The Lives of the Kings & Queens of England [Unabridged] [Audio Cassette]

Antonia Fraser (Editor), Wanda McCaddon (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1999

This is a celebration of almost 1,000 years of English history, told through the lives of England's monarchs. Antonia Fraser, an acclaimed scholar, has created both a useful reference and a fascinating history. Eight specialist contributors bring to life many royal figures such as the well-loved Victoria and the enigmatic, little-known sovereign, Richard III. This newly revised 1998 edition features expanded and timely coverage of the House of Windsor. Complete and unabridged. 8 cassettes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Her reading was enjoyable and pleasing to listen to… an outstanding reference book." -- Rochelle Caviness, Large Print Reviews, November 1, 2001

"In her [Wanda McCaddon’s] commanding voice this unsurpassable listening experience stirs both mind and imagination." -- AudioFile, unknown date

"McCaddon reads with an impeccable and formal British accent, appropriate to the content." -- KLIATT, September 1999

"This fascinating and mesmerizing chronology is filled with colorful characters and startling reversals… vividly narrated." -- Sir ReadaLot.org, February 2005

About the Author

Wanda McCaddon is an experienced stage and screen actress who has appeared in many productions in England and in the United States. She has read hundreds of audiobooks, including The Secret Garden, also published by Audio Partners.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Audio Partners; Revised edition (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572701013
• ISBN-13: 978-1572701014
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.2 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,237,950 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #6 in Books > Books on Cassette > History > Europe
  • #18 in Books > Books on Cassette > Biographies & Memoirs > Leaders
  • #33 in Books > Books on Cassette > History > General

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Royal Portraits, July 9, 2003

By 

FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England, Revised and Updated (Paperback)

Antonia Fraser's 'The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England' has long been one of my favourite books (since my childhood, really), because it has both breadth and brevity simultaneously, a rare feat. Lady Fraser's style is evident here, a non-imposing and non-technical style, that is nonetheless satisfying to all but the most rigourous of academic historians.

Fraser's account begins with the Norman invasion; like many books on royal history, scant attention is paid to pre-Norman figures. Fraser groups the monarchs into categories:

Normans
Angevins
Plantagenets
House of Lancaster
House of York
Tudors
Stuarts
House of Hanover
House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha
House of Windsor

Putting together the genealogical tables is a fun exercise--beware here, however, that lesser historical figures are left off the charts (thus, Queen Anne's bevy of children are not represented on the genealogy as none lived to assume the crown or perpetuate the line). Each monarch is given an article about 10-15 pages in length (a good bedtime reading length, I've found). Pictures and paintings help place visually the stories, together with the interspersed essays on coats-of-arms and other topics.

Fraser likes to find the humourous aspects whenever possible. Writing on William IV's distaste for the young Victoria's mother:' 'In 1836 the Duchess of Kent took over a large suite of rooms in Kensington Palace without the King's permission. William was furious. If he died now, Victoria would not be old enough to rule without her mother as Regent. At a public dinner, attended by more than a hundred guests, William said that he hoped his life would be spared long enough to prevent such a calamity.'

His wish was granted.

An ideal gift for anyone, child to adult, who has an interest in the history of the British royals, and a good ready-reference for students, this book is first-rate.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic overview of the history of the English Monarchy., July 22, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England (Paperback)

For anyone who has even a passing interest in the English monarchs (what's the difference between Bloody Mary and Mary, Queen of Scots?) this is the perfect book. Within four to eight pages, depending on the subject, Antonia Fraser gives a wonderful summary of every monarch since Normand time, right up to Elizabeth II. I used this book not only to clarify which Edward or Mary was which, but also to give me teasers about important events in English history. From this I read two books by another great English historiographer, Alison Weir, "The Wars of the Roses" and "The Princes in the Tower." I even used Fraser's book to guide me as I watched "Mrs. Brown" on video! Fraser manages to take these fascinating people and put them in the context of their time, without romantic presupposition or fake dialogue. Fraser delivers documented facts or opinions and still manages to give her work an interesting and engaging voice.

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Handy Dandy Guide to England's Rulers, February 19, 2000

By 

P A Brown (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England (Paperback)

This big picture book of kings and queens is a great reference work for anyone interested in English royal history. The color illustrations are lavish, the brief biographies hit all high points and the geneologies of the various royal houses are very useful when trying to trace the convoluted relationships of England's royals. This is a handy book to have around when you just can't figure out just how Germans ended up on the British throne, can't remember which of Henry VIII's wives died on the block or want to know why Queen Victoria died in the arms of Kaiser Wilhem. Lots of information on all matters royal, including ancient traditions, heraldry, issues of precedent, the crown jewels, court dress, palaces and passtimes and other fun facts. A good book to have close to hand.