Children of Henry VIII

Rating:
Summary: A pretty standard overview of Edward, Mary, Lady Jane & Liz
Review: This book was a dissapointment after reading Weir's excellent Eleanor of Aquitaine. This book is a fairly straighfoward accounting of the lives of Henry 8th's children (plus Lady Jane Grey) from his death to the accension of Elizabeth to the throne.

There's not much particulary new in this book, and you would probably be better served by individual biographies if you want their lives in depth. In particular I found the lives of Edward VI and Lady Jane quite sketchy, with Elizabeth and Mary being better delt with.

However, if you don't know much about this period of England's history this book would be an excellent introduction and overview as the author's writing style is very clear and staight forward.

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Summary: Alison Weir writes history like a suspenseful novel
Review: It's hard to believe that a history book can keep you at the edge of your seat, but Alison Weir has managed to hook me on this period in English history. I was interested in learning more about this time in history but I was afraid that this would be dull and dry. Alison Weir has made history suspenseful as well as enlightening. As a result I am reading the "sequel" in the series, Elizabeth the 1st and loving it!

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book! Wonderful author!
Review: Alison Weir knows her British history and this book is another winner. Although not as perfect as THE SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII, this is an interesting follow up and enlightens us to the intimacies of Henry VIII's royal brood. If you're a fan, you probably already own it... otherwise, you will certainly enjoy their dramatic biographies.

Rating:
Summary: Highly accurate, but rather dull in places.
Review: I found this to be a very accurate book -- good, solid history -- but occasionally boring. I would have liked to know more about Mary and Edward themselves, not just the way they ruled England. The first few pages were full of personal details, saying things like Mary as an adult was so innocent and naive that she didn't know any swear words. I wish there had been more such tidbits throughout the book.

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Summary: Readable history....
Review: I like Alison Weir's books because she is able to extract the pertinent facts from the most complex of sources and present a great deal of information in an immensely readable book. THE CHILDREN OF HENRY THE VIII is no exception. Although she is a "popular" writer, Weir does not shun primary materials. Her bibliography is very impressive and she seems to have "done her homework".

CHILDREN covers the lives of Henry's three children by Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boylyn, and Jane Seymour. I find it amazing that one of England's greatest monarchs, Elizabeth I, was the daughter of a woman who reigned for a mere 1,000 days. Known as the "French whore" by the Catholics who hated her, she was a lady in waiting to Katherine of Aragon the mother of Mary.

According to Weir, the young Mary was most solicitous for the life and welfare of her young sister Elizabeth after Anne Boylyn was beheaded. Had it not been for Mary's care, perhaps there would have been no Elizabeth I. Both of young princesses were at risk from various parties after Anne died. Mary, a bit older than Elizabeth was aware their lives were at risk and she did what she could to protect her self and her sister from whom she was later cruelly separated. Sadly, as they grew older and were kept apart by various scheming interest groups, Mary and Elizabeth grew more estranged and distrustful of each other until finally there was a parting which nearly cost Elizabeth her life.

Weir tells Mary's tale from the standpoint of a sympathetic viewer. After all, Mary had been raised to expect her place would be with her parents and that someday she would be queen if she had no brothers. Henry was married to Katherine for 20 years, and she bore him many children. Alas, only Mary survived.

The English could accept a woman on the throne, but most preferred a man. Hence, Henry VIII continued to father dozens of children with a succession of wives until at last a son lived. Edward was born to wife number three, Jane Seymour, and although he survided infancy Edward was frail and easily became sick in an era filled with plague and other misasmas.

Edward was crowned king however he died young. Although he was to be followed by his sister Mary who was next in succession for the throne of England, Edward's ministers plotted and placed Lady Jane Grey on the throne. Jane was a cousin to Edward and a direct descendent of Henry VII. Jane was Protestant, the main reason certain parties supported her. Jane was destined to be overthrown by Mary's forces nine days after she seized the throne. When Mary eventually claimed her throne she was not above buring a few Protestants including the ill-fated Jane who had plotted against her.

Most of us grew up reading history books written by Protestant historians who did not tell Mary's story objectively. In THE CHILDREN OF HENRY VIII, Alison Weir has redressed this wrong. Mary was indeed a queen of vengence, but she lived in times that tried women's souls.

Rating:
Summary: Captivating
Review: I truly enjoy history and with a writer like Alison Weir it's a captivating learning experience. I've also read her PRINCES IN THE TOWER and have purchased SIX WIVES of HENRY VIII and ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE. There is nothing as enjoyable as diving excitedly into a read when you know you won't be disapointed. . Bravo!

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Summary: Could Not Put This Book Down
Review: I had absolutely no interest in the Tudor monarchy. The only related book I have ever read was a biography on Sir Francis Drake. I was in the bookstore, however, and was tempted to read the author's forward. Her style is so personal that I was immediately captured. It doesn't matter if you are interested in British royalty. If you are interested in politics and how they are affected by interesting personalities you will love this book.

The only complaint I had was that very little information was provided on Elizabeth I (ruling years). I understand that she had a long reign and that there are several other books that go into her story but Alison Weir could have given us a forward to her next book. Maybe she felt that would have been too commercial...

Rating:
Summary: Another Fine Piece of Tudor History from Alison Weir
Review: Alison Weir has created another fine addition to her group of histories surrounding the Tudors. The Children of Henry VIII will fit quite nicely between the Wives of Henry VIII and The Life of Elizabeth. This particular volume covers the period from the death of Henry VIII to the beginning of the rule of Elizabeth. It is a wonderful period to study and read about as it covers the reigns of Edward and Mary and the almost reign of Jane Grey (not a child of Henry, of course, but a fine addition to this history). This tumultous period is seen through the eyes of the children themselves and the religion confusion occuring at this time is truly brought to life. Ms. Weir does no disservice to this rich tapestry she is given and in her usual readable and exiciting style brings all of this royal madness directly to the reader. A wonderfully entertaining read. I was sorry when it was over.

Rating:
Summary: Better Titled as Bloody Mary
Review: Alison Weir's style is captivating. She makes these historic figures come alive to the reader. Reading this book was more like reading a dramatic novel than reading a history book. The vast majority of the book is devoted to Mary with the story of Elizabeth I, mostly left for readers of her excellent book on the same. Edward's short life is addressed in some detail, but how much could there be about one who died so young. The information on Lady Jane Grey is limited, but then again she wasn't a Child of Henry VIII!

Rating:
Summary: Another Winner
Review: This is a fantastic book. Alison Weir doesn't write a conventional history about these elusive monarchs. She instead, brings them to light by uncovering all of the hidden factors that came to play in their dealings with each other as siblings; and how these same factors affected each of their reigns. This is a book that reveals the complex workings of the government, the extreme divisions of religious sects, and the reactions and expectations of the British people during a difficult period in history. This is not a light read, and it is sometimes disturbing and gruesome; yet, at the same time, this is a compelling and fascinating book. It does focus primarily on the short-lived terms of Edward VI, Mary, and the Lady Jane Gray. The life of Elizabeth I is written about very beautifully in Weir's book by the same name.