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Elizabeth (Paperback)

by David Starkey (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
RRP: £8.99
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Price For All Three: £21.47

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Product details

  • Paperback: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Vintage; New edition edition (1 Mar 2001)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0099286572
  • ISBN-13: 978-0099286578
  • Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.9 x 2.9 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 8,066 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #1 in  Books > History > Britain & Ireland > British Heads of State > Elizabeth I
    #2 in  Books > Biography > British Royalty > Elizabeth I
    #4 in  Books > Biography > Historical > Royalty

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Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, Good Queen Bess; Elizabeth I holds a unique place in the English imagination as one of the nation's most powerful, charismatic and successful monarchs. Elizabeth is usually imagined as the icy, untouchable figure memorably recreated on screen by Bette Davis and Judi Dench, but that vision of Elizabeth ignores the turbulent years of her early life, from her birth as the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn in 1533, until her accession to the throne in 1558 following the death of her sister Mary. It is these early years which are the subject of David Starkey's fascinating Elizabeth I, written to accompany his television series about the life of Elizabeth.

Starkey argues that in her first 25 years Elizabeth "had experienced every vicissitude of fortune and ever extreme of condition. She had been Princess and inheritrix of England, and bastard and disinherited; the nominated successor to the throne and an accused traitor on the verge of execution; showered with lands and houses and a prisoner in the Tower". He draws on his skills as a respected Tudor historian to produce a deft account of the religious, political and dynastic maelstrom of mid-16th century England that reads "like a historical thriller". The book carefully picks its way through the finer points of contemporary religious conflict and the peculiarities of Tudor court ceremony, whilst also exploring the formation of Elizabeth's character in relation to a murdered mother, a charismatic father, a tortured sister, and a predatory guardian. Highly readable and written with verve and pace, this is a fascinating account of the young Elizabeth. --Jerry Brotton --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description
Published to accompany a Channel 4 series, Starkey turns the paradox into a person. This new approach to the enigma of Elizabeth's character presents a retelling of her reign, her love for Robert Dudley, the tragi-comedy of her suitors, her epic struggles with Mary and Philip II and the final debacle of her relationship with Robert Devereux.

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Customer Reviews

38 Reviews
5 star:
 (23)
4 star:
 (11)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (2)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (38 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Bringing history alive, 25 Jun 2004
By Stracs "Stracs" (Leeds, UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)      
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.

Comment Comment (1) | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A well-researched account of the life of Elizabeth 1st, 16 Feb 2001
By j.braniff@btinternet.com (Northern Ireland) - See all my reviews
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
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating biography, 1 Nov 2004
By Stracs "Stracs" (Leeds, UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)      
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.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Elizabeth
I find Tudor history to be fascinating. I have always been a big fan of the Tudors. Elizabeth I is a particularly fascinating historical figure. Read more
Published 2 months ago by A. Hope

4.0 out of 5 stars a brilliant if short history
Ok so I'll start off by saying I find David Starkey's tv shows fantastic. And his voice clearly comes across in this book. Read more
Published 5 months ago by J. Stupart

4.0 out of 5 stars The Sometimes Princess
So much has been written about Queen Elizabeth I and her glorious reign, but it seems that her life prior to coronation is glossed over. Read more
Published 8 months ago by History Buff

3.0 out of 5 stars Strange
This is not the kind of history that I was expecting - highly populist, focussed more heavily on Elizabeth as a person than on the politics and her decisions as a Queen. Beware.
Published 11 months ago by Mr. F. J. Evans

5.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction
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>>¨Ö§ä'é»ÅèÍÂÃèÒ§äÃéÇÔ­­Ò³¢Í§à'硹éÍ·Ôé§äÇé... Read more
Published 20 months ago by N. Footrakoon

4.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant introduction to a fascinating life
This book is both extremely thorough and very readable. Not only does it illuminate an area of Elizabeth's life that so many other works on the ruler skate over,it does so in an... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Estrella

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant biography on the life of Elizabeth Tudor prior to her reign.
`Elizabeth' by David Starkey is a fantastic account of the life of Elizabeth Tudor prior to her accession to the English throne in 1558. Read more
Published 22 months ago by little_miss_sunnydale

4.0 out of 5 stars Worth a look
While specialist readers may quibble with the overall merit of Starkey's work, there is no doubt that the man knows how to translate his research into readable prose and bring... Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2007 by sainte-carmen

4.0 out of 5 stars ...good book
You always know when you are in the hands, and by that I mean reading a book, of an extremely intelligent person. Read more
Published on 21 Mar 2005 by matthew_wilson04

1.0 out of 5 stars Overly abridged
I am very interested in the Tudor period, and bought this audio to listen to, while touring the SW of England on a two week holiday, however this version is much too abridged, and... Read more
Published on 30 Jul 2004

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