Tudor History Lovers discussion
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Denise
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Feb 04, 2012 04:13PM
Hi Clint! I suppose that depends on whether you're more interested in fiction or nonfiction. For nonfiction, I highly recommend anything by Alison Weir. I find her books interesting and very readable. She does write both fiction and nonfiction, but I've only read the nonfiction. Hopefully you should be able to figure out which is which.
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Clint wrote: "Hello Everyone--I have finally decided to take the plunge into reading Tudors time period. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions or authors to start off with for a beginner or a newbie."
I like Alison Weir here is a list of her nonfiction books...
The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1991)
The Princes in the Tower (1992)
Lancaster and York - The Wars of the Roses (1995)
Children of England: The Heirs of King Henry VIII (1996, later reissued as The Children of Henry VIII)
Elizabeth, The Queen (1998)
Eleanor of Aquitaine: By the Wrath of God, Queen of England (1999)
Henry VIII: The King and His Court (2001)
Britain's Royal Families: The Complete Genealogy (latest edition, 2002)
Mary, Queen of Scots and the Murder of Lord Darnley (2003)
Isabella: She-Wolf of France, Queen of England (2005)
Katherine Swynford: The Story of John of Gaunt and his Scandalous Duchess (2007)
The Lady in the Tower (2009)
Traitors of the Tower (2010)
The Ring and the Crown: A History of Royal Weddings (2011)
Mary Boleyn: The Mistress of Kings (2011)
Henry VIII: The King and His Court is rather dry; my least favorite of her non-fiction. (Haven't read her fiction.)ETA: I believe the Children of England is known as The Children of Henry VIII generally, in the U.S.
This group is great, Clint! I'm fairly new here myself. Everyone is so nice and helpful! Welcome!!
Susanna wrote: "Henry VIII: The King and His Court is rather dry; my least favorite of her non-fiction. (Haven't read her fiction.)"Thanks for the warning, Susanna! That one's been on my TBR shelf for some years now, along with her biographies of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, which I got more recently (within the last few years).
i would agree with Denise, dependant on if you have a preferance for fiction or non fiction. I enjoy Alison Weir, Antonia Frasier and am hoping to indulge in Margaret George in the near future.
When Christ and his saints slept, Sun in Splendor both by Sharon Kay Penman. She researches her novels and gthey are good and informativeAny book by Elizabeth Chadwick as she resarches her novels and they are good as well as informative.
You will love the Tudor period.
I liked A King and His Court. It wasn't the usual portrait or biography, but instead a detailed look at the court from clothes to food to even toilets. I thought it was unique. Not for everyone, I understand that, but I liked the look at the "setting " of the Henry's reign.
Yes, it was thorough, and I found it interesting; but I did think it rather drier than her other books.
When Christ and His Saints Slept is set in the 12th century, dealing with the civil war between Stephen and Matilda. How is it connected with the Tudors?
You are so right, Susanna. I guess I was thinking how much the background of English history helps me to understand the Tudor history. I have read over 100 Tudor history books and just didn't want to list them all.
Marylou wrote: "You are so right, Susanna. I guess I was thinking how much the background of English history helps me to understand the Tudor history. I have read over 100 Tudor history books and just didn't wan..."I'm slowing trying to do the same thing, Marylou. Read more of the background of English history to see how the Tudors came about. History is so interesting!
It certainly is!
Susanna wrote: "It certainly is!"I love American history as well. American Rev, CW, all of it...good stuff!
Do you recommend any American Revolution books? I should read me. I don't know if I am interesting in the Civil War. My husband likes WWII bute that is not for me!
Marylou wrote: "Do you recommend any American Revolution books? I should read me. I don't know if I am interesting in the Civil War. My husband likes WWII bute that is not for me!"
I don't care for WWII either. I've read only a few on AR. I've watched the John Adams HBO series. Have the book, but from what I can see when glance through it; it looks different than the series. Also "1776" and a couple of books on Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, etc. I grew up in Norfolk, VA. We have a church, St. Paul's Episcopal, in downtown Norfolk, with a cannon ball embedded in the one of the walls. There is a cemetery in the churchyard...graves dating back to the 1700's. The CW can be very interesting. I love what I call "behind the scenes" information on the politics of the war and the Reconstruction after the war ended. Very interesting stuff...ok, not as soap-opera-y as Henry and Co., but good stuff.
I have been reading Devil's Brood by Sharon Kay Penman. It's about Henry II after the death of Thomas Becket. It seems to have been extremely well researched. Sharon Kay Penman also has a website with a list of her books. She writes quite a bit about Henry II.I have been enjoying Jean Plaidy's Plantagenet books. I knew nothing about the Tudor predecessors and her books are historically accurate. Some are more difficult to read than others.
Denise wrote: "Hi Clint! I suppose that depends on whether you're more interested in fiction or nonfiction. For nonfiction, I highly recommend anything by Alison Weir. I find her books interesting and very rea..."I have read some of her fiction and really enjoyed it :)
I loved the HBO miniseries John Adams but cant get through the book. Is there another AR book that isnt as dry? I love the Civil War but have read mostly fiction. Maybe try some of the Shaara books (not sure about spelling). He wrote Killer Angels about Gettysburg and his son wrote Gods and Generals and several others. I learned a lot from reading the Gettysburg book. Great place to visit too!!
For good non-fiction about the American Civil War, I'd suggest either Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era, Bruce Catton, or Shelby Foote.ETA: The Killer Angels is a very good read, and an excellent take on the battle.
I think you may like the Philippa Gregory Tudor book series if you are looking for fiction
Tudor History Lovers
Books mentioned in this topic
The Killer Angels (other topics)Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era (other topics)
When Christ and His Saints Slept (other topics)
The Wives of Henry VIII (other topics)
