Perhaps the most influential sovereign England has ever known, Queen Elizabeth I reigned prosperously for more than forty years, from 1558 until her death in 1603. During her rule, however, she remained an extremely private person, keeping her own counsel and sharing secrets with no one -- not even her closest, most trusted advisors. Now, in this brilliantly researched, fascinating new book, acclaimed biographer Alison Weir brings the enigmatic figure of Elizabeth I to life as never before. Against a lavish backdrop of ...
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Perhaps the most influential sovereign England has ever known, Queen Elizabeth I reigned prosperously for more than forty years, from 1558 until her death in 1603. During her rule, however, she remained an extremely private person, keeping her own counsel and sharing secrets with no one -- not even her closest, most trusted advisors. Now, in this brilliantly researched, fascinating new book, acclaimed biographer Alison Weir brings the enigmatic figure of Elizabeth I to life as never before. Against a lavish backdrop of pageantry and passion, intrigue and war, Weir dispels the myths surrounding Elizabeth I and examines the contradictions of her character, exploring complex questions. Elizabeth I loved the Earl of Leicester, but did she conspire to murder his wife? She called herself the Virgin Queen, but how chaste was she through dozens of liaisons? She never married, but was her choice to remain single tied to the chilling fate of her mother, Anne Boleyn?
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. Very Good condition. Good dust jacket. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp.
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Seller's Description:
Good. Good condition. Good dust jacket. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains.
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Seller's Description:
Fine in Fine jacket. Book Octavo, hardcover, fine in fine red and gold decorative pictorial dj. 532 pp. including index. Clean, unmarked. begins as the young Elizabeth ascends the throne in the wake of her sister Mary's disastrous reign. She is portrayed as both a woman and a queen, an extraordinary phenomenon in a patriarchal age.
If you like English history you'll enjoy reading this informative book on the all knowing all powerful Queen Elizabeth I.
gerrit j p b
Jun 14, 2012
fantastic as always with ms.weir
this is a fantastic book about an amazing woman and queen in an amazing time. very much about the court, (marriage)-diplomacy etc. I only got a 2nd hand one who had come loose in the binding, that was not what the seller promised from this hardcover sample...
Barbara
Apr 1, 2010
Scholarly and readable
Alison Weir always is both those things and Life of Elizabeth 1 is no exception. Weir carefully delineates the role of the book, ie Elizabeth's personal life - though I hasten to add that this is no prurient peep into bedrooms , nor imaginings of the likes of Phillipa Gregory. When Elizabeth - or any other character speaks, they do so only in actual recorded words actually spoken or written by them.
I particualrly liked the handling of the famous relationship with Dudley, and the agonising dilemma of the one with Mary Queen of Scots. I don't think I ever realised before this book what a lifelong intriguer Mary was, how she never let go of her claim to the the English throne, nor ever ceased to plot with any available enemy of England to overthrow Elizabeth and have herelf crowned as (Catholic) monarch . Frankly I'm amazed she kept her head as long as she did!
If there was one aspect of the book I got a little weary of it was the endless wooing of Elizabeth by foreign suitors and her holding them at bay etc .I know this is how it actually must have been and of what great imprtance it was , but after a while I did want to say 'enough, yes Ok , she isn't going to have him, lets move on'
All in all though, a wonderful, absorbing , brilliantly researched read
