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Bloody Mary

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About this listen

Here is the tragic, stormy life of Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon. Her story is a chronicle of courage and faith, betrayal and treachery - set amidst the splendor, pageantry, squalor, and intrigue of 16th-century Europe.

The history of Mary Tudor is an improbable blend of triumph, humiliation, heartbreak, and devotion - and Ms. Erickson recounts it all against the turbulent background of European politics, war, and religious strife of the mid-1500s. The result is a rare portrait of the times and of a woman elevated to unprecedented power in a world ruled and defined by men.

©1978 Carolly Erickson (P)2012 Audible, Inc. Europe Great Britain Historical Politicians Politics & Activism Royalty
All stars
Most relevant
Brought history to life easy to follow well narrated. Mary Tudor is seen in a different light

Insight into tudor court

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Would you listen to Bloody Mary again? Why?

Yes. As with most history books I read them several times and this is full of interesting information, from a different perspective, that takes a few reads to understand and absorb. Interestingly this is written from a sympathetic point of view, and allows the reader to look at Mary in a slightly different light. The background information is thorough, which is important I think if we are to put her life and the events surrounding her reputation into some perspective.

What other book might you compare Bloody Mary to, and why?

This could be compared to Antonia Frazier or Alison Weir.

What aspect of Corrie James’s performance might you have changed?

The narrator was excellent but was completely let down by the poor production. There are a few repititions and pauses throughout the whole recording which was a little off putting.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. This is a book that needs to be listened to little and often. There is a lot of information to take in which is great, but it needs some thought and perspective between chapters.

Any additional comments?

Would recommend despite dodgy recording. It is an eye opener and a different look at the notorious queen. If you are interested in the Reformation it will give you some insight into fanatical thinking of the age. Mary was also the first crowned female monarch and therefore a fascinating story for that alone.

Good book - dodgy recording though.

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Queen Mary I of England has inspired few books compared with her more glamorous contemporaries, so this volume is particularly valuable in filling a gap in the history of that violent, rapidly changing era.
Mary did burn a lot of people, even in the context of the Tudor enthusiasm for public executions of “heretics” and “traitors” - the inverted commas emphasise the fluctuations in definition of those offences against the English monarchs, but she did face constant menace throughout her life

A tragic life, a tragic reign.

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The content is excellent and most of the narration is very good. But why does the narrator put on odd accents to read some quotations? At times, these seem to be read in a bad Indian accent. Such a strange choice.

An informative book let down by the narration.

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Some of the details are inaccurate which should have been noted & corrected before publication.
Apart from the above a decent book.

Generally good

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