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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
Very thorough and unbiased version of Anne's final days. Good read for Tudor lovers.
informative
*This review is based on a copy of the book I won through Goodreads FirstReads Giveaways.*
Actual rating 4.5 stars.
The first--and so far only--book I've won through a Goodreads give away!
I have a great interest in the Tudor dynasty, especially the era of Henry VIII's reign, so I was really excited to get my hands on this book.
I was not disappointed either. This is the first book by Ms. Weir I've read, but was so impressed that before even finishing this one I went out and bought one of her other books, [b:The Six Wives of Henry VIII|10104|The Six Wives of Henry VIII|Alison Weir|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166115512s/10104.jpg|430173].
This is not so much a biography of Anne's life, but more of the events before, during and after her arrest, trial and execution.
Anne Boleyn is an intriguing person. So often times she's cast as either the completely innocent saint, or the most egregious sinner known to man. In my opinion, she was neither, but more likely fell somewhere in between. I do not, for one moment, believe her--nor those she was accused with--to be guilty of the offenses for which they were executed, but yet I don't quite believe her to be the innocent pawn of her family either.
What Ms. Weir's book does quite successfully is lay out the facts--those precious few that remain--of the case against Anne, explore all of the possible scenarios and allows the reader to come to their own conclusions. She doesn't try to force her own opinions on the reader, and tries to be as unbiased as possible. I also like the way she portrayed all of those involved as neither absolute heroes or villains, but as complex, real people.
The book is extensively researched, extensively footnoted, and it certainly shows. There is a wealth of information to digest in this book, but one never feels overwhelmed by it, as Ms. Weir expertly guides the reader through the text, laying things out in an easy to read, almost novel-like manner.
The depictions of the executions themselves can best be described as horrifying, those scenes stayed with me long after I closed the book for the night.
The copy of the book I received was an Advance Uncorrected Proof, and I must say that I'm seriously considering looking into buying a copy of the finished novel. I'd love to have the complete version with the 16 pages color insert that was mentioned in my copy, but had not yet been added to the book.
Actual rating 4.5 stars.
The first--and so far only--book I've won through a Goodreads give away!
I have a great interest in the Tudor dynasty, especially the era of Henry VIII's reign, so I was really excited to get my hands on this book.
I was not disappointed either. This is the first book by Ms. Weir I've read, but was so impressed that before even finishing this one I went out and bought one of her other books, [b:The Six Wives of Henry VIII|10104|The Six Wives of Henry VIII|Alison Weir|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166115512s/10104.jpg|430173].
This is not so much a biography of Anne's life, but more of the events before, during and after her arrest, trial and execution.
Anne Boleyn is an intriguing person. So often times she's cast as either the completely innocent saint, or the most egregious sinner known to man. In my opinion, she was neither, but more likely fell somewhere in between. I do not, for one moment, believe her--nor those she was accused with--to be guilty of the offenses for which they were executed, but yet I don't quite believe her to be the innocent pawn of her family either.
What Ms. Weir's book does quite successfully is lay out the facts--those precious few that remain--of the case against Anne, explore all of the possible scenarios and allows the reader to come to their own conclusions. She doesn't try to force her own opinions on the reader, and tries to be as unbiased as possible. I also like the way she portrayed all of those involved as neither absolute heroes or villains, but as complex, real people.
The book is extensively researched, extensively footnoted, and it certainly shows. There is a wealth of information to digest in this book, but one never feels overwhelmed by it, as Ms. Weir expertly guides the reader through the text, laying things out in an easy to read, almost novel-like manner.
The depictions of the executions themselves can best be described as horrifying, those scenes stayed with me long after I closed the book for the night.
The copy of the book I received was an Advance Uncorrected Proof, and I must say that I'm seriously considering looking into buying a copy of the finished novel. I'd love to have the complete version with the 16 pages color insert that was mentioned in my copy, but had not yet been added to the book.
informative
slow-paced
It was really interesting. The book focuses solely on Anne Boleyn’s last few months, and goes into depth the reasons for her downfall, as well as events leading up to her arrest, and the aftermath of her death.
It was extremely readable, and had a lot of detail. Weir also takes a look at people who supported Anne as well as those who hated her, as well as the other men who were also put on trial for having affairs with Anne. It’s definitely not as one-sided as I thought it would be. It moved pretty fast, which is due to the fact that it is solely devoted to her last months.
I also liked how she talked about how historians interpreted the different events in the book, and how they changed over time. Also interesting was the chapter about different legends and ghost stories surrounding Anne Boleyn. It was unexpected, but shows how important a figure she really is.
It’s really aimed for those who are at least somewhat familiar with the time period because there’s not a lot of background information on Anne Boleyn’s childhood, or her life leading up to her final few months.
Rating: 4 out of 5. There are a lot of good things about the book, and it’s certainly more readable than some of her other books, but it’s certainly not aimed at the average person who might not have a background on the subject.
It was extremely readable, and had a lot of detail. Weir also takes a look at people who supported Anne as well as those who hated her, as well as the other men who were also put on trial for having affairs with Anne. It’s definitely not as one-sided as I thought it would be. It moved pretty fast, which is due to the fact that it is solely devoted to her last months.
I also liked how she talked about how historians interpreted the different events in the book, and how they changed over time. Also interesting was the chapter about different legends and ghost stories surrounding Anne Boleyn. It was unexpected, but shows how important a figure she really is.
It’s really aimed for those who are at least somewhat familiar with the time period because there’s not a lot of background information on Anne Boleyn’s childhood, or her life leading up to her final few months.
Rating: 4 out of 5. There are a lot of good things about the book, and it’s certainly more readable than some of her other books, but it’s certainly not aimed at the average person who might not have a background on the subject.
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.