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51st out of 350 books
—
904 voters
Life & Death of Anne Boleyn: The Most Happy
by
Eric Ives
This definitive full biography of Anne Boleyn, based on the latest scholarly research, focusses on Anne’s life and legacy and establishes Anne as a figure of considerable importance and influence in her own right.
Adulteress or innocent victim? Looks afresh at the issues at the heart of Anne's downfall.
Pays attention to her importance as a patron of the arts, particularly...more
Adulteress or innocent victim? Looks afresh at the issues at the heart of Anne's downfall.
Pays attention to her importance as a patron of the arts, particularly...more
Paperback, 458 pages
Published
July 1st 2005
by Blackwell Publishers
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Anne Boleyn is a subject that continues to fascinate four hundred years after her death, so much has been written of her, so many myths strangely believed- yet this amazing biography will challenge all you thought you knew about Anne, Henry and the fascinating world of the Tudor court...
What's so good about this book is Ives takes into account his previous work on Anne and the challenges to some of his theories and addresses those- he doesn't change his views so much but presents more evidence f...more
What's so good about this book is Ives takes into account his previous work on Anne and the challenges to some of his theories and addresses those- he doesn't change his views so much but presents more evidence f...more
This is an excellent biography of Anne Boleyn and her life and times. Professor Ives' work should rightly be regarded as a comprehensive take on this tragic Queen's career.
Although strongly challenged by other historians such as Warnicke and Bernard, I strongly agree with Ives' theories, namely his belief that Anne was born in 1500-1. The 1507 birth date makes little sense. Similarly, I agree that Anne was the middle child, and her sister Mary was older.
The strengths of this biography are in par...more
Although strongly challenged by other historians such as Warnicke and Bernard, I strongly agree with Ives' theories, namely his belief that Anne was born in 1500-1. The 1507 birth date makes little sense. Similarly, I agree that Anne was the middle child, and her sister Mary was older.
The strengths of this biography are in par...more
As far as I am concerned this book is THE last word on Anne Boleyn's story. I read Ives' first edition 20 years ago and even though I have read other author's takes on Anne, I always return to this one. Ives revised this edition after Henry's Inventory was published so there is more detail and if you are not into detail you may find its a bit dry in places but honestly I love the details. Anne was very aware of her Image but this was an essential part of a person's power in court. Back in those...more
Beware this book is phone book sized--simply mammoth. Though I appreciate his thoroughness on the subject, there are times I disagreed completely with his ideas on Henry VIII's or Anne Boleyn's motives.
The author tends to get bogged down on too many details in certain areas and not enough in others. His language is confusing at times and it almost feels the author is trying to impress his readers with his extensive vocabulary. In terms of using this book for research as an author, I found other...more
The author tends to get bogged down on too many details in certain areas and not enough in others. His language is confusing at times and it almost feels the author is trying to impress his readers with his extensive vocabulary. In terms of using this book for research as an author, I found other...more
A very thoroughly researched book on Anne Boleyn. The author references letters and notes that were written in her time by those who knew her. He also takes into account the opinions of those who loved and hated her, while keeping in mind that their writings were most likely biased and forms an logical opinion based on these notes. Very well researched, though a bit dry to read at times. But if you're looking for a true biography of Anne Boleyn, this would definitely be a book to read.
This is the bible of Anne Boleyn. It is the first book I ever read completely dedicated to Anne and even today it is the first book that I refer back to when I am researching or learning about Anne. My poor copy is dog eared and tattered but to me that only gives it more character and life. If you want to know about Anne Boleyn, want to learn who the woman was who rose to be the jewel in Henry VIII’s eye and then fell shattering into history then this is the book to read. I would recommend this...more
I think it's fair to say that I've read a lot of books about Tudor history and Anne Boleyn specifically. This is one of the best, most well-researched, and most well-written that I have come across.
Eric Ives goes far deeper than the trite "Henry fell in/out of love with Anne and thus had her killed"--and instead looks at the life of one of the most intriguing (and briefest) lives to affect the crown. Instead of dismissing old arguments, he looks at the facts and goes through each source, pointin...more
Eric Ives goes far deeper than the trite "Henry fell in/out of love with Anne and thus had her killed"--and instead looks at the life of one of the most intriguing (and briefest) lives to affect the crown. Instead of dismissing old arguments, he looks at the facts and goes through each source, pointin...more
Ives feels like the best of both worlds: his credentials as a legal historian make him detailed an analytical enough that he's a authoritative source on Anne Boleyn, while his well-supported admiration for her makes the sometimes dry, dense writing style worth it for anyone more accustomed to "popular" historians like Alison Weir and Joanna Denny. Considering the lack of solid historical documents or artifacts from Anne herself (even trying to establish her birth year causes controversy), Ives d...more
Feb 26, 2010
Brigid
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone interested in British history, feminists, fans of "The Tudors"
Overall, this is a thoroughly researched, well-reasoned approach to the life of Anne Boleyn. Ives presents the reader with a cornucopia of information from a variety of sources, while simultaneously making judgments on who is more reliable than others. He quotes extensively from original source material and isn't afraid of analyzing the implications. He also gives excellent background on the period, the convention of courtly love, and the status of England with regard to the rest of Europe at th...more
It's been quite a while since I dove into a truly scholarly work on the Tudors. Eric Ives presents an amazing portrait of an amazing woman. His use of source material provides fantastic insights into the importance of Anne's brief reign. I did get lost in some of the information, not having a firm enough grasp of Latin nor the intricacies of the language of the Tudor period. He presents interesting takes on the events of Henry and Anne's long courtship, as well as their brief marriage.
I am still...more
I am still...more
Nov 28, 2009
Mei-Lu
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
any one interested in a deeper understanding of Anne Boleyn
Of the recent biographies of Anne Boleyn, I'd say this is the best and for that reason, I've held on to as a reference. I particularly like the fact that Ives is careful to note his attributions, or at the very least the texts on which he is basing his ideas. There are assertions made by the author that I don't entirely agree with -the available evidence on Anne Boleyn's early life is quite slim and as a result almost all biographies on her are largely extrapolated. Overall a well-researched bio...more
This is the most analytical and best documented biography I've read on Anne Boleyn. It's text book dry but if you are looking for someone who will present all sides of the story, address rumors and myth, chronicle her life and separate her political, religious and romantic endeavors, this is the book for you. After everything I've read on her, that's exactly what I was looking for. It took a while to read, but it holds many golden nuggets of information.
After reading this text, my own opinion th...more
After reading this text, my own opinion th...more
This captivating account of the life and death of Anne Boleyn is immensely detailed and has the feeling of a historical textbook. That being said, this is the most interesting textbook-like book you will ever read in that Ives gives his readers a plentiful amount of relatively unknown facts regarding this illusive woman. I found this biography of Anne Boleyn to be different than those written by Alison Weir in that Ives describes Anne in more of a historical, factual sense, rather than discussin...more
Claimed to be the best bio on Anne Boleyn to date, and I agree!
I think I like Anne best portrayed as she really was, not based upon all the myths and, let's face it, downright lies that surrounded her rise and ultimate destruction.
Everything is well researched and the supporting evidence is facinating, ranging from letters, artwork and the royal accounts, to songs and poetry.
Ives gives an amazing insight into life as it was in the Tudor Court and the major personalities within it (Henry VIII, t...more
I think I like Anne best portrayed as she really was, not based upon all the myths and, let's face it, downright lies that surrounded her rise and ultimate destruction.
Everything is well researched and the supporting evidence is facinating, ranging from letters, artwork and the royal accounts, to songs and poetry.
Ives gives an amazing insight into life as it was in the Tudor Court and the major personalities within it (Henry VIII, t...more
If you read only one book about Henry VIII or his infamous marriage in serial, make it this book. It's a rare thing to find a book written by a historian who A) knows his subject backwards and forwards, B) can write a compelling narrative but without being too dry or lacking in substance, C) challenge the historical reputation of even somebody written about to the extent that Anne Boleyn has and offer a new and nuianced perception of the person and the culture they came from. While most modern p...more
Eric Ives' biography of Anne Boleyn's life is a very thorough and accurate fact-filled account of her life. While it reads more like a text book, it really provides the reader with an intimate look at the person she was, and follows her from childhood through her rise, then fall from greatness in Henry the VIII's court. After reading many historical novels surrounding Anne Boleyn and Henry the VIII's court, I was curious about how much I read in the novels' was actually fact vs fiction ~ this bo...more
This book was a difficult read for a non-historian like myself but it was packed with so much thrilling documented information about Anne. I also view Anne as more of a tragic figure and somewhat of a victim of courtly life. Controversial as she was, she was a pioneer for women and for religion. She must have been remarkable, despite the broader historical view that she was not liked. I could read this hundreds of times and uncover new facts with each read. If you are a fan of Anne Boleyn or of...more
This is by far the best biography of Anne that I have ever come across, and considering the reviews of it, I'm willing to bet that it's the best one that exists! Eric Ives is an extraordinary researcher and writer, and he brings the story of the misunderstood/disgraced queen to life brilliantly. He uses a great amount of evidence and contemporary sources/quotes, and by the end of it you feel like you've just spoken to Anne yourself. Absolutely wonderful and a must-read for anyone interested in t...more
Since I first read The Six Wives of Henry VIII I have long held a fascination and admiration of Anne Boleyn. She represented everything I aspired to be and she still does.
I've had this book for awhile, but I've just gotten around to reading it now after several other readings of the Tudor era. Some of the things I had read before, but this volume managed to make the facts we know about Anne Boleyn jump off the page. I liked how Ives divided the book up by education, marriage, religion, and so on...more
I've had this book for awhile, but I've just gotten around to reading it now after several other readings of the Tudor era. Some of the things I had read before, but this volume managed to make the facts we know about Anne Boleyn jump off the page. I liked how Ives divided the book up by education, marriage, religion, and so on...more
Ives's obsession and infatuation with Anne interfered with his academic integrity in this book. He tries desperately to fit Anne into this persona that he feels was historically accurate but there are a lot of leaps and stretches that he makes which aren't fully supported by primary sources. I've read counterarguments to this book and while I don't agree with that view entirely either, I do see the other side's point. That being said, I still enjoyed this book and have referred to it during my o...more
This is an excellently written and very thorough account of Anne Boleyn's life. The focus is only on her, not like in other biographies which also tell the story of the decline and fall of Catherine of Aragon. The author reaches some surprising conclusions, but backs them up with sensible and persuasive arguments. I would give it five stars but for the fact that it's a little TOO detailed. The middle section, which goes on and on and on and on about the details of Anne's coronation, and her arts...more
Anne Boleyn – now more than four hundred years since her death – is it really possible to gain a sense of the woman who woke the lion within Henry VIII, the lion that More so rightly feared – the same lion that one day ripped Anne Boleyn’s own life to shreds? Can we get behind the mask Anne Boleyn represented to the world? Seen in her own times in so many guises: a goggled eyed whore, a witch, the “scandal of Christendom,” a woman of ‘stout heart, ’ a sainted martyr, like all of us, Anne Boleyn...more
Here Anne Boleyn is, in all her magnificence and tragedy. I had read a lot about the Tudors before starting this, so I had clear in my mind who was who, and what part did they took in the course of History, so I was able to enjoy all the speculations and all the links Ives made. A lot has been told and written concerning Anne Boleyn, and she doesn't always come out well portrayed, partly because of her complexity, partly because of the discordant sources concerning her life, her character and he...more
I think I made a great choice in choosing this biography to read about Anne. Ives seems to write about Anne in both in a factual-based, non-biased way, although he does paint her in good light. I especially liked the section "Anne the Queen." I felt like in this section, I was closest to actually knowing the person Anne was. I learned loads, especially that many of the scenes in the television series The Tudors actually took place.
I think I would have enjoying this book had the information been...more
I think I would have enjoying this book had the information been...more
This is the most in depth book on Anne Boleyn that I've read so far. Ives often presents several interpretations of events. He then gives his own interpretations and backs up his interpretations with a lot of facts. When Ives is speculating about ideas, he tells the reader that he is speculating, which is also admirable. The book is very scholarly in that aspect, but I did not feel that it was hard to follow in light of this fact. The attention to detail is fantastic; at the end Ives breaks down...more
Excellent. This historian carefully examines the life of Anne, placing her firmly within the context of Tudor politics and religion. He's the first I can recall illustrates how Anne's fervent devotion to the cause of religious reforms made her a target. Along with her sharp tongue, opinionated nature. But she was a force to be reckoned with at court. Ives carefully examines what is known about Anne so that we get a more accurate picture of the woman behind the tragedy.
I read this book concurrently with "The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn" and watching the first two seasons of Showtime's production of "The Tudors." The book is the documentary basis of Anne's rise and fall, and a lot of fascinating information about the life of the times in that segment of society and its effect on politics.
Well worth the time if you want to know what REALLY happened. It can be used as an excellent reference.
Well worth the time if you want to know what REALLY happened. It can be used as an excellent reference.
Not all scholastic volumes are as hard to take as this one was -- I know, I read a lot of biography & history -- but Ives makes it hard to remember why you are reading the book in the first place. In fact he deliberately makes things abstruse when they could be otherwise. I know there are both fashions and coteries in academic writing and must presume this is an extreme of a kind I cannot find, as the French say, convenable.
I am a big fan of Anne Boleyn and Ive's book is a fantastic bio. Sometimes it can be easy to pick up a book which is full of the authors bias however that is not the case here. I feel that its done in a sympathetic manner and you find yourself understanding Anne better and what she may have gone through. I would recommend this to any Tudor fans out there, if you enjoy non-fiction, you won't be disappointed!
A good biographer must first be a superb researcher and investigator -- and Eric Ives is both. This is an extremely well-researched and thought out biography of Ann Boleyn. The author takes no historical legend at face value without first examining all available evidence. The problem with the book, as with many well-researched biographies, is that the author got so caught up with presenting his evidence and explaining his reasoning that he forgot to tell the story of his subject's life. He faile...more
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Historian of Tudor England. Studied under S. T. Bindoff. He taught at the universities of Liverpool and Birmingham and wrote on faction at the Tudor court, Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey.
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“Captivating to men, Anne was also sharp, assertive, subtle, calculating, vindictive, a power dresser and a power player, perhaps a figure to be more admired than liked.”
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