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Summary: Very interesting biography of a great Queen
Review: I enjoyed reading this book, it offered such interesting insights into the Court of Elizabeth I and her period that it was hard to put down. At times I wanted less detail of her personal life and more on what was happening in Europe and England but I suppose that was what the book was all about anyhow. This is a very well told piece of history which I think comes close to being as good as Antonia Fraser's book 'Mary Queen of Scots'. Although I think Elizabeth had more to do with Mary Queen of Scots execution than this author would like to say. (My Scottish bias maybe!). A great story, and just in time for the current movie which is also excellent.
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Summary: Tudor England comes alive in the words of Alison Weir
Review: Having been a history major in undergraduate school I can safely say I have read my share of historical biographies. Unlike other biographies that border on the mundane and boring, Ms. Weir brings her characters to life giving the reader glittering details of the reign of one of England's most beloved Monarchs. You'll get a first hand glimpse into the often frustrating love life of the Virgin Queen and how politics and her insecurities played such a key role in making it so. Also witness the struggle of England's shift to Protestantism where religion and war walked together much too close for comfort. How her own cousin Mary, Queen of Scots, schemed and plotted to overthrow her and reestablish Catholicism in England, all the while being imprisioned by Elizabeth. Intrique and lust for power are given in large dollops by Ms. Weir's descriptive passages. It is often said that the Monarchy gives the public a "soap opera" to follow...well, in the case of "The Life of Elizabeth I" one gets the idea that life at the court of Elizabeth was one big soap opera with all the trimmings in cloth of gold.
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Summary: Excellent intro to one of England's most loved monarchs
Review: I discovered this book while I was in London in June. It covers all aspects of this woman, detailing her strenghts and shortcomings. It raises questions as to whether or not she really WAS the Virgin Queen (detailing her unashamed attitudes towards many of the men of her court and the numerous suitors who came looking for her hand). Many wonderful insights into England and Europe of the 16th century. We learn of the problems between Catholics and Protestants, that still exist today (thought not nearly as bad). The author does a wonderful job of presenting the rationale behind the attempts to get Elizabeth married - preferably to a noble from France or Spain - in order to enhance the safety of England. The author manages to cover a lot of ground in less than 500 pages. It's never boaring - always introducing us to a new perspective on Elizabeth or another aspect of her times. We get to know the real Elizabeth, which is critical when reading a biography. At times, we find her quite appealing, while at other times, she drains on us. She was obviously an exceptionally gifted individual, who cared deeply for her people. Education was extremely important to her, and she devoted time each day to her readings and/or study. She was shrewd and forceful, compassionate and caring, self-absorbed and vain, wise and beguiling. She overcame the prejudice of the day and the threats to her throne to reign for 45 years. Wonderful book - my first look into her reign - I learned a lot and recommend it to anyone with similar interests.
Rating: 
Summary: The best biography of Elizabeth out there
Review: Put that insipid David Starkey book down and step away slowly. Wouldn't you rather read a wonderfully researched and well written book by an author who can write coherent sentences? The third book in Alison Weir's Tudor Monarchs trilogy, this book picks up more or less where "The Children of Henry VIII" leaves off. It offers a fascinating biography of a fascinating woman, who laid the foundation of what later became the British Empire. As other reviewers have pointed out, this is not the book to go for if you are looking to find out about the details of Elizabethan foreign policy or governmental theory. It is, however, the book to go to if you are interested in finding out more about the woman behind those things. Weir makes great use of the ample letters that Elizabeth wrote to let us see inside the mind of a truly brilliant monarch. Yes she used her sex appeal (or at least her eligability for marriage) to guide her foreign policy program, but this books shows us why and how. Chock full of information, this book is a fun and relatively simple read. Weir is an excellent writer who always manages to find the pefect balance of accessible writing and detailed research.
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Summary: A rich and colorful account of Elizabeth's personal life.
Review: Elizabeth I was one of the most impressive monarchs in European history. Born in 1533 of Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn, she was declared illegitimate upon Anne's execution. Elizabeth's childhood was turbulent, and it was much a matter of luck that she ever came to power at all, preceded in the line of succession by her half-siblings Edward and Mary, and her legitimacy being a matter of heated debate. Elizabeth finally ascended the throne in 1558, at age twenty-five, upon Mary's death. From the very start she faced adversity. After Queen Mary (nicknamed "Bloody Mary" by an unadoring public), most Englishmen were unenthusiastic about having another female ruler. To succeed, Elizabeth would need to present herself to her people as an almost superhuman figure, a symbol of both strength and purity.
Those considering this book should first be aware of what it's primary purpose is. It deals mainly with Elizabeth's private and social life. Politics does of course come into the book, as it can't be entirely separated from the life of a monarch, but this is not its main focus. Weir writes in her preface: "This was never meant to be a political biography, nor did I intend to write a social history of the times. My aim has always been to write a history of Elizabeth's personal life within the framework of her reign . . . The manuscript was originally entitled "The Private Life of Elizabeth I," but it very soon became apparent that Elizabeth's 'private' life was very public indeed, hence the change of title." The bulk of the book concerns itself with Elizabeth's relationships with other people, both personal and diplomatic. And much of this took the form of courtships. Elizabeth recognized her ability to use herself as a pawn, turning her biggest challenge - her gender - into an asset, and manipulating fellow rulers through the marriage market. She took full advantage of this, often to the exasperation of all around her.
And of course, no account of Elizabeth's personal life would be complete without much attention paid to her particular relationship with Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. Weir does an admirable job in exploring the complexities of this friendship and star-crossed romance, offering one of the most compelling accounts of it that I've read anywhere. Many people have embellished the story of Elizabeth and Dudley, letting their imaginations run wild around all the details that we cannot know for sure, but Weir remains objective and honest, acknowledging the facts and offering her well-reasoned opinions, either in affirmation or refutation, of the common rumors.
Long a fan of Queen Elizabeth I, and of the Elizabethan period of British history as a whole, I dove into this book with eagerness and, since I had previously read and been impressed with Weir's "The Six Wives of Henry VIII," high expectations as well. I was not disappointed at all. One of the striking characteristics of Weir's books is their readability. Unlike much of the dry material put out by Academia, her writing is full of life and highly accessible to a general audience. "The Life of Elizabeth I" reads more like a story than a biography, remaining rich in detail but arranging the information in such a way that it stimulates rather than strangles the reader. Elizabeth really comes alive through Weir's words, and one gets to know her most intimately as Weir reveals all the nuances of her character, strengths and weaknesses alike. The book also offers a wealth of information on lifestyles and customs of the time, painting a colorful background for Elizabeth's life.
Included at the back are an extensive bibliography, clearly showing how exhaustively Weir researched for this book; genealogical tables on the Tudors, the Boleyns and Howards, and the Dudleys; a thorough index, making it easy to refer back information on any person, place, or event connected with Elizabeth's life; and a "Reader's Guide" that includes discussion questions for reading groups. This is one of the most engaging and informative biographies I've ever read, and I recommend it most highly to anyone interested in Tudor history. Well worth the read.
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Summary: Weir does it again
Review: Being an Elizabeth I fanatic, I was eager to read through Alsion Weir's account of our favorite Tudor monarch. It took me a while, since there is a plethora of information, but well worth the effort. Unlike other Tudor books/novels, Weir takes us into the private Elizabeth, one who's vanity was as strong as her love for England. We learn about her different palaces, courtiers, portraits, and of course, her love for cavalier Robert Dudley. This book is a long one (532 pages to be exact), but chock full of interesting trivia about the most incredible woman in history. Elizabeth's unheard of 40+ year reign was no mistake- her careful, CEO-like strategy of playing one Europian power against the other was an elaborate chess game (the Queen IS the most powerful piece, after all), wooing each country with the lingering promise of marriage and alliance with England. Anyone who doubts she was the daughter of Henry VIII only has to look to her tenacious rule to see she was definitely his flesh and blood- competitive, and sometimes cutthroat schemes to keep her beloved England and ultimately her throne safe. No man would ever have the power to take them away from her.
Weir's bio is one of the best I've ever read (and I've read them all). Well written, providing interesting little tidbits not revealed in other books.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best accounts of Queen Elizabeth
Review: I have actively read several books on Elizabeth I as well as Henry VIII and I have found Alison Weir's books to be knowledgeable, accurate and a joy to read. I recommend nearly any of her books. I will say that once you have read The Life of Elizabeth I and The Six Wifes of Henry VIII - you may want to skip the Henry VIII - The King and his Court - it is a bit redundant.
Definitely get this book - it is worth every page!
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Summary: The best biography of Elizabeth out there
Review: Put that insipid David Starkey book down and step away slowly. Wouldn't you rather read a wonderfully researched and well written book by an author who can write coherent sentences? The third book in Alison Weir's Tudor Monarchs trilogy, this book picks up more or less where "The Children of Henry VIII" leaves off. It offers a fascinating biography of a fascinating woman, who laid the foundation of what later became the British Empire. As other reviewers have pointed out, this is not the book to go for if you are looking to find out about the details of Elizabethan foreign policy or governmental theory. It is, however, the book to go to if you are interested in finding out more about the woman behind those things. Weir makes great use of the ample letters that Elizabeth wrote to let us see inside the mind of a truly brilliant monarch. Yes she used her sex appeal (or at least her eligability for marriage) to guide her foreign policy program, but this books shows us why and how. Chock full of information, this book is a fun and relatively simple read. Weir is an excellent writer who always manages to find the pefect balance of accessible writing and detailed research.
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