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.The Lady Elizabeth

by: Alison Weir

April 03, 2008
I enjoy historical novels and am a reader of all things tudor both fact and fiction. Whilst this was an entertaining read, I completely agree with the previous reviewer who stated Alison Weir's dialogue could be quite nauseating at times. She writes with a simplicity which does not reflect the period or subject matter. At times it is almost, "he said", "she said", which did annoy after a while.

In addition, I believe this period of time and particularly the story of Elizabeth is interesting enough without having to incorporate myth, legend and the supernatural as fact. The author herself states in her epilogue that she does not believe some of the things on which she has elaborated.

See Phillipa Gregory for a superior ... Read More:
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Used Price: £5.49

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.Innocent Traitor

by: Alison Weir

June 07, 2007
Having known very little about the main character this book is based on, Lady Jane Grey, it was a refreshing and intresting read. I've been a fan of Philippa Gregory's book's but this surpasses them by leaps and bounds.

The characters are very much three dimension each with flaws. A previous reviewer had made the comment that Jane was too perfect, which I didn't find. To me she was flawed in the fact that she was too dogmatic in her views on religion, but this in itself was, at least to me, a form of rebelion against her parents. It was their disappointment in Jane and their ambition for power that ultimately led to her downfall.

The author has obviously done her homework and research and by intertwining known facts with certain key points ... Read More:
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.The Six Wives of Henry VIII

by: Alison Weir

November 22, 2007
I was very impressed by this book, after reading 'The other Boleyn girl' my appetite for reading up on my history was wettened. This book is a real eye opener for how England used to be and what the people of court were required to do in their day to day lives and what they grew to fear. It shows us what an insecure man Henry was and how the people who he surrounded himself with influenced and manipulated him turning him from a man who was seemingly nice to a feared man, however it shows us that even then he was much loved by most. It explores how Henry could be ruthless in pursuing what he wanted and in a cruel way but then he was easily distracted and if things did not please him he was quick to and with no conscience to rid himself of the things that stood in his way with no back ... Read More:
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Used Price: £21.68

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.The Children of England: Heirs of King Henry VIII

by: Alison Weir

March 06, 1997
I had previously found the Tudor age rather complicated and a little vague due to the complexed nature of Henry VIII's numerous wives and children.I started to read this book and became absorbed in the intrigue of this period of Tudor England. It provides in depth details of Henry's children and the profound effect their individual lives would have on the political and social developments of the Kingdoms they ruled, be it long or short. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Tudor period and which leads to arguably the greatest sovereign in Elizabeth I that this country has seen.
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Used Price: £2.89

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.Katherine Swynford: The Story of John of Gaunt and His Scandalous Duchess

by: Alison Weir

August 07, 2008
I don't think I can be the only reader who, although very eager to read this book, felt a certain amount of trepidaton and yes, that is because one of my all-time favourite historical novels is Anya Seton's Katherine. Alison Weir has been very kind to me, I think: although her own research has clearly shown Seton's errors and conjecture and she has not swerved from presenting the facts as she has found them, at the same time she has not callously tried to destroy my rose-tinted images completely. So while I would rather believe, for instance, that John of Gaunt married Katherine entirely out of love, and that he had always been faithful to her, I can accept Weir's far more realistic point of view. Yes, many things about Katherine in this book are still speculation, due to the huge gaps in time ... Read More:
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.Isabella: She-Wolf of France, Queen of England

by: Alison Weir

July 06, 2006
Alison Weir has written better biographies than this. Although it is very, very thorough, this same thoroughness makes it quite boring. The author often keeps repeating the same things. For example, the people who supported Isabella are repeated times and times again with long explanations of the reasons why, while they remained mostly the same people with the same motives.
Nevertheless, Isabella is a very interesting subject and Weir is convincing in her effort to rehabilitate Isabella from the bad press she has received from male chroniclers through the ages.
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Used Price: £3.15

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.The Lancaster and York: Wars of the Roses

by: Alison Weir

May 07, 1998
This book is a very interesting well-written narrative which provides a lot of information on the Wars of the Roses. Not only does Alison Weir deal conclusively with the causes of the war but also its longer term impacts. However, the book is best when dealing with the actual conflict which to me is where it comes alive. All in all a very good book dealing with an era in English history which seems to have been forgotten.
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Used Price: £3.45

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.Britain's Royal Families: The Complete Genealogy

by: Alison Weir

June 13, 2002
This book is a must for anybody studying British history both ancient or recent. The Genealogy places every major or minor royal in his or her historical place giving the student a grid reference for further study. Tremendous detail is provided and it is very easy to lose a couple of hours flicking through this book. Ms. Weir spent 22 year researching and has produced an excellent resource.
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.Eleanor of Aquitaine: By the Wrath of God, Queen of England

by: Alison Weir

January 10, 2008
Some of the most fascinating characters in history hail from the murkier depths of times lacking much documentary sources. Perhaps their interest comes from this patchwork of conflicting sources, or perhaps the temporal distance lends enchantment. It also presents a problem for the biographer, in that the lack of sources makes it difficult to write authoritatively on the subject. If the subject is a mystery then the book can't be much more than conjectures joined up with speculation.

Eleanor of Aquitaine occupies an odd place in such a time. As a ruler and heiress in her own right, and as queen of France and later England, her life is much more richly documented than most of her contemporaries. Her movements, lodgings, nutrition and clothing can be conjured from the surviving accounts. Richer ... Read More:
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.Henry VIII: King and Court

by: Alison Weir

May 05, 2005
This book gives a very thourough and complete insight into all the workings of the Tudor court. It is quite exceptional in it's minute detail. This is a must for serious history students. It's one of those books that needs reading many times as there is just so much detail to be absorbed. Fiction it is not! Totally astonishing was the wealth of Henry VIII's court. Read this book and you will learn all the intricate details of court life for both Henry and his Queens as well as their courtiers. Highly recommended.
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Used Price: £3.00