Tudor History Lovers discussion
Tudor Book Recomendations
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Lets fatten up our TBR list! Recomend a book chain
I just got my paperback copy of Susan Doran and David Starkey's catalog from the museum exhibition Henry VIII: Man and Monarch. It's profusely illustrated and looks excellent!
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This is a great thread... lots of books I can't wait to read!Susan wrote: "I just got my paperback copy of Susan Doran and David Starkey's catalog from the museum exhibition Henry VIII: Man and Monarch. It's profusely illustrated and looks excellent!
, by Rosalind Miles, and really enjoyed it."Another book that I'm excited about. Love Elizabeth and this one sounds great.
I'm currently reading Children of England by Alison Weir but I'm really only in the introduction. So far I'm enjoying it but a little too early to recommend it :)
One of my favorites was The Autobiography of Henry VIII by Margaret George. I found it really interesting, although in a few parts I had to push myself to keep going. I liked reading from Henry's perspective because so often the books I've read are in the voice of his wives or his children.
Colleen wrote: "I don't really like JA books but I stumbled upon Mary, Bloody MaryMary, Bloody Mary and it was a good little read."Actually would really like to read this one as I read
from the same author/series. Very easy, light read but quite entertaining!
It really is a nice light book to read, did you read
or just
?
Colleen wrote: "It really is a nice light book to read, did you read or just ?"Just DQA but there's quite a few of them I think
I believe there are four Tudor related, the other two are about Elizabeth I and then Queen Catherine of Aragon. There seems to be a lot more on other royalty.
Wen wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Welcome to the group Wen! Anywhere you jump in is just fine. I am really diggin' Carolly Erickson right now so
Bloody Mary"Well the ..."
Well I have not found a copy if Carolly Ericksons book on Bloody Mary but did pick up a book byHFM Prescott called Mary Tudor The Spanish Tudor. It is a Non Fiction about her. Has anyone every read this one? I have not started it yet but plan to in the next month.
Haven't heard of the book by Prescott. Let us know how it is. Also haven't read much by CE, except for The Hidden Diary of Marie Antoinette, which I enjoyed reading but was disappointed by the ending. I hadn't read a lot on MA and was looking forward to finding out facts but it ended before they died, etc. Good read otherwise though. I got The Last Wife of Henry VIII A Novel at the same time but still haven't read it.
I'm currently reading a biography of Marie Antoinette (Antonia Fraser's Marie Antoinette The Journey ), and finding it excellent.
OK Ladies, after checking out our local mass-market bookstore (Chapters) over the weekend, I was ridiculously disapointed in their European History selection, or lack there of. So, on visiting a used bookstore that I haven't really had time to check out for this genre would have a better selection, I found gold :)I literally spent 5 minutes in this store (my drive was waiting in the car) and came out with 5 books (4 of which look brand new!) and am so excited that I had to share. Especially because I've heard many reviews on them through this group. They all sound fantastic!
Here's my list:
- Catherine de Medici Leonie Frieda
- Elizabeth The Struggle for the Throne David Starkey
- The Sisters of Henry VIII The Tumultuous Lives of Margaret of Scotland and Mary of France Maria Perry
- Jane Boleyn The True Story of the Infamous Lady Rochford Julia Fox
- The Wives of Henry VIII Antonia Fraser
The last 2 are hardcovers and the others are trade and all for $53, which I totally couldn't afford but ah, who needs food? *wink*
Susanna - I also own the book on Marie Antoinette and can't wait to read it! So many books...
I have liked every one of Antonia Fraser's biographies that I've read - and I've read several.I think Cromwell is next on my list.
I really didn't enjoy David Starkey's Struggle for the Throne. A lot of it was more about David Starkey's opinion about things (including things he knows nothing about, like religion and psychology) than about evidence.
Susanna wrote: "I have liked every one of Antonia Fraser's biographies that I've read - and I've read several.I think Cromwell is next on my list."
*laughs* In Christina - she was of the opinion that Cromwell should convert to Catholicism, woo back the pope and then become King Oliver I of England.
Full of wonderful(!) suggestions was dear Christina.
MAP wrote: "I really didn't enjoy David Starkey's Struggle for the Throne. A lot of it was more about David Starkey's opinion about things (including things he knows nothing about, like religion and psycholog..."Really? That sucks. I read the first paragraph or so and it seemed like it started well. I've heard a lot of things about Starkey, some good, some bad, but haven't read anything by him yet. I'll still give it a try but I really like your reviews so my hopes went down a little on that one! Any thoughts on the others?
AF has a lot of books, doesn't she? I had no idea she has one on Cromwell.
Bettie - that is hilarious!MAP - yeah, Starkey does think well of himself, doesn't he?
Jennifer - the copy I have of Cromwell is either my mother's or grandmother's, from the 1970s, I think.
Vanora Bennet's newest book "Blood Royal" is a fantastic read - as are all of her books. Now I have to wait and wait for her to write another!
To be put on the bookshelf, do they have to be from the Tudar era or can they be European history/fiction?
Susan C wrote: "To be put on the bookshelf, do they have to be from the Tudar era or can they be European history/fiction?"For this group, I would say they should concern the Tudor era (but I think books concerning people or countries closely linked with Tudor England would be acceptable).
I find that, like Susan said, it's mostly Tudors or people like Mary Queen of Scots, Shakespeare, etc. but hey, if you have a recommendation, I don't think any of us would object to hearing it :D
I waswondering about adding Penman's and Anne Easter Smith's books tothe book shelf?
Susan C wrote: "I waswondering about adding Penman's and Anne Easter Smith's books tothe book shelf?"The Sunne in Splendour would work for me, since it does have a Tudor connection through Elizabeth of York's marriage to Henry VII. So would Smith's books, I suppose. I don't think the other Penman books (which I enjoyed) really fit in with the Tudors, though. Maybe you can add those to the European Royalty group's bookshelf?
I went out again yesterday and bought 8 more books! I just can't stop myself sometimes. I think I need therapy. Anyone read them? Here they are:
- The Princes in the Tower Alison Weir
- Great Harry Carolly Erikson
- Queen of Scots The True Life of Mary Stuart John Guy
- Anne Boleyn A New Life of England's Tragic Queen Johanna Denny
- The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn Eric Ives
- The Memoirs of Cleopatra Margaret George
- The Last Boleyn A Novel Karen Harper
- Sovereign CJ Sansom
Has anyone read any of Laurien Gardner's Tudor novels? I thought I might try Plain Jane and A Lady Raised High.
Wen wrote: "Wen wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Welcome to the group Wen! Anywhere you jump in is just fine. I am really diggin' Carolly Erickson right now soBloody Mary"..."
I've read the Prescott book on Mary and thought it was OK - most of it was pretty dry and academic.
I recently read The First Queen of England: The Myth of "Bloody Mary" by Linda Porter and I found it really enjoyable.
Andrea wrote: "Has anyone read any of Laurien Gardner's Tudor novels? I thought I might try Plain Jane and A Lady Raised High."I've read both of those (I have the one on Katherine of Aragon as well, just haven't gotten to it yet) and didn't think they were too bad. A Lady Raised High is as much about the narrator (one of Anne's maids) as it is about Anne so if you're looking for an in-depth telling of Anne's story, this really isn't. The book on Jane as more focused on her as a subject and since there aren't many books out there about her, I was probably a little more forgiving on some of the things about it that annoyed me.
I read both Plain Jane and A Lady Raised High and enjoyed them both, though I agree that A Lady Raised High isn't an in-depth look at Anne. Like Tanzanite, I probably would have been harder on Plain Jane if there were more books about Jane with which to compare it. (Laurien Gardner is a pen name used by different authors writing in a series, by the way--A Lady Raised High was written by Jennifer Ashley and Plain Jane was written by Sarah A. Hoyt.)
MAP wrote: "I recently read The First Queen of England: The Myth of "Bloody Mary" by Linda Porter and I found it really enjoyable."I read it for review a while back and really liked it too.
Jennifer - I've read Princes in the Tower and enjoyed it, and have heard very good things about the John Guy.Sovereign is excellent, but is the third in a series. But you could probably read it without reading the first two (Dissolution and Dark Fire).
Andrea wrote: "Has anyone read any of Laurien Gardner's Tudor novels? I thought I might try Plain Jane and A Lady Raised High."I have read Plain Jane and really enjoyed it. It was the only book I had found that was about Queen Jane and not just with her mentioned for a small bit of a book. I dont think there is a Great deal known about her as there is about others like Anne Boleyn so it is a certainty that there is more fictionalized bits than in others because of this. I thought it was well written though. I have even gotten 2 other books by her to read at a later date.
Andrea wrote: "Has anyone read any of Laurien Gardner's Tudor novels? I thought I might try Plain Jane and A Lady Raised High."I have read all three of her books on Henry's first 3 wives. The one on Jane was focused more on her than the book on Anne. It was more about the narrator and her relationship with Anne. The one on Katherine is more from her POV as well.
Susanna wrote: "I have liked every one of Antonia Fraser's biographies that I've read - and I've read several.I think Cromwell is next on my list."
There's a fiction novel by Hilary Mantel called Wolf Hall that centres on Cromwell should you be interested...
Has anyone read The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain. I'm reading it now and I really like it? I've noticed that some people didn't like it because Twain uses Shakespearian dialogue as befitted the time of the characters. The rest is written in easy to read and easy to follow modern English. I actually love the dialogue but I'm a huge Shakespeare fan. Anyway, The Prince and the Pauper is about Edward VI as a young boy, at the time he became King, and another young boy, Tom Canty; the pauper. They end up switching places and Tom goes to live in the palace, while Edward goes to live with Tom's poor family in a one room hut. It's a fun fiction read with many of the actual, historical people that we know and love (or not) showing up (aside from Edward - Henry, Elizabeth, Mary, Jane Grey, Somerset (Earl of Hertford at this point), etc.)
Jennifer wrote: "OK Ladies, after checking out our local mass-market bookstore (Chapters) over the weekend, I was ridiculously disapointed in their European History selection, or lack there of. So, on visiting a us..."Wow! Great finds!
I read P&P so many years ago, I can hardly remember it although I remember the story, of course, from the many dramatisations. To be honest, I am not a Mark Twain fan so I've never felt compelled to revisit it. Too many other books, so little time...
Jennifer wrote: "Has anyone read The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain. I'm reading it now and I really like it? I've noticed that some people didn't like it because Twain uses Shakespearian dialogue..."Cool, I just picked this up and being as I'm reading about Eddy right now maybe I'll sneak it into the reading queue.
Cheers!
I know Mark Twain is either hit or miss with a lot of people (as are most of the classics) but I like it. Thalia, if you start reading it, you'll have to let me know what you think. I just have to keep reminding myself of what happened in each of the Eddy books while switching back and forth :)
Believe it or not, Twain is my favorite author of all time. I love his wit and wisdom. I haven't read this one in a long time, so will have to re read it soon
Hi...Im new to GR and this group. I can see that many of you are well versed on the Tudors and that i am not having read only read the Philippa Gregory books a year ago.
What do you recommend to get back into it as i really enjoyed the PG books.
Thanks
Kate
Kate wrote: "Hi...Im new to GR and this group. I can see that many of you are well versed on the Tudors and that i am not having read only read the Philippa Gregory books a year ago.
What do you recommend..."
Hi Kate
You will get lots of suggestions am sure and they will vary person to person.
I have only been reading about the Tudors for little over a year now (not counting history classes in school and such...way long time ago). I have read Many I enjoyed. I will list them with the links below so you can see if they would be something you would like too.
Brief Gaudy Hour (Ann Boleyn)
The Last Wife of Henry VIII A Novel (Catherine Parr)
Plain Jane A Novel of Jane Seymour
Katharine of Aragon The Wives of Henry VIII
The Thistle and the Rose The Tudor Princesses (Margaret Tudor)
Murder Most Royal The Story of Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard
The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn
Well that is many for you to look at. Go back and read old posts and you will see a Many to check out for yourself.
You want fiction or non-fiction, Kate?
Kate wrote: "Hi...Im new to GR and this group. I can see that many of you are well versed on the Tudors and that i am not having read only read the Philippa Gregory books a year ago.
What do you recommend..."
Wen , thanks for the recommendations , i will add to my pile.
Susanna , i enjoy both fiction and non fiction
Thx :)
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 I type them up and send them if anyone is interested.
Mary Lou 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 ..."
I would definitely be interested. Can you send to lsm.meadows@gmail.com? Thanks
I am very interested also Mary Lou. Are you able to send me a message or add me. Whatever suits you. Thank you very much
Kate:)
Do you like the Listopia lists, Mary Lou? Sounds like you'd be a natural for http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/38... !
I have a few to list here.One I already listed on the Lady Jane thread but figured would put it here too.
I have not read these 3 books yet but they may interest someone else as well.
The one is In the Shadow of Lady Jane by Edward Charles. It is told from the view of a man that was employed byt the Greys. Looks like may be a bit nore romance novel that just historical but sounded like may be good.
The next 2 are Christian Historical fictions.
One is called A Constant Heart by Siri Mitchell. It is set in the court of Queen Elizabeth.
The last is a 1st book in a series. It is called The Sword of Truth by Gilbery Morris. It is set in the time of Henry VIII and the lead is torn between court life and helping Tyndale in his quest to give people more religious liberty.
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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I just got a copy of Ivy Crown to read. Looks like it will be right up my alley too. Thanks for the suggestion.
I finally did finish that books the Kings Daughter by Barbara Kyle and it was Good overall but had little to do with Queen Mary like I had stated before. BUT after it I picked up The Queens Sorrow by Suzannah Dunn and well It was ALSO supposed to be about Queen Mary and had even less to do with her than the Barbara Kyle one. At least it seemed that way to me. SO far have struck out on getting a good book on Queen Mary. Am still trying to find a copy of the Carroly Erickson one.