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aranthe02's review against another edition
3.0
While not as strong as the first book in the series, the Tudor’s was an enjoyable read. I’m not as interested in the Anglican Church so parts of the book dragged. Additionally, I almost feel like Elizabeth got a bum deal.
writerbeverly's review against another edition
3.0
I love Tudor history, I was so excited to get this book... and it put me to sleep. Over and over again.
It's not really about the Tudors, or the people of England, but painstaking minutiae about every bobble and wobble in England's religious transformation from a papal country to an Anglican one. If that's what you are interested in, this is the book for you. Includes excruciating details on how people were burned at the stake or beheaded.
It's not really about the Tudors, or the people of England, but painstaking minutiae about every bobble and wobble in England's religious transformation from a papal country to an Anglican one. If that's what you are interested in, this is the book for you. Includes excruciating details on how people were burned at the stake or beheaded.
Mind you, I was already struggling to hook into this book when he said of Anne Boleyn that she was probably guilty of adultery because so many charges were brought against her. This struck me as an incredibly lazy argument for a historian, but I kept plugging on. It felt to me like the entire book was a dry, unemotional arm's length from both the Tudor family and the English people, though the writing itself was unoffensive. YMMV.
It's not really about the Tudors, or the people of England, but painstaking minutiae about every bobble and wobble in England's religious transformation from a papal country to an Anglican one. If that's what you are interested in, this is the book for you. Includes excruciating details on how people were burned at the stake or beheaded.
It's not really about the Tudors, or the people of England, but painstaking minutiae about every bobble and wobble in England's religious transformation from a papal country to an Anglican one. If that's what you are interested in, this is the book for you. Includes excruciating details on how people were burned at the stake or beheaded.
Mind you, I was already struggling to hook into this book when he said of Anne Boleyn that she was probably guilty of adultery because so many charges were brought against her. This struck me as an incredibly lazy argument for a historian, but I kept plugging on. It felt to me like the entire book was a dry, unemotional arm's length from both the Tudor family and the English people, though the writing itself was unoffensive. YMMV.
jbrown2140's review against another edition
5.0
In terms of what this claims to be - a popular, narrative history of England in the 16th and very early 17th century, this is just such a thoroughly readable and still seemly trustworthy account by of the time, if you've got the interest, and even if it's a story you already know, you'll like it.
cardbuck1720's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
labunnywtf's review against another edition
4.0
It is not possible to judge the behavior of one century by the values of another.
Yes, another Tudors book. I took a small break, don't judge me.
I have to say, it was very interesting to read a book about the first reigning Queen of England in today's political climate. VERY interesting.
This one started out really dry, and at first I didn't think I could keep on with it. I really do hate dry historical novels. But slowly, things picked up, and I fell back into the Tudor rhythm I love so much.
Most books about the Tudors period focus heavily on the wives of Henry. Which means that's the part of the story I'm most well versed on (if you can call it that, with my lack of retention power). This book certainly covered that aspect, but I found that most of the emphasis was on the religious reforms of Henry, Mary, and Elizabeth's reigns.
I'm fascinated by religion, both traditions and oppression, of and by. So this was a really interesting "twist" on the history I've already learned so much about. And it's given me a ridiculous amount of subject matter that I want to read more about.
Example: the love, honor and obey schpiel in the wedding vows came about in a book written during this time period, a Protestant book. Love it.
Damn you, Tudors history. I can't and won't quit you.
Yes, another Tudors book. I took a small break, don't judge me.
I have to say, it was very interesting to read a book about the first reigning Queen of England in today's political climate. VERY interesting.
This one started out really dry, and at first I didn't think I could keep on with it. I really do hate dry historical novels. But slowly, things picked up, and I fell back into the Tudor rhythm I love so much.
Most books about the Tudors period focus heavily on the wives of Henry. Which means that's the part of the story I'm most well versed on (if you can call it that, with my lack of retention power). This book certainly covered that aspect, but I found that most of the emphasis was on the religious reforms of Henry, Mary, and Elizabeth's reigns.
I'm fascinated by religion, both traditions and oppression, of and by. So this was a really interesting "twist" on the history I've already learned so much about. And it's given me a ridiculous amount of subject matter that I want to read more about.
Example: the love, honor and obey schpiel in the wedding vows came about in a book written during this time period, a Protestant book. Love it.
Damn you, Tudors history. I can't and won't quit you.
hmalagisi's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
The royal dynasties of English history are some of the most popular in European history. We have the Normans, the Angevins, the Plantagenets, who occupied the throne for 300 years, the Scottish Stuarts who saw religious change and political upheaval, the haughty Hanovers, and the current Windsor dynasty. However, one dynasty that has captured the imagination of history nerds for centuries has been the tumultuous Tudors. In book two of Peter Ackroyd’s “The History of England: Tudors,” he explores the stories that made the Tudor dynasty so infamous.
I saw this book at a used bookstore and picked it up. I just read the previous book in this series, “Foundation” and wanted to see how Ackroyd would tackle the tricky Tudors.
Ackroyd, unfortunately, does not start with the patriarch of the Tudor dynasty, Henry VII, instead, he starts with his infamous second son, Henry VIII, and his coronation. Ackroyd did include a bit of information about Henry VII’s reign in his previous volume, but I think it would have made much more sense to have included his story in this book to show the dynasty from beginning to end. When it comes to the reign of Henry VIII, his martial affairs take a backseat to the more religious and political aspects of his reign. The theme of religious changes goes throughout this book as Ackroyd explores the reigns of Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I, the children of Henry VIII.
While I did find some of the facts in this book informative, I did have issues with this book. When it comes to the characterization of the women in this book, especially Mary I, it felt like a repetition of some of the old tropes (like Bloody Mary). There were also stories and dialogue that Ackroyd had included that felt similar to historical fiction rather than historical facts, which was a bit distracting, especially for a chronicle.
Overall, I felt like this book was just okay, but quite a bit of the information presented in this book could be disproven with the latest research about the Tudors (of course this book is over 10 years old). I think this is a fine introductory book to the Tudor dynasty and the religious changes that happened during the 16th century in England. If this sounds intriguing to you or if you have read “Foundation,” “The History of England Vol. II: Tudors” by Peter Ackroyd might be something you would be interested in reading.
I saw this book at a used bookstore and picked it up. I just read the previous book in this series, “Foundation” and wanted to see how Ackroyd would tackle the tricky Tudors.
Ackroyd, unfortunately, does not start with the patriarch of the Tudor dynasty, Henry VII, instead, he starts with his infamous second son, Henry VIII, and his coronation. Ackroyd did include a bit of information about Henry VII’s reign in his previous volume, but I think it would have made much more sense to have included his story in this book to show the dynasty from beginning to end. When it comes to the reign of Henry VIII, his martial affairs take a backseat to the more religious and political aspects of his reign. The theme of religious changes goes throughout this book as Ackroyd explores the reigns of Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I, the children of Henry VIII.
While I did find some of the facts in this book informative, I did have issues with this book. When it comes to the characterization of the women in this book, especially Mary I, it felt like a repetition of some of the old tropes (like Bloody Mary). There were also stories and dialogue that Ackroyd had included that felt similar to historical fiction rather than historical facts, which was a bit distracting, especially for a chronicle.
Overall, I felt like this book was just okay, but quite a bit of the information presented in this book could be disproven with the latest research about the Tudors (of course this book is over 10 years old). I think this is a fine introductory book to the Tudor dynasty and the religious changes that happened during the 16th century in England. If this sounds intriguing to you or if you have read “Foundation,” “The History of England Vol. II: Tudors” by Peter Ackroyd might be something you would be interested in reading.
adamrshields's review against another edition
4.0
Short review: The history of the Tudors is in large part a story of the English Reformation and I am glad that Ackroyd gave lots of time to the English Reformation. My European history is weak, so I don't have too much to compare this to for historical accuracy. I did read the Very Short Introduction to the Tudors about a year ago and obviously this is a much fuller picture than that. Ackroyd is a good writer and I look forward to reading the last of his trilogy of English history.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/tudors-ackroyd/
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/tudors-ackroyd/