Rating: 
Summary: A very interesting audiobook for history buffs
Review: This audiobook is a fascinating glimpse at the English monarchs from William the Conqueror to present. As many monarchs were presented, there were details left out, but it gives a great general foundation in the basic tenets of each reign. The anecdotes breathed life into these historical figures and helped me remember names! A great audiobook for a long car trip or work-time listening. The reader gave enough emotion on the tape to keep the material flowing without using the often strange 'duck voices' some readers use when trying to vary the material.
Rating: 
Summary: A Handy Dandy Guide to England's Rulers
Review: This big picture book of kings and queens is a great reference work for anyone interested in English royal history. The color illustrations are lavish, the brief biographies hit all high points and the geneologies of the various royal houses are very useful when trying to trace the convoluted relationships of England's royals. This is a handy book to have around when you just can't figure out just how Germans ended up on the British throne, can't remember which of Henry VIII's wives died on the block or want to know why Queen Victoria died in the arms of Kaiser Wilhem. Lots of information on all matters royal, including ancient traditions, heraldry, issues of precedent, the crown jewels, court dress, palaces and passtimes and other fun facts. A good book to have close to hand.
Rating:
Summary: PERFECT FOR ANGLOPHILES, HISTORIANS, AND ROYALTY BUFFS.
Review: This is a wonderful and concise account of each of the British monarchs since William the Conqueror. Very fun if you are into history, the Royal family, or if you just like the English.The history of England is related only as it impacted and was impacted by the monarchs. This keeps the coverage brief and readable, but touches on all the important points. I read it after seeing "Elizabeth" (1998 feature film), and loved every minute. High marks from me!!!
Rating:
Summary: A Guide to the Maze of Kings and Queens of England
Review: This is the absolutely perfect audiobook for your car. For commuting to and from work, or for long trips, this book will enchant you. I've listened cover to cover a dozen times now, then went and bought the book too, each of which compliments the other.
I strongly advise you to first word pad a list of the Kings and Queens, then add a word or two to each as you learn about them, so that you can keep them straight (killed by brother, boy king, illigitimate daughter of Henry 8th. This will prove invaluable to you as the names repeat again and again and you get your Henry 3'rds mixed with your William 3'rds. Keep one copy of the list in your car for quick reference, one at work, one at home.
After hearing the complete tapes or reading the book, memorize the linage by name and maybe one fact about each. Suddenly events are clearer as you re-read them, and you're not frustrated when you hear something about "Henry V" on TV and want to rush to your reference book.
This audiobook is a Cliffnotes Version of History with anecdotes thrown in, which is perfectly acceptable in view of the huge number of subjects with which it must deal. There is an understandable Anglophile bent to the book, with an understandable Windsor-slant. Poor America is treated as if one of His Majesty's ships were lost at sea when William 3rd is discussed.
For the first time I finally understood Why William the First had some claim to the throne in 1066, WHY Henry 5th had some claim to France, WHY Elizabeth 1st took such strong reigns, and how in the world the Germans got control of the throne. Like separate pieces of a puzzle, it is the accumulation of facts of the different reigns that leads to an understanding.
Some aspects of the royal foibles are glossed over, most particularly as they become more current. Queen Victoria's disregard for the suffering of the mill workers, miners, and Irish are glossed over. The current reign is treated most benignly, however, I'm sure that political necessity dictated that access to historical documents meant an accommodation to the current Queen.
One joy of the tapes is one can pick up any tape out of order and listen and learn. I strongly recommend ALSO buying the book to flesh out the tapes, however. When I bought the tapes when they first came out, they cost over [PRICE], so the current price is an incredible bargain, especially as a gift for a history teacher, Anglophile, heck anyone with an IQ.
I found through the tapes that the "Pretenders to the Throne" through the ages were actually legitimate claimants with a reasonable argument for succession. Execution blocks were especially used to "head-off" possible legitmate claims. (Sorry for the pun.)
One simply can NOT watch any historical movie without having read, understood, and somewhat memorized this book. Watching the Movie "The Lion in Winter" is all the more astounding when one realizes who the spoiled sons turn out to be in history and the roles they are to play in shaping modern England.
It is a bit of a shame that a tad more attention could not have been given to pre-1066, but in view of the span of reigns that required attention, this is understandable.
My one hope is that Antonia Fraser could be prevailed on to do the same for the History of the President's of the United States some day.
Rating: 
Summary: History Thru Biography
Review: Until I read this book, the history of England and her monarchs was clouded in confusion. No longer! A beautiful book, full of color and informative graphics, "Lives" packs much information in one volume. Antonia Frazier has done a wonderful job editing the work of many authors. "Lives" draws the reader into the life and times of kings, queens, bas***ds, pretenders, earls, dukes and mistresses. The role and evolution of Parliment is explored, as well as brief outlines of the world at large in order to maintain historical perspective. Often the authors attempt to correct what they feel were previous historical inaccuracies and judge the reigns of each monarch. From the Norman conquest in 1066 to the present, the history of this great country (and Empire) is one we need to better understand because of England's great influence on not only the US, but the world. I can't wait to read the updated 1998 edition, which I just thumbed through at a local retailer.
Rating:
Summary: History Thru Biography
Review: Until I read this book, the history of England and her monarchs was clouded in confusion. No longer! A beautiful book, full of color and informative graphics, "Lives" packs much information in one volume. Antonia Frazier has done a wonderful job editing the work of many authors. "Lives" draws the reader into the life and times of kings, queens, bas***ds, pretenders, earls, dukes and mistresses. The role and evolution of Parliment is explored, as well as brief outlines of the world at large in order to maintain historical perspective. Often the authors attempt to correct what they feel were previous historical inaccuracies and judge the reigns of each monarch. From the Norman conquest in 1066 to the present, the history of this great country (and Empire) is one we need to better understand because of England's great influence on not only the US, but the world. I can't wait to read the updated 1998 edition, which I just thumbed through at a local retailer.
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