The Six Wives of Henry VIII
by Alison Weir
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Book Reviews of The Six Wives of Henry VIII
Book Review: couldn't put it down
Summary: 5 Stars
For a nonfiction historical account, this book is amazingly captivating. I bought it to take on vacation and found myself picking it up every time I had 5 minutes to read. I've read about this period from a variety of nonfiction and fictional accounts, and found it interesting where they don't line up. Weir does an excellent job of pointing out these discrepancies, giving different viewpoints, supporting documentation, and rationale for her choice. I felt her treatment of Katherine Howard was a bit judgemental, but on the whole, her characterizations derived from the facts served to make the book emotionally involving and significantly added to its readability. This is the best account I've read of the period, both from a factual and readability perspective, and one of Weir's best as well. You won't be disappointed.Book Review: This book is the best!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have always loved history, especially stories of the Kings & Queens of England. This is by far the best book I have found. Alison Weir tell the tale of the infamous Henry VIII, his 6 wives, and all the rest of his courtiers in a scholarly but easily understandable fashion. The complex personality of the King is unfolded as the tale of his 6 Queens is told: Katherine of Aragon the proud, stubborn Spanish princess, Anne Bolyen the ambitious girl the people called the "Great Whore," the deceptively strong willed Jane Seymore who gave Henry the son he so despratly longed for, Princess Anne of Cleves who's looks did not please the King, the young & foolish Katherine Howard, and finally the schorally Stepmother & nurse Catherine Parr. Anyone intrested in this period MUST read this bookBook Review: The Beginning of a Wonderful Tudor Cycle
Summary: 5 Stars
Alison Weir has a fine start to a marvelous cycle of history books of the Tudor reign of Henry VIII and his wives and children. The actual beginning of this cycle would be Ms. Weir's book on the Wars of the Roses but this is the true start of the series that looks at the personal lives of the reigning Tudors. This book, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, is a fat and delicious book that brings these very different women to life for the reader. It is the way the author has of drawing the personality out of the sources that is the most rewarding aspect of this book. History lives and is exciting because the reader feels the life within the history. Alison Weir is a marvelous writer and makes the past both exciting and accesible. A fine book of history and a wonderful place to spend a few entertaining hours.Book Review: Absorbing and Educational
Summary: 5 Stars
I had very skimpy knowledge of Henry VIII and his wives. I knew a little about Sir Thomas More and the battle of conscience concerning Katherine. I also knew that Anne Boleyn was evil. Ms Weir opened my eyes. I learned about life in the time of Henry VIII and the court existence. All 6 queens came alive as real people. As in life they were complex individuals. Also I was amazed about the goings on at Court. It was an amazing time.
I also came away with great sympathy for Henry. Marriage and producing heirs was crucial business. Heny, who reminds me of Theodore Roosevelt, is presented as a man bursting with energy and ideas. He was a force, capable of good and great evil.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I plan to read more about this era.
Book Review: Time Warp!
Summary: 3 Stars
On the one hand I have to agree with those readers who likened this book to a historical text book. On the other hand I also agree with the opinions of those readers who enjoyed the obviously extensive research and detail. My biggest complaint overall is the author's constant jumping back and forth in the timeline. One minute she's writing about Anne Boleyn and something happening in 1535, the next she's going back to something that happened previously in 1532, then jumps around again and then goes on to a pre-description of Jane Seymour's family while still in the Anne Boleyn section with Anne still well alive!! I find the jumping around to be confusing and distracting. By way of a brief digression, I grew up near Hever Castle and it has always been one of my favourite haunts.