The first dual biography of two of the world’s most remarkable women—Elizabeth I of England and Mary Queen of Scots—by one of Bri...
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May 17, 2008
Michaela
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I read a historicial fiction on this relationship after reading this work (I will not mention the fiction) and I have to say, people tend to romanticize Mary (she is highly "romanticiz-able"). I find this book gives detailed, scholarly information about the probability of why each woman made the decisions she did, while always including alternative theory, including the basis for it's rejection. I've read a few of these books, and I can say this one is the best. Lot's of valuable infor
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Dec 23, 2007
Katy
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While the subject matter is not new or groundbreaking (the amount of well-written, important biographies on both monarchs could fill a bookshelf) it is the format of Dunn's book which sets it apart and makes it an excellent addition to any Tudor library. Dunn weaves the stories of both queens, who never met face to face. The result is a fascinating portrait of two very different women who held so much power in their lily-white hands.
"In my end is my beginning." Mary, Queen of
"In my end is my beginning." Mary, Queen of
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Dec 17, 2009
Erica
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Fascinating biography on the parallel lives of two queens whose lives were intricately intertwined yet they never once met face to face. Fascinating point of view in terms of two powerful women who were opposites in many ways yet both very strong in their own right. Definitely recommend for Tudor history buffs.
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Jul 03, 2011
Heather
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A very interesting double biography that describes Queen Elizabeth I of England and Mary Queen of Scots in the context of their decades-long rivalry with each other. It was very informative, and I enjoyed it, though I might have given it more stars if it weren't for a few persistent annoyances:
The organization of the book is unbalanced. The beginning of the book goes on and on for pages at a time about Elizabeth, then, almost as an aside, will throw in a couple of paragraphs about Ma More...
The organization of the book is unbalanced. The beginning of the book goes on and on for pages at a time about Elizabeth, then, almost as an aside, will throw in a couple of paragraphs about Ma More...
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Aug 04, 2011
A wonderful dual biography of two intriguing women and monarchs. I have always been fascinated by both these charismatic and very different figures in history, their lives intertwined by their adjoining kingdoms, blood (they were cousins), and their common role as female monarchs. I have never thought much of Mary of Scots who seemed to let events, people, and her emotions run her but through this biography I can sympathise. She was raised to be a reigning Queen but a Queen who would be secon
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Mar 19, 2011
This isn't a complete biography of Mary Stuart and Elizabeth Tudor so much as a look at their respective childhoods and subsequent intersections of their lives. It does meander, re-introducing some historical figures over and over, and yet (after proving her veracity in rigorous research) exaperatingly dismissing the murder of David Riccio in a single line, saying it's "too well known" to repeat. Um, excuse me, but the entire purpose of the book was to sweep away some of the cobwebs ar
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Nov 22, 2008
David
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This biography / history was perhaps a little dry, but if you're interested in this era of British history, you'll find it fascinating. Elizabeth I of England and Mary Queen of Scots were cousins and contemporaries, and as female rulers in the 16th century, historical anomalies. The book is not intended to be a dual biography, but rather a comparative analysis of the reign of the two queens and the times they lived in. But we learn much about both women. Elizabeth is portrayed as an intellectual
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Nov 28, 2009
Lynne-marie
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Although I have an abiding interest in Elizabeth I, and a lesser one in Mary, Queen of Scots, who with any historical curiosity about England or Scotland would not want to read a book so titled? I did, and though I learned little I didn't know, I'm glad I read it. The scholarship was not top-notch; I think the author aimed for a best-seller audience rather, (though I have no idea if she attained it). I did learn that Mary spent most of her life a prisoner because she acted impulsively when sh
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Jan 24, 2011
Patricia
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Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots, were fascinating women. It is argued that Mary may have had a greater claim to the English throne than Elizabeth, As women rulers, they had to treat warily. Elizabeth, whilst jealous of the famed beauty of her rival, together with the fact that Mary was also a mother, was the more powerful of the two. Mary, married to the Dauphin and brought up in the French Court, was unable to use her feminine wiles to successful political advantage. Another bone of c
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May 10, 2010
Jerry
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Not exactly a chronological survey of the relationship, but rather by topic. Example, description of Mary/Elizabeth downward spiraling relations after divulgence of the Ridolphi plot.
Another negative: I didn't care for the incessant inclusion of "Old English" citations, one after the other. Often so hard to decipher for the reader that the author was required to put in her own translation. Sometimes she did; sometimes she didn't. If the author decided the OE word was " More...
Another negative: I didn't care for the incessant inclusion of "Old English" citations, one after the other. Often so hard to decipher for the reader that the author was required to put in her own translation. Sometimes she did; sometimes she didn't. If the author decided the OE word was " More...
Aug 12, 2011
Elisa
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I had trouble concentrating on this book....which is really rare for me. I love the topic, and I love history books. But the way it was organized had me feelings like I had ADD. It jumps too much between the two, goes back and forth, pages on Elizabeth, a couple on Mary, back and forth. It just has too many people to keep straight this way. I think it would have been much better if it had a section on Elizabeth, then one on Mary, don't talk about them both simultaneously until the "end"
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Aug 29, 2009
Mikel
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Queen Elizabeth is a literary guilty pleasure of mine. I own three to four different biography's on her. And yes I have read them all. I, like so many other history fanatics, find her incredibly fasinating. Many people feel the subject is over done but still I never get sick of a good Elizabeth I story. This one is good because its a great comparative analysis between her and her second cousin Mary, who unlike Elizabeth always put herself first. It really breaks down the difference between a gre
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Sep 26, 2011
Morgan
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I really enjoyed this book. While not a definitive history on either woman it gave a great overview of both of their lives as well as the interesting relationship between the two. More than that though, I think where it really suceeded was in strongly drawing a portrait of both of their personalities and the strength of their character. I enjoyed the information on Mary especially, as I feel she's often over-romanticized in fiction and film to the point where she has no personality whatsoever in
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Jul 14, 2011
Amanda
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I usually want to read historical fiction of this period and I burn out quickly at biographies and letters etc of the Tudors, as I have read so many novels of this period I know many of the milestones of each figures lives already, so when I'm not wrapped up in a narrative, I'm just waiting to finish a book...which causes me to put it down and not return to it.
This one however, I have only started a few days ago, and I am definitely not getting that feeling; the way that Jane Dunn is More...
This one however, I have only started a few days ago, and I am definitely not getting that feeling; the way that Jane Dunn is More...
Jan 29, 2012
Emily
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Thorough, carefully parsed look at the relationship between these two queens. Ms. Dunn is very good at the comparative analysis. She makes both queens more vibrant and real by pointing out their differences in relief to each other.
Elizabeth & Mary's lives were inseparably intertwined from birth despite the fact that they never actually met face to face. Until reading this book, I had no idea how strong Mary’s claim to the English throne really was – it all hung on the legitimacy ( More...
Elizabeth & Mary's lives were inseparably intertwined from birth despite the fact that they never actually met face to face. Until reading this book, I had no idea how strong Mary’s claim to the English throne really was – it all hung on the legitimacy ( More...
Jun 04, 2009
BJ Rose
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I thoroughly enjoyed this well-researched study of two queens of the same generation, ruling in neighboring monarchies on the same island - a rare occurrence in the world of the 16th century that held that the natural order of things required a male ruler. But instead of making them kindred spirits and supportive of each other, this rarity instead made them life-long rivals, and eventually led to the imprisonment and execution of one of them.
Mary Stuart was queen from birth, and thus More...
Mary Stuart was queen from birth, and thus More...
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Jan 10, 2010
Ashley
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I loved that this book managed to bring the history of this period alive -- Dunn cited lots of primary sources (and used a bit of speculation) to flesh out characters that to me had always been one dimensional. I now have a much better understanding of these queens, their rivalry, and this time in European history. My only issue with this book was that once Dunn had a point to make, she tended to make it repeatedly.
Jun 28, 2011
Miranda
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Extremely fascinating look into the ascension, rule and struggles of Queen Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots. The story is intertwined so you can see how the two cousins felt about each other and the love/hate relationship between the two. Very well written for those not familiar with Tudor history, and a definite must-read for those who are!!
Oct 11, 2010
Rachel
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There are great books about Elizabeth and Mary as individuals but little that deals with their relationship and how their lives intertwined and how their political decisions impacted on each other so the premise of this book is good - but I wish it had been more memorable to read. It was well researched and engaging but it didn't have anything new to offer us in terms of perspective or insight.
Apr 07, 2009
Bonnie
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This was interesting, although I am not really into 16th century English history. It was a bit slow moving, but an interesting perspective on the familial, political and religious rivalry between the two queens. I listened to the audible book, and though it was a good reader, I wasn't particularly captivated.
Jan 09, 2008
Bethany
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Having first read a biography of Queen Elizabeth, this was a fascinating look into the parallels between these two powerful women. This is the first biography I've read in this style, which followed not necessarily the chronology but instead highlighted similar themes and events between the two queens. I love women's history and find it interesting the concerns that Elizabethans had about women in power very much still holds true this many centuries later. Since I was more familar with Queen
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May 08, 2011
Lara
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I hadn't read a biography of Elizabeth in a very long time and I don't know that I had EVER read one on Mary Queen of Scots up to this point, so this was a first and I think I finally have more of a grasp of the Queen of Scots now. It was set up to compare and contrast the two Queens and did just that.
Sep 07, 2011
Marylu
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This is well informed book for those who are first time readers of the subject of the two queens. If however, you are an avid reader of the subject, this is simply a rehashing of the same story with nothing new to add
I constantly read books on the history of the two queens, especially Elizabeth I, in the event there is something new to learn.
I constantly read books on the history of the two queens, especially Elizabeth I, in the event there is something new to learn.
Aug 02, 2011
Connieb
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This is a detailed history account of these related queens which never met. At times the author repeats herself when describing the events taking place and emotions of the ladies, but she does outline a clear picture of the time, place and political games amongst the monarchs.
Aug 04, 2011
Brittany
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Amazing book, which is beautifully written. I love how she compares and contrasts not only the lives of these two queens but their personality and upbringing. Of course there is some bias here, most authors will display bias towards one historical character.
Jul 14, 2011
Mike
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I enjoyed the history, but the writing was abysmal. Dunn repeats topics as if her readers do not have the capacity to keep up with the narration. She does paint a good picture of Elizabeth and Mary, Queen of Scots. She cites contemporaneous sources, further illustrating the tension between these cousins.
Apr 11, 2009
Marie
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It was okay.. nothing new and seemed a bit of disorganized. I didn't like how all of the major events were eluded to several times before getting to that point in time. Could never get a sense of time with this book.
Oct 14, 2011
Evelyn
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I love English history but the book was slow at some points. I listened to the book on tape which could have made a difference in my interest. Both women are amazing and I learned so much.
Aug 10, 2011
I didn't quite finish the book, it was due back at the library with other holds on it, but what I had read so far was quite interesting, will have to sign it out again soon
Mar 06, 2011
Jamie
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Vastly interesting... I learned so much about the attitudes and points of view of each woman simply through their parallel lives and relationship to one another!
