Rating: 
Summary: Turtledove's Best
Review: I just finished reading "Ruled Brittania" by Harry Turtledove. This is his best work yet. Unlike much of his work it's not science fiction, it's just alternate history. The central character is William Shakespeare (which I thought took a lot of guts, writing a fictional story about the English language's most famous author).If you like Shakespeare, you'll love this book. If you're not into Shakespeare, you will be after reading this book. This is the 12th Turtledove book I've read, in my opinion it's the best of the dozen. A brief outline: The Spanish Armada conquered England and has ruled the island for 9 years now. We get a unique look at the writings of Master Shakespeare, as they never occured. The poet gets caught up in a conspiracy to rebel against the Spaniards. Naturally, they want him to write a creme de la creme play that will incite the populace to rise up. It moved me, caught me up in the lives of the characters, and, at times, had me roaring with laughter. Definitely recommended to one and all.
Rating: 
Summary: Outrage
Review: I used to be a fan of Turtledove's work -- that is, until I began this startlingly anti-Catholic screed. One needs only consider the historical facts that (1) England was the most Catholic of European nations before the Protestant revolt and (2) that the English people strongly resisted the imposition of the Protestant religion. The fairy tale that Turtledove concocts (based on revisionist notions that were outdated two centuries ago) amounts to a fantasy palatable only to the bas-bourgeois. A true waste of time. In the end, at least, Turtledove captures the machination-prone personality of the breathtakingly evil Burleigh (whose descendants recently acquired ownership of Biltmore House -- somehow). Yes, that same Lord Burleigh who dragged about a six-foot-long Rosary under the Mary I, then burned Catholics with gusto under Edward VI and Elizabeth. What Turtledove completely misses (and what I suppose amateur historians typically miss when they simply restate the ideas of former times) is that Burleigh was Elizabeth's puppet-master -- not her puppet.
Rating:
Summary: Ruled Britannia
Review: I was once a Turtledove fan, but not after starting this revolting anti-Catholic screed. Turtledove has lost the mark.
Rating: 
Summary: Best of the Turtledove books!
Review: I was thinking of writing this in proper Shakespereian style, but no. I don't hate you all that much.
I'll leave it at this:
It's the best Turtledove book, I bought it for a friend who hates Turtledove and loved this book, anyone who is a scholar of Shakespere should read this.
So buy it already!
Rating: 
Summary: Hard Going for Non-Elizabethan Scholars.
Review: I'm hesitant to really call this science fiction. It is set entirely in the time of Shakespeare and Elizabeth, and the "What If" premise is that the Spanish Armada successfully reached England. All the dialog is in psuedo Elizabethan English, so if you had any trouble reading Shakespeare in high school, you will be completely lost here. Turtledove cribs large pieces of period free-verse from several authors, which just adds to the opacity of the work. Scholars might find hidden references and interesting constructs, but most readers will miss any and all historical notes. The writing itself is decent, and for a relief Turtledove only alternates between two characters (Shakespeare and a spanish military officeer/playwright), unlike much of his reecent work which seem to all include huge casts. But the plot is lame, and the ending implausible.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous historical re-creation
Review: I'm sure that Harry Turtledove, an academically trained historian, is reviled in the academic community, because he is such a good writer of descriptive prose and such an excellent developer of plots and characters that his reading public will take for granted that his descriptions, characters, and plots are the "true" story of so many actual historical places, persons, and events. The reading public, which is so much larger than the group of professional historians and students of history does not know how little has come down to us from the past in terms of records of any kind and that therefore students of the past must interpret what little remains of the past to create their hypotheses. Hollywood and television have contributed more to historical perception than all of the historians who have ever lived. Having said all that as a preface I will now say that "Ruled Britannia" is a great story. It is seamless 16th century adventure, and I only hope that William Shakespere was as fabulous an adventurer and rogue as this author makes out, but I don't care. The story is great. It's NOT a way to learn history; it's the ultimate way to enjoy the history you've learned.
Rating:
Summary: The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword
Review: In a world where the Spanish Armada was not defeated, William Shakespeare and the other citizens of London live under the Spanish flag in Harry Turtledove's 'Ruled Britannia.' Shakespeare, as portrayed by Turtledove--quite accurately as many would suggest, is a well respected but struggling playwright. He writes and acts to put coins in his pocket and to create art. He quibles with the theater over any change they deem necessary to make to his plays. In the meantime, he attends Catholic Mass and attempts to live according to the conventions as prescribed by the Catholic Spanish conquerors. His greatest fear is to be labelled as a heretic and face the bonfires of the Spanish Inquisition. In order to enjoy this novel, it is important to keep in mind that this is not a statement by Turtledove on Catholicisim or Prodestants. It is merely a 'what if' story of what might have happened had Kind Phillip and the Spaniards been successful in their plans to invade England. That being said, Shakespeare is no hero. He minds his own business until he is approached by Queen Elizabeth's loyal subjects with a request that he create a play that will inflame the passions of the English, inciting them to overthrow their oppressive conquerors. If not for the gold presented him, it is entirely likely Shakespeare would have had nothing to do with the plot. In a strange twist of fate, the Spaniards also approach Shakespeare to write a play. King Phillip is nearing death, and they desire that a play be written in his honor, in the hope that it will help foster good will between the British and their Spanish Rulers. All along, Shakespeare has to avoid his plans being discovered by the adoring yet suspicious Lope de Vega. As intriguing as Shakespeare, de Vega came to London with the Armada. He is a playwright as well, and has a weakness for falling in love. His seductions eventually get him into trouble, and provide some amusement along the way. 'Ruled Britannia' is a fascinating novel. Turtledove steps away from the Civil War and the World Wars to write in a different era. He has proven himself to be a first rate alternative history author. I highly recommend this novel to any Turtledove fan, British history buff, those with a love for Shakespeare, and alternative history fans in general.
Rating:
Summary: fascinating stand-alone work of alternate history
Review: On an earth that never was but could have been, The Spanish Armada was triumphant and landed in England. Queen Elizabeth was sent to the London Tower and King Phillip II of Spain's daughter Isabella and her husband Albert rule the land, forcing the Protestants into hiding and making Catholicism the state religion. Spanish soldiers are an army of occupation and the English Inquisition is a powerful instrument of the church. William Shakespeare is not a political man. All he wants to do is have his plays produced for the masses to see. Will is approached by Sir William Cecil, Elizabeth's prime advisor to write a play that will appeal to England's sense of patriotism so that they will, when called upon, overthrow their Spanish masters. Will rises to the occasion and begins writing a drama while knowing that one mistake will mean his and the troupe's death by the flames. RULED BRITANNIA is a fascinating stand-alone work of alternate history as Harry Turtledove departs from his American opus to provide a compelling work that is believable and shows what might have been if the storm and Drake had not caused havoc on the Armada. Using William Shakespeare as the hero and the reluctant catalyst to signal the beginning of the revolution is an inspired plot device, one that guarantees reader interest for more than just Mr. Turtledove's legion of fans. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: A very good, solidly written, alternate history
Review: Readers who appreciate a very good, solidly written, alternate history will relish Turtledove's Ruled Britania, set in 1597 Britain which has been under the rule of a Spanish king. Writer Will Shakespeare has no interest in politics, but when he has an opportunity to produce a revolutionary drama which will fire the spirits of the oppressed British, he can't help changing his word with his pen!
Rating:
Summary: To be free or not to be free?
Review: RULED BRITANNIA by Harry Turtledove. Set in 1597, Spaniards have invaded England and imprisoned Queen Elizabeth in the Tower of London ten years before. Under King Phillip of Spain, Queen Isabella and King Albert rule in Elizabeth's stead and England groans beneath the terrible yoke of the English Inquisition. Set in London England, William Shakespeare is a successful playwright who writes and performs with his company of players. At long last King Phillip is dying and the time is ripe for a revolt. Aided by his contemporaries, Lord Burghley, Phillip Marlowe, Will Kemp and Richard Burbage, he daringly writes a play that will set the stage for the final English uprising that restores their beloved Elizabeth to her crown! Interesting story, and good premise for a plot. The Characters seem real and there is a bit of history behind each one that allows the premise and events to be believable. Plus it's a nice introduction to Middle English sentence forms, etc. In comparison with the whole of the tale, I thought it was a bit weak on the climax and plot conclusion, but don't let that get in the way of what is a fascinating and absorbing read.
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