Tudor History Lovers discussion
Tudor Book Recomendations
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Lets fatten up our TBR list! Recomend a book chain
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VL
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Aug 31, 2012 08:21AM
Crystal, I went to London last May and to the Tower and the Yeoman definitely made the trip 10x better. He joked but with a straight face which made it even funnier. I recommend that visit to anyone going to London. There were three of us and we are all pretty interested in the Tudors so it was definitely a fun trip.
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I liked Hampton Court even more than the Tower. It was great! Especially cool to come there by water, as the Tudors would have.
I'm so jealous! We went to Hampton Court but not by water. It was so much fun! I had to actually restrain myself from buying books at all the different sites we saw.
Yes Hampton Court was my favourite place as well, absolutely loved it. Would have made a great experience arriving by water Susanna.Yes, had to stop myself buying books at every site as well. There were heaps in all the gift shops, but didnt want to have to carry them around for the next couple of weeks all over England & Scotland.
Wow, I would love to visit both those places. And it's so funny Sarah you mentioned The Royal Palaces of Tudor England: Architecture and Court Life, 1460-1547because I relied very heavily on that book as well. I learned more about Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn from that book than any other I'd read previously. It's a wealth of knowledge about what it was like being in their presence. I spent $89 bucks on that book used! It's the most I've ever spent on any book ever, but it was well worth it. I use it as a reference frequently and the pictures are stunning. I'm gonna go check out your website now...
Have a great weekend everybody!
Just finished Bring up the Bodies, which I enjoyed and would recommend, and am starting Jane Boleyn: The True Story of the Infamous Lady Rochford, which has a strong start.
Oh Susanna... I'm surprised you are enjoying that! I and many of our mutual friends did not find Fox's work to be compelling at all. Too much speculation!
I'm not that far into it. We'll see.
Which book are you talking about, Orsolya? Are you talking about Bring up the Bodies or the Jane Boleyn story? Just curious, because I think I heard Bring up the Bodies was the sequel to Wolf Hall? I tried to start Wolf Hall and it definitely wasn't for me.Whichever book you're talking about, can you tell me what the others didn't like about it? I think that discussion may have happened before I joined this group in July because I certainly don't recall it. Though, that's not saying much; I have a terrible memory.
Bring up the Bodies was an excellent read; I think Orsolya was referring to the one about Jane Boleyn, which is by Julia Fox.ETA: But I liked Wolf Hall a great deal, too.
Ah, thank you for clarifying.Do you know why others in this group don't like the Jane Boleyn book? Just curious.
Indeed, I was talking about the Jane book which is by Julia Fox. I gave it 2 stars while my historical fiction friends gave it:1 star
1 star
2 stars
2 stars
2 stars
2 stars
1 star
... not a good track record. Crystal, as mentioned, everyone had an issue with the intense speculation, the writing style, the conclusion, and the lack of Jane coverage. I've read other works by Fox and they are result in poor reviews from me. But to each, his own!
Thank you for sharing. I've never heard of this book so I was curious about it. I'll have to go read all the reviews for fun. I'm weird like that. I love reading both the good and bad so I can get a fair representation of a book. I appreciate your feedback. Very helpful.
Just finished reading Life in a Tudor Palace. I loved it!I'm sure the rest of you had heard this story before, but it was new to me (or I'd forgotten it), about Anne Boleyn making fun of Henry's health and his underwear size with his privy chamber gentlemen. My heart just went out to him, and I of course gushed on and on in my review about how that information hit me hard.
What I want to know is, has anybody else seen more in depth information about what actually took place when they were gossiping about Henry behind his back when this happened? I want to research that event further.
Thank you for humoring me...
Oh my great garderobe! This book, Blood Will Tell A Medical Explanation of the Tyranny of Henry VIII, looks absolutely fascinating! My heart is beating like crazy.Anybody read it? What did you think? I really want to buy it, but only if it's worth the $4.99. I've been spending way too much on books lately, so I want to justify this expense. Help! Tudor book addict in need of possible future intervention!!!
You can get a sample or view a selection on Amazon, to see if the writing style appeals to you (tastes vary and I am no JK Rowling!) or not. There is also some things on my website (kyrackramer.com) that might help you decide.If you do get it I really hope you enjoy it, and I would be happy to answer historical/theory questions for anyone in the group who wants more information.
Kyra wrote: "You can get a sample or view a selection on Amazon, to see if the writing style appeals to you (tastes vary and I am no JK Rowling!) or not. There is also some things on my website (kyrackramer.com..."Oh my goodness, Kyra, I had no idea you were a member of this group. Wow! How exciting. I can pick your brain? I have already been looking at your website. I love it! I even posted on my blog in this last hour about the things I've already learned from you. Your information is absolutely fascinating. I'd already decided to buy your book, but of course had to blog about it first so I could gush and talk about your ideas and my side of the spectrum, where I discuss my theories on what went on with the pregnancy end for the women since that's my area of expertise.
Thank you so much for answering my question. I don't know why I'm flabbergasted you're a member of this group. This group never ceases to thrill and amaze me. I love it here! Its like my new home in the book world. I visit this group way more than any of my others on Goodreads because people here are so friendly and knowledgeable, and they actually respond!
Enjoy your weekend, Kyra. I know I will as I begin reading your work!
Kyra wrote: "You can get a sample or view a selection on Amazon, to see if the writing style appeals to you (tastes vary and I am no JK Rowling!) or not. There is also some things on my website (kyrackramer.com..."Kyra, I'm just curious (and I do mean to get your book!)--were you at all involved in that recent TV show about Henry VIII's health? I can't even remember what network it was on, sadly, or what it was titled, but it was interesting.
I just read your blog and OMG I am a lactavist and my first two babies were unmedicated CNM delivered births! I had pre-eclampsia with my youngest, which means I had to do the full hospital thingy but I had a doula who was magnificent and a fantastic OB so it worked out. My youngest is 2.75 and still "on tap", and she tells me she needs "the milk". It is too funny to hear. I see that you have been theorizing reasons why Henry's first two wives had the problems they did, and your theories are certainly possibilities. My focus in grad school was male-mediated negative reproductive outcomes, so I looked to Henry in the suspicion that people were missing his connection because infertility is the only male-mediated issue even medical professionals ever think of. However, men play a bigger role in pregnancy and child health than is commonly known. Example: the children of men who smoke have a higher rate of childhood cancer, EVEN when the father does not live in their house and no one else smokes around them. After that first study, another study on the topic could not get funding ... mainly because male effects on pregnancy/children are dismissed as unimportant. It nearly drove me bananas when I was researching it all.
I am really looking forward to hearing from you after you read the book. If nothing else I know you will enjoy the childbirth section, where I take a moment to rain pish-tosh on the dorsal lithotomy position for birth.
I hope you have a great weekend as well!
Funny you should ask!No, that show was produced prior to the release of the academic article on Henry VIII and Kell/McLeod written by Dr. Catrina Banks Whitley and myself. However, I was recently contacted by the BBC about another project. I'm blogging about it today, and that blog auto-magically publishes on my author blog here on Goodreads as well, if you are interested.
Best -- Kyra
Kyra wrote: "I just read your blog and OMG I am a lactavist and my first two babies were unmedicated CNM delivered births! I had pre-eclampsia with my youngest, which means I had to do the full hospital thingy ..."I can't wait to read it. I am devouring the Anne Boleyn Collection right now, which is how I found out about your work, from her blog, theanneboleynfiles.com. I'm definitely not an expert on how the dad's part can impact a fetus, just the mom's part. That's why it's so exhilarating to read your piece of it. I felt like it was the other half of the puzzle I was missing. Incredibly exciting. I can't even tell you how my brain was going 100 miles a minute yesterday when I saw her information on the website about your work. I'll be reading your book as soon as I'm done with hers, which should be soon at the rate I'm going. I may be fan girling all over you in a few days, so get your favorite shoes ready so I can kiss and grovel at them. :P
Thanks so much for replying. It's great chatting with you and knowing I can ask questions along the way. Beware though, I have a very curious mind, and may bug you to no end to get the answers I seek. Hee hee! But being the researcher you are, I'm sure you do the same to find the answers you need as well...
LOL! Claire (of The Anne Boleyn Files, of course) was originally skeptical of my work, and I am not sure it has won her over, but she let me do guest posts to explain it more thoroughly to her readers which I appreciate tremendously. I really enjoyed her book, in part because I agree with her assessment of Anne Boleyn based on all the historical evidence I found. I drives me bonkers when Anne is portrayed as a scheming hussy, when she was totally the opposite. I look forward to hearing from you after you have read the book!
Kyra wrote: "LOL! Claire (of The Anne Boleyn Files, of course) was originally skeptical of my work, and I am not sure it has won her over, but she let me do guest posts to explain it more thoroughly to her read..."I agree 100% with both her and your assessment of who Anne Boleyn was. I can't stand that either when she's made out to be coniving. That's not the Anne I know either from the research I've done.
Well, I'm glad she let you do that post on her blog also. I can't even tell you how wide my eyes got as I was reading what you wrote. It was literally eye-opening.
I'm sure I'll be chatting with you in a week or two about your book.
Glad to know we have a similar background in regards to childbirthing philosophies and breastfeeding as well. Not that I wouldn't talk to you if you didn't, but it's still fun to know.
I absolutely loved this book! The author told the entire story of Henry VIII from a different perspective. I love how she questions the accepted portrayal of all of his queens. The chapter on Tudor medicine was especially interesting. The four humors was explained well and I found it fascinating!
Tracy wrote: "I absolutely loved this book! The author told the entire story of Henry VIII from a different perspective. I love how she questions the accepted portrayal of all of his queens. The chapter on T..."Yep, I've been tearing through it, and it's been spurring on my desire to start my sequel right away, but I can't! I have to do more research on Anne before I can start writing again! I wish I had a lot more time to read... Reading about Anne could easily absorb my day.
Hi There,Not sure if this is the right place to ask this question but I've just started reading the 1st Jean Plaidy book Uneasy Lies the Head in her Tudor series and I'm a bit unsure of her writing style. Has anyone read any of her books and what do you think of her? I know she's written a lot of books about this time in history!!! Is she worth perservering with I guess is my question? Cheers Elaine
Elaine wrote: "Hi There,Not sure if this is the right place to ask this question but I've just started reading the 1st Jean Plaidy book Uneasy Lies the Head in her Tudor series and I'm a bit unsure of her writin..."
I'd say this is one of her weaker ones. I'd try her novels about Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard. If you don't like those, you probably won't like her other novels.
Thanks for the feedback Susan. I think I might give her the benefit of the doubt on this one and try those you suggested. I really,really want to like her cause she's written so many books about Henry and the Tudors!!!
Tracy wrote: "I absolutely loved this book! The author told the entire story of Henry VIII from a different perspective. I love how she questions the accepted portrayal of all of his queens. The chapter on T..."Many thanks and I am really glad you liked it! I was amazed at how COMPLEX medicine was in the Tudor times, myself :0)
Elaine wrote: "Hi There,Not sure if this is the right place to ask this question but I've just started reading the 1st Jean Plaidy book Uneasy Lies the Head in her Tudor series and I'm a bit unsure of her writin..."
I really like Plaidy, and read them all when I was younger. Her style is very (for lack of a better way of putting it) very 1950's Gothic. If you like that kind of thing, she is a master. If you don't, her work will never grab you. One of my favorites was about Letitia Knolleys, Elizabeth I's cousin and rival for Robert Dudley.
I've read plaidy's series about Isabella I and Ferdinand as well as select books from the tutor series. I like her style of writing and it is easy to get through.On another note, I was reading the discussion about London. I so want to go on Alison Weir's tours. There is the six wives of Henry VIII, Lancaster & York, and the royal palaces in 2013. She also has a tour of the tower of london. I would need so much money for tours,books, and souvenirs
Just skimming the thread, but I didn't notice if this one has been mentioned
I just finished it. It was a good read and Penn puts a human face on the first Tudor.
I've got that; it looks very interesting, and at some point I'll actually get to it! So many books, so little time....
happy wrote: "Just skimming the thread, but I didn't notice if this one has been mentionedI just finished it. It was a good read and P..."
Historian David Starkey seemed to have a favorable impression of Henry VII as well. I think Henry VII was a ruthless and hardhearted kinda guy, but that was the best thing for Kingship during his era so I can't really fault him for it.
He would have to have been tough if he won the Wars of the Roses.
happy wrote: "Just skimming the thread, but I didn't notice if this one has been mentionedI just finished it. It was a good read and P..."
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, but I don't know when I will get around to reading it. I have not yet read a biography of Henry VII, so I am looking forward to it!
The best thing I can say of Henry VII is that he was a thief. He had absolutely no right to the English throne. Descendant of the last of Edward III's sons, illegetimate descendant of John of Gaunt and, last but not least, descendant of Henry V's queen's illicit relationship with a Welsh squire of common blood.
Mary wrote: "The best thing I can say of Henry VII is that he was a thief. He had absolutely no right to the English throne. Descendant of the last of Edward III's sons, illegetimate descendant of John of Gau..."I agree ... and it's a part of the reason he was so glad to secure Katherina of Aragon's hand in marriage for his first son, Arthur. She made his son look like a real heir to a real throne.
I think that will always be a debate and be subjective. The same way that one can still argue whether Richard III was a usurper or not.
Mary wrote: "The best thing I can say of Henry VII is that he was a thief. He had absolutely no right to the English throne. Descendant of the last of Edward III's sons, illegetimate descendant of John of Gau..."I think that while his claim was WAY lower than many others that he fought for it and secured his throne. He did marry Elizabeth of York who was the last claimant of her father. In that way he appeased the people.
Kyra wrote:... Historian David Starkey seemed to have a favorable impression of Henry VII as well. I think Henry VII was a ruthless and hardhearted kinda guy, but that was the best thing for Kingship during his era so I can't really fault him for it..."With his tenious claim to the throne, I don't think he could have been anything else and kept his head on his shoulders:) It seems he spent most of hte first 10 yrs or so of his reign eliminating any possible Yorkist claimants to the throne.
From what I've read - power politics in the middle ages was a very rough game and the losers paid a very heavy price - normally with there heads.
the best book I've read about Anne Boleyn!
Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies are both really good books. They gave me a totally new appreciation for Thomas Cromwell.
Hi all, I'm new to this group but love historical novels and I loved Innocent Traitor and already have the sequel A Dangerous Inheritance to read (about Jane's sister) I read Lady Elizabeth but much preferred Innocent Traitor, I also loved her novel about Eleanor of Aquitaine, The Captive Queen, that was brilliant. There are 5 books in the Shardlake Series, so far. The last one is Heart stone and they are all fab, really good mixture of history and mystery, they should make a TV series out of them, they are brilliant.
Lizzy wrote: "Loved The Other Boleyn Girl- in fact it was the reason for my love affair with all things Henry VIII!My book suggestion is one of my all time fav books:
The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With not..."
I just wanted to add my opinion to Lizzy's: This is probably one of my all time favorite Tudor books as well.
Marylou wrote: "There are several medieval authors that I like:anything by Elizabeth Chadwick or Sharon Kay Penman.
I have read several Tudor books by Alison Weir
I have at least 75 books on the Tudor dynasty so ..."
Marylou, I would love to have a copy of your list of Tudor Books.....
The publishers just offered 5 copies of this book as a giveaway because they were chuffed I gave it a 5 starred review:) Only sad that they limited the competition to the UK ...
Just learned about The Creation of Anne Boleyn: A New Look at England's Most Notorious Queen, by Susan Bordo, which looks very interesting.
I found it fascinating to read about Anne as she was seen in her own time and through the years.Susanna wrote: "Just learned about The Creation of Anne Boleyn: A New Look at England's Most Notorious Queen, by Susan Bordo, which looks very interesting."
Tudor History Lovers
Books mentioned in this topic
An Inconvenient Wife (other topics)Wolf Hall (other topics)
The King's Curse (other topics)
The Mirror & the Light (other topics)
The Song of the Jade Lily (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Matthew Reilly (other topics)Anna Whitelock (other topics)
Hester W. Chapman (other topics)
Fiona Buckley (other topics)
Peter Ackroyd (other topics)
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