Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
informative
slow-paced
first nonfic of the year!! so good and i learned so much. LONG LIVE ANNE BOLEYN
emotional
informative
sad
tense
I’ve been reading Weir for years. I’ve read almost all of her books. The two I haven’t read yet, I have, and they are in my TBR pile. I picked up The Lady in the Tower at my local BJs (which sometimes has the most wonderful books).
There is something about the Tudors, and it shouldn’t surprise that most of Weir’s non-fiction, and all of her fiction connects to this royal family. I first grew interested in the Tudors because I loved Renaissance English Literature. The Tudors are the ultimate soap opera, until Showtime made them a soap opera. No matter how good looking Rhys-Myers is, I can’t watch it. I keep clenching my teeth. The Tudors make soap opera because there are the stock characters, the stock myths. It isn’t surprising that both historians and readers keep returning to them.
This is Weir’s best book. Period.
It is one of the best books about Anne Boleyn. (Ives book is the best, but it is very dry).
Weir doesn’t focus on Anne’s whole life; instead she focuses on the events leading up and including Anne’s trial and execution. Because of this, if you are totally unfamiliar with Henry VIII and his wives, I would suggest reading any of the biographies about the monarch and his serial harem (Fraser, Starkey, and Weir have all written books).
Because the focus of the book is so narrow, the book is absolutely riveting. I have read plenty about Anne and about the Tudors. Weir presents the most riveting account of Anne’s death that I have seen anyway, all the more riveting because Weir relies on firsthand accounts. Even if you are a Katherine of Aragorn supporter, you have to admire Anne’s courage when facing beheading.
Another wonderful aspect of this book is that Weir is so even handed. In most biographies of Anne, she is either portrayed as a monster (Erickson) or as a saint (Denny). Weir portrays her as a human. The focus is more on politics, and while Henry VIII doesn’t look like a dove, the true villain, according to Weir’s thesis, is Cromwell, the motive more of politic power than anything else. And Weir makes a very convincing argument.
Weir not only closely examines Anne’s trial, but she deals with theories presented by other historians, showing the strengths and weakness of the theories. (She is very indebted to Ives. IF you haven’t read his book, read it). The only time she seems to get angry at a fellow historian is when discussing Strickland at one point, and that has to do with Strickland misrepresenting what Weir herself wrote. Weir is also very clear when stating fact, and when stating opinion.
Weir includes an appendix on the ghost legends surrounding Anne. More importantly, Weir includes an appendix where she discusses the merits and flaws of the historical sources
There is something about the Tudors, and it shouldn’t surprise that most of Weir’s non-fiction, and all of her fiction connects to this royal family. I first grew interested in the Tudors because I loved Renaissance English Literature. The Tudors are the ultimate soap opera, until Showtime made them a soap opera. No matter how good looking Rhys-Myers is, I can’t watch it. I keep clenching my teeth. The Tudors make soap opera because there are the stock characters, the stock myths. It isn’t surprising that both historians and readers keep returning to them.
This is Weir’s best book. Period.
It is one of the best books about Anne Boleyn. (Ives book is the best, but it is very dry).
Weir doesn’t focus on Anne’s whole life; instead she focuses on the events leading up and including Anne’s trial and execution. Because of this, if you are totally unfamiliar with Henry VIII and his wives, I would suggest reading any of the biographies about the monarch and his serial harem (Fraser, Starkey, and Weir have all written books).
Because the focus of the book is so narrow, the book is absolutely riveting. I have read plenty about Anne and about the Tudors. Weir presents the most riveting account of Anne’s death that I have seen anyway, all the more riveting because Weir relies on firsthand accounts. Even if you are a Katherine of Aragorn supporter, you have to admire Anne’s courage when facing beheading.
Another wonderful aspect of this book is that Weir is so even handed. In most biographies of Anne, she is either portrayed as a monster (Erickson) or as a saint (Denny). Weir portrays her as a human. The focus is more on politics, and while Henry VIII doesn’t look like a dove, the true villain, according to Weir’s thesis, is Cromwell, the motive more of politic power than anything else. And Weir makes a very convincing argument.
Weir not only closely examines Anne’s trial, but she deals with theories presented by other historians, showing the strengths and weakness of the theories. (She is very indebted to Ives. IF you haven’t read his book, read it). The only time she seems to get angry at a fellow historian is when discussing Strickland at one point, and that has to do with Strickland misrepresenting what Weir herself wrote. Weir is also very clear when stating fact, and when stating opinion.
Weir includes an appendix on the ghost legends surrounding Anne. More importantly, Weir includes an appendix where she discusses the merits and flaws of the historical sources
informative
sad
slow-paced
4.5 STAR READ. PLEASE SEE FULL REVIEW AT THE BURTON REVIEW
Although perhaps anti-climatic with the multitude of biographies and Tudor histories, this newest work by historian Alison Weir provides Anne Boleyn enthusiasts with so many detailed accounts of the last four months of Anne's life that there is little left wanting. It is extensive with the recounting of the events that led to Anne's arrest, and Weir leaves no stone unturned in her endeavor to relay details from the myriad of sources. Weir uses many sources to quote from, examines, explains, and then succinctly affirms or refutes each fact, and leaves nothing left to our imaginations. I would see this book as a spider web that examines all the related threads formed from conjecture, from various opinions to recorded fact, and Weir weaves all this detail into a reliable work that skillfully observes all facets of the fall of Anne Boleyn. Anne Boleyn herself has been a sort of enigma for some; there have been many unanswered questions due to the multiple contradicting storytellers of her day and later. Weir attempts to examine all angles and then gives her opinion and why she thinks the certain way about something.
In those tyrannical days of Henry VIII, advisers, friends and bishops would not make their opinions known on most topics until they knew "which way the wind blew"; they dared not risk Henry VIII's displeasure. The same was true during the arresting process of the accused at this trial of Anne Boleyn. The book focuses on 1536, it encompasses the major events and common views that brought Anne and Henry to their current relationship, with the politics and religious views of the time being spelled out. It details the factions of the times, and who were Pro-Boleyn before Anne's fall, and who were always anti-Boleyn and sought for the downfall of this upstart family.
Some interesting facts that Weir touched upon were that Anne felt that Henry's dissolution of the monasteries had gone too far, and that Anne and Henry differed in their opinions about how far the reformation should go. Anne was not as zealous as Henry was, and did not condone the stripping of all of the funds that the Church had once relied on. I also found interesting that there were mentions of three ladies who were the ones to initially stir up the trouble with the accusations of adultery on Anne's part. There were many more courtiers who were involved in the setting of the snare, moreso than I had once believed. I was also intrigued as to the Catholic traditions that Anne observed before her death.
Although perhaps anti-climatic with the multitude of biographies and Tudor histories, this newest work by historian Alison Weir provides Anne Boleyn enthusiasts with so many detailed accounts of the last four months of Anne's life that there is little left wanting. It is extensive with the recounting of the events that led to Anne's arrest, and Weir leaves no stone unturned in her endeavor to relay details from the myriad of sources. Weir uses many sources to quote from, examines, explains, and then succinctly affirms or refutes each fact, and leaves nothing left to our imaginations. I would see this book as a spider web that examines all the related threads formed from conjecture, from various opinions to recorded fact, and Weir weaves all this detail into a reliable work that skillfully observes all facets of the fall of Anne Boleyn. Anne Boleyn herself has been a sort of enigma for some; there have been many unanswered questions due to the multiple contradicting storytellers of her day and later. Weir attempts to examine all angles and then gives her opinion and why she thinks the certain way about something.
In those tyrannical days of Henry VIII, advisers, friends and bishops would not make their opinions known on most topics until they knew "which way the wind blew"; they dared not risk Henry VIII's displeasure. The same was true during the arresting process of the accused at this trial of Anne Boleyn. The book focuses on 1536, it encompasses the major events and common views that brought Anne and Henry to their current relationship, with the politics and religious views of the time being spelled out. It details the factions of the times, and who were Pro-Boleyn before Anne's fall, and who were always anti-Boleyn and sought for the downfall of this upstart family.
Some interesting facts that Weir touched upon were that Anne felt that Henry's dissolution of the monasteries had gone too far, and that Anne and Henry differed in their opinions about how far the reformation should go. Anne was not as zealous as Henry was, and did not condone the stripping of all of the funds that the Church had once relied on. I also found interesting that there were mentions of three ladies who were the ones to initially stir up the trouble with the accusations of adultery on Anne's part. There were many more courtiers who were involved in the setting of the snare, moreso than I had once believed. I was also intrigued as to the Catholic traditions that Anne observed before her death.
Full-on incredibly-researched book that traces the tragic and cut-throat days leading up to and after the execution of Anne Boleyn. Fascinating look at Tudor society and of how Anne's place in history has changed throughout the past 400 years.
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Thought it was a good book but felt it was more of a historical read than story to be told. Just not my usual style of writing I like. Felt there was too many instances where a fact would be told and then debunked or another true fact told.
British author and historian Alison Weir has written many books, both fiction and non-fiction, about the Tudor period. Her 2009 non-fiction book, The Lady in the Tower: The Fall of Anne Boleyn examines the rapid descent of Anne Boleyn in 1536 from Queen of England to convicted traitor.
In May of 1536, Anne was accused of adultery, incest, and plotting to kill Henry. She was found guilty of these charges and was beheaded on May 19, 1536. Five men accused of committing adultery with Anne, including her brother, Lord Rochford, were beheaded two days earlier. Was Anne Boleyn really guilty of these charges? Or was she framed as the victim of a palace coup?
The simple answer is that we will probably never know for certain, owing to many gaps in the historical record. It all depends on how you interpret the sketchy existing evidence. Weir advocates for Anne’s innocence, blaming the plotting for her downfall on Thomas Cromwell, Henry’s main advisor. I thought Weir makes a compelling argument. She makes the point that it seems rather unlikely that Anne would commit adultery with multiple men, which would have obviously jeopardized her future as Queen. She had a good thing going, why would she be so irrational and mess it all up? Of course, people do not always act rationally. Weir also pokes holes in the surviving documents that accused Anne, showing that the times and places she’s accused of committing adultery don’t correspond with the known historical record of where the royal court actually was.
Weir does a good job of describing the complicated politics of Henry VIII’s reign. I don’t know much about the Tudor period, and I’ll admit it was a challenge to keep track of all the different people. It was also hard to get a sense of the personalities of the main players, as we really don’t have very much direct evidence about what they were thinking or feeling. Perhaps that’s why they are so many fictional depictions of the Tudor period-in fiction you can delve into the possible motivations and psychology behind the actions of the main players. Weir does a good job of sticking to the known facts and tries to debunk historical theories about Anne that don’t have much evidence to back them up.
If you’re interested in this period of English history, you should pick up The Lady in the Tower, a book that details a fascinating and turbulent time.
In May of 1536, Anne was accused of adultery, incest, and plotting to kill Henry. She was found guilty of these charges and was beheaded on May 19, 1536. Five men accused of committing adultery with Anne, including her brother, Lord Rochford, were beheaded two days earlier. Was Anne Boleyn really guilty of these charges? Or was she framed as the victim of a palace coup?
The simple answer is that we will probably never know for certain, owing to many gaps in the historical record. It all depends on how you interpret the sketchy existing evidence. Weir advocates for Anne’s innocence, blaming the plotting for her downfall on Thomas Cromwell, Henry’s main advisor. I thought Weir makes a compelling argument. She makes the point that it seems rather unlikely that Anne would commit adultery with multiple men, which would have obviously jeopardized her future as Queen. She had a good thing going, why would she be so irrational and mess it all up? Of course, people do not always act rationally. Weir also pokes holes in the surviving documents that accused Anne, showing that the times and places she’s accused of committing adultery don’t correspond with the known historical record of where the royal court actually was.
Weir does a good job of describing the complicated politics of Henry VIII’s reign. I don’t know much about the Tudor period, and I’ll admit it was a challenge to keep track of all the different people. It was also hard to get a sense of the personalities of the main players, as we really don’t have very much direct evidence about what they were thinking or feeling. Perhaps that’s why they are so many fictional depictions of the Tudor period-in fiction you can delve into the possible motivations and psychology behind the actions of the main players. Weir does a good job of sticking to the known facts and tries to debunk historical theories about Anne that don’t have much evidence to back them up.
If you’re interested in this period of English history, you should pick up The Lady in the Tower, a book that details a fascinating and turbulent time.
A fascinating argument on the accusations of Anne Boleyn and the last few months of her life.
This was a very in-depth study of the accusations against Anne Boleyn and the people included in it. I really enjoyed it and while there were still quite a few things, especially at the beginning, that I felt were just being repeated of things I already knew, I felt like I learned a lot too.
This was a very in-depth study of the accusations against Anne Boleyn and the people included in it. I really enjoyed it and while there were still quite a few things, especially at the beginning, that I felt were just being repeated of things I already knew, I felt like I learned a lot too.
Alison Weir is definitely biased against Anne and sympathetic to Henry VIII, but it's still a good read.