Catherine de' Medici

Catherine de Medici #1

by Hugh Ross Williamson

Book by Williamson, Hugh Ross

Genres: History, Biography

288 pages, Hardcover

Published October 19, 1973

About the author

Hugh Ross Williamson (1901 - 1978) was a prolific British historian, and a dramatist. Starting from a career in the literary world, and having a Nonconformist background, he became an Anglican clergyman in 1943; and later in 1955 a Catholic convert. He wrote many historical works in a Catholic apologist tone. and in 1956 published his autobiography entitled "The Walled Garden".

Reviews

[Heather Forensky · Rating 4 out of 5]

He's a great writer and I have someone else for good comparisons to women in politics alongside Elizabeth I of England. I still feel sympathy as to what happened but I see that it gave Catherine great strength before her last son destroyed everything and the Bourbons became the next leaders.

[KAdelaide · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book, but did get lost around the
Saint Bartholomew's Day massacre. I did enjoy reading about her childhood, her sons and there personalities and their individual fates. It was interesting about Nostradamus making an appearance also.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read several books by Hugh Ross Williamson and have always found him to be interesting. His Catholic point of view helps understand the period better and shows how much bias there is against Catherine De Medici. She lived in very difficult times and yet managed to keep her sons on the throne. It was only after her death that things fell apart for Henri III.

[Meriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first reading that I've done that was sympathetic and admiring of Catherine de' Medici. She came off very different than other books I have read regarding the St. Bartholomew's Massacre.

[Clara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got a glimpse of life in the upper echelon of French life - and dealing with children with their own agendas.