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Kings & Queens of Great Britain: Every Question Answered
From the House of Wessex to the House of Windsor, follow the pageant of personalities that have made Great Britain what it is today.
Fascinating biographies of the British monarchs from the time of Roman Brittania to present day answer your every question about the country’s aristocracy. Details of the kings’ and queens’ personalities are the focus, with a timeline across the bottom relating the major events of their reigns. Also included is a section devoted to royal edicts. All the Edwards, Richards, Henrys, and Williams are represented—along with outstanding personalities such as Lady Jane Grey and Oliver Cromwell—a king in all but name. This is essential reading for all Anglophiles, so brew a pot of tea and dig into the history!
Fascinating biographies of the British monarchs from the time of Roman Brittania to present day answer your every question about the country’s aristocracy. Details of the kings’ and queens’ personalities are the focus, with a timeline across the bottom relating the major events of their reigns. Also included is a section devoted to royal edicts. All the Edwards, Richards, Henrys, and Williams are represented—along with outstanding personalities such as Lady Jane Grey and Oliver Cromwell—a king in all but name. This is essential reading for all Anglophiles, so brew a pot of tea and dig into the history!
1189 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 14, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 17, 2018
If you are looking for King Arthur, you will not find him in David Soud’s otherwise comprehensive volume. Soud begins with Alfred the Great and the House of Wessex; the point at which England could have disappeared entirely and the Island could have become a vassal province of the Danes. It was that close!
Written is a style more journalistic than historical, Soud hits all the important points as he covers kings and queens over 1000 years of monarchy. Though published by Thunder Bay Press, this is very much in the mold of DK publications with glorious illustrations on every page.
There is a lot to like in the layout. And, there is a convenient timeline of English and world events that runs along the bottom border of each page. Other notable figures are given space within the section devoted to each monarch and some such as Mary Queen of Scots and Oliver Cromwell merit separate sections.
There is plenty of material and most of it is straightforward and accurate. Typos are few and, hopefully, corrected in later editions. Thus, the subtitle “Every Question Answered” is never an issue for those who like their history visual and their scholarship minimal. It is an easy and engaging read that may inspire some readers to go further.
Written is a style more journalistic than historical, Soud hits all the important points as he covers kings and queens over 1000 years of monarchy. Though published by Thunder Bay Press, this is very much in the mold of DK publications with glorious illustrations on every page.
There is a lot to like in the layout. And, there is a convenient timeline of English and world events that runs along the bottom border of each page. Other notable figures are given space within the section devoted to each monarch and some such as Mary Queen of Scots and Oliver Cromwell merit separate sections.
There is plenty of material and most of it is straightforward and accurate. Typos are few and, hopefully, corrected in later editions. Thus, the subtitle “Every Question Answered” is never an issue for those who like their history visual and their scholarship minimal. It is an easy and engaging read that may inspire some readers to go further.
April 11, 2020
This is one of those books you most likely won't sit down and read word for word, but page through first and check out the lavish illustrations of the story of Great Britain's royal history dating from the time of Roman rule to present day.
My first stop was at the Tudor Period, which has always fascinated me. From there, I went back to the earliest times and then forward from the Tudors on.
The book is very well written, and as I mentioned, the illustrations and photos when available, are plentiful and very interesting. The traditions and beliefs are expounded upon for each period of time.
I realize now that I accidentally said I was reading the paperback, but it was actually the hard cover book I read and it was one of those books I would display on a coffee table. I plan to go back to it again and again because every time I open it up, I learn something new.
My first stop was at the Tudor Period, which has always fascinated me. From there, I went back to the earliest times and then forward from the Tudors on.
The book is very well written, and as I mentioned, the illustrations and photos when available, are plentiful and very interesting. The traditions and beliefs are expounded upon for each period of time.
I realize now that I accidentally said I was reading the paperback, but it was actually the hard cover book I read and it was one of those books I would display on a coffee table. I plan to go back to it again and again because every time I open it up, I learn something new.
August 15, 2017
I may not know all of the Presidents of the United States or how many different peanut butter brands there are, but I do take pride in knowing, by heart, every king and queen of England/Great Britain/UK since William the Conqueror. I can recite the royal chronology and provide some tidbits for each, which I will suddenly let loose during otherwise civilized dinner parties. Love my royalty.
I do have some favorites. William IV, for instance. Just liked his down-home common sense and how he was determined to live long enough so his niece Victoria could take over without her overbearing guardians getting in the way. George VI, who wasn't meant for the throne but who handled a tsunami wave of adversity with class. Charles II...I would definitely have wanted to party with him.
This book would appear to be a good primer to learn about each ruler, but someone forgot to do a quality assurance process before publishing it. For example, according to this tome, both Princess Margaret and Princess Anne were married to Mark Phillips, which I'm sure would be news to him. The sons of Edward III get confused with each other and there are just too many more mistakes for this to join a bookshelf on a permanent basis.
Too bad, because some of the biographies are clever (if William III was a foreigner, then George I was an alien). Too many errors mar the reading.
Book Season = Year Round (sense of distance)
I do have some favorites. William IV, for instance. Just liked his down-home common sense and how he was determined to live long enough so his niece Victoria could take over without her overbearing guardians getting in the way. George VI, who wasn't meant for the throne but who handled a tsunami wave of adversity with class. Charles II...I would definitely have wanted to party with him.
This book would appear to be a good primer to learn about each ruler, but someone forgot to do a quality assurance process before publishing it. For example, according to this tome, both Princess Margaret and Princess Anne were married to Mark Phillips, which I'm sure would be news to him. The sons of Edward III get confused with each other and there are just too many more mistakes for this to join a bookshelf on a permanent basis.
Too bad, because some of the biographies are clever (if William III was a foreigner, then George I was an alien). Too many errors mar the reading.
Book Season = Year Round (sense of distance)
August 4, 2015
Hugely comprehensive guide to the monarchy, starting with my favorites, the Wessex Kings, up through Elizabeth II. I find I'm not as interested in the monarchs to rule after James I, but it was still readable none the less.
There were facts here and there I'd not read before - such as Henry VII beating Henry VIII when he was angry - and I'm not sure are truly accurate. I've read more of the Tudors than any other dynasty, surely I'd remember a future tyrant getting his ears boxes by his increasingly conservative father?
All in all, there was nothing actually new to me, but I found it entertaining anyway. I especially enjoyed the end section that contained several governments going back to the time of Alfred. I love reading items like this in their original wording, the old old old English, so to speak. Recommended for anyone interested in the history of the English throne.
There were facts here and there I'd not read before - such as Henry VII beating Henry VIII when he was angry - and I'm not sure are truly accurate. I've read more of the Tudors than any other dynasty, surely I'd remember a future tyrant getting his ears boxes by his increasingly conservative father?
All in all, there was nothing actually new to me, but I found it entertaining anyway. I especially enjoyed the end section that contained several governments going back to the time of Alfred. I love reading items like this in their original wording, the old old old English, so to speak. Recommended for anyone interested in the history of the English throne.
November 20, 2015
What a piece of tripe. At best banal and trite, at worst simply wrong. The most egregious example of error is the two-page spread on Mary, Queen of Scots, where Elizabeth I is consistently referred to as Mary's half-sister. Apparently the author is conflating Mary, Queen of Scots with Mary I. (In reality, Scottish Mary was Elizabeth's first cousin once removed.) The book is rife with errors such as this, spelling errors, timeline errors. I've never yet seen a book put together and published with actual typos that would have been caught by any spell checker program. Timeline entries are repeated in places. It's almost as if there was no editing done at all. I'm sorry I bought it.
May 12, 2020
I worked my way through this comprehensive history over 1-1/2 to 2 years. I would not recommend it be read at one go (even over 2 years!), but more as a reference for information on individual monarchs. As another person pointed out, the book had many errors which even I, as a non-historian, noticed. The print is very small, which made it difficult to read and pay attention and some of the information I did not find particularly interesting. The format was good as were the accompanying illustrations, and the world timeline running at the bottom of all the pages in the book put the monarchs' reigns in perspective. I would have given 4 stars if the proof reading and fact checking had been better.
February 20, 2023
Easy read and very light on significant highlights of each reigning monarch. Eg, surprised little bits like how the “prince of wales” title came to be…but the obe one was given a full box detail. Or, queen victoria being the grandmother of european royalty…how? No further detail. And so many others. I noticed alot of focus on parliament, bills, speeches. This should not have been called Every Question Answered. More like, “Some Questions Here and There”. Finally,
Too many speculations…. “Would seem like” “likely” type of statements. Felt like “according to palace sources” type. I was like, seriously? This book was like the “feeling academic” Daily Mail of Sun version. Did pick up some bits too.
Too many speculations…. “Would seem like” “likely” type of statements. Felt like “according to palace sources” type. I was like, seriously? This book was like the “feeling academic” Daily Mail of Sun version. Did pick up some bits too.
September 15, 2019
I have read many books about the English Royal family over the years but none have been as detailed as this.
Most Kings or Queens get a few pages giving detailed insights into their reigns, their downfalls plus their rising to be popular with the people, and how the monarchy and government has changed since the days of William the Conqueror.
I especially liked the timeline at the bottom of them book that explained important details happening in other parts of the world, and some get mentioned in the main part as some of them intertwine.
Most Kings or Queens get a few pages giving detailed insights into their reigns, their downfalls plus their rising to be popular with the people, and how the monarchy and government has changed since the days of William the Conqueror.
I especially liked the timeline at the bottom of them book that explained important details happening in other parts of the world, and some get mentioned in the main part as some of them intertwine.
October 4, 2021
I like this one for short, general briefs on the monarchs. I especially appreciate the section of kings prior to the Norman Conquest. There are some editorial problems on some of the pages in the Stewarts' section, but I find this book so valuable as a quick and handy resource, I'm willing to forgive the flaws. Great for beginners to the subject of the British monarchy.
Read
August 17, 2022I bought this to have as a reference since I am always looking up to see the lineages.
January 29, 2023
Beautiful book!
August 14, 2014
Very comprehensive guide from William I to Elizabeth II (even up to including a photo of the new baby, Prince George- third in line to the current throne.) Includes a chapter on Royal Documents/Edits. Along the bottom of the entire book is a timeline that show what was happening in the rest of the world during the rule of each King or Queen. Very informative. In referring to several of these guides, I often find that whether it is Kings and Queen's, Pope's, or President's of The United States there is generally a fair amount of opinion along with scholarly facts. I have read other books that give starkly different analysis of a rulers personal life, legacy, etc. Depending on the source, much is in the the eyes of the author, so to speak.
Also, if you are looking for information on a King or Queen's spouse, "consort", very little information is given usually, except the name and sometimes a small picture. I find this strange; for some of the nobility with out telling the story of their other-half to the full extent they are not fully realized stories and rulers. Often times their spouses ruled in their place while they were away, "Mad", indisposed or ill or at the least were advisers. Though sometimes they were just a side note and never even lived together, but their stories are part of the "answer".
Also, if you are looking for information on a King or Queen's spouse, "consort", very little information is given usually, except the name and sometimes a small picture. I find this strange; for some of the nobility with out telling the story of their other-half to the full extent they are not fully realized stories and rulers. Often times their spouses ruled in their place while they were away, "Mad", indisposed or ill or at the least were advisers. Though sometimes they were just a side note and never even lived together, but their stories are part of the "answer".
August 7, 2016
An excellent chronicle of all of the monarchs in British history, from the Wessex kings to present day. It is not the most scholarly book you will find, and is not a history of England by any stretch, but it does its job in giving the reader the basics about who the monarchs were and what happened. It is also richly illustrated, and full of interesting facts and quotations. I enjoyed it.
Unfortunately, the title is misleading. It is not a book of questions and answers; it is a textbook of all of the monarchs of England and Great Britain written chronologically. Also, the timeline on the bottom of the pages that runs throughout the whole book was flawed at times - at one point it actually mistakenly repeated the timeline of the previous monarch! Otherwise though, it was very good.
Unfortunately, the title is misleading. It is not a book of questions and answers; it is a textbook of all of the monarchs of England and Great Britain written chronologically. Also, the timeline on the bottom of the pages that runs throughout the whole book was flawed at times - at one point it actually mistakenly repeated the timeline of the previous monarch! Otherwise though, it was very good.
October 18, 2015
I'm a history freak and so proud of my country; that this book is perfect for me as its so interesting and beautiful. Loved and adore this, i will always randomly pick this up, to randomly read about a past king or queen. My family love this book as well, have to watch my dad doesn't steal it aha. I gave this book 5 stars as its just a wonderful book.
December 9, 2014
Very comprehensive overview of the British Monarchy from 1066-2013. Gives the basics on each monarch, as well as more in depth. Perfect English Monarchy book to read for those starting the interest.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews