Tudor History Lovers discussion
Introductions
Hello, my name is Jeanne and I'm a Tudor addict. I read a bio of Elizabeth I when I was in grade school and have been hooked ever since. I'd list the books I've read, but we'd be here all day. I'm an educator, live in the southeast, devour at least one Tudor-related book per month. I generally prefer histories to fiction; I've developed such pronounced views about the Tudors that I tend to rant at novelists who cast my favorites (Elizabeth and Anne Boleyn) in an unfavorable light. That said, I do adore Margaret Irwin's trilogy; I first read Young Bess in junior high and have reread that and her other two books numerous times.
Stephanie,The Tudors is available on DVD. However, it's incredibly inaccurate. I find it very, very difficult to watch for that reason.
Stephanie I was able to find The Tudors hbo series at my local library. I know its inaccurate but it does follow the basics. Plus there are several good looking men in it so the eye candy is great. LOL If it doesnt have to be perfect for you, I highly highly recommend it.
Friends say the eye candy in the Tudors is terrific and the research is occasionally very good but unfortunately they play fast and loose with the facts, and for that reason I have been unable to get beyond the first hour of the first season.
I am moriah solomon and i am 15 years old and i love history but this one is my favorite because it is a scandalous time and i love reading and writing and i hope one day to either sell novels or become a history professor.
I'm Destiny. 20 years old and have loved Tudor times since I was in 4th or 5th grade which is when I read the royal diaries Elizabeth I. I read the six wives of Henry VIII in 6th grade and was hooked on Alison Weir ever since. I enjoyed watching the Tudors but hated the inaccuracies. I like any type of book that deals with royalty but especially like non-fiction
I think the producers of The Tudors may have been on to something with this series. It is provocative and sexy, drawing an audience of non-historians who simply enjoy a rollicking good yarn, while provoking endless discussion of its inaccurate history. The series has the best of both worlds, a loyal following of viewers while it is discussed and argued about by the day's leading historians, Starkey and Weir among others.I enjoy historical fiction. I read it all the time. In fact, I have written a book of historical fiction, but for me, the facts matter. To dismiss or deny the facts in order to produce entertainment for entertainment's sake leaves me cold.
If you are going to tell me history, then tell me history, don't arrange the facts to suit your own purpose.
Please do not think I am in any way dismissing or belittling the viewers who have enjoyed this program, I am not. It is a rollicking good yarn but it is not history.
Hey Patricia! I've been putting together quite a collection of TBR books. And adding some to a list I can borrow from the library. Maybe we'll end up reading some of the same ones around the same time. Yes, I too enjoy "The Tudors". Currently watching the entire series for the second time. Tonight I'm watching the "I liked her not!!" episodes. Poor AofC! I think she is one I like the most. Definitely want to read everything I can find on her life. I see-saw back and forth with Anne Boleyn. At times, I feel sorry for her, other times, I can't wait for her to get knocked off her throne, and then, right back to how awful she was beheaded for a bunch of lies. I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to see a series on Mary Tudor and Elizabeth I. That would be great stuff!!
Patricia, I really liked AofC as she was portrayed on "The Tudors". She seemed so willing to try to do the right thing. She was caught up in the whole mess and thankfully played her cards correctly and survived. I loved the look on Brandon's face when she asked him to teach her what the King likes to do for fun!!! One of my favorite scenes!
Hello! My name is Megan and I live in Boston with my husband, three cats, and a few geckos. I love, love, LOVE to read and write and maintain a blog (unexpurgatedme.wordpress.com) about these passions of mine.I more recently became drawn to Tudor history through, I'll admit it, The Tudors on Showtime. I know that this show probably isn't the most historically accurate source out there, but it sucked me in and since then I've accumulated a fair number of historical and fiction books about that period in time.
So far, I've only read The Other Boleyn Girl and am reading through Jean Plaidy's Katharine of Aragon books. But there are many more on the bookshelf and on the "to read" list. I look forward to more suggestions and discussion here!
Hey Megan! Yeah..."The Tudors" is delicious! I read a lot of books at one time (and no, I'm not, but probably should be on ADD meds! lol); just started "The Constant Princess" last night. So far, so good. I'm signing up for your blog. Just took a peak and it's very good!Hope you are having a good weekend.
I don't know if they are still in print but Antonia Fraser and Carolly Erickson write some very readable non-fiction on some of the Tudor-era regals.
Looks like The Wives of Henry VIII, at least, is still readily available. Heartily recommended, by the way.
I have found a number of good non fiction Tudor related books at the various thrift stores. "The Wives of Henry VIII" by Antonia Fraser was one of those.
Stephanie wrote: "Anne wrote: "I have found a number of good non fiction Tudor related books at the various thrift stores. "The Wives of Henry VIII" by Antonia Fraser was one of those."Super find Anne - Good for ..."
Thanks, Stephanie! I've found so many good books by looking around in the thrift stores. Here are a few:
"Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles" by Stefan Zweig
"Henry VIII" by J.J. Scarisbrick
"Henry VIII's Last Victim: The Life and Times of Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey" by Jesse Childs
"The Life and Times of Henry VIII" by Robert Lacey
"The Autobiography of Henry VIII" Margaret George
"Mary Queen of Scots" by Antonia Fraser
"Elizabeth:The Struggle for the Throne" by David Starkey
"A Crown for Elizabeth" Mary M. Luke
"The Plantagenet Chronicles" edited by Elzabeth Hallam
I have found more. But didn't think you wanted to read every. single. title. lol The books are out there, its just a matter of being in the right place at the right time!
I enjoyed Mary M. Luke's books. I remember them from way back!
Anyone out there remember Norah Lofts?
It's always hit or miss...and there are times, I have this "must. stop. here. now." feeling. When that happens, I almost ALWAYS find something; whether it's Tudor/British history, or American history/Civil War, etc. My most favorite one went out of business last July. Sigh. Yes!!! Keep your eyes open; the books are out there!
Anne wrote: "Thanks, Stephanie! I've found so many good books by looking around in the thrift stores. Here are a few: "A Crown for Elizabeth" Mary M. Luke"
That was the first book about Elizabeth I ever read! I actually just donated it to the library a few weeks ago, with some other historical fiction books. I think that one was somewhat fictional, although it stuck to the facts, but imagined conversations, etc.
I have three or four of Margaret Campbell Barnes.
I also remember that a lot of the historical fiction I read as a kid (before most of you were born) referenced Agnes Strickland as a source. Always wanted to read her works, but haven't as yet.
Denise wrote: "Anne wrote: "Thanks, Stephanie! I've found so many good books by looking around in the thrift stores. Here are a few: "A Crown for Elizabeth" Mary M. Luke"
That was the first book about Eliz..."
There is a bibliography and an index in the back. I see what you mean about imagined conversations. I just flipped through and saw conversations in quotes.
Anne wrote: "Denise wrote: "Anne wrote: "Thanks, Stephanie! I've found so many good books by looking around in the thrift stores. Here are a few: "A Crown for Elizabeth" Mary M. Luke"
That was the first ..."
Her book about Lady Jane Grey, although she claimed it was nonfiction, is full of imagined incidents and conversations, including a scene where Luke re-creates Jane's wedding night. I've got the Elizabeth book somewhere, but after reading the Lady Jane Grey book, I wouldn't trust a word in it.
Susan wrote: "Anne wrote: "Denise wrote: "Anne wrote: "Thanks, Stephanie! I've found so many good books by looking around in the thrift stores. Here are a few: "A Crown for Elizabeth" Mary M. Luke"
That was t..."
Oh, great...lol!!
Anne wrote: "Hey Megan! Yeah..."The Tudors" is delicious! I read a lot of books at one time (and no, I'm not, but probably should be on ADD meds! lol); just started "The Constant Princess" last night. So far,..."Thank you for the welcome, Anne! And I want "The Constant Princess" to be my next read. Right now I'm working through Jean Plaidy's Katharine of Aragon series. But once I'm done with those, I'm going to order The Constant Princess from the library, I think! :)
Also - thank you for signing up for my blog! I hope that you continue to enjoy it!
Hi! I'm Belinda, I live in New Zealand, work in retail and have been a fan of the Tudors, particularly Anne Boleyn, since I was 10 (I'm in my mid 30's now!) I read mainly non-fiction although I enjoy historical novels. I think I read most of Jean Plaidy's books when I was in highschool! I can't wait for Hilary Mantel's sequel to Wolf Hall as that is one of my favourite books of all time. I also loved Threads by Nell Gavin, the re-incarnation story of Anne Boleyn. Has anyone read that?
I'm Alice, and new to the group! XD as is probably apparent, I LOVE TO READ!!!!
Belinda wrote: "Hi! I'm Belinda, I live in New Zealand, work in retail and have been a fan of the Tudors, particularly Anne Boleyn, since I was 10 (I'm in my mid 30's now!) I read mainly non-fiction although I en..."Threadsis on its way to me. It's been on my Paperback Swap wishlist for ages.
Hi! I'm Rebecca and I LOVE Tudor history. I've read a lot of historical fiction and non-fiction, watched the show and generally eat up everything and anything about the period. I'm currently reading "Innocent Traitor" by Alison Weir. I've read almost everything else she has written as well.
Rebecca wrote: "Hi! I'm Rebecca and I LOVE Tudor history. I've read a lot of historical fiction and non-fiction, watched the show and generally eat up everything and anything about the period. I'm currently read..."hi! and welcome !
I loved that book
I love all things Tudor too. There's a new book out about Anne Boleyn, by Claire Ridgeway from 'The Anne Boleyn Files'. The book looks great and the website is always interesting.
I believe they're having a giveaway of it, here on GR. I think the title is The Anne Boleyn Collection: The Real Truth about the Tudors.
hello tudor fans....i am a new member of goodreads and i am quite happy to have come across this group. i have only recently developed this obsessive love for henry VIII. i have, so far, only read one book about him but i have watched many documentaries and movies. this all started with the tudors on showtime which i only just came across on dvd. i just had to know more about this man. i know many people find fault after fault with the show but i love it and i love jonathan rhys meyers. but i like to know the real henry so i dabble in other sources. so i will be reading book after book after book.....
That's great, Tonya. And we'll all be happy to inundate you with suggestions!
welcome everyone who's new since last time I was on! ;D
Susanna wrote: "That's great, Tonya. And we'll all be happy to inundate you with suggestions!"thanks!!!! any suggestions would be welcome....there is so much out there about henry viii that it's hard to figure out which ones are the best. and the most accurate.
Tonya wrote: "Susanna wrote: "That's great, Tonya. And we'll all be happy to inundate you with suggestions!"thanks!!!! any suggestions would be welcome....there is so much out there about henry viii that it..."
idk if someone has already said recommended these or not, but Jean Plaidy seems to be a pretty accurate wrieter. I like her books.
Stephanie wrote: "Hi Tonya I read Henry VIII The King and His Court by Alison Weir, it was very good in giving a full "tour" if you will of all aspects of Henry and his entire life. It gave me a new perspective on w..."actually, this book is the first book i've read about henry viii. and i liked it alot. i want to read more of weir's books.
Alice wrote: "Tonya wrote: "Susanna wrote: "That's great, Tonya. And we'll all be happy to inundate you with suggestions!"thanks!!!! any suggestions would be welcome....there is so much out there about henry ..."
i'll look into that. thanks!
Tonya wrote: "Alice wrote: "Tonya wrote: "Susanna wrote: "That's great, Tonya. And we'll all be happy to inundate you with suggestions!"thanks!!!! any suggestions would be welcome....there is so much out th..."
no prob!
Hello fellow Tudor Lovers! I am new to this group and new to Goodreads. I've been interested in the Tudors since college (I forget how many years ago that was):)I've read Alison Weir, Margaret George and Kate Emerson, among others. I'm always up for suggestions! I look forward to some good Tudor discussion!
Great to see you here Kari, there is such a large list of excellent Tudor books to pick from. Personally I'd recommend Derek Wilson In the Lions Court as one of the best accounts of Henry's court and the major players.Regards Greg
The Liberties of London
Hi, Kari! We will help make your TBR list miles long.
Hi everyone! My name is Anna and I'm a new member of Goodreads. I find the Tudor period and the medieval/renaissance so fascinating and full of stories, and I hope I can get some good ideas for books in this group. So far I've watched the Tudor showtime series (which I think is what really got me hooked), but over the years I've read a few of Philippa Gregory's novels and watched a few documentaries, but I'm curious for more!
Hi, everybody,My name is Sarah and I'm pretty new, too--I've been reading the posts quietly. I teach Early English literature--including Shakespeare--and I'm actually writing a series of novels based in Tudor England. I'm curious to hear what everyone else is reading and saying about the Tudors!
Stephanie wrote: "Anna - You're def in the right place then :) Welcome"
*GASP* I forgot you were in this group too!!! :D :D :D yay!!
Ooh Sarah let me know when your done with your books I'll totes read! :D
The first one comes out next year! It's called "The Altarpiece," and you can see it on Amazon in the UK. It should be on the American Amazon soon!!Alice wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "Anna - You're def in the right place then
:) Welcome"
*GASP* I forgot you were in this group too!!! :D :D :D yay!!
Ooh Sarah let me know when your done with your books I'll tot..."
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I'm really lucky with my library having what I want. Or at least within the citywide system!
Anne