Elizabeth I [Paperback]

Anne Somerset (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1992

A revelatory new biography emerges that captures the enigmatic life of England's greatest queen--the uniquely fascinating Elizabeth, who ruled for nearly 45 years, had intellect and presence, and exercised supreme authority in a world where power was exclusively male. Anne Somerset examines the monarch and the woman. 16 pages of black-and-white illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this totally captivating, sympathetic biography, English writer Somerset quotes an abundance of primary sources to elucidate Queen Elizabeth I's often criticized actions. For example, she investigates the cunning ruler's "sound enough reasons" for attempting to have her hated royal cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots, murdered in an underhand fashion without the bother of an execution. Somerset ( Ladies-in-Waiting) argues that the execution of Elizabeth's mother, Anne Boleyn, when she was two and a half cast a dark shadow over the queen's entire life. A virgin monarch, thrilled by the power of her father, Henry VIII, Elizabeth (1533-1603) turned her sex to her advantage in a man's world. She "flaunted her femininity" with chivalrous male colleagues and used her marital availability as a chief asset in the conduct of foreign affairs. The success of her 45-year reign, writes Somerset, was very much a personal triumph aided by her magnetism and charm. A wry, convincing portrait of a complex character. Illustrated. BOMC alternate.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

Elizabeth I, a fascinating, complex woman with immense political, social, and religious power, has had many biographers, but Somerset's thoroughly researched and exhaustively documented study will capture the reader's imagination. Somerset brings historical figures to life, providing the background and motivations for their actions in light of the social structure of the day. The reader gains a real understanding of the problems Elizabeth faced in ruling her unstable kingdom. Somerset has also written The Life and Times of Wil liam IV (Biblio Distribution Centre, 1980) and Ladies-in-Waiting ( LJ 6/15/84). Recommended. BOMC alternate.
-Kathar ine Galloway Garstka, Intergraph Corp., Huntsville, Ala.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 672 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (October 15, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312081839
• ISBN-13: 978-0312081836
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,478,203 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #57 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( E ) > Elizabeth I
  • #75 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Historical > British > Elizabeth I

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly researched and well written, January 25, 1999

By 

Scott Harris "Scott" (Decatur, AL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Elizabeth I (Paperback)

Anne Somerset's version of Elizabeth I is thoroughly researched and presented in exacting detail, but despite the minutiae, it is still an interesting read. Somerset expends some space on the details of everyday Tudor life, but this book is primarily an historical work, describing court intrigues, treasonous conspiracies and international incidents in presenting a complete overview of the most important political events of the era. Readers wanting a simple understanding of Elizabethan politics could probably find an easier volume to read, but Somerset's style is quite interesting, and serious students of history will enjoy this work immensely.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent bio of Elizabeth and her complex world., January 15, 2001

By 

K. Maxwell "katmax1" (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elizabeth I (Paperback)

This book is not light-weight reading. It's quite thick at 575 pages of fine text. It does, however, cover extremely well Elizabeth's reign and puts many of her decisions in their social context.

The author has relied heavily on primary sources for this work and they give a "flavour" to the time Elizabeth lived in. You end up with a good feel for Elizabeth's mercurial personality. Her chronic indecisiveness and hatred of being forced into a decision. The mine-field of international politics, when phones and TV didn't exist. Second-guessing the opposition, or trying to prevent an opposition from forming.

For an in-depth view of Elizabeth's life, reign and era this book is up there at the top of the list, if you can take the time to read it.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book on Elizabeth I, January 27, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Elizabeth I (Paperback)

I've read almost a dozen books on the Tudors and this is the best on Elizabeth I. Although I usually get my doses of the Tudors from Alison Weir and Antonia Fraser, Anne Somerset has truly written and organized a beautiful book. An impressive work -- better than any other I've read on the world's greatest monarch.