The Six Wives of Henry VIII

facinating!

after watching The Tudors, i wanted to go more in depth and had heard good things about Alison Weir's works. I loved the book and went through it very quickly. was fascinated that even though The Tudors is largely dramatized for entertainment value, quite a few of the details in the book are shown in the series. it keeps you enthralled like a fiction book, all the while enlightening you to life during Henry VIII's reign. the backgrounds on each wife were very detailed and really painted a portrait of each that helped enlighten how they came to their (mostly) unfortunate ends.
since reading this book, i have followed up with The Children of Henry VIII and just finished The Life of Elizabeth I. Am now starting Mary, Queen of Scots, with The War of the Roses waiting in the wings! will probably check out Ms. Weir's other books as well - including Henry VIII that i got for my dad for his birthday when he's finished!
I would highly reccomend this book for anyone interested in learning more about the life and times during the reign of Henry VIII.

16 out of 16 people found this review helpful.

Must Read!

Alison Weir presents a modern perspective on an ancient topic-King Henry VIII. It is refreshing to revisit topics with the new bent-why was Henry so obsessed with wives? What are the true possible medical reasons behind his never having begotten a son with Anne Boleyn? Was Anne truly the sordid character that many have said she was? Was he truly the lecherous old man as he is often portrayed? Alison presents this bit of history in an enlightened modern day format. This read is so palatable that it was the impetus for my reading as much about English monarchies as I possibly could. Bravo, Alison. Well done. A must-read!

5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

English History Made Easy

This is not a "dummies" type book but Alison Weir has made English history not only easy but exciting, compelling and absorbing to read. Her research is impeccable; the dialogue is based on historical fact; and when not verifiable she makes it known. A wonderful companion to this is her "The Children of Henry VIII."

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Hollywood couldn't have scripted a better family drama than what ensued during and following the rule of Henry VIII

Henry VII caused many divisions in his quest to have a male heir. However, the psychological problems endured by his surviving children due to his bastardizing of his daughters would cause many more problems. His heir Edward VI didn't live long enough to have the true power of the King, his youth became a great tool for those that wanted to carry out their own agendas in the young King's name. This is aptly noted when upon the death of Henry VII, his will on how Edward's council was to be made up is not carried out due to this battle for power. Of course the Seymour brothers jealousies and ambitions play a great role in this battle. Issues even followed Mary I and Elizabeth who were forever linked to plots by those wanting to return England to the See of Rome and those viweing Elizabeth as the deliverer of the Protestant faith.

The way the author interelates the lives of each heir places the reades in the halls of English palaces, the streets of England and in the midset of each ruler as they struggle with the many issues that develop around them. It just makes you wonder what if Mary would've been better treated and prepared in her youth, would she been a much stronger ruler than she eventually became. In a way her hunt for heretics was like her father's actions on the catholics. Elizabeth seems to have been also adversely affected in her reluctance to marry and in developing a very astute mind so as not to get easily influenced into actions that would damage her standing as the ruler following Mary. Her father's execution and treatment of his wives undoubtedly had an effect on her reluctance to marry or be dependent on anyone but herself.

This book is a very engulfing quick read for anyone who has been facinated by Henry VII via Showtime's: The Tudors or just for any fan of this facinating period of history.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

A reviewer

This book is one of the best books I ever read! It is very detailed and has lots of information. I recommend this book to any Tudor lover.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

The best non fiction book I have read!

This book was really good! I was intimidated to read it because I thought it would read like a text book. However, I could not put it down. King Henry VIII lived a crazy life and Weir does an amazing job bringing it to life! I felt like I was at the Tudor court!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Great author

Loved this book, love Allison Weir. Reads like fiction- it's so interesting. One of my favorites.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Want real facts of the Tudors? Start here.

A must, if you're interested in the Tudor dynasty. Alison Weir makes non-fiction interesting, and read like fiction.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

definitive book on the subject.

Weir manages to provide the reader with incredibly detailed information about the lives of these amazing women. There are times when this can be problematic as she can focus on the minutiae of a banquet, for example, and continues at length describing banal experiences only an expert on this subject would find interesting. However, my experience with this book was more akin to reading a historical novel rather than a stodgy historical text. If you're interested in the subject I would highly recommend it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The Six Wives of Henry VIII

Alison Weir's The Six Wives of Henry VIII is a highly reable account of the life and times of the six fasinating women who were married to one of England's most famous monarch's. While the account is very detailed it is puzziling that Weir left out some facts like after Katherine of Aragon's first miscarriage her stomach did not shrink and it was believed that she was carrying twins and the diasterious first meeting between Anne of Cleves and Henry VIII where the bride-to-be failed to recoginze the king who was in disguise souring the marriage before it started. But still highly recommended.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Absolutely Captivating

I am usually an avid fiction reader and find non-fiction of this time period filled with dates and names that all sound the same. I have to admit that I could not put this book down. I was captivating and made you feel as though you were right there in the court of Henry VIII. Allison Weir writes from a non-biased point of view and presents the facts with poise and drama. It was fantastic.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wishes is was longer....

I was actually sad to end this book. This is a long book, but it is written with such fluidity and historical insight that I found myself easily reading into the whee hours of the morning. However, I do think that women might enjoy this book more a bit more. I highly recommend!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Lady Renee- wasnt what I expected.

I have to say that although I loved the fact that I felt I was reading Henry's diary, I was hoping that it would have been better than it was. I think 530 pages into the book'I just checked' I was really at the edge of my seat. Anne and 5 of her lovers are beheaded including her brother George. I mean I wasnt excited that they were beheaded...I was excited at the fact that finally! Something happened...I mean Yes More was beheaded as well, but in the book when Anne is Beheaded and her head is lifted by her long glossy hair...her eyes are still moving and and her lips are moving as if trying to say something. And before any of this the story kept dragging on and on and on. I would try to read at least a 100 pages a day. It took me about 2 weeks to finish. And I have to admit....i couldnt wait to start reading another book/novel. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I just think that if you have great patience...then this is the book for you. I was just so upset that I had to wait 530 pages for something...something to happen. And you are probably wondering why I would continue reading...right? I just felt like I owed to myself to finish the book since I already got so far into it. And honestly, my love for Henry VIII. good luck.

1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

History comes alive!!!

Weir was able to clear up misconceptions that I had, which I think are common among novice historians. This is an excellent book that is fair, not harping or condemning the wives. I think it was also fair to Henry VIII. You can love him and loathe him in the same breathe. If you want to learn about English history, this is an excellent angle to look at it from. It is well worth the time to read. I was engrossed in their lives and the history. I did very little skimming and that really says alot! Buy and keep as reference.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Very informative and easy to read, it is a page turner! One of t

Very informative and easy to read, it is a page turner! One of the best book I've read about Henry VIII and his six wives!

I absolutely love this book! It is so engrossing, it was hard to

I absolutely love this book! It is so engrossing, it was hard to put down. I have kept it in my personal collection to read again and again. It was not boring in a historical way, it was actually very interesting, with a different point of view.

I loved this book. I am a details type of person and this book

I loved this book. I am a details type of person and this book is packed with them. I appreciate the hard work it must have taken to write, but to read it was a joy. I thank Alison Weir and I'm on my way to reading about Elizabeth. I do hope there is as much detail in the next book as this one. If you like a quick, hurried pace, with not much indepth detail, you may want to read another book. If you enjoy behind the scenes facts, you'll love it.

Good reading

Tells us alot about life in that time.

excellent history

Read this after reading the Hilary Mantel novels. Although it is non-fiction, the book moves as quickly as a novel. The story of Henry the VIII and his wives is well researched and well written. A very good reference book for the subject matter.

one of my favorite books concerning Henry the VIII and the crazy

one of my favorite books concerning Henry the VIII and the crazy tales of his marriages and life!