage. Not much has been written about Anne but she must go down in history as one of the luckiest women in the world. I found this book to be an excellent read and an absolute page turner to the end.
Captivated by the Tudors.......2007-09-19
Having been fascinated by "The Other Boleyn Girl", I was very much looking forward to "The Boleyn Inheritance" and was not disappointed. A sort of sequel, the latter carries forward a character from the first book, Jane Boleyn, and also includes Henry's fourth and fifth wives, Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard. The story moves forward through alternating accounts of events by the three women. In my opinion, the author does a good job of capturing each one's spirit and voice. In addition, the story is fairly accurate historically, so provided a starting point for additional research on Henry and his wives.
Not the best, but interesting.......2007-09-16
Definitely preferred The Other Boleyn Girl and The Virgin's Lover. I'm reading Earthly Joys. I didn't think the two Boleyn books tied together that well. But the three narrators were interesting and her take on Anne of Cleves was fascinating. I loved the fleshing out of these forgotten and yet so important historical figures. But Jane Boleyn was tough to believe and understand.
The Boleyn Inheritance.......2007-09-13
The Boleyn Inheritance was a great novel. I did like The Other Boleyn Girl a little better. However, I liked the way Philippa Gregory wrote this book with three narrators. This book is worth reading!
Average customer rating:
- Excellent!!!
- Scandalous!
- Life as a courtesan to Henry the VIII....
- couldn't put it down
- Historical fiction with a new twist
|
The Other Boleyn Girl
Philippa Gregory
Manufacturer: Touchstone
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Historical
| British
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Historical
| Genre Fiction
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Romance
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Historical
| Romance
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
The Boleyn Inheritance
-
The Queen's Fool: A Novel
-
The Virgin's Lover
-
The Constant Princess
-
Katherine
ASIN: 0743227441 |
Book Description
Two sisters competing for the greatest prize: the love of a king
When Mary Boleyn comes to court as an innocent girl of fourteen, she catches the eye of Henry VIII. Dazzled by the king, Mary falls in love with both her golden prince and her growing role as unofficial queen. However, she soon realizes just how much she is a pawn in her familys ambitious plots as the kings interest begins to wane and she is forced to step aside for her best friend and rival: her sister, Anne. Then Mary knows that she must defy her family and her king, and take her fate into her own hands.
A rich and compelling tale of love, sex, ambition, and intrigue, The Other Boleyn Girl introduces a woman of extraordinary determination and desire who lived at the heart of the most exciting and glamorous court in Europe and survived by following her own heart.
Download Description
"Two sisters competing for the greatest prize: the love of a king When Mary Boleyn comes to court as an innocent girl of fourteen, she catches the eye of Henry VIII. Dazzled by the king, Mary falls in love with both her golden prince and her growing role as unofficial queen. However, she soon realizes just how much she is a pawn in her family's ambitious plots as the king's interest begins to wane and she is forced to step aside for her best friend and rival: her sister, Anne. Then Mary knows that she must defy her family and her king, and take her fate into her own hands. A rich and compelling tale of love, sex, ambition, and intrigue, The Other Boleyn Girl introduces a woman of extraordinary determination and desire who lived at the heart of the most exciting and glamorous court in Europe and survived by following her own heart. "
Customer Reviews:
Excellent!!!.......2007-10-10
This book was fantastic! I've never had an interest in English history before and now I find I'm obsessed. Well written and engaging. It's hard to put down!
Scandalous!.......2007-10-09
I admit, at first I thought this book was a bit of fluff. I realized it wasn't when I found myself unable to leave the story to so much as eat. Don't give up if you've just begun, this book will take you on a ride of intrigue, scandal, ambition, lust, incest and greed. The writing seemed very simple to me, but the story was complex enough to fill in the gap. I loved reading about the Tudors and although I knew it wasn't entirely true, the story was entertaining & shocking enough to keep me reading until the last word.
This story is told from Mary Boleyn's point of view and and tells the tale of the Boleyn family's ambition to get the to the top of the English crown, no matter what the cost...and oh what prices they pay! Mary was chosen by her family to put herself in the king's (Henry VIII) favor (mainly with sex) to rise to the top to benefit her family. Everything seemed to be going well for Mary until her highly ambitious and beautiful sister Anne came to court and stole all of her thunder and did whatever it took her to get what she wanted, and more. In the king's quest for an heir, a son, he leads the country to the height of scandal by divorcing Queen Katherine, who is barren, to open the door for a new marriage...perhaps to a Boleyn.
It's interesting to see the dynamic between Anne, Mary and their brother, George. Rivals from the crib, Anne and Mary were born to be in competition with eachother and were raised for the sole purpose of landing an advantagous marriage. Anne will stop at nothing to land a sucessful marriage to a duke and once that prospect is squashed she goes straight for the heart of the country...the king. She is a shameless, uncaring, evil, ambitious woman, but something about her makes you root for her, in a sick way. For years and years she stops at nothing to get what she wants, but the road she takes to get there is wrought with scandal that puts Anne and her family of unwilling supporters in grave danger.
If you want an engaging read, this is it. How many times did I say the word scandalous in this review? A bunch? That's because it is! Read it, you won't regret it. Also, I think thay are making a movie that is to come out this winter. It's a great time to take in the book.
Life as a courtesan to Henry the VIII...........2007-10-08
This is an amazing historical fiction about Mary, the sister of Anne Boleyn. The historical details make you feel as if you are really there. It seems to be very historically accurate as well. I mostly enjoyed reading it... except that after a while the politically charged, cruel, and sometimes evil feel of the life at Henry the VIII's court can be smothering. Towards the end I just wanted to be done with it.
couldn't put it down.......2007-10-07
this was a great book. I did not like the Constant Princess, so I hesitated to read this book. Great story, great writing. Really couldn't put it down.
Historical fiction with a new twist.......2007-10-01
This book kept me riveted even though it is a long book; I didn't want to stop reading it. It certainly made the reign of King Henry VIII interesting! It also points out the sad fate of women in those days. But the main character, Mary Bolyn overcomes her fate by following her heart. This has been my favorite book this year, full of love, sex and ambition., and it is based on a true story!
Book Description
"I am Catalina, Princess of Spain, daughter of the two greatest monarchs the world has ever known...and I will be Queen of England."
Thus, bestselling author Philippa Gregory introduces one of her most unforgettable heroines: Katherine of Aragon. Known to history as the Queen who was pushed off her throne by Anne Boleyn, here is a Katherine the world has forgotten: the enchanting princess that all England loved. First married to Henry VIII's older brother, Arthur, Katherine's passion turns their arranged marriage into a love match; but when Arthur dies, the merciless English court and her ambitious parents -- the crusading King and Queen of Spain -- have to find a new role for the widow. Ultimately, it is Katherine herself who takes control of her own life by telling the most audacious lie in English history, leading her to the very pinnacle of power in England.
Set in the rich beauty of Moorish Spain and the glamour of the Tudor court, The Constant Princess presents a woman whose constancy helps her endure betrayal, poverty, and despair, until the inevitable moment when she steps into the role she has prepared for all her life: Henry VIII's Queen, Regent, and commander of the English army in their greatest victory against Scotland.
Download Description
"I am Catalina, Princess of Spain, daughter of the two greatest monarchs the world has ever known...and I will be Queen of England.""
Customer Reviews:
Gregory's getting warmer . . ........2007-10-14
The first book of Philippa Gregory's that I read was the excellent The Other Boleyn Girl, and it was a double-edged sword, in that got me started on a path to read the rest of her books, but also meant I'd forever compare the rest of her books to it. Like The Boleyn Inheritance, this book suffers in comparison. It has several of the same flaws: it's repetitive, and it's not that well written. For some reason, Gregory chose to include not just third-person narrative passages written in the past tense but also first-person italicized passages from Katherine's point of view that vacillate between the past and present tense. These accounts begin from the time she was five years old, yet the voice remains constantly that of a grown woman. In my opinion, these sections take away more from the story than they add to it, and the book would have been better off if Gregory had incorporated them into the overall narrative. Or perhaps if they'd been better edited, they would have fit in better. Some of the tense shifts really suffer from poor editing and make for confusing reading at times.
Perhaps Gregory's great flaw is a flaw shared by many writers of historical fiction: the novel can only be as good as the story that she has to tell. When history provides only sketchy accounts of an event, Gregory simply cannot be relied upon to fill it in to this reader's satisfaction. This book is marred by her inclusion of an 11th-hour cry for peace in the Middle East that reads as unbelievable and unwieldy in the mouth of a woman whose daughter turned out to be such an infamous religious fanatic, still vilified in popular culture and history books to this very day. Gregory's author's note confirms that this belief is more her idea than Katherine's, and she should have known that it had no place in her book.
Overall, I enjoyed this book because of the way Gregory imagined the romance between Katherine and Arthur, and because she did a wonderful job of building a strong character who carries the book well on her own despite lapses in the writing.
I still haven't managed to strike gold as I did with "The Other Boleyn Girl" but I will keep trying, at least until I finish her Tudor series. Hopefully, I'll discover that she's a great writer, and not just a mediocre one who once managed to capture lightning in a bottle.
Not worth reading.......2007-10-10
I liked the Other Boleyn Girl...and I was intrigued when I found her book about Katherine of Aragon...
...sadly this book is not worth the time. Kathrine charecter comes off as whiney and overall without any depth. Katherine's charecter had little depth. I was very disappointed.
A heart-warming and inspiring tale.......2007-08-30
Like every other Philippa Gregory novel that I have read, "The Constant Princess" is yet another example of how delicious this author writes. This book does not disappoint. A wonderful story that is filled with fun, romance, and inspiration, "The Constant Princess" is about Queen Katharine of England (Henry VIII's first wife.)
The best part of Philippa Gregory's writing (at least what I have read so far) is that her stories are well seasoned with historical facts and characters. While this is an artistic take on historical events, it is still pure enjoyment to devour and I was left with a deep respect for Katharine the real person in addition to Katharine the character in this novel.
The first half of the book is delicious and romantic. My heart was singing and I forgot all about what really happens to our dear heroine because I was so wrapped up in the first part of her story (about her first marriage to Arthur.) Suddenly the story turns from romance to defining why the book is titled "The Constant Princess." Reading about her struggles, her near-misses, and ultimately to see her bring her goal to fruition was what made this a fantastic book.
If you enjoyed The Other Boleyn Girl and/or The Boleyn Inheritance, I am positive you will also enjoy this book. Add it to your collection of Philippa Gregory novels today!
It was just OK..........2007-08-29
As someone who thoroughly enjoys historical fiction and the Tudor time period in England I was really excited to pick up this book on Katherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife.
Gregory, covers Katherine or Catalina's childhood in Spain, her first marriage to Arthur (Henry's older brother), her agonizing wait for 7 years before she became Henry's wife, and then the first few years of marriage.
I thought the first half of the book somewhat interesting up until Arthur dies and she schemes to marry Henry, his younger brother. I also found the first years of Henry and Katherine's marriage somewhat interesting.
However, what takes away from this book in a big way is Gregory's repetitiveness throughout the book (as many others have cited). It really takes away from the progress of the story as you feel you're just stuck reading the same thing over and over again. Then Gregory glosses over Katherine's shining moment as Queen - holding back the Scots, skips 13 years of their reign together (during which Anne Boleyn enters the picture and convinces Henry to marry her) and ends the book abruptly. As the reader you almost get the sense that Gregory just got tired of writing about her because it didn't feel finished and complete.
Overall, this book was just OK.
Two and a Half Stars Please.......2007-08-28
While "The Other Boleyn Girl" was richly imagined in great detail, most of this book was repetitive and generalized. It did give me the barest background on Kathryn, for which I was grateful, but I expected mastery and got averageness.
Book Description
From one of P. D. JamesÂ's favorite mystery authors comes the third Shardlake novel
Autumn 1541. A plot against the throne has been uncovered, and Henry VIII has set off on a spectacular progress from London to York, along with a thousand soldiers, the cream of the nobility, and his fifth wife, Catherine Howard, to quell his rebellious northern subjects. Awaiting his arrival are lawyer Matthew Shardlake and his loyal assistant, Jack Barak. In addition to processing petitions to the king, ShardlakeÂ's task is to protect a dangerous conspirator until he is transported back to London for interrogation.
But when a local glazier is murdered, things get a little more complicated as the murder seems to be not only connected to ShardlakeÂ's prisoner but also to the royal family itself. Then Shardlake stumbles upon a cache of secret papers that throws into doubt the legitimacy of the entire royal line, and a chain of events unfolds that threatens Shardlake with the most terrifying fate of the age: imprisonment in the Tower of London.
Customer Reviews:
Marvelous, immersive historical mystery.......2007-10-15
Sansom is fast earning a spot on my "grab" list. You know: the authors who are so unrelentingly excellent that you'd grab any book with their name on it, without even looking at the rest of the cover. He's that good, at least in this series about Matthew Shardlake, a lawyer who is trying (unsuccessfully) to live a quiet life at the edges of Henry VIII's England.
(Catherine Howard is queen, which gives you some sense of the time period.)
Shardlake is given a plum assignment, to take care of some legal matters during the King's progress to York. He's also given an uncomfortable addendum: there's a prisoner in York who needs to be kept alive until he can be brought to the Tower of London for questioning (i.e. torture). So Shardlake and his assistant, Jack Barak, head to York... and almost immediately (this being a mystery after all) come across a dead body.
As in the previous novels in this series, the immediacy of the place is fabulous. You smell the stink of the stable, taste the dull but filling potage, get the sense of what it was like to live in that place and time. The storytelling is great; my guesses for whodunnit were all wrong, and the true answer made perfect sense. And I really like this character.
Unlike many such books, you could read this one as a standalone. It'd be better if you read the earlier books, certainly, but you don't need most of the backstory for this to work. (And if you like Phillipa Gregory's books about the same era, particularly The Boleyn Inheritance, you'll really like this one.) This isn't a light read -- it's full of court intrigue and has a large cast of characters -- but it's extremely enjoyable.
"Politics is a hard and cruel game.".......2007-09-30
C. J. Sansom's "Sovereign" is the third mystery in this critically acclaimed series featuring Matthew Shardlake, a thirty-nine year old lawyer, and his assistant, Jack Barak. The author demonstrates his prodigious historical knowledge as he traces Henry VIII's Great Progress to the North in 1541. Along with Catherine Howard, his fifth wife, a large number of soldiers, and members of the nobility, Henry and his retinue made their way from London to York with the goal of bringing the king's discontented northern subjects under control. Archbishop Cranmer sends Matthew Shardlake on the trip to process petitions for the king and to safeguard an important prisoner who is to be interrogated in the Tower of London. Matthew travels with a heavy heart, having recently buried his father, whom he had neglected. With the money that he will earn from this mission, Matthew hopes to pay off his father's remaining debts.
After the Progress finally reaches York, a glazier falls off his ladder and is impaled on fragments of glass. Shardlake quickly realizes that this was no accident. There may be a conspiracy afoot against Henry; papers hidden in the glazier's house would wreak havoc if they were to fall into the wrong hands. Since Matthew caught a glimpse of these papers, he becomes a target and narrowly escapes repeated attempts on his life. Meanwhile, Jack Barak has found love; he is smitten with a pretty young woman, Tamasin Reedbourne, who works in Queen Catherine's household. Matthew and Jack join forces to discover the identity of the killer and to uncover a secret so explosive that it could bring down a mighty monarch.
The strength of "Sovereign" lies in the author's exhaustive attention to historical detail; Sansom immerses the reader in the political, religious, and cultural events of Henry VIII's reign. Tudor England was filled with ruthless individuals who committed immoral acts because of their lust for power, a desire for wealth, and religious fanaticism. Scenes of cold-blooded murder, torture, and suicide reflect the violence and desperation of those volatile times. There is a contemporary flavor to the novel's themes; the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Matthew Shardlake is as admirable and likeable as ever. He has an abnormally curved back which makes him the butt of cruel jokes, but his deformity has not robbed him of his self-respect. His keen intellect and determination propel him to disregard his personal safety in order to bring a murderer to justice. Shardlake and Jack make a solid team: Matthew has experience, a thorough knowledge of the law, and patience; what Barak lacks in seasoning and judgment he makes up for in loyalty, courage, and strength. Jack looks up to Matthew, who has taught the younger man to venerate learning and behave with integrity.
Ironically, the initial strength of the novel ultimately becomes its undoing. The author gets carried away with his verbiage, and the novel soon becomes repetitious and tedious. At nearly six-hundred pages, "Sovereign" would have profited from careful pruning. The large cast of characters is too unwieldy to allow for much shading, and the impact of the mystery is diluted because of the many subplots that compete for the readers' attention. Although "Sovereign" is packed with fascinating information and colorful atmosphere, it would have been far more satisfying had it been more streamlined and better focused.
Very, very good........2007-09-10
This is the first of the Shardlake series that I have read, and I loved it. I came onto Amazon tonight to order two copies of the first two books, one for me and one for my daughter. Now, I usually don't do that...I usually order one copy and pass it on to her when I am done. In my recent memory, Harry Potter is the only series I have ordered multiple copies of.
The Henry VIII time period is my favorite historical period, and I do know quite a bit about it. Sansom is remarkably true to historical accuracy....which is more than one can say about the recent miniseries about Henry VIII which had his 2 sisters condensed into one, marrying the wrong king, and murdering him! Titulus Regulus, which is a key plot item, actually existed.
Anyway, I highly recommend this book.
Beth O'Keefe
Shardlake and the "true" king of England.......2007-08-03
For those who think that the reign of Henry VIII was, relatively, a peaceful one, this book should come as quite a shock. It discusses very briefly the Pilgrimage of Grace, a northen uprising in 1535 by followers of the Catholic faith that almost toppled the throne. Because of this, and the discovery of another potential conspiracy a few years later, Henry VIII, Queen Catherine Howard, and a huge retinue make a progression through the north to go to York, the hotbed of papal activity. Our hero Matthew Shardlake is dragooned by Archbishop Cranmer to go along and watch over a prisoner in York associated with the latest plot. On this theme hangs another excellent book, and our hero finds himself deeply into murders, conspiracies, and the possibility that the Tudor line may not be the "real" royal line, and Henry may be a usurper. To tell more would spoil a wonderful plot that races along, and keeps the reader going page by page, long after he or she should probably be asleep (in my case). I hope that there will be more of these books in the future.
Excellent as usual.......2007-07-25
CJ Sansom has hit upon a formula that, at least to my way of thinking, combines the perfect elements in a novel: history, suspense, religion and relationships. I have thoroughly enjoyed all three books.
I wanted to add to the other comments that this book would be particularly interesting for readers of Philippa Gregory's The Boleyn Inheritance, because all of Sovereign takes place during the Progress to York, which also figures importantly in the Gregory book. There are many overlapping historical characters, but the two writers' perception of them is very different.
I hope Sansom continues chronologically-- I would very much like to read an Elizabethan Shardlake story. I hope Brother Shardlake has a long and healthy life!
Book Description
The tempestuous, bloody, and splendid reign of Henry VIII of England (1509-1547) is one of the most fascinating in all history, not least for his marriage to six extraordinary women. In this accessible work of brilliant scholarship, Alison Weir draws on early biographies, letters, memoirs, account books, and diplomatic reports to bring these women to life. Catherine of Aragon emerges as a staunch though misguided woman of principle; Anne Boleyn, an ambitious adventuress with a penchant for vengeance; Jane Seymour, a strong-minded matriarch in the making; Anne of Cleves, a good-natured and innocent woman naively unaware of the court intrigues that determined her fate; Catherine Howard, an empty-headed wanton; and Catherine Parr, a warm-blooded bluestocking who survived King Henry to marry a fourth time.
Customer Reviews:
Very informative.........2007-10-06
Very informative book! Weir manages to give us a detailed description of the personalities of each of these six queens. What makes this book such a success is that its very easy to read making it impossible to get bored!
History made interesting.......2007-09-17
I haven't been a big history buff in the past (no pun intended) but after seeing a glimpse of a documentary on Henry VIII, I was curious. This book was GREAT! I simply couldn't put it down and lugged the big book with me on the bus, on planes, etc. In fact, it inspired me to continue reading up on the Tudors. Highly recommended!
The perfect storyteller........2007-08-24
Impeccably researched, fantastically written, wonderfully enthralling. Anyone interested in British history, monarchs in general, the tudor period, politics, or anyone who just plain likes gossip will love this book. It was really great.
Loved this book!.......2007-08-14
A friend recommended some of Philipa Gregory's books to me. After reading "The Other Boelyn Girl" I decided to try non-fiction. I would have never dreamed that I would enjoy a big, thick, historial, non-fiction book about 16th century England. However, "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" was fantastic! I could not put this book down! I have ordered Ms. Weir's other books about Lady Jane Grey, Henry VIII's court and Elizabeth. After reading this book, you will look at the Tower of London, Hampton Court, Hever Castle, etc. in a completely different way when in London. You have to hand it to the Brits; they have the most interesting and fascinating history of all.
Great account of history.......2007-08-12
If you're in the market for a book that gives a thorough account of each wife of Henry VIII, then this is the book for you. Over 600 pages long, this packs together history and great writing. It's written chronologically, from Henry's days before his betrothal to Katherine of Aragon, up to the death of his last wife, Katherine Parr. It flows together perfectly. It's easy to read, to boot. I think my favorite parts were the quotes taken from personal letters, and hand-written accounts by those closest to the royals themselves.
Book Description
Much has been written about the mighty, egotistical Henry VIII: the man who dismantled the Church because it would not grant him the divorce he wanted; who married six women and beheaded two of them; who executed his friend Thomas ore; who sacked the monasteries; who longed for a son and neglected his daughters, Mary and Elizabeth; who finally grew fat, disease-ridden, dissolute. Now, in her magnificent work of storytelling and imagination Margaret George bring us Henry VIII's story as he himself might have told it, in memoirs interspersed with irreverent comments from his jester and confident, Will Somers. Brilliantly combining history, wit, dramatic narrative, and an extraordinary grasp of the pleasures and perils of power, this monumental novel shows us Henry the man more vividly than he has ever been seen before.
Customer Reviews:
Details, Details, DETAILS!.......2007-09-23
If you want to know about Henry VIII, read this book! The author has compiled an amazing history rich in detail, spiced with lust, tempered with love, touched with madness and murder. The book balances nicely between extremely detailed religious and political matter and the scandalous personal life of Henry VIII. She does a bit of introspection offering possibilities of why Henry behaved as he did from his absent mother and domineering, miserly father to beliefs of the time about witchcraft. Henry's life was one situation after another and how Henry interpreted each of them - thus leading to a long chain of events enveloping his family and friends, the court, the country and the church. Easily influenced by his advisors, he could just as easily turn on those closest to him. It seems that the best place to be during Henry's reign was FAR from where ever he happened to be! The book is quite long and amazingly detailed - at times too detailed for my taste. This is a work of fiction and while knowledge of the political dynamics helped to understand some situations, the author went to great lengths to detail political proceedings and I found myself bored and ready to move on long before she finished with the details, details, details. About 100 pages could have been cut and the book would have been as enteratining and all that was necessary for FICTION. When I want intense step-by-step details, I'll read non-fiction. I did like her depictions of the wives of Henry VIII. Each were vivid and aided in understanding Henry's attraction to them and eventual reaction to them. Anne Boelyn was particulrly interesting - as the author pulled no punches. Many books sympathize with Anne while others depict her as power hungry - this is one of the few that portray her so poorly. Of course, the premise is that HENRY is describing her as such. Either way, it was very colorful and entertaining. I knew only "common knowledge" of Henry and had been to Hever Castle and many of the other locations mentioned in the book - which helped. However, I know enough now to be more interested in all of the key characters than I had ever been before. It's an undertaking - its an undertaking just hauling this massive volume around with you until you finish it - but it's worth the time and workout.
A Wonderful Historical Novel.......2007-08-14
Margaret George was born in Nashville Tennessee. When not continuing research for her novels in such places as Egypt, Rome, Israel and England she lives with her husband in Madison, Wisconsin. She is the author of many best selling historical novel including The Memoirs of Cleopatra and Mary, Called Magdalene
The Autobiography of Henry VIII is a novel, but it is not just interspersed with the odd factual detail it is full of them. Henry was a monarch who instigated a great deal of change during his reign perhaps more than any other English monarch in the last one thousand years. He is probably known to most people as the king who had six wives and very little else is known about him. In his younger daus he was a brave man who liked to follow the knightly code. He was also very good at sports. Real tennis being a favourite of his, and of course as we all know he had an eye for the ladies.
Henry could be a charming friend, or a dangerous and vindictive enemy as many people who crossed him found out. As he became older his temper flared more and more often and he was not a well man and was often in constant pain for long periods of time.
Margaret George has once again come up trumps with a book that is both of educational interest and also a good story, written from henry's own point of view, but with irreverent comments from Will Somers - Henry VIII's confidant and jester. Many books of this type can become tedious or boring but Margaret George's writing style is a joy. I enjoyed it immensely.
A detailed, expertly womven tapestry.......2007-07-09
I obsessively read anything I can find on Henry VIII, be it history or historical fiction, and this book is by far my favorite. George put a lot of work and study into this giant book, and it definitely shines through in the text. Henry VIII emerges as a real man, if a fatally flawed one, and after reading this book it is difficult to look at him the same way again. George lovingly paints a picture of the good intentions of an intelligent man going awry in a world of privilege and swirling factions.
Henry VIII: murduror or misunderstood?.......2007-07-08
Everyone knows about him. People love him, people hate him, most people love to hate him. Henry VIII, the one who started a holy war and started a whole new church to marry a women he ended up exicuting. Who started off as a god among men and ended his life a senile, dissatafied man whose claim to fame was he married six times. Though many would say he was a murdurous, raving lunitic that seemed to have no compassion or love for his two daughters, i think he is completely misunderstood. He was just trying to find the right woman, produce an heir, and run a country. The fact that he excuted many people, including two of his wives, started a whole new church and declared his daughters illigitamet because his marrages to their mothers were not so successful, shouldn't tarnish his reputation at all. Under all that, he had a heart and like most people feelings.
Margaret George made the man inside apparent. Though some would be dissopointed in this book, I say it is a masterpeice that only Ms. George could write. Yes, Henry is probably one of the most pompous people in the world but who the hell isn't. Who doesn't think they are the best thing that happened to this earth. Though to people who aren't like us normal humans, aren't you intrigued about what he was thinking all the time?Don't tell me you didn't want to know how a human can just seemingly out of the blue disside he and his wife was never married. How could he watch as the world crumbled around him and keep a straight face? All questions are answered and he is seen in a whole new light. Although i can agree with people who thought it wasn't Margaret George's best book it is certainly well-written. P.S. To all you freaks who don't love yourself you need to seriously have some me-time.
Margaret George "the great".......2007-06-27
I loved ALL of Margaret George's books. Her writing style and historical accuracy makes it easy to breeze through a book that looks so dauntingly long.
Average customer rating:
- I loved this book!!
- Is this a new detective series?
- Misfit and mystery
- Book well written, good ideas, but Cheezy
- A awesome Book!!!!!!!
|
Shakespeare's Secret
Elise Broach
Manufacturer: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Mysteries, Espionage, & Detectives
| Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Literature
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Family Life
| People & Places
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Fiction
| Friendship
| Social Situations
| People & Places
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ages 9-12
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Being a Teen
| Social Issues
| Teens
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Listening for Lions
-
Defiance
-
The Misadventures of Maude March
-
Chicken Boy
-
Princess Academy
ASIN: 0805073876
Release Date: 2005-04-14 |
Book Description
Hero changed into a T-shirt, grabbed a book, and padded barefoot into her sister's room. The large windows overlooked the backyard. She could see the moonlight streaming over the trees and bushes, making long, crazy shadows across the grass. Was there a diamond hidden out there somewhere? She looked at Beatrice, already settled under the covers. She wanted to tell her about the Murphys, but at the same time, she didn't. She wanted to keep the secret. To have something that belonged only to her.A missing diamond, a mysterious neighbor, a link to Shakespeare-can Hero uncover the connections?When Hero starts sixth grade at a new school, she's less concerned about the literary origins of her Shakespearean name than about the teasing she's sure to suffer because of it. So she has the same name as a girl in a book by a dusty old author. Hero is simply not interested in the connections. But that's just the thing; suddenly connections are cropping up all over, and odd characters and uncertain pasts are exactly what do fascinate Hero. There's a mysterious diamond hidden in her new house, a curious woman next door who seems to know an awful lot about it, and then, well, then there's Shakespeare. Not to mention Danny Cordova, only the most popular boy in school. Is it all in keeping with her namesake's origin-just much ado about nothing? Hero, being Hero, is determined to figure it out. In this fast-paced novel, Elise Broach weaves an intriguing literary mystery full of historical insights and discoveries.A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION
Customer Reviews:
I loved this book!!.......2007-08-31
Hero is just like me. She deals with teasing and even has a little bit of a crush going on. I love the fact that Danny and Hero team up together to find the diamond hidden somwhere in Hero's house.
People should read this book because it grabs your attention. If you like mystery, read this! If you like action, read this! If you like romance, read this!
Is this a new detective series?.......2007-06-04
I thought this book was a great read, I think Hero is a lot like the "Sammy Keys" mysteries, I'd like to see more of Hero mysteries because our family loves Hero Netherfield.
Enjoy
Misfit and mystery.......2007-05-07
Hero has a difficult life. Her family keeps moving from one town to the other, and she finds it hard to keep making new friends, unlike her older sister, Beatrice, who seems to fit in instantly wherever she goes. It doesn't help that her father, a noted Shakespearian scholar, has gotten them both named after characters from "Much Ado About Nothing." Of course, her older sister gets a halfway sensible name, while she gets a name that, she finds this time, is the same as one of her classmate's dog.
Things get a little better, though. The elderly woman next door has some interesting tales to tell, most notably about a million-dollar diamond that may still be hidden in the house that Hero's family has just moved into. And somehow Hero befriends Danny Cordova, the most popular guy at school. To top it all off, somehow everything ties into Shakespeare.
Broach is at her best with the characters, who are very believable. We certainly can sympathize with Hero (well, I certainly can) and her woes at school. The plot, while interesting, relies on a couple of unlikely twists. And the setting, ostensibly in my neck of the words, is fairly generic suburbia. But perhaps that's just as well. It's a very comfortable read and while not outstanding, I definitely enjoyed it.
Book well written, good ideas, but Cheezy.......2007-03-22
This book was a really good read, and I liked it alot. It was fast moving, and would be a good bedtime story. I really liked how well this book was written, and I also liked the general ideas of the story. On the other hand, it was really cheezy, in that you could tell a paragraph ahead what the next character was going to say, as well as the book was a bit too predictable
A awesome Book!!!!!!!.......2007-02-11
I just finished this book! It was the bomb!! I checked it out from my school library one day and finished it the next. Then i decided to buy 3 copies of the book here on amazon. And i read it over and over again. If could i would give it 100000000000 stars!!! BUY THIS BOOK!~!~
Customer Reviews:
An enjoyable Piece of Fiction.......2007-08-27
I read this book in about 2 days, I enjoyed reading it and couldn't book the book down. It was my first time reading the author and found the novel very entertaining and interesting and highly recommend it to people who enjoy reading FICTION.
Disappointed from the first sentence to the last sentence.......2007-08-16
This book started very weak and ended even weaker. It was a very slow read and never seemed to pick up. I kept hoping page after page that the book would take a turn for the better but it never did. I feel like the story got lost amongst all the long winded descriptions of pointless details. The story jumped around alot and often made little sense. The ending was a huge disappointment. The author never wrapped up her story, she just ended it as abruptly as it began.
"Fictionalized" is an understatement .......2007-08-06
I've been reading Tudor history (including Dr. Erickson's historical biographies)and historical fiction for 35 years, and I would have to call this one of the worst novels about Henry VIII or his wives I've ever read. Katherine Parr's life was dramatic and remarkable in fact, and changing significant details of it did not improve her story. In fact, it cheapens it. I nearly quit reading because of the horrific inaccuracies--or rather deliberate departures from historical fact--but I didn't. Yes, I realize that this is fiction, but please. The only source I can find that Katherine married the younger Edward Borough is Lady Antonia Fraser via Susan E. James. Is it really likely that nearly all historians and genealogists have gotten this wrong for almost five hundred years? I was willing to suspend disbelief and go with that interpretation, but the book just goes downhill from there. The ending was shocking, but not in a good way. Tom Seymour obviously didn't die in a completely fictional attempt to usurp the throne prior to Katherine's death. Again, his life was dramatic enough not to need that kind of fictionalizing. When Katherine's brother Will tells her, "Cat, Tom's gone," I thought "where did he go?" until I realized that she had completely distorted the facts of Tom Seymour's death. It's an easy read, but it's barely historical. Please don't read this novel and think it bears any resemblance to actual Tudor history.
Enjoyable fiction.......2007-07-16
I wonder if the insatiable desire of her readership for all-things-Tudor led Ms. Erickson to coming up with this breezily written albeit entertaining bit of historical fiction (heavy on the "fiction," methinks). It's an easy, contemporary take on the life of Queen Kat Parr that was perfect for keeping me company on a transatlantic flight.
While it may not be her best literary accomplishment, the author's knack for storytelling is evident and put to good use.
An enjoyable read.......2007-05-16
This book was enjoyable. I'd like to give it 3 1/2 stars.
What I liked: This is told from the view of someone who was there for the reign of Henry VIII from start to finish(at least from near the end of the marriage to Catherine of Aragon to the king's death). Katherine Parr emerges as a savvy and observant person throughout. We know this was not the epic, tempestuous romance of Anne Boleyn and Henry Tudor. Katherine Parr seemed more of a helpmeet to Henry VIII than anything else. Her observations are what is entertaining to the reader.
What I didn't like: Some will say this echoes real life, but, she seemed oblivious to the machinations of Thomas Seymour. Buying weapons and recruiting massive armies would raise suspicions not only from Tudor intelligence spies, but anyone. The author portrayed Katherine Parr as innocent to this. I found this hard to believe.
Amazon.com
When we think of the wives of Henry VIII, we tend to think of women who literally lost their heads. But Antonia Fraser opens the door to the political and cultural demands that shaped the destinies of the king and his royal wives. Romance, unfortunately, rarely had anything to do with it. And if you think the modern American media is too tough on political leadership, you oughta READ about the royal court in King Henry's day! That's one family you'd never want to marry into.
Book Description
The six-week New York Times bestselling history of the legendary six wives of Henry VIII--from an acclaimed biographer. "Admirably succeed(s) in bringing to life the six women who married England's ruler. . . ."--New York Times Book Review. 16 color plates. 32 pages of illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
Different view of an Infamous King.......2007-10-07
This was the first Antonia Fraser book I read and from the "Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived" I was hooked. I read it after hearing her speak at Peterborough Cathedral about Catherine of Aragon. The book looks at Henry VIII's from his wives' perspective. What drove them to marry this man especially after he beheaded Anne Boleyn. Also, it is great introduction to Tudor England.
Brings History Back To Life.......2007-03-09
For those who say history is boring. Better than reading a novel, with real characters sometimes going beyond the imaginary. An amazing study of the six wives, and the power crazed king they called husband. Used every means imaginable to justify ridding himself of one wife, to marry another. Even to the point of falsely accusing one of commiting incest with her own brother (Anne Boleyn), and having her beheaded. A powerful study of the British monarchy, and one of its most shameful periods.
really interesting.......2007-01-15
The book is well written and it brings you back inside the story.
A man of whims, to be sure.......2006-03-06
A good book to read to get an overview about what went on with Henry and all those wives. Those who enjoy history and detail will enjoy the perspective Fraser always provides. This one is not to be missed if you enjoy British history.
Somewhat slow but still worth reading...........2005-09-02
Antonia Fraser has certainly written more enjoyable works but nonetheless, The Wives of Henry VIII is worth taking the time to finish, especially if you're not very familiar with the subject matter beforehand. She does a fantastic job of laying down facts as with all her historical works but she also injects her own rather 'forgiving' viewpoint regarding the intentions and motivations of the people about whom she writes. Fraser has a wonderful way of exposing the core humanity of characters that most of us have been inclined to view as ruthless, inhuman monsters. I would suggest, however, that one read other not quite so tame opinions because the 'truth' usually lies somewhere in the middle of the extremes.
Amazon.com
Contemporary observers described the young king in glowing terms. At over six feet tall, with rich auburn hair, clear skin, and a slender waist, he was, to many, "the handsomest prince ever seen." From this starting point in Henry VIII, the King and His Court, biographer extraordinare Alison Weir reveals a Henry VIII far different from the obese, turkey-leg gnawing, womanizing tyrant who has gone down in history. Henry embodied the Renaissance ideal of a man of many talents--musician, composer, linguist, scholar, sportsman, warrior--indeed, the Dutch humanist Erasmus (not a man inclined to flattery) declared him a "universal genius." In scholarly yet readable style, Weir brings Henry and his court to life in meticulous, but never tedious, detail. Weir describes everything from courtly fashions to political factions and elaborate meals to tournament etiquette. Along the way she offers up charming--if all too brief--glimpses of Henry's court: tiny Princess Mary, still a very young girl, at her betrothal ceremony saying to the proxy, "Are you the Dauphin of France? If you are, I want to kiss you"; Henry weeping with joy as he held his long-awaited son and heir for the first time; Henry showing off his legs to the Venetian ambassador ("Look here! I have also a good calf to my leg"); Henry's courtiers dressing in heavily padded clothes to emulate--and flatter--their increasingly stout monarch. She also reveals some surprises, for example, that Henry and Katherine were still hunting together as late as 1530, even though Henry was desperately trying to have their marriage annulled. Weir also describes surprisingly happier times in their relationship; Henry loved to dress up in costume, and "was especially fond of bursting in upon Queen Katherine and her ladies in the Queen's Chambers.... Henry took a boyish delight in these disguisings and Katherine seemingly never tired of feigning astonishment that it was her husband who had surprised her." Henry's queens receive relatively little attention here (for them, see Weir's excellent Six Wives of Henry VIII), but this book is fascinating and a joy to read. Alison Weir has done it again. --Sunny Delaney
Book Description
“WEIR’S BOOK OUTSHINES ALL PREVIOUS STUDIES OF HENRY. Beautifully written, exhaustive in its research, it is a gem. . . . She succeeds masterfully in making Henry and his six wives . . . come alive for the reader.”
–Philadelphia Inquirer
Henry VIII, renowned for his command of power and celebrated for his intellect, presided over one of the most magnificent–and dangerous–courts in Renaissance Europe. Never before has a detailed, personal biography of this charismatic monarch been set against the cultural, social, and political background of his glittering court. Now Alison Weir, author of the finest royal chronicles of our time, brings to vibrant life the turbulent, complex figure of the King. Packed with colorful description, meticulous in historical detail, rich in pageantry, intrigue, passion, and luxury, Weir brilliantly renders King Henry VIII, his court, and the fascinating men and women who vied for its pleasures and rewards. The result is an absolutely spellbinding read.
Customer Reviews:
EXCELLENT.......2007-08-31
Finally, an exploration of Henry VIII and his wives that does not read like a cheap romance novel. Ms. Weir makes history exciting. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone!
Thoroughly enjoyed book........2007-07-09
I read this after reading Weir's Six Wives of Henry the VIII. It added addition information about him and was very interesting. While it got a little too detailed with names at times, overall I thought it was great! I especially like how when she talks about how much something costs that she also noted what that would equate in today's terms.
Compelling, well-researched account.......2007-06-13
Alison Weir has done a great job at bringing history to life in this extremely detailed portrayal of Henry VIII and those that surrounded him during his reign. Chapters are very numerous but quite brief, and each contains an unbelievable amount of details - ranging from descriptions of the materials used to construct houses and estates to what Henry VIII was served by his kitchen staff and what kind of fabric his tailors used when sewing his extravagant outfits. These small pieces of history serve as delightful ornaments to Weir's overall narrative, and they help paint a broad and precise picture of English life under the Tudors. Included at the back of the text is an extensive list of primary and secondary sources Weir used to construct her book, which are useful for readers who desire to do further research in Henrician and English Renaissance history.
The only flaws I could find in this text were a few, sometimes quite obvious, spelling mistakes. However, the book is so long and it offers so much information that this may be forgiven and overlooked.
All in all, a compelling and competently-researched read.
Brings you directly into a tudor court.......2007-04-11
very informative and chock full of common and not so common historical facts. A must have for anyone interested in the period.
Real Estate Listings.......2007-01-23
I have read numerous other histories by Allison Weir, and this one simply does not measure up. Essentially, this entire work boils down to a compilation of real property listings regarding the twenty zillion palaces, manor houses and mansions owned and restored by Henry VIII and his courtiers. The first several times the author describes some of the king's residences, including very detailed room-by-room descriptions of the decor, the refurbishing costs and the furnishings, I was interested. By about the 40th mention of, "Then in 15___ he bought the So-And-So mansion from Lord X at a cost of X pounds and he hired Famous Artist Y to decorate it in the Artistic Style Z manner," I despaired. I appreciated Ms. Weir's passing along details of court life, dress, customs and other little factoids not found in many traditional histories, but her obsession with real estate in this one left me cold. Even though Ms. Weir's express intention was not to write a biography per se, she also did not warn the reader that she is, in fact, a frustrated real estate agent who is primarily interested (at least in this work) only in buildings and their contents. If you are not already familiar with Tudor England, this is not a suitable book to commence your study. Overall, I found it to be disappointing and not recommended for anyone other than those with an especial interest in architecture.
Books:
- The Book of Irish Families, Great & Small (Third Edition, Expanded)
- The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine
- The Fight for Jerusalem: Radical Islam, the West, and the Future of the Holy City
- The Forty Days of Musa Dagh
- The Frontiersmen: A Narrative
- The Jesus Family Tomb: The Discovery, the Investigation, and the Evidence That Could Change History
- The Joke's Over: Bruised Memories: Gonzo, Hunter S. Thompson, and Me
- The Lakota Way: Stories and Lessons for Living
- The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors: The Extraordinary World War II Story of the U.S. Navy's Finest Hour
- The Long Walk: The True Story of a Trek to Freedom
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- The Fair Tax Book: Saying Goodbye to the Income Tax and the IRS
- Standard Catalog of World Coins: 17th Century - 1601-1700
- History: Fiction or Science
- Making Democracy Work: Civic Traditions in Modern Italy
- Love Is a Mix Tape: Life and Loss, One Song at a Time
- The Ballad of the Sad Cafe: and Other Stories
- North of Reliance: A Personal Story of Living Beyond the Wilderness
- Real Life Notes: Reflections and Strategies for Life After Graduation
- Insurance Technology Handbook: The New Partnership
- International Yearbook of Industrial Statistics 1997
