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labunnywtf's review against another edition
4.0
It is not possible to judge the behavior of one century by the values of another.
Yes, another Tudors book. I took a small break, don't judge me.
I have to say, it was very interesting to read a book about the first reigning Queen of England in today's political climate. VERY interesting.
This one started out really dry, and at first I didn't think I could keep on with it. I really do hate dry historical novels. But slowly, things picked up, and I fell back into the Tudor rhythm I love so much.
Most books about the Tudors period focus heavily on the wives of Henry. Which means that's the part of the story I'm most well versed on (if you can call it that, with my lack of retention power). This book certainly covered that aspect, but I found that most of the emphasis was on the religious reforms of Henry, Mary, and Elizabeth's reigns.
I'm fascinated by religion, both traditions and oppression, of and by. So this was a really interesting "twist" on the history I've already learned so much about. And it's given me a ridiculous amount of subject matter that I want to read more about.
Example: the love, honor and obey schpiel in the wedding vows came about in a book written during this time period, a Protestant book. Love it.
Damn you, Tudors history. I can't and won't quit you.
Yes, another Tudors book. I took a small break, don't judge me.
I have to say, it was very interesting to read a book about the first reigning Queen of England in today's political climate. VERY interesting.
This one started out really dry, and at first I didn't think I could keep on with it. I really do hate dry historical novels. But slowly, things picked up, and I fell back into the Tudor rhythm I love so much.
Most books about the Tudors period focus heavily on the wives of Henry. Which means that's the part of the story I'm most well versed on (if you can call it that, with my lack of retention power). This book certainly covered that aspect, but I found that most of the emphasis was on the religious reforms of Henry, Mary, and Elizabeth's reigns.
I'm fascinated by religion, both traditions and oppression, of and by. So this was a really interesting "twist" on the history I've already learned so much about. And it's given me a ridiculous amount of subject matter that I want to read more about.
Example: the love, honor and obey schpiel in the wedding vows came about in a book written during this time period, a Protestant book. Love it.
Damn you, Tudors history. I can't and won't quit you.
hmalagisi's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
The royal dynasties of English history are some of the most popular in European history. We have the Normans, the Angevins, the Plantagenets, who occupied the throne for 300 years, the Scottish Stuarts who saw religious change and political upheaval, the haughty Hanovers, and the current Windsor dynasty. However, one dynasty that has captured the imagination of history nerds for centuries has been the tumultuous Tudors. In book two of Peter Ackroyd’s “The History of England: Tudors,” he explores the stories that made the Tudor dynasty so infamous.
I saw this book at a used bookstore and picked it up. I just read the previous book in this series, “Foundation” and wanted to see how Ackroyd would tackle the tricky Tudors.
Ackroyd, unfortunately, does not start with the patriarch of the Tudor dynasty, Henry VII, instead, he starts with his infamous second son, Henry VIII, and his coronation. Ackroyd did include a bit of information about Henry VII’s reign in his previous volume, but I think it would have made much more sense to have included his story in this book to show the dynasty from beginning to end. When it comes to the reign of Henry VIII, his martial affairs take a backseat to the more religious and political aspects of his reign. The theme of religious changes goes throughout this book as Ackroyd explores the reigns of Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I, the children of Henry VIII.
While I did find some of the facts in this book informative, I did have issues with this book. When it comes to the characterization of the women in this book, especially Mary I, it felt like a repetition of some of the old tropes (like Bloody Mary). There were also stories and dialogue that Ackroyd had included that felt similar to historical fiction rather than historical facts, which was a bit distracting, especially for a chronicle.
Overall, I felt like this book was just okay, but quite a bit of the information presented in this book could be disproven with the latest research about the Tudors (of course this book is over 10 years old). I think this is a fine introductory book to the Tudor dynasty and the religious changes that happened during the 16th century in England. If this sounds intriguing to you or if you have read “Foundation,” “The History of England Vol. II: Tudors” by Peter Ackroyd might be something you would be interested in reading.
I saw this book at a used bookstore and picked it up. I just read the previous book in this series, “Foundation” and wanted to see how Ackroyd would tackle the tricky Tudors.
Ackroyd, unfortunately, does not start with the patriarch of the Tudor dynasty, Henry VII, instead, he starts with his infamous second son, Henry VIII, and his coronation. Ackroyd did include a bit of information about Henry VII’s reign in his previous volume, but I think it would have made much more sense to have included his story in this book to show the dynasty from beginning to end. When it comes to the reign of Henry VIII, his martial affairs take a backseat to the more religious and political aspects of his reign. The theme of religious changes goes throughout this book as Ackroyd explores the reigns of Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I, the children of Henry VIII.
While I did find some of the facts in this book informative, I did have issues with this book. When it comes to the characterization of the women in this book, especially Mary I, it felt like a repetition of some of the old tropes (like Bloody Mary). There were also stories and dialogue that Ackroyd had included that felt similar to historical fiction rather than historical facts, which was a bit distracting, especially for a chronicle.
Overall, I felt like this book was just okay, but quite a bit of the information presented in this book could be disproven with the latest research about the Tudors (of course this book is over 10 years old). I think this is a fine introductory book to the Tudor dynasty and the religious changes that happened during the 16th century in England. If this sounds intriguing to you or if you have read “Foundation,” “The History of England Vol. II: Tudors” by Peter Ackroyd might be something you would be interested in reading.
adamrshields's review against another edition
4.0
Short review: The history of the Tudors is in large part a story of the English Reformation and I am glad that Ackroyd gave lots of time to the English Reformation. My European history is weak, so I don't have too much to compare this to for historical accuracy. I did read the Very Short Introduction to the Tudors about a year ago and obviously this is a much fuller picture than that. Ackroyd is a good writer and I look forward to reading the last of his trilogy of English history.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/tudors-ackroyd/
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/tudors-ackroyd/
thevalkyriereader's review against another edition
4.0
Although I liked the content, the subject matter of the story I thought the style of telling the story a little dry. Overall an informational read but really have to focus to make it through.
afictionreality's review against another edition
4.0
I am not one for non-fiction books and was a little hesitant to read this but I love the Tudors and needed a new book to read so I have it a shot and was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed reading it! I thought it would take me awhile to read it but I was captivated throughout the whole book and just wanted to keep reading it
rhysciar's review against another edition
3.0
Well, more like a 3.5, but... oh well.
So this one was boring, which is dissappointing, because I though I'd love the Tudors. Turns out, I don't, in fact they are a boring bunch. We all know of the marriages of Henry VIII, and how his daughter, Mary is known as Bloody Mary, plus there is Elizabeth I, who was a great queen. Now I know that all of the Tudor-era is mainly focused on reformation, and not those scandals the movies and series would like us to think. And because of this, because of the religious matter I found this book so boring. I absolutely loath this religion, everything it stands for, and I do not believe in it. So for me, to read a 500 pages long book about its reformation was pure hell.
Of course there were many interesting elements to this book, and I learned a lot from it, for which I'm grateful. But compared to the first book in this series, the Tudors didn't do well. Not only because of the religious part, but because there are a lot lesser facts about the average english life. There are no chapters dedicated for that, only a few hints and sentences incorporated with all the religious stuff.
So all in all I found this book boring, and though I made a lot of notes from it to use in the future, I did not find what I was looking after. It was great to see a different side of the Tudors (especially Elizabeth), but sadly in the end, it did not save this book.
So this one was boring, which is dissappointing, because I though I'd love the Tudors. Turns out, I don't, in fact they are a boring bunch. We all know of the marriages of Henry VIII, and how his daughter, Mary is known as Bloody Mary, plus there is Elizabeth I, who was a great queen. Now I know that all of the Tudor-era is mainly focused on reformation, and not those scandals the movies and series would like us to think. And because of this, because of the religious matter I found this book so boring. I absolutely loath this religion, everything it stands for, and I do not believe in it. So for me, to read a 500 pages long book about its reformation was pure hell.
Of course there were many interesting elements to this book, and I learned a lot from it, for which I'm grateful. But compared to the first book in this series, the Tudors didn't do well. Not only because of the religious part, but because there are a lot lesser facts about the average english life. There are no chapters dedicated for that, only a few hints and sentences incorporated with all the religious stuff.
So all in all I found this book boring, and though I made a lot of notes from it to use in the future, I did not find what I was looking after. It was great to see a different side of the Tudors (especially Elizabeth), but sadly in the end, it did not save this book.
brannigan's review against another edition
4.0
The second in Peter Ackroyd's series on the history of England: satisfying, but lacks some of the crackle and spark of the first volume, "Foundations".
Ackroyd's strength lies in making complex events breezy and accessible - offering the key facts with just enough analysis and overarching thematics without getting bogged down in dry historiography. However, I thought his book on the Tudor period lacked some of the journalistic flair of the first instalment. There were far fewer tasty little diversions that described life as experienced by the common man in the period, which was a shame as I thought these little tack-ons would come to characterise the series.
Still, it was a joy to read and filled in some gaps in my knowledge about the English Reformation. Worth a go.
Ackroyd's strength lies in making complex events breezy and accessible - offering the key facts with just enough analysis and overarching thematics without getting bogged down in dry historiography. However, I thought his book on the Tudor period lacked some of the journalistic flair of the first instalment. There were far fewer tasty little diversions that described life as experienced by the common man in the period, which was a shame as I thought these little tack-ons would come to characterise the series.
Still, it was a joy to read and filled in some gaps in my knowledge about the English Reformation. Worth a go.