- Paperback: 480 pages
- Publisher: Coronet; New Ed edition (20 Oct 1994)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0340202998
- ISBN-13: 978-0340202999
- Product Dimensions: 17.8 x 10.9 x 3.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 438,087 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The continuing story of Britain's strangest and complex monarch, this story shows King James the First and Sixth at his best, both cunning, idiotic and madcap, the book also carries on the ever enduring power struggle in Scotland and proves that we English didn't turn Scotland into an English shire but that the damage was done by a Scot. Absolutely fantastic, I couldn't put it down
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
The Wisest Fool is anything but a foolish King
7 Jan 2007
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A wonderful Tranter novel about King James VI of Scotland and James I of England. This story is primarily seen through the eyes of George Heriot, an Edinburgh merchant who is appointed as the Man-of-Business and Jeweler of the King. Basically exists as money lender to the Crown and Lords of both countries. George is a stalwart man of business and not ambitious as many are in the King's court.
The story is observed to a lesser extent via Ludovich "Vicky" Stewart, Duke of Lennox. He is the premier noble of the kingdom and cousin of the King, but at heart wants to be a country Laird in Scotland and spend his time with his love Mary Gray and their young son, John Stewart of Methven.
The Wisest Fool begins with King James VI, now James I of England on his assent to the throne of England. He begins with his long trip from Scotland into England, knighting many for a fee! The English Lords are continuously baffled by this strange new monarch. His view of the Crown is very different from the Court of Elizabeth, but still full of much deceit and intrigue with a Scottish twist and humor.
James proves himself a worthy Monarch as he pits different factions against on another; Scots and English, Catholic and Protestants, and Commons and Lords in an amazing fashion. His only goal is a balancing act to keep control of his two kingdoms. His main rivals prove to be the Earl of Dunbar, Patrick Stewart, Earl of Orkney and Cousin. The chief rival by far proves to be Patrick Gray in Scotland and becomes the nemesis of the story.
All the while George and Vicky try to have a life outside of Court as they race to save James and his Crown from different plots trying to have him deprived of his Scottish throne or English throne or just eliminated all together along with Parliament in the Guy Fawkes plot.
Queen Anne also shows predominantly as she keeps her own court in London separately form James and his young male favorites. She maintains a strange acceptance of most of James ways and raises the young heirs to the throne but even her tolerance is put to the test by James.
This is just a great book. I have few absolute favorites in Tranter's series and the "Wisest Fool" has joined the ranks along with the Bruce Trilogy, William Wallace and the Crusader. As with all his books Scotland's past lives and breathes in this novel. James VI proves an able Monarch and although it is not proven in battle or wars with other nations it is proven in the minds and ploys of two courts and nations, once enemies and now united under one crown. This story is full of battle of wits and political maneuvers. I had a hard time putting this book down to sleep. Long Live King James.
The story is observed to a lesser extent via Ludovich "Vicky" Stewart, Duke of Lennox. He is the premier noble of the kingdom and cousin of the King, but at heart wants to be a country Laird in Scotland and spend his time with his love Mary Gray and their young son, John Stewart of Methven.
The Wisest Fool begins with King James VI, now James I of England on his assent to the throne of England. He begins with his long trip from Scotland into England, knighting many for a fee! The English Lords are continuously baffled by this strange new monarch. His view of the Crown is very different from the Court of Elizabeth, but still full of much deceit and intrigue with a Scottish twist and humor.
James proves himself a worthy Monarch as he pits different factions against on another; Scots and English, Catholic and Protestants, and Commons and Lords in an amazing fashion. His only goal is a balancing act to keep control of his two kingdoms. His main rivals prove to be the Earl of Dunbar, Patrick Stewart, Earl of Orkney and Cousin. The chief rival by far proves to be Patrick Gray in Scotland and becomes the nemesis of the story.
All the while George and Vicky try to have a life outside of Court as they race to save James and his Crown from different plots trying to have him deprived of his Scottish throne or English throne or just eliminated all together along with Parliament in the Guy Fawkes plot.
Queen Anne also shows predominantly as she keeps her own court in London separately form James and his young male favorites. She maintains a strange acceptance of most of James ways and raises the young heirs to the throne but even her tolerance is put to the test by James.
This is just a great book. I have few absolute favorites in Tranter's series and the "Wisest Fool" has joined the ranks along with the Bruce Trilogy, William Wallace and the Crusader. As with all his books Scotland's past lives and breathes in this novel. James VI proves an able Monarch and although it is not proven in battle or wars with other nations it is proven in the minds and ploys of two courts and nations, once enemies and now united under one crown. This story is full of battle of wits and political maneuvers. I had a hard time putting this book down to sleep. Long Live King James.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Other Books
3 Sep 2007
Format:Paperback
The wisest fool, unsurprisingly, is a Scottish historical novel.
This time, the setting is during the reign of King James VI of Scotland.
The point of view character is a merchant, this time, and he and his wife become involved in court life and all the scheming and power plays that the situation entails.
This time, the setting is during the reign of King James VI of Scotland.
The point of view character is a merchant, this time, and he and his wife become involved in court life and all the scheming and power plays that the situation entails.
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