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Average customer rating:

Great even if history's not your thing
Excellent reading
Recommended book for history lovers and soap opera fans
Great Read
Must read one of Weir's best

The Six Wives of Henry VIII
Alison Weir
Manufacturer: Grove Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0802136834

Book Description

The tempestuous, bloody, and splendid reign of Henry VIII of England (1509-1547) is one of the most fascinating in all history, not least for his marriage to six extraordinary women. In this accessible work of brilliant scholarship, Alison Weir draws on early biographies, letters, memoirs, account books, and diplomatic reports to bring these women to life. Catherine of Aragon emerges as a staunch though misguided woman of principle; Anne Boleyn, an ambitious adventuress with a penchant for vengeance; Jane Seymour, a strong-minded matriarch in the making; Anne of Cleves, a good-natured and innocent woman naively unaware of the court intrigues that determined her fate; Catherine Howard, an empty-headed wanton; and Catherine Parr, a warm-blooded bluestocking who survived King Henry to marry a fourth time.

Customer Reviews:

Great even if history's not your thing.......2007-06-10

I love this book and I hated history all through school--even in college. It reads almost like a novel. I can't put it down! It's giving me a new perspective on history and it makes me want to learn even more about other times as well. Now I want to plan a trip to England. I'd recommend this book to any history teacher or a parent who needs to instill an appreciation for history in their students.

Excellent reading.......2007-05-23

Although contains lots of history, still very readable and interesting. I got it because I got hooked on The Tudors on Showtime. The book is better!

Recommended book for history lovers and soap opera fans.......2007-05-23

This book is an interesting history and chronology of the court of Henry VIII, his love life and court intrigue. No wonder Showtime is doing a show about the Tudors; no fiction writer could make this up. This book helps understand the dilemmas Henry VIII was under, dispel myths about him (and royalty) and creates some new ones.

Ms. Weir does a fantastic job of bringing historical figures to life, telling us about the women behind the names with intelligence and zest. The author is careful to distinguish between fact and fiction, and even more careful to inform the reader about "educated guesses".

Great Read.......2007-05-17

After reading all the Philippa Gregory books about Tudor England I became really interested in that period in English history. I wanted to read some non-fiction so I ordered this after reading all the reviews. I was afraid it would be a little dry. Happily it wasn't!! I found it to be a relatively fast read and very interesting! My only criticism would be that Anne Boleyn's section of the book was a little long and drawn out.

Must read one of Weir's best.......2007-04-11

Very informative, sometimes a bit wordy but its vey hard to give the details of certain events without explaining what occurances led up to the fact so well worth the read.

Average customer rating:

Brings History Back To Life
really interesting
A man of whims, to be sure
Somewhat slow but still worth reading....
thorough and thoroughly engaging

The Wives of Henry VIII
Antonia Fraser
Manufacturer: Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0394585380
Release Date: 1992-10-27

Amazon.com

When we think of the wives of Henry VIII, we tend to think of women who literally lost their heads. But Antonia Fraser opens the door to the political and cultural demands that shaped the destinies of the king and his royal wives. Romance, unfortunately, rarely had anything to do with it. And if you think the modern American media is too tough on political leadership, you oughta READ about the royal court in King Henry's day! That's one family you'd never want to marry into.

Book Description

The six-week New York Times bestselling history of the legendary six wives of Henry VIII--from an acclaimed biographer. "Admirably succeed(s) in bringing to life the six women who married England's ruler. . . ."--New York Times Book Review. 16 color plates. 32 pages of illustrations.

Customer Reviews:

Brings History Back To Life.......2007-03-09

For those who say history is boring. Better than reading a novel, with real characters sometimes going beyond the imaginary. An amazing study of the six wives, and the power crazed king they called husband. Used every means imaginable to justify ridding himself of one wife, to marry another. Even to the point of falsely accusing one of commiting incest with her own brother (Anne Boleyn), and having her beheaded. A powerful study of the British monarchy, and one of its most shameful periods.

really interesting.......2007-01-15

The book is well written and it brings you back inside the story.

A man of whims, to be sure.......2006-03-06

A good book to read to get an overview about what went on with Henry and all those wives. Those who enjoy history and detail will enjoy the perspective Fraser always provides. This one is not to be missed if you enjoy British history.

Somewhat slow but still worth reading...........2005-09-02

Antonia Fraser has certainly written more enjoyable works but nonetheless, The Wives of Henry VIII is worth taking the time to finish, especially if you're not very familiar with the subject matter beforehand. She does a fantastic job of laying down facts as with all her historical works but she also injects her own rather 'forgiving' viewpoint regarding the intentions and motivations of the people about whom she writes. Fraser has a wonderful way of exposing the core humanity of characters that most of us have been inclined to view as ruthless, inhuman monsters. I would suggest, however, that one read other not quite so tame opinions because the 'truth' usually lies somewhere in the middle of the extremes.

thorough and thoroughly engaging.......2005-05-08

Antonia Frazer makes history alive and completely interesting. This book separates fact from fiction regarding the Wives of King Henry VIII. There are many pieces of information regarding Henry and his wives that historians disagree upon. Frazer discusses WHY she came to the conclusions she did and discusses the alternative viewpoints of other historians. This detail in particular really impressed me. (Of course, it was a little disappointing, however, to discover that Katherine Howard didn't actually cry out her love for Thomas Culpepper from the scaffold, though!)

This book provides more than a brief overview to all six of these fascinating women. It really discusses their lives--as related to Henry and to the times-- in much detail, covering many important points while clarifying misconceptions and legend from fact.

The Rose Without a Thorn: The Wives of Henry VIII

Average customer rating:

A great book, but don't come to this one if this is your first Plaidy
Katherine Howard's story from her point of view
Loved it
Great read
An unwitting, loving, if foolish pawn

The Rose Without a Thorn: The Wives of Henry VIII
Jean Plaidy
Manufacturer: Three Rivers Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

The Lady in the Tower: The Wives of Henry VIII
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ASIN: 0609810170
Release Date: 2003-06-24

Book Description

From the pen of legendary historical novelist Jean Plaidy comes an unforgettable true story of
royalty, passion, and innocence lost.

Born into an impoverished branch of the noble Howard family, young Katherine is plucked from her home to live with her grandmother, the Duchess of Norfolk. The innocent girl quickly learns that her grandmother’s puritanism is not shared by Katherine’s free-spirited cousins, with whom she lives. Beautiful and impressionable, Katherine becomes involved in two ill-fated love affairs before her sixteenth birthday. Like her cousin Anne Boleyn, she leaves her grandmother’s home to become a lady-in-waiting at the court of Henry VIII. The royal palaces are exciting to a young girl from the country, and Katherine ?nds that her duties there allow her to be near her handsome cousin, Thomas Culpepper, whom she has loved since childhood.

But when Katherine catches the eye of the aging and unhappily married king, she is forced to abandon her plans for a life with Thomas and marry King Henry. Overwhelmed by the change in her fortunes, bewildered and flattered by the adoration of her husband, Katherine is dazzled by the royal life. But her bliss is short-lived as rumors of her wayward past come back to haunt her, and Katherine’s destiny takes another, deadly, turn.

Customer Reviews:

A great book, but don't come to this one if this is your first Plaidy.......2006-06-13

I really enjoyed this work. It was fun to read about one of Henry VIII's less known wives. However, as this was my first Plaidy work, I was taken aback at how vain and shallow Katherine was portrayed.

Throughout the book, I wondered if my dissatisfaction with the main character of Katherine was because of the writing or because of the character herself. When I reached the end and reviewed the Book Group notes, I was relieved to see that this was definitely the author's intention, as Katherine was referred to as a "bimbo." This was further validated by a little Internet research too. Plaidy deftly captures the period, with its scars and intrigues.

Not one to start a Plaidy collection with, but a very good read.

Katherine Howard's story from her point of view.......2006-06-12

Katherine Howard, the young and pretty fifth wife of Henry VIII (and cousin to Anne Boleyn) is the subject of one of Plaidy's last novels, written in the style of The Lady in the Tower.

Katherine, through the aid of a scribe (she was not greatly educated), tells her life story. Born into an impoverished branch of the great Howard family, she is sent to live with her grandmother, the Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, and it is not long before her good looks and bad company begin to get her into trouble. When she is given a place as a lady to Anne of Cleves, her family attempts to use Henry VIII's infatuation with her to serve their own interests.

The Rose Without a Thorn is a very moving and intelligent historical read. Readers see how the young, foolish Katherine goes from the Queen of England to a prisoner when her past comes back to haunt her and she is also charged with adultery. Most likely to add more validity to the love story with Culpepper, there is a small historical inaccuracy at the end...Katherine did not actually say that she would rather die the wife of Thomas Culpepper than as a queen.

However, a wonderful page turner. I was actually moved to tears at the end.

Loved it.......2006-01-13

I loved this book and immediately wanted to read more of the authors work. Wonderfully told story that makes you feel like you're there...

Great read.......2005-12-19

This is the first Plaidy book I have read. It is a great read. Very well written and intriguing.

An unwitting, loving, if foolish pawn.......2005-09-20

Katherine was a young girl, very lovely in the manner of Ann Boleyn (she is also her cousin) whose strength was also her downfall. She appealed to Henry VIII - who just has divorced Ann of Cleves - because she was everything that Ann was not. Fair, pleasing and not very clever. She is used as a pawn by her uncle - Duke of Suffolk to get back the power from the Seymours who have the King's favour. She goes along with it - with some misgivings because of her past which is chequered to say the least. I felt that she probably made Henry most happy of all his wives. When the dark clouds of Katherins's unsavoury past start clouding over, there is a place where you think that both Henry and Katherine are pawns of the men around them- for if they had met, he surely would have forgiven and taken her back. It leaves you wondering, about Henry VIII, about the follies of youth which some commit and grow beyond... A very absorbing tale, if a little sad ...

Average customer rating:

The Sixth Wife: The Wives of Henry VIII
Delightful account of Henry VIII's last queen
Arrived in excellent condition.
TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT...

The Sixth Wife: The Wives of Henry VIII
Jean Plaidy
Manufacturer: Three Rivers Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

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ASIN: 060981026X
Release Date: 2005-02-22

Book Description

Dangerous court intrigue and affairs of the heart collide as renowned novelist Jean Plaidy tells the story of Katherine Parr, the last of Henry VIII’s six queens.

Henry VIII’s fifth wife, Katherine Howard, was both foolish and unfaithful, and she paid for it with her life. Henry vowed that his sixth wife would be different, and she was. Katherine Parr was twice widowed and thirty-one years old. A thoughtful, well-read lady, she was known at court for her unblemished reputation and her kind heart. She had hoped to marry for love and had set her heart on Thomas Seymour, the dashing brother of Henry’s third queen. But the aging king—more in need of a nurse than a wife—was drawn to her, and Katherine could not refuse his proposal of marriage.

Queen Katherine was able to soothe the King’s notorious temper, and his three children grew fond of her, the only mother they had ever really known. Trapped in a loveless marriage to a volatile tyrant, books were Katherine’s consolation. But among her intellectual pursuits was an interest in Lutheranism—a religion that the king saw as a threat to his supremacy as head of the new Church of England. Courtiers envious of the Queen’s influence over Henry sought to destroy her by linking her with the “radical” religious reformers. Henry raged that Katherine had betrayed him, and had a warrant drawn up for her arrest and imprisonment. At court it was whispered that the king would soon execute yet another wife. Henry’s sixth wife would have to rely on her wits to survive where two other women had perished. . . .

Customer Reviews:

The Sixth Wife: The Wives of Henry VIII.......2007-05-13

Good book, very interesting. Highly recommend.

Delightful account of Henry VIII's last queen.......2006-06-28

Jean Plaidy's The Sixth Wife tells the story of Katharine Parr, Henry VIII's sixth and final queen. Katharine is a wealthy and independent widow when she arrives in the court of Henry. After her years spent caring for her invalid husband, Katharine is on her own and ready to marry again--this time for love. She sees the handsome Thomas Seymour as her perfect solution, however, she did not count on catching the much aged King of England's eye.

Thus, The Sixth Wife tells the story of the reluctant new queen Katharine. Readers see a much older Henry and a court and country waiting impatiently for change. The book also provides wonderful information on the newly-evolving protestant religion(of which Katharine was herself an avid supporter and which came close to being her doom)and its martyrs, mainly Anne Askew, the first woman to be put to the rack.

Katharine is truly an interesting woman and Plaidy's The Sixth Wife is subsequently a compelling story that is quite historically accurate and enlightening.

Arrived in excellent condition........2006-02-23

Just started reading this book and I am finding it very interesting.

TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT..........2005-02-25

Jean Plaidy, also known as Victoria Holt to her legion of devoted fans, was a gifted and prolific writer of historical fiction. A masterful storyteller, Ms. Plaidy seamlessly interweaves historical facts into a rich tapestry of fiction that is often spellbinding. Here, she writes of Katherine Parr, a comely noblewoman, twice widowed, who would reluctantly rise from obscurity to become the sixth and, thankfully, last wife of that colorful Tudor despot, King Henry VIII of England.

At the time that Katherine Parr caught the King's eye, she was in love with the rakishly handsome and ambitious Thomas Seymour, brother to Jane Seymour, the third wife of King Henry VIII. Jane died shortly after producing the coveted living son, who would someday reign as King Edward VI. Thomas Seymour held a coveted place at court by virtue of his ties to the King. Once the King's eyes landed upon the hapless Katherine Parr, however, even Thomas Seymour had no choice but to withdraw his suit for her hand.

The King's eye and attentions, having settled upon Katherine Parr so soon after he had sent his fifth wife to the block to have her head severed from her neck, made Katherine uneasy. After all, Henry VIII's wives had met with unenviable fates. His first wife of many years, Katherine of Aragon, had been cast aside and driven to an early death. His second wife, Anne Boleyn, for whom he had discarded Katherine of Aragon, had been accused of having had numerous adulterous relationships while married to the King. For this she was found guilty of treason and was unceremoniously beheaded, whereupon he married plain Jane Seymour, who managed to give him a son before dying of complications after childbirth.

The fourth wife of Henry VIII was Anne of Cleves, whom the King found physically repugnant and not to his liking. She prudently and wisely agreed to a divorce rather than wait to have her head severed from the rest of her body. The fifth wife was Catherine Howard, a beautiful teenager who showed little judgment both before and after her marriage to Henry. Accused of adulterous behavior, she, too, was found guilty of treason, as had been Anne Boleyn, and beheaded. It was on the heels of this last execution that Henry's eyes fell upon the comely widow, Katherine Parr.

Katherine Parr, an intelligent, attractive woman, was known as Lady Latimer, when she caught the King's eye. It was to be an encounter from which there would be no escape. In love with Thomas Seymour, she married the King most reluctantly and consigned herself to a stressful number of years, living, at all times, under the sword of Damocles, mindful of the fate of her predecessors and hoping not to lose her head.

As Queen Katherine, she would become the target of those who wished England to return to traditional Catholicism, as she was interested in what was referred to as the new learning. It would be these new ideas that would eventually give rise to Protestantism in England and the Reformation. Her enemies lost no time in trying to have her share the same fate that had befallen some of Henry's other wives, as they plotted and schemed against her.

Queen Katherine's life would become a grim game of cat and mouse, as she tried to stay one step ahead of those who would wish her harm. Even Henry's affections would prove to be fickle, changing like the wind from day to day, causing her to fear that every day may be her last. Her daily existence was subject to the capricious and arbitrary moods of Henry VIII, a situation not conducive to peace and happiness.

This book is a treasure trove of historical facts that are melded into an enjoyable work of fiction, Even the most discerning reader should enjoy this richly drawn portrait of the court of King Henry VIII and his sixth and, mercifully, last wife. Set amidst the political and religious turmoil of sixteenth century England, peppered with names of those who would have lasting historical impact, it is an entertaining, as well as informative, work of historical fiction.

The Lady in the Tower: The Wives of Henry VIII

Average customer rating:

Some issues...
A humanizing portrait of Anne Boleyn
The most jarring of all Plaidy's books to date
A Mediocre Novel
Come on!

The Lady in the Tower: The Wives of Henry VIII
Jean Plaidy
Manufacturer: Three Rivers Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

The Rose Without a Thorn: The Wives of Henry VIII
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ASIN: 1400047854
Release Date: 2003-06-24

Book Description

One of history’s most complex and alluring women comes to life in this classic novel by the
legendary Jean Plaidy.

Young Anne Boleyn was not beautiful but she was irresistible, capturing the hearts of kings and commoners alike. Daughter of an ambitious country lord, Anne was sent to France to learn sophistication, and then to court to marry well and raise the family’s fortunes. She soon surpassed even their greatest expectations. Although his queen was loving and loyal, King Henry VIII swore he would put her aside and make Anne his wife. And so he did, though the divorce would tear apart the English church and inflict religious turmoil and bloodshed on his people for generations to come.

Loathed by the English people, who called her “the King’s Great Whore,” Anne Boleyn was soon caught in the trap of her own ambition. Political rivals surrounded her at court and, when she failed to produce a much-desired male heir, they closed in, preying on the king’s well-known insecurity and volatile temper. Wrongfully accused of adultery and incest, Anne found herself imprisoned in the Tower of London, where she was at the mercy of her husband and of her enemies.

Customer Reviews:

Some issues..........2007-01-14

I was disappointed by this book. I've only read one other Jean Plaidy book, being "The Thistle and the Rose," which I absolutely loved. I was looking forward to reading her book about Anne Boleyn since I have been reading about her for years now. However, I had some issues with it. First of all, I was really bothered by the fact that it says Anne's mother died when she was 6, and that her father re-married some random woman whose name is never mentioned. I am pretty sure that Elizabeth Boleyn was alive for Anne's entire life and died two years after her death. I don't think this is a point that is argued over at all, so why would Jean Plaidy change this known fact?

Also, I don't like that Mary Boleyn's life is not mentioned that much in the novel. At the least, the birth of her children should have been mentioned, especially since, after the death of William Carey, Mary's son Henry was given in to the care of Anne. And many people have questioned whether or not Henry VIII actually fathered Henry Carey, but this is not mentioned at all in the book.

Lastly, I do not like how Anne is portrayed as being perfectly innocent as someone said below. While no one knows what Anne was really like, I think she was more likely a girl who teased the King before they were allowed to be married, rather than a girl with perfectly good morals who just thought it "not right" to sleep with the king before they were married. I find it unlikely that the King would tolerate a girl who just plainly said "No" because of her morals, yet I could see him tolerate a girl who just teased him and kept him clinging on because she flirted a lot, or something like that.

So, overall, I was disappointed. I will continue to read Jean Plaidy books and I hope the rest are at least historically accurate.

A humanizing portrait of Anne Boleyn.......2006-06-12

Jean Plaidy's The Lady in the Tower tells the story of the rise and fall of Henry VIII's second wife Anne Boleyn, and charts her life from her beginnings at the French court until her execution for treason.

Anne, who many consider to be Henry VIII's most fascinating queen, has been the subject of countless retellings. What I like about Plaidy's novel is that it is written in first person as a kind of memoir while Anne is imprisoned in the Tower of London, and tells her story from her own point of view. This creates a sympathetic portrait and helps in humanizing a historical figure who was greatly hated and villified in her own day.

A very great and interesting read. I am so happy that many of Plaidy's other novels are being re-released for a new generation of readers to enjoy.

The most jarring of all Plaidy's books to date.......2005-06-01

This book is written in the guise of a journal Anne Boleyn completes while awaiting her execution.

To anyone who's read a Jean Plaidy novel in which Henry VIII figures, it should come as no surprise that she continued her crude portrayal of the legendary king in this book. Henry is portrayed as a fat, beady-eyed, petulant, lustful, vulgar and spoiled child. (Some of this must have basis in history, since other writers have used the lustful and fat approach.) He is given no depth, no redeeming qualities; he is clearly The Villain Of The Piece. It's a disappointment, but not a major one if you've already read other works about the mighty monarch. Your memory will be able to fill in a more well-rounded Henry. (See especially Margaret George's "The Autobiography of Henry VIII, with Notes by His Fool, Will Somers.")

But Plaidy's treatment of Anne Boleyn is what surprised and shocked me. Henry's second wife has generally been accepted throughout history as an adulterous woman who may or may not have been "a witch" but who certainly behaved more wickedly than a Queen would be expected to...a woman who was more desirous of the approving glances of men than of pleasing her husband or attending to affairs of state. A woman who stopped at nothing to get her own way and assumed she could sweet-talk her way out of punishment. But Plaidy paints her as a total innocent, a sweet girl who is completely unaware of the King's regard. Apparently for the years when Henry is pursuing Anne, she is simply mooning about Hever Castle in the company of her stepmother, keeping house, or else being a maid of honor to then-Queen Katharine of Aragon - oblivious to the "mad pursuit" of her by Henry. Even after they are married, Plaidy's Anne is a happy, cheerful woman who wants only to bear Henry a son. The notorious scandal which preceded Anne's beheading (a scandal which affirmed that Anne slept with several gentlemen of the court, including her own brother) is glossed over, garnering only a quick mention at the end - with of course Anne's bewilderment at the news that she's to be beheaded for this.

I can't tell if Plaidy genuinely believes that Anne was innocent of any scandal, or if she's being gently, subtly mocking of the reader (and therefore of Henry VIII). The pages of the "journal" mention Anne's astonishment at such a scandal but Anne, writing, never actually denies that the adultery happened. She merely muses, as a detached observer, at the strangeness of the scandal. However, none of Plaidy's books to date have shown much subtlety, so I assume Anne is meant to be portrayed as a total innocent whose end was manufactured for Henry's marital benefit.

If you don't already know the history behind Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, this book may not make much sense to you. Since Henry is a minor character, we are given none of the historical happenings beyond a few major things (the meeting at the Field of Cloth of Gold, for example) told through Anne's eyes. If you want to know more about Anne, I recommend Ms. George's book mentioned above.

A Mediocre Novel.......2005-04-22

Before I say anything, one of the reviews reads "do not read the Other Boleyn Girl, it portrays Anne as loose with no morals". And how are we to know that this "sympathetic" book is any more accurate? The Other Boleyn Girl portrays Anne as a woman possessed by a dangerously passionate drive and desire for power.
Reading this book, it hit me that Jean Plaidy should have written a research book or something such as that on Anne, not a novel. The narration is dry and does absolutely no justice to the excitement in Anne's life. The politics are portrayed dully; a picture is painted, but a very homely one.
The plot was good, and I think Jean Plaidy had everything in her head, just not correctly written on the paper.

Come on!.......2005-03-17

I can't believe the other reviews - boring and...poor research! This is one of my favorite Plaidy books because it gives Anne Boleyn a sympathetic look. The idea that it is poor researched is preposterous. Something that must be taken into account is that it was written in the 80's - BEFORE Alison Weir wrote Six Wives. The portion about France in the book is wonderful in that it is detailed; even Ives' updated biography of Anne contains very little on France. And these are the years that made Anne what she became. One more note - if you want to see Anne the way she really was fiction don't read The Other Boleyn Girl, which shows her as a rather loose woman with no morals. If you are interested in pursuing Anne after this, I reccomend Queen of Subleties and The Life and Death of Anne Boleyn. Sorry, but I had to defend Plaidy!

Divorced, Beheaded, Survived: A Feminist Reinterpretation of the Wives of Henry VIII

Average customer rating:

A brand new perspective on an old topic
No new info, but interesting spin...
"Spin-free" Tudor history
Very readable, with new ideas to think about
Interesting Read

Divorced, Beheaded, Survived: A Feminist Reinterpretation of the Wives of Henry VIII
Karen Lindsey
Manufacturer: Da Capo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0201408236

Customer Reviews:

A brand new perspective on an old topic.......2007-05-14

This is a book that anyone interested in history should read. It gave me a whole new perspective on a topic I thought I knew well. I was wrong. I'm now going to buy a copy to give to my mother and one for my 18 year old daughter. Amazing read!

No new info, but interesting spin..........2005-05-06

A fun to read, modern spin on the (unfortunately) same old story of the six women fated to marry Henry Tudor. Deeper exploration into the psyches of these Queens might have made it a more substantial work, but it's enjoyable for Henrician fans, nonetheless.

"Spin-free" Tudor history.......2004-10-24

The assumptions and steroetypes that most historians (male and female) don't think to question are scrutinized here. At first I was doubtful of this book, but it won me over. There are a few minor factual errors (such as who walked with Anne Boleyn to the scaffold) that don't matter very much, but which remind you that Lindsey is first and foremost a feminist rather than a historian. There's enough good stuff here to make it more than worthwhile.

Very readable, with new ideas to think about.......2003-06-18

This history/biography reads like a historical novel--Ms. Lindsey's prose is that smooth. The book tells the stories of each of Henry VIII's six wives--their stories as people, not just parts of Tudor England. Don't let the subtitle dissuade you--Lindsey did much of her research with primary resources yet turns many popular opinions on their ears, taking on such questions as "Were Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard really immoral whores?" If you don't know a lot about this time period, you will learn it here; if you do, this book will give you some new twists to think about.

I zipped through this book in two days--it was that intriguing, and that readable...

Interesting Read.......2003-04-30

No retelling of Tudor history would be complete without a look into the 6 doomed lives of Henry VIII's wives. Lindsey manages to combine both fact and opinion in this interesting book. Divorced, Beheaded, Survived reads like any other biography, except it adds a feminist twist on many famous events. Famous names include Henry VIII, Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, and Princess Mary. The story is well researched and accurately depicts royal life; from the plotting, betrayals, and constant struggle for the throne. It also contains quotes from the characters themselves. The only downside is, that in her rush to detail female suffering, Lindsey does stretch the story a bit far. She often strays from the subject of the queens to other independent women. The story also tends to babble on at times. Overall, Divorced, Beheaded, Survived is an appealing, informative book.

Katharine of Aragon: The Wives of Henry VIII

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A Woman Most Delayed
Excellent!
A Queen, Woman, Wife & Mother for All Seasons
Katherine of Aragon
Jean Plaidy's greatest trilogy

Katharine of Aragon: The Wives of Henry VIII
Jean Plaidy
Manufacturer: Three Rivers Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0609810251
Release Date: 2005-02-22

Book Description

For the first time in paperback—all three of Jean Plaidy’s Katharine of Aragon novels in one volume.

Legendary historical novelist Jean Plaidy begins her tales of Henry VIII’s queens with the story of his first wife, the Spanish princess Katharine of Aragon.

As a teenager, Katharine leaves her beloved Spain, land of olive groves and soaring cathedrals, for the drab, rainy island of England. There she is married to the king’s eldest son, Arthur, a sickly boy who dies six months after the wedding. Katharine is left a widow who was never truly a wife, lonely in a strange land, with a very bleak future. Her only hope of escape is to marry the king’s second son, Prince Henry, now heir to the throne. Tall, athletic, handsome, a lover of poetry and music, Henry is all that Katharine could want in a husband. But their first son dies and, after many more pregnancies, only one child survives, a daughter. Disappointed by his lack of an heir, Henry’s eye wanders, and he becomes enamored of another woman—a country nobleman’s daughter named Anne Boleyn. When Henry begins searching for ways to put aside his loyal first wife, Katharine must fight to remain Queen of England and to keep the husband she once loved so dearly.

Customer Reviews:

A Woman Most Delayed.......2007-03-12

The first of Henry VIII's famed wives, the Infanta of Spain was a courageous woman who stood her ground in the worst of suffering, only to love and forgive those who never once showed her compassion.

The leading novel (Katharine, the Virgin Widow) contains the Princess' journey from the comfort of her mother, Isabella of Castile, to the loneliness of dreary England. Soon enough she is married to Prince Arthur to her delight, as they become great friends. Inevitably, the sickly Arthur dies shortly after the marriage, leaving Katharine alone in a foreign world. Still a virgin, she is sent away from court to remain a widow in poverty with only guidance from those she cannot trust. In this state of despair, she waits.

Preceding the death of his father and brother, Henry VIII is crowned King and defies his father's wishes: he acquires the dispensation from the Pope and marries Katharine. The tale of their marriage is depicted in the "Shadow of the Pomegranate" as loving and hopeful. But when "Kate" cannot produce a male heir, the King grows restless as his attention wanders, until he finds true passion in the arms of a young Lady in Waiting, who shortly produces a son, much to Katharine's envy.

The third and final novel, laughably entitled "The King's Secret Matter" is the last stand Katharine makes for herself and her daughter, the young Princess Mary. The pious Queen is shown with as much grace and wisdom that one in her situation can muster. Unfortunately, she lacks the health to survive her ordeal, and soon dies after being divorced by the King of England and sent to live in manors of appalling condition.

No other Queen matches Catalina of Spain. She is often times found lost and hurt, but she always manages to spite what she is told and follow what she believes. If it weren't for her "inability" to produce a capable (male) heir and save her marriage, I would not believe the great lady was real or mortal. Thanks to Jean Plaidy (Eleanor Hibbert), Katharine can now be remembered as more than just one of the many wives of a promiscuous King, but as someone to be honored and loved among everyone.

Excellent!.......2007-02-01

I couldnt get through this book fast enough. I very much enjoy Jean Plaidy's style and this book was superb! If you are a lover of historical fiction, she's got a knack for it! Excellent read!

A Queen, Woman, Wife & Mother for All Seasons.......2006-04-23

I must confess that inexplicably there have been few great heroes of the female gender wirtten about throughout history as compared with men. So, as I matured, I sought the likes of Sir Thomas More, Ghandi, Martin Luther King Jr., and so many others. Then, I happened upon this astonishing book about a Queen with the courage to stand (no matter the consequences) against arguably one of the the mightiest men in all of history - King Henry VIII. And stand she did with grace, humility, wisdom, intelligence but above all her devout belief in a good and gracious God for whom she served above all - something that King Henry could never abide. If you would like to not only attain historical accuracy on this topic which many like myself did not have before, - buy this book as a present for yourself. No matter your faith or no faith, culture, class, race, or education...you will never be the same woman again.

Katherine of Aragon.......2005-08-26

Deep soul wrenching characters, sometimes dysfunctional victims of their time.A greay history lesson.

Jean Plaidy's greatest trilogy.......2005-06-06

This book is actually three books published as one volume for what may be the first time. This is the story of the Spanish princess Katherine of Aragon and it's beautiful, tragic and stirring. Katherine was the daughter of Queen Isabella of Spain. Isabella was a bold, powerful and capable ruler and there was no reason in Katherine's experience why she or a daughter of hers couldn't be the same way. And then she goes to England.

As we all know Katherine's marriage to Prince Arthur lasted for one hot minute. The gentle, sickly boy dies leaving her in political limbo. It was an unpleasant time filled with worry but Katherine bravely gets through it and has a fairy tale ending. Henry, Arthur's younger brother marries her. Plaidy is particularly good at describing Henry. He goes from being a wonderful/horrible boy to a beautiful, dangerously sexy and impulsive young man. He's a romantic dream and all he wants is Katherine.

And then a cloud appears. Katherine gets pregnant but her son dies. And then other babies are lost. In the end only her daughter Mary survives. Plaidy deftly shows Henry begining to change. He's still beautiful, still a romantic dream but he wants a son and he begins to stray. Some of the most touching passages in the whole series describe how Katherine toughs this period out.

And then comes the final act. Henry turns mean and dangerous. Katherine is divorced, cast aside, friends are killed, her child is taken from her. Her faith, her dignity and her entire world is attacked and still she stands. The book ends with delicate touch. Katherine hasn't quite lost and Anne Boleyn, who is shown only from a distance in this series hasn't quite won.

Jean Plaidy was a fabulous writer and the Katherine of Aragon series was one of the top five greatest things she ever wrote.

The Six Wives of Henry VIII (Women in History)

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Six Wives, Was the Man Mad

The Six Wives of Henry VIII (Women in History)
Antonia Fraser
Manufacturer: Weidenfeld & Nicholson history
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1842126334

Book Description

The six wives of Henry VIII - Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard and Catherine Parr - have become defined in a popular sense not so much by their lives as by the way these lives ended. But, as Antonia Fraser conclusively proves, they were rich and feisty characters. They may have been victims of Henry's obsession with a male heir, but they were not willing victims. On the contrary, they displayed considerable strength and intelligence at a time when their sex supposedly possessed little of either. Inevitably there was great rivalry between them, and there was jealousy too - the desperate jealousy of Queens who found themselves abandoned, but also the sexual jealousy of the King who discovered himself betrayed. The story Antonia Fraser tells is romantic and cruel, funny and sad, dramatic and enthralling.

Customer Reviews:

Six Wives, Was the Man Mad.......2006-07-13

There are dozens of books on the bookshop shelves about Henry and his willing and not so willing wives. So why pick this one up and buy it. Two simple words, the authoress. Antonia Fraser has written many excellent historical works, most of which have become best sellers. Why? Because she is the best there is at it.

Her eye for detail brings all of her books to life and takes the reader into a magical world. This is not one of those boring historical tomes that sit on the shelf gathering dust from one year to the next.

This book takes the viewpoint of the women in the life of the then monarch of England, Henry VIII, not a very nice man, one would think from the information most of us have about him. But did the women in his life think of him in the same way. Was he funny? Did he make them laugh. Anne Boleyn, I am sure did not find him very funny when she was on the scaffold, but something must have attracted her to him. Was he charming? To have wooed so many women I am sure he was.

Anne Boleyn was the second wife of Henry and bearing in mind what happened to her, the four wives who followed her must have been either very brave, or very foolish. Although in those days I know that women of rank did much as they were told, either by their parents or by there advisers. I use the term lightly.

This book gives you the answer to many questions you may have wondered about and much more besides. It is more than a work of historical fact. it is an excellent and interesting read.

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Six Wives: The Queens of Henry VIII
David Starkey
Manufacturer: Vintage Books USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0099437244

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Meticulously researched
Trying too hard to be different
Don't Believe Megan
HORRIBLE!!! Don't bother reading this steaming piece of...
Interesting reading, even if the book isn't well written.

Six Wives: The Queens of Henry VIII
David Starkey
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Six Wives of Henry VIII

ASIN: 069401043X

Book Description

No one in history had a more eventful career in matrimony than Henry VIII. His marriages were daring and tumultuous, and made instant legends of six very different women. What could make him marry six times? In this remarkable new study, David Starkey argues that the king was not a depraved philanderer, but someone seeking happiness -- and a son. Knowingly or not, he empowered a group of women to extraordinary heights and changed the way a nation was governed.

Henry took his first bride, Catherine of Aragon, when he was seventeen. They lasted twenty-four years together, but Catherine suffered through many miscarriages and failed to produce a male heir. Henry then fell in love with Anne Boleyn, the mother of Elizabeth I. Their relationship transformed England forever, but Henry had Anne beheaded and married his next wife, Jane Seymour, on the very day of Anne's execution. At last, Seymour gave birth to Henry's longed-for son, Edward VI. What followed was a farcical beauty contest which ended in the King's brief marriage to the "mare of Flanders," Anne of Cleves. Finally, there were the two Catherines: Catherine Howard, the flirtatious teenager whose adulteries made a fool of the aging king and who was the second bride to lose her head; and Catherine Parr, the shrewd, religiously radical bluestocking who outlived him.

Six Wives is a masterful work of history that intimately examines the rituals of diplomacy, marriage, pregnancy and religion that were part of daily life for women at the Tudor Court. Weaving new facts and fresh interpretations into a spellbinding account of the emotional drama surrounding Henry's six marriages, David Starkey reveals the central role that the queens played in determining policy. With an equally keen eye for romantic and political intrigue, he brilliantly recaptures the story of Henry's wives and the England they ruled.

Customer Reviews:

Meticulously researched.......2006-05-13

David Starkey's "Six Wives" is very engaging and easy to read, despite the intimidating weight of the hardcover. Starkey is a brilliant historian and he breathes life into his subjects as he covers their life and times. He is an expert on all things Elizabethan and readers can trust that his interpretation of events always has extensive research behind it. The few pages of prints in the center of the book are a nice addition, though personally, I wish there were illustrations of the various castles and manors as well as the formal portraits we are given.

Trying too hard to be different.......2005-12-21

I read this book with great deal relish in thinking that I might get fresh perception on the history of the six wives of Henry VIII. What I found was an easy to read, easy to understand, well researched but highly opinionated book. I think the author tries so hard to be different from other historians and books on this subject that he managed to turned opinions and conjuctures into facts as he see it.

Most of the book deals with two wives, Katherine of Aragon and Ann Boleyn. The rise, love and fall of both women who dominated much of Henry's life takes up much of the author's book. The rest of the four wives, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard and Katherine Parr all got parred down, almost like an summarized aftermath after the two main events. I always thought each woman was pretty unique. (Henry seems to like "Katherine or Catherine as a name in his women.)

This book also proves to be dominated by Henry VIII as he's in almost every single page once he's crowned. From this book, the reader will have a good understanding about how Henry deals with his interpersonal relationship with his wives. You may have a better understanding of Katherine of Aragon and Ann Boleyn even if you may not agreed with many of the author's opinions. But after that, the rest of the four wives adds nothing to what lies published before this book.

I would recommend Allison Weir or Antonia Fraser books on this subject initially. I would recommend this book only for experienced readers of this subject matter. Reason for that is that the author proves to be too opinionated in his writing and it would be best if you read this book if you got a good grounding on the subject.

Don't Believe Megan.......2005-11-29

Friends, this is an excellent book. If you were to watch his DVD series on Elizabeth and other Tudor monarchs, you would clearly see that David Starkey is an excellent scholar, has an outstanding grasp of the Tudor monarchs, is quite articulate, and can take the highly complex issues and explain them in a very understandable way. This book is no exception. It is very intelligently written, is helpful, and not just a rehash of other scholars.

I find Megan's reveiw of this book so far from reality and utterly foolish as to be offensive. Her suggestion that one could learn as much from a story book is utterly absurd. Undoubtedly, her review must be the result not only of pure bias but also of pure inebriation.

HORRIBLE!!! Don't bother reading this steaming piece of..........2004-12-26

Starkey's writing is terrible! First off, he thinks his view is the one, true, right one and all other Tudor biographers got it wrong! He has an annoying habit of making ridiculous assuptions about the personalities of the queens. He puts them into misogynistic,cartoonish categories--he dismisses Jane Seymour as a boring, mousey doormat, then speculates whether that was all really a *calculated act* on her part! I guess that's the only way she could be interesting to him as he seems to relish the conniving/bitchy/vamp portraits he paints of Ann Boleyn and Catherine Howard. Starkey supposes that 16th c. queens reacted to certain situations in a flippant manner as would modern teenagers, or teens on the "O.C." This is so ridiculous. These were patriarchal times and these queens were literally fighting for their lives. I can't believe some people loved this steaming pile of poop! This book is a waste of time and money! It isn't fit to line my bird's cage!

Interesting reading, even if the book isn't well written........2004-11-25

David Starkey's 'Six Wives: The Queens of Henry VIII' is obviously a highly researched piece of work. I've read many Tudor biographies, and this is by far the most extensive I have ever laid eyes on. But unfortunately I have more bad than good to say about it.

What good I can say is trivial. It's a large, long book that takes some concentration and thought to get through. Starkey knew his material well before getting down to business, although I don't believe he wrote about everything he could have. In the space of 765 pages (not counting the index and notes, which took an additional 80+ pages) there is so much information on the politics of Henry VIII's marriages, one cannot help but feel some awe. But that is where the interest ends for me as a reader. Unlike with the Tudor biographies of Alison Weir and Antonia Fraser, I wasn't drawn into the story in the least. And this is where the bad begins.

Where should I start? First of all, the book is completely unbalanced. Well over 300 pages are devoted to the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn, while barely 40 explain the relationship with Anne of Cleves. The same can be said for the story of Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr. Perhaps there really is much, much more to the relationship between Boleyn and Henry Tudor, but I still believe that a balance could have been found and more depth explored with Henry's other wives.

Many reviewers have lashed out against Starkey's language and grammar. While I'm no English expert, I must agree that it's difficult to "get into" the story and stay focused on Starkey's writings. And yes, he does tend to ask too many questions and doesn't hesitate to express his opinion, and stick with it, over historical facts.

And last for this review, but certainly not least and not the truly last of my personal complaints against the book, is Starkey's blatant disregard for other historians and authors. In his introduction, he denounces the books of Fraser and Weir (with author names), which totally lacks class and respect and in my opinion. And that's far from the only time he does such a thing. I remember at one point in the book, just after the birth of Elizabeth (daughter of Henry and Anne Boleyn), Starkey denounced, with a bit of cool arrogance, the "unsubstantiated" claim that Anne wanted to breast-feed Elizabeth but Henry wouldn't allow it. I won't deny that I have read about this before and that I really don't know if it's true or not, as I am not a hard-core historian. But I am curious as to why Starkey believes, as he seems to in many sections of his book, that his is the one and only true version of events. How does he know that? And just because there is no hard evidence for certain events, how does Starkey know that they did or didn't happen?

PBS created a mini-series based on Starkey's book (Starkey himself narrated) which turned out to be worse than the book. It's a sorry thing that a book so long and informative should turn out so uninteresting, but it did.

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