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Summary: Fascinating glimpse at the Tudor children
Review: Alison Weir's book is emmensly readable; her prose reads like a novel. This means that her carefully researched account of the Tudor children is accessable to a much wider readership than alot of historical biographies. Lively and sensitive, the narrative really captures the feel of late 16th century England. By focusing on the private side of her subjects, distant and legendary monarchs become human; Edward the Fourth, Mary the First (Bloody Mary), Elizabeth the First, and Lady Jane Grey. As children, they were coddled, banished, abused, seduced, saw loved ones jailed and executed; they were used as pawns by those around them vying for power. Makes today's Royal Family look like the Cleavers! If you like to immerse yourself in history this book is a must. Even if you think you don't like history, this book will probably change your mind. This is the first of Weir's books I've read; I can't wait to get my hands on the others.
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Summary: The Next Tudor Chapter
Review: Alison Weir's second book regarding the Tudor monarchy is as great as her first, The Wives of Henry VIII. Although Weir touches upon all of Henry VIII's children as well as his niece, Lady Jane Grey, the majority of this book delves into the life of Queen Mary I. Wier discusses the short reign of Henry VIII's only son, Edward VI as well as the 9 days reign of Lady Jane Grey; however the book focuses on Mary, and ends at her death and the accession of Queen Elizabeth.Mary was a Catholic like her mother Katherine of Aragon. She tried so hard to bring Catholism back to England that she has gone into history as earning the nickname "Bloody Mary." Mary burned about 300 heretics in her short five year reign. Mary was portrayed as being merciful, but resorted to flexing her control as she had so many people against her. Weir again introduced the reader to the importance of alliances and marriges of monarchs during the 16th century as well as the importance of religion. This book is an easy to read narrative of the politics of accession to the English throne after the death of Henry VIII and the adult life of Queen Mary I. Weir takes the reader into more depth of Elizabeth's reign in her book, The Life of Elizabeth I. Although it is not necessary for the reader to have read The Wives of Henry VIII in order to enjoy this book, it does help the reader in understanding the genuine hate Mary had for Elizabeth because of Elizabeth's mother, Anne Boleyn. This is another wonderful chapter of The Tudors.
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Summary: Cheers for Children of Henry VIII
Review: Aison Weir never fails to bring history alive. This novel was so engrossing I found myself reading it everywhere from the bathtub to my job. The intricate detail of the reign of Henry VIII's successors is so great that I am able to understand the Tudor monarchy even better. A vast amount of research went into this novel and the documented correspondance allows readers to have an introspective look into the personalities of Henry's heirs. An excellent read!
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Summary: A Great Book
Review: The Children of Henry VIII was a wonderful book. Alison Weir gave accurate historical information while keeping the book on a personal level. She really got in touch with the relationships of Henry VIII's four heirs: Prince Edward, his only son; Princess Mary, his daughter by his first wife Katherine of Aragon; Princess Elizabeth, his daughter by his unfortunate wife Anne Boleyn; and Lady Jane Grey, granddaughter of Henry's sister Mary of France. Not only did the book show the relationships between the heirs, but it showed how they related to and got along with important men and women in the era of British history that took place during the reformation. The devoutly Catholic Mary and her faction was hardly a match for the protestant views of Edward, Elizabeth and Jane. The book also shows how the people of England felt about the changes taking place in their homeland while not leaving out the effects of foreign powers on the decisions of the kings, queens and powerful men in Britain at the time. Overall the book was easy to follow although Alison Weir called the same person by different names on several different occasions which made things a little confusing. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in British royalty, other royalty of the era, Holy Roman Popes of the era, and the reformation.
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Summary: Filled in a gap!
Review: I had read a couple of books about Elizabeth I, and some about Henry VIII, but I did not know a whole lot about the time between Henry's death and before Elizabeth's accession. This book satisfactorily filled in that gap for me! Covers everything from young King Edward's reign through the intrigue that nearly got Elizabeth beheaded, the brief reign of the unfortunate Jane Grey, and Bloody Mary's years on the throne. The pace is very quick, and it's so interesting that it reads more like a novel. This is one of my favorite historical books on my shelf, and I've reread it more than once.
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Summary: Great history in a readable format
Review: This is an incredibly fascinating story, full of intrigue and insight into some of the most famous of English monarchs. What impressed me the most about this book is that not only it was very readable, but the author has great integrity. She clearly presents the situations and explains the different rationales for various theories when the facts are a bit cloudy. Often, history books directed at the lay person are dumbed down, dramatized well beyond what is not only true but also necessary for an interesting story, and/or lack integrity. For a book to be so thorough and engaging is a true feat. This book will make a great gift for those with a mild interest in history, England, Elizabeth I, or the English monarchy.
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Summary: Worth the money
Review: This biography of four young English aristocratic children--Edward VI, Elizabeth I, Mary I, and Lady Jane Grey--tells their life stories and shows the backstabbing nature of the Tudor court. Alliances were changed often for political and social gain, with these children often being used as pawns. Weir's book shows this and more, and is well worth your money.
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Summary: Outstanding
Review: An excellent book. Allison Weir includes historical facts mixed with the perfect amount of personal history. I couldn't put this book down! I really recommend this book, I've just ordered several other books that she has written. The way she has presented the various subjects in this book is really very creative. This is not one of those 1,000 page text books that are filled with footnotes every other word. Very easy to read. Again, just the perfect mix! I'm just sorry it was not longer.
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Summary: Ignore the "creative" title and jump in...
Review: Fans of Alison Weir are familiar with her "style" of historical biography, and Ms. Weir uses the same style in this book. I rather enjoyed this work, finding many new details I'd never read before. However, besides the dull title, the work incorporates Lady Jane Grey as a sort-of "child" of Henry VIII, and the incorporation doesn't work. Firstly, the information provided about Grey is scant. Secondly, Weir (with her ever-present bias) turns toward the grandiose with Mary's "glorious" re-claiming of the throne...I really heard the blowing of trumpets and a burst of "ah-ha" strings at the court intrigue (fine in a novel, but a bit silly in historical biography). Lastly, Lady Jane isn't Henry's kid (!)...she stole the throne, albeit by her father's cunning and overbearingness. Flaws aside, I think you'll gain much by reading this one!
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Summary: The Children of Henry VIII
Review: Set during the end of the second phase of the Renaissance period, Alison Weir's biography of the four charismatic sovereigns is an enthalling tale of power, religious fantasism, and the tumultuous relationships among the heirs. Weir sprightly establishes the spirit and tempo of this work prefacing with a condensed account of the lives, wives, and reign of Henry VIII. By describing the four monarchs with such zeal, the author brings to life the four monarchs. This book is immpecably researched and written.
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