Elizabeth [Hardcover]

ElizabethBy David StarkeyThis book is definitely not just for the history buff as demonstrated by the fact that when published in hardback last year it topped the best-seller charts. The author David Starkey is an expert in his field and the passion that he feels for the topic shines from every page, elevating it out of the realms of a dull historical account to a very engaging human story. The author¹s name may seem familiar because last year he presented the acclaimed Channel Four series based on this book and again, through knowledge and enthusiasm, he brought the historical period to life.This book tell the story of Elizabeth the first and her unique position as the most powerful women in the land caught in a male dominated world. Starkey gives a gripping account of her troubled and lonely upbringing and the abuse she suffered at the hands of the adults around her, each one driven by their own agenda. Despite the hardships she encountered at the royal court, she grew up an extremely confident young woman, certain of her destiny to reign. In this book, Elizabeth manifests herself as a bundle of contradictions; on the one hand she is passionate and sexual while remaining a virgin; while famed as England¹s most successful ruler, she actually did very little.The English court was a hotbed of deceit and suspicions and Elizabeth had to use her wits for her very survival as both a ruler and a woman. She became increasing protective of herself and, surrounded by betrayal at every turn, she felt as though she could trust no one. This book presents Elizabeth as a product of her harsh upbringing and yet it goes further to show the real personality behind the virgin queen.The book is a real page turner and the characters, although vaguely familiar from history lessons, suddenly spring to life from the pages and interact with one another in a very human way. Starkey shows us the factors such as jealously and ambition which shaped history and reveals the real motivations behind actions. It is really fascinating to get a glimpse behind the scenes and you get a sense of how the course of history is shaped by the personalities of those involved.The book covers Elizabeth¹s life from when she born, through all her personal triumphs and tragedies, to the strain she endured for refusing to be married and therefore her failure to produce an heir to the throne.The book contains some illuminating illustrations which help create a visual backdrop of the opulence of royal life and even from the portraits that have been reproduced Elizabeth¹s strength of character can be clearly seen.Surprisingly, this is an utterly compelling book and a real page turner which will take you on a white knuckle ride through history. It is studiously researched without ever once becoming dry and uninteresting making it is an old told tale vividly revived. The writing style is accessible but Starky¹s sharp eye for historical details pulls the whole story sharply into focus.On one level it is the history of a nation but on a more immediate level it is the story of a an extraordinary woman trying to make her way through desperately hard times and for the most part emerging victorious.end

David Starkey is an excellent historical writer and this book on Elizabeth 1 does not disappoint. More than any other I have read (and as a history undergraduate I read a few!) it brought to life this most fascinating of historical figures, providing insights into her character and relationships, and the way these affected her actions in life. Starkey really brings alive the human face behind a monarch who at times can appear as a characture in our nations past. Elizabeth was clearly an admirable woman who many modern women would do well to have as a role model.

Starkey's narrative itself is far more gripping and readable than most historians, with the exception of Simon Schama. As a history student at University I read many historical texts. For me reading this was a pleasure rather than a necessity and brought life and atmosphere to our history. Also, and perhaps most importantly, Starkeys book is historically accurate and as you would expect the theories he puts forward very sound. Elizabeth's early life is much less explored than her later life as the more recognisable face of the Virgin Queen. There is much more life and vitality to this younger character and it is interesting to learn of the young Elizabeth and the way in which her character was moulded by events and people around her. Well worth a read, whether as a student or just for pleasure.

I thoroughly enjoyed David Starkey's "Elizabeth" and found it to be a splendid read. The author brought Elizabeth to life in the pages of his book.

While not as long or detailed as Alison Weir's biography, Starkey approaches his book from a unique angle. He concentrates mainly on Elizabeth's early years from birth until she becomes Queen. He writes of her years of apprenticeship as one of England's greatest rulers and confesses, "The woman I have half fallen in love with is the young Elizabeth as she appears in the picture she gave to her father just before his death."

In between birth and her accession as Queen, the reader gets to see Elizabeth as a child, strong-willed and precocious like her father, Henry VIII, and dressed in finery provided by her mother, Anne Boleyn. As a child she displays a strong aptitude for learning and a quick wit as evidenced by Thomas Wriothesley, Royal Secretary to her father the King, who remarked, "If she be no more educated than she now appeareth to me, she will prove of no less honour and womanhood, than shall beseem her father's daughter."

Starkey conveys well the precarious position Elizabeth found herself in when her half-sister Mary took the throne after Edward VI's death. One can almost imagine how she must have felt when she was held prisoner at The Tower. Yet somehow in spite of the many dangers she faced, she was able to remain focused and resolute, choosing the right associates to advance her cause, such as Sir William Cecil. This habit of knowing what company to keep served her well through her long life as one of the greatest queens England has ever known.