Lets fatten up our TBR list! Recomend a book chain

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads, Mod #4]

That looks really cool, Susan!

ETA: Golly, look at those prices!

[Gregory]

Except for the fact that in all of Alison Weirs books she displays a great loathing for Anne and appears ready to believe the most absurd rumours or slanders based on next to no evidence. I am afraid I found this book very dissapointing. Starkey's take on the imprisonment and trial was in my opion much better. I also thought that Weir had very little understanding of the the bill of attainder and the charge of treason. The Tudor treason trial itself was never to prove innocence just to proclaim guilt.
Regards Greg

The Liberties of London- Smashwords
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...

Blogging on the Tudors at http://rednedtudormysteries.blogspot....

[Aly]

I actually didn't find Weir's distaste for Anne anywhere in The Lady in the Tower. I found it really informative and a great read, although I'll agree with Arielle and say it did get repetitive in same aspects.

It's hard in our age to think of a trial that doesn't attempt to find innocence. I've been researching the Tudors for years, and honestly, until you said that, Greg, I hadn't thought of the trial that way. I guess I never really viewed it as a "trial."

I find Starkey dull and pompous. I read his Six Wives and hated that he always seemed to end a paragraph with a question. They weren't "critical thinking" questions either.

[Gregory]

It is quite true that Starkey is pompous his earlier work was worse. I kind of ignored his style and habits while I was searching for in depth Tudor information in Six Wives. He appeared to me to have a lot more detail than other historians for the general court action. Elton concentrates almost entirely on Parliamentary and constitutional history, while Scarisbrick weighs in awfully heavy on church law which gets exceedingly tedious. With Weir I found too many errors and assumptions based on dubious evidence, she almost every time refused to take into account the factional position of a report or a letter, simply accepting it as fact. I was always taught that this is one of the most dangerous habits in any writing on history, no viewer is neutral and each piece must be weighed as to biases and societal and religious position. In particularly I objected to the way Weir always accepted all and every account by the imperial ambassador Eustace Chapuy as ‘gospel’ truth. In all of England there was no stronger supporter of Katherine than Chapuy and if a report wasn’t racy or viperative enough Chapuy frequently added in fabrications. Now I do realise that in my novels my main characters take an essentially anti-Katherine stance, however that is fiction and they make their reasons perfectly plain for why they’ve had to adopt their factional stance. In Tudor England one must never forget that we are dealing with a deadly combination of personality, faction and religion, in truth the only up was over the bodies and reputations of your rivals. Success was all.

Regards Greg

Blogging on the Tudors at http://rednedtudormysteries.blogspot....

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads, Mod #4]

What do you think of Antonia Fraser's Six Wives?

[Gregory]

I can see I'll have to write an article on Tudor Treason trials. That will have to be in about a month after I finishing editing my next book. In the meantime consider this, Sir Thomas More's trial which was long slandered as a travesty was for the time the most moderate and the most yielding ot the accused. We do not get similar treatment until the trial of the Leveller leader Lilburne under Oliver Cromwell. Lilburne was after due process found innocent.

I fear that I've not had a chance to read Antonia Frasers Six Wives yet. I know, mea culpa maxi mea culpa ,extremely remise of me and it is on my list for next month. I have heard that it still has a reasonable reputation though according to some suffers from a lack of more modern research. That's not surprising considering when it came out. I still believe for all its age Pollard is pretty good and can usually be found downloadable free.
Regards Greg

Blogging on the Tudors at http://rednedtudormysteries.blogspot....

The Liberties of London- Smashwords

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...

[Aly]

Antonia Fraser's Six Wives is excellent, Arielle. I found it to be the most readable of the three (Weir, Starkey etc)

Back to the topic of fattening our TBR, I went to Pirates of the Caribbean four last night and part of the movie was filmed in Hampton Court Palace. They filmed in front of the main entrance courtyard to the palace and also in a staircase. It was super cool to see that they were allowed to film there (even cooler because I have a picture that I took of that staircase from the same angle they used). It got me looking at some more books of Hampton Court on Amazon and I found this: Hampton Court: A Social and Architectural History. It's more of a coffee table book, but I'm a photographer; I like pictures LOL. Anywho, it looked pretty cool.

[Charlotte]

My TBR list already weighs 500 lbs...

[Michelle]

Legacy by Susan Kay was reprinted in 2010

[Suzanne]

I lived in LHR for 3 years and spent much of that time visiting Hampton Court. It's the best-kept secret in London, in my opinion. So much history and the fact that it's docents dress in period costume. It makes you feel like you're actually living the part.
Also, Antonio Fraser's Six Wives is my favorite TBR book ever. She is, interestingly, located in the history section of British bookstores/library. Whereas, authors like Margaret George are in Fiction. Also, Antonio Frasier's own history is almost as interesting as her books!

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads, Mod #4]

Antonia Fraser is excellent; I have yet to read one of her biographies that I didn't like a great deal.

[Orsolya]

I adore "The Lady in the Tower" and it not only one of my favorite Weir books, but history books, in general. I found her research to be thorough and some of the documents and/or findings mentioned very revealing.

[Stephanie]

The Last Boleyn

I don't know if the above is already mentioned but I enjoyed this novel.

Some other ones I also can recommended are:

Mary Boleyn: The True Story of Henry VIII's Favourite Mistress

The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn

[Orsolya]

Stephanie wrote: "The Last Boleyn

I don't know if the above is already mentioned but I enjoyed this novel.

Some other ones I also can recommended are:

[book:Mary Boleyn: The True Story of Henry VIII..."

I could not stant The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn. I gave it a poor review. It is simply much too fiction versus even historical fiction. All of Robin Maxwell's work have failed me miserably.

[Heather]

Agreed- I hated The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn. I remember writing a book review on it in high school, though I don't remember exactly why I hated it so.

I haven't read through this whole 9 page thread, so not sure if this one is on here, but I loved The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory. True, never the most historically accurate author, but I read her for her ability to make me care so much about the characters. I also kind of like her delicious 'what if?' insinuations about history. (What if Anne actually slept with her brother? What if Katharine wasn't a virgin?) I tear up every time I read about Arthur's death in this one!

[Orsolya]

Heather J wrote: "Agreed- I hated The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn. I remember writing a book review on it in high school, though I don't remember exactly why I hated it so.

I haven't read through this ..."

I loved The Constant Princess, Heather :)

[Aly]

I couldn't stand the Constant Princess!! It just droned on for me.

[Orsolya]

Aly wrote: "I couldn't stand the Constant Princess!! It just droned on for me."

That seems to be common. I feel like all of Gregory's work is either loved or hated.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads, Mod #4]

I really liked a few (Virgin Earth and Boleyn Inheritance), was OK with several more, found others horrible DNFs (Wildacre in particular).

[Heather]

I've heard that about the Wildacre series a lot! I've also heard it compared to Gone With the Wind, which bothers me. Gone With the Wind is my favorite novel and an unquestioned masterpiece. I doubt Gregory has the writing chops to write something comparable.

[Orsolya]

I hated Wildacre. So much, that I didn't even review it on here (just rated it) because the review would simply say, "SUCKS".

[Aly]

I really enjoyed The Boleyn Inheritance, and also the Other Boleyn Girl (although the inaccuracies make me cringe, it was still super fun to read). And I actually did like the Red Queen, something that pleasantly surprised me.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads, Mod #4]

Heather J wrote: "I've heard that about the Wildacre series a lot! I've also heard it compared to Gone With the Wind, which bothers me. Gone With the Wind is my favorite novel and an unquestioned masterpiece. I doub..."

Does Gone with the Wind have unnecessary incest?

[[deleted user]]

Aly wrote: "I really enjoyed The Boleyn Inheritance, and also the Other Boleyn Girl (although the inaccuracies make me cringe, it was still super fun to read). And I actually did like the Red Queen, something..."

Have you read the White Queen Aly?
I agree, I loved The Boleyn Inheritance and The Other Boleyn girl... I just think of it as pure fiction, and if some facts are true, then yay :). If not then it would bother me just as much.

The Constant Princess, I didn't finish it the first time I read it, too boring! The second time I tried really hard and finished it, but I have to admit I only got through it by skipping a lot! I hate the battle parts and there are some pretty boring parts that I had to skip.
It's really unfortunate because I love Catherine! She's my favorite of the wives, and Gregory spoiled her for me by making her unlikable...

[Shari]

Susanna; I have read Gone With the Wind several times and there was no incest in it. I read the Wideacre series too, and I did not care at all for the incest in the story line; it was a big "ick" factor for me that spoiled what could have been a very enjoyable series.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads, Mod #4]

No, no, Wildacre has plenty of incest; I know Gone with the Wind doesn't!

[Orsolya]

I actually didn't like The Red Queen. I like the White Queen much better.

[Shari]

I liked the White Queen much better too.

[Heather]

The White Queen was way better, mostly because Gregory made the Red Queen (Margaret Beaufort) so hateful! She was soooo annoying, constantly proclaiming herself a saint. Lord, I deal with enough arrogant people as it is, I don't need to read the inner thoughts of one!

I only enjoyed it because her role in bringing about the Tudor reign was interesting.

[Aly]

I liked what Gregory did with Margaret Beaufort, just cause she is a Tudor that I love to hate hehe!

[Orsolya]

She really did taint Margaret! I've read other books on her (history not historical fiction) and I didn't hate her as much but due to Gregory's work; I cna't help but view her in a different light!

[New York Review Books]

Not really a book chain--only one book-- but we recently published A Traveller in Time by Alison Uttley, about a young girl who periodically gets transported back in time to Elizabethan England and gets involved with the plot to free Mary, Queen of Scots. Fair warning, it's really a YA book.

Nick

[Teresa]

New York Review Books wrote: "Not really a book chain--only one book-- but we recently published A Traveller in Time by Alison Uttley, about a young girl who periodically gets transported back in time to Elizabe..."

I LOVE this book! I first read it as a 6th grader and it led to my love for all things Tudor. It's very atmospheric and has a true and realistic ending.

[Seb]

I've just finished Innocent Traitors, A novel of Lady Jane Grey. Totally awesome! A thrilling and gripping read. I knew only a little about Jane Grey but now I know much more.
This is my second book by Alison Weir and I just love her books so far.

[Orsolya]

Sebastien wrote: "I've just finished Innocent Traitors, A novel of Lady Jane Grey. Totally awesome! A thrilling and gripping read. I knew only a little about Jane Grey but now I know much more.
This is my second bo..."


I actually really liked Weir's view of Jane in this historical fiction work, as well. If you are a budding Weir lover, you should also read her historical works.

[Seb]

Orsolya wrote: "Sebastien wrote: "I've just finished Innocent Traitors, A novel of Lady Jane Grey. Totally awesome! A thrilling and gripping read. I knew only a little about Jane Grey but now I know much more.
T..."

Hi Orsolya,

I'm planning to read them. I have a few of her historical books on my Kindle.
There are so many books I want to read and so little time.

[Orsolya]

Sebastien wrote: "Orsolya wrote: "Sebastien wrote: "I've just finished Innocent Traitors, A novel of Lady Jane Grey. Totally awesome! A thrilling and gripping read. I knew only a little about Jane Grey but now I kno..."

I think that is pretty much the motto of all of us around here ;)

[Susan]

I bought HENRY VIII today. Very good so far.

I also finished Elizabeth Norton's "Anne Boleyn: Henry VIII's Obsession" today. Nothing really new in it, and it could have used a good editor. If I had a dollar for every time the author wrote, "Anne must have thought . . .," there would be no budget crisis in the USA. Later, the author became very fond of the phrase "Anne can never have imagined," at one point using it twice in the same short paragraph.

[Orsolya]

Susan, I can't stand that sort of thing! That is similar to something I encountered in a book on Elizabeth of York. The author kept using phrases like, "She must have wondered...". See my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Alex]

I read Elizabeth Norton's book as well and was annoyed by the same thing. Has anyone read

Jane Boleyn: The True Story of the Infamous Lady Rochford ? The author couldn't seem to come up with enough things to say about Jane so she would tell other stories about Henry and Anne and then say after each one "And of course Jane would have known about this." It was really annoying.

[Sandra]

Hi Im new to this group and would reccomend To hold the crown by Jean Plaidy.... Its the story of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York.... Its a good read after The White Queen and The Red Queen

[Kara]

I agree with Sandra! To Hold the Crown by Jean Plaidy is a good novel of Henry VII & Elizabeth of York.

[Orsolya]

Alex wrote: "I read Elizabeth Norton's book as well and was annoyed by the same thing. Has anyone read

Jane Boleyn: The True Story of the Infamous Lady Rochford ? The author couldn't seem to c..."


I've read it and gave it a two-star review. NOT a good account on Jane, at all. It hardly even spoke of her or her feelings, thoughts, etc. Granted, there wasn't much first-source material but this book dragged (to say the least).

[Sonya]

The Spanish Bride: A Novel of Catherine of Aragon. The best I've read about poor Catherine, told from the point of view of a maid of hers. So good!

[Kelly]

Heather J wrote: "I've heard that about the Wildacre series a lot! I've also heard it compared to Gone With the Wind, which bothers me. Gone With the Wind is my favorite novel and an unquestioned masterpiece. I doub..."

I've read the Wideacre books twice now. NOTHING compared to Gone With The Wind. I liked all 3 books, sometimes they are a little weird (contains incest), but quick reads.

[Kelly]

Here are a few of my fav's

[Orsolya]

Does anyone know of a book on Charles Brandon? I would love to read about his controversal marriages/relationships (Anne Browne, Margaret Mortimer, Mary Tudor, etc).

[Susan]

Orsolya wrote: "Does anyone know of a book on Charles Brandon? I would love to read about his controversal marriages/relationships (Anne Browne, Margaret Mortimer, Mary Tudor, etc)."

I don't know of a novel about him in particular (most I can think of concentrate on his relationship with Mary Tudor). There is a nonfiction book about him by S. J. Gunn, though.

Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, C. 1484-1545

[Angela]

Orsolya wrote: "Does anyone know of a book on Charles Brandon? I would love to read about his controversal marriages/relationships (Anne Browne, Margaret Mortimer, Mary Tudor, etc)."

If you are looking for nonfiction regarding the marriage of Charles Brandon and Mary, I would recommend, The Sisters of Henry VIII by Maria Perry.
I know that Alison Weir‘s, The Court of Henry VIII, offers glimpses into Charles’ relationships.

If you are looking for a novel regarding the marriage of Charles Brandon and Mary I would recommend, When Knighthood Was In Flower by Edwin Caskoden. Although I am not sure if the novel is easy to find. I lucked out and found a copy at an antique store.

[Orsolya]

Susan wrote: "Orsolya wrote: "Does anyone know of a book on Charles Brandon? I would love to read about his controversal marriages/relationships (Anne Browne, Margaret Mortimer, Mary Tudor, etc)."

I don't know ..."

Thanks Susan! Sadly, the book doesn't have any reviews on here and isn't available at my local library (my "go-to" for my reading obsession) but I will keep an eye out.