The Tudors
The Complete Story of England's Most Notorious Dynasty
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The Tudors
Narrated by:
Robin Sachs
Buy Now for £16.99
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Narrated by:
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Robin Sachs
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By:
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G. J. Meyer
About this listen
“A thoroughly readable and often compelling narrative . . . Five centuries have not diminished the appetite for all things Tudor.”—Associated Press
In 1485, young Henry Tudor, whose claim to the throne was so weak as to be almost laughable, crossed the English Channel from France at the head of a ragtag little army and took the crown from the family that had ruled England for almost four hundred years. Half a century later his son, Henry VIII, desperate to rid himself of his first wife in order to marry a second, launched a reign of terror aimed at taking powers no previous monarch had even dreamed of possessing. In the process he plunged his kingdom into generations of division and disorder, creating a legacy of blood and betrayal that would blight the lives of his children and the destiny of his country.
The boy king Edward VI, a fervent believer in reforming the English church, died before bringing to fruition his dream of a second English Reformation. Mary I, the disgraced daughter of Catherine of Aragon, tried and failed to reestablish the Catholic Church and produce an heir. And finally came Elizabeth I, who devoted her life to creating an image of herself as Gloriana the Virgin Queen but, behind that mask, sacrificed all chance of personal happiness in order to survive.
The Tudors weaves together all the sinners and saints, the tragedies and triumphs, the high dreams and dark crimes, that reveal the Tudor era to be, in its enthralling, notorious truth, as momentous and as fascinating as the fictions audiences have come to love.
Praise for The Tudors
“A rich and vibrant tapestry.”—The Star-Ledger
“A thoroughly readable and often compelling narrative . . . Five centuries have not diminished the appetite for all things Tudor.”—Associated Press
“Energetic and comprehensive . . . [a] sweeping history of the gloriously infamous Tudor era . . . Unlike the somewhat ponderous British biographies of the Henrys, Elizabeths, and Boleyns that seem to pop up perennially, The Tudors displays flashy, fresh irreverence [and cuts] to the quick of the action.”—Kirkus Reviews
“[A] cheeky, nuanced, and authoritative perspective . . . brims with enriching background discussions.”—Publishers Weekly
“[A] lively new history.”—Bloomberg
Critic reviews
"[A] sweeping history of the gloriously infamous Tudor era. Unlike the somewhat ponderous British biographies of the Henrys, Elizabeths and Boleyns that seem to pop up perennially, Meyer displays some flashy, fresh irreverence…Meyer cut[s] to the quick of the action…Energetic and comprehensive."—Kirkus Reviews
"History buffs will savor Meyer's cheeky, nuanced, and authoritative perspective on an entire dynasty, and his study brims with enriching background discussions, ranging from class structure and the medieval Catholic Church to the Tudor connection to Spanish royalty."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Historian/journalist Meyer does an excellent job of recreating the Tudor epoch, both in his dramatic narrative and in the alternating "background" chapters that illuminate 16th-century culture, politics, etc...Meyer's book is a rich and vibrant tapestry depicting England's most notorious—and most remembered—monarchs."—The Newark Star-Ledger
"History buffs will savor Meyer's cheeky, nuanced, and authoritative perspective on an entire dynasty, and his study brims with enriching background discussions, ranging from class structure and the medieval Catholic Church to the Tudor connection to Spanish royalty."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Historian/journalist Meyer does an excellent job of recreating the Tudor epoch, both in his dramatic narrative and in the alternating "background" chapters that illuminate 16th-century culture, politics, etc...Meyer's book is a rich and vibrant tapestry depicting England's most notorious—and most remembered—monarchs."—The Newark Star-Ledger
What made the experience of listening to The Tudors the most enjoyable?
This is one of the best books I have listened to or read on The Tudors. I know there is no such thing as an unbiased historical account but I really felt the author attempted balance and neutrality. I also enjoyed the fact that Henry VII was included in the story as he often gets forgotten about. I thought this was particularly well told and fascinating start to the Tudor era.Who was your favorite character and why?
Without even thinking..it is Henry VIII followed by Elizabeth. Their stories are without doubt fascinating and hugely dramatic.What does Robin Sachs bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
The reader was particularly professional and easy to listen to.Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
No. I wanted to listen to this book little and often to absorb the information and think about the historical characters and events.Any additional comments?
If you are looking for a book on the Tudor era I would highly recommend this above others. The research is in depth and no stone goes unturned. In my opinion one to listen to many times as there is so much information it is impossible to absorb it all in one read.One of the best on Tudor history
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To be fair the author does say at the beginning that the book is written entirely from secondary sources and that many of those authors would not agree with his interpretations.
Still it is refreshing to hear an alternative view, though I sometimes did find the narrative led me to start arguing with Mr Meyer in my head and I had to skip the last two hours as I'd had enough.
Finally kudos to Robin Sachs for some great narration.
Not just hand luggage
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What did you like most about The Tudors?
A well-structured book, which glides through these tumultuous times with an ease and grace not always found in history writing. The narrator's mellifluous tones really enhance the prose and provide an absorbing listen, which I thoroughly recommend.What other book might you compare The Tudors to, and why?
The book most like this is David Starkey's 'Six Wives of Henry VIII' as they both delve in to the detail in a lively and interesting way, which keeps the reader/listener enthralled while providing a disciplined framework for absorbing the facts.What does Robin Sachs bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
His voice is very soothing and he enunciates clearly, which is very helpful. He takes it at a gentle pace and keeps his tone lively so one doesn't lose interest.Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes, if at all possible, although one would have to stay up for more than 24 hours to do so.Any additional comments?
I will be listening to this again and again as it contains many important facts and descriptions presented in ingenious ways. I particularly like the background pieces, which focus on the details of life at the time.Gripping from beginning to end
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What did you like most about The Tudors?
Clear, concise and to the point, providing excellent synthesis and frequent interesting insights. Written in a style that is liberatingly free from the excess of detail and manifold subclauses that so often mar the writings of British historians. Here you get all the detail you need, but nothing that obscures the larger view. Meyer is also highly entertaing and often funny.In addition, the book is organized so that after each chapter there is a section with 'furhter background'. This seems peculiarly suitable to the audiobook format, since it allows you to easily scroll past that section and go on to the next chapter where the story resumes if you prefer a more direct pace.
The reading is excellent with just the right tone of irony where so required.
Excellent!
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great listen!
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