The Life of Elizabeth I

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Summary: This is a great book!
Review: Throughout the entire process of reading this book, I was completely enthralled. The information was, in my opinion, stated in such a way that the reader could not help but be transfixed. Alison Weir has done an excellent and thorough job of articulating the many events of Elizabeth's life, and her book is very well researched. I was surprised when I watched the movie of Elizabeth I, because it wrongly portrayed Elizabeth. Alison Weir's neutral portrayal not only was more interesting, but also presented the facts about her reign but allowed the reader to come to his/her own conclusion about what is going on. You're allowed to have your own opinion without the author throwing stuff in your face. I also read THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII and that also was a great book. Keep up the good work, Ms. Weir!!

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Summary: A history and a romance novel rolled into one
Review: I thought this book was a fascinating look into history. The detail was amazing. The author's attempt at accuracy pays off. Definitely better than the movie!

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Summary: Repetitive, although with entertaining passages
Review: Weir starts out well, painting a full picture of court, the religious conflict in England and the fragility of the English throne. However, by the 200th page of detailed explanation of Her Majesty's many suitors and marriage proposals, I was bored. The book seemed to be adrift most of the time, although it remains entertaining in passages, specially when talking about Mary Stuart.

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Summary: Elizabeth Goes A' Courting
Review: Perhaps this book is a good starting point for those of us who are beginning an interest in Elizabeth, however, I was bored by the hundreds of pages detailing Elizabeth's suitors and marriage proposals. Thankfully, this book is based in enough fact that I knew the movie was inaccurate. I would not recommend this book to anyone who is interested in anything other than the goings on of Elizabeth's court

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Summary: Mediocre Book of Elizabeth TUDOR
Review: This is one of the more mediocre books by Weir, it's poorly organized and not at all as lavish and interesting as she usually writes. A better bet would be THE CHILDREN OF HENRY VIII, speaks of Elizabeth, too...not to mention my favorite Tudor, Jane Grey.

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Summary: A great achievement
Review: Tudor England and Elizabeth herself come to life in this gripping book. It achieves a balanced historical overview as well as being a page-turner.

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Summary: An excellent novel for those who love Tudor history!
Review: Elizabeth I, the great Virgin Queen of England is a fascinating character. Her life was shaped by so many events that she had no control over. She longed for her father's love, but he was a selfish, concieted, pompous bully, who had little time or love for his female offspring. Her sister, Queen Mary, hated her because she was the Great Whore's daughter, and loved her because she was her sister. Her relationship with men, from the disastourous Seymour affair, to Robert Dudley (probably the love of her life) to her constant need for male attention is a psychiatrist's dream. Although she was urged by the most powerful men in the kingdom to marry and provide a heir for her kingdom, this Elizabeth could not do. Childbirth itself was extremely dangerous, but the events that occured during her childhood made it impossible for her to trust any man enough to marry him. Allion Weir's novel makes you feel as if you are actually an observer in the court of this magnificent Queen.

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Summary: Good account of Elizabeth's life
Review: This is thorough examination of a great woman's life, but more from the perspective of her personal life than of great political feats and military battles. I have read much about Elizabeth I and enjoy both true histories and historical fiction. For a marvelous fictional account of her life, I highly recommend "Legacy" by Sharon Kaye. I believe that novel rather than any biography, movie, or any other fictional account truly captures the essence of Elizabeth as a woman and a queen. That book made me feel I could really understand her motivations and made me want to meet her.

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Summary: elizabeth
Review: i think the book was exellent i think it was better then the movie i know some people won't agree with meABOUT that but that was my opion.

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Summary: Interesting information, but poorly organized
Review: I am not an Elizabethan scholar, nor do I wish to have to read through excessively academic writings to learn about Elizabeth I and her court. I think this book was intended for people like me. However, the book is poorly organized and as a result, a handful of themes and ideas are repeated and batted around in almost every chapter, and the chronology is all over the place. If Ms. Weir didn't repeat herself so often, the book would be about two-thirds the size. Perhaps her publisher paid by the pound...