Queen Elizabeth I (The British Library Historic Lives) [Hardcover]

Susan Doran (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0814719570 | ISBN-13: 978-0814719572

Queen Elizabeth I, the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, reigned from 1558 until her death in 1603 and is remembered not only as a powerful, often ruthless and successful monarch but also as a virtuous, gracious, and caring ruler.

This new biography of Elizabeth I, by a leading scholar, reveals a tough and determined "Virgin Queen", whose education, wit, and wisdom enabled her to succeed in the often turbulent and hostile world of her reign. Charting Elizabeth's childhood, schooling, and family life as well as her relationships with her ministers and suitors, Susan Doran discusses her motivation and the personal qualities that sustained her as queen. Her years in power were often dominated by political intrigue, marriage proposals, disputes over the succession, plots against her life, and warfare. Elizabeth made clever use of events, such as the defeat of the Spanish Armada, and unique interests and attributes, such as her love of theatrical pageant, to enhance her reputation and status. In an era of political and religious upheaval, Elizabeth I emerges as one of the most skillful and formidable monarchs in history.

Illustrated throughout with portraits, rare historical documents, and letters in Elizabeth's own hand, this book provides an engaging, authoritative account of Queen Elizabeth I's life and times.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

These two concise biographies, both published by New York University Press in conjunction with the British Library, are the opening volumes in a series of profiles of Britain's historical icons.

Doran teaches early modern history at Oxford. She greatly admires her subject while acknowledging her faults. Elizabeth could be vain, petty, and frighteningly ruthless. Yet, that ruthlessness guaranteed her own and her nation's survival during extremely precarious times. Doran rejects the assertions of some historians who give most of the credit for Elizabeth's successes to her counselors. Rather, she portrays Elizabeth as a brilliant manipulator of both men and events, who was also blessed with the ability to manage public opinion, thus reinforcing her virtually mythological status.

Lavery is curator of naval history at Britain's National Maritime Museum He has written a fast-paced, absorbing chronicle of Britain's most celebrated naval commander, who died while engineering the great victory at Trafalgar. At first glance, Nelson was an unlikely hero. He was short, frail, and given to fits of impulsivity. Yet, as Lavery illustrates, he was a natural leader of men, with both physical and moral courage. Despite an authoritarian streak, Nelson was able to form deep bonds of trust and affection with the common sailors under his command. While he also reveals Nelson's less attractive qualities, Lavery clearly believes Nelson deserves his place in the British pantheon.

These two works are an excellent beginning in what promises to be an informative and enjoyable series aimed at general readers with an interest in British history. Jay Freeman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"[Doran] portrays Elizabeth as a brilliant manipulator of both men and events, who was also blessed with the ability to manage public opinion, thus reinforcing her virtually mythological status."

-Booklist,

"This volume reflects Doran's exceptional ability to incorporate tomes of historical documents and interpretive studies into a highly readable, academically solid, beautifully illustrated, and concisely written monograph. The book does a superb job of discussing Elizabeth within the context of the times. Doran's sympathetic portrayal of the queen and her reign will resonate well with readers in both the United States and the United Kingdom"

-H-Net Reviews,

"This is a concise and fairly compelling portrait of Elizabeth I and it is densely packed with much thoughtful analysis."

-Sixteenth Century Journal,

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: NYU Press (August 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814719570
• ISBN-13: 978-0814719572
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #213,042 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( E ) > Elizabeth I
  • #12 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Historical > British > Elizabeth I

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Overview, January 3, 2004

By 

takingadayoff "takingadayoff" (Las Vegas, Nevada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Queen Elizabeth I (The British Library Historic Lives) (Hardcover)

This slim volume is only 144 pages including index. Susan Doran has written a complete, if brief, biography of Elizabeth I that hits all the main points of her life and rule. Nothing important seems to have been left out, and the narrative seems unhurried. One could read this book in a fairly short time, and have an understanding of Elizabeth's reign. However, for those who would like a bit more elaboration, Doran includes a Further Reading List at the end.

Doran's style is clear, engaging, and very readable. This seems to be a book intended for an adult reader, but it would be an excellent introduction for high school students (or even precocious middle schoolers), as well. The only spot where the narrative jars is when Doran briefly compares Elizabeth to Diana, Princess of Wales. Charismatic celebrities exist in every generation, and in twenty years, this reference may seem dated.

This is also an attractive book, apparently one of the first in a new series by The British Library. It includes many color photographs of portraits and documents throughout.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Queen Elizabeth I (Historic Lives), July 19, 2005

By 

Jim G. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Queen Elizabeth I (The British Library Historic Lives) (Hardcover)

Elizabeth I (The British Library, Historic Lives Series) by Susan Doran is a really superb book! Though I have read many books about Queen Elizabeth this one, though concise, thoroughly captures the essence of the history of Elizabeth and her England. Susan Doran provides us a captivating glimpse into the complicated world facing Elizabeth both in her personal and majestic life as she confronts the dynamic political and religious world developing around her and the England she loves. Elizabeth I was a complex person ruling in a complicated world. In a very even handed way, Susan Doran presents how a dynamic Queen Elizabeth, at her best and worst, navigates as best she can, through the perils and complexities confronting her and England. Susan Doran gives us an Elizabeth who is real. She shows Elizabeth as a Queen who has human frailities, who is adept in propaganda, can be as cruel as she is rewarding, yet whose monarchy enthralls and inspires us to this day. Susan Doran's adept use of a superb collection of illustrations throughout the book really provides a wonderful dimension to her protrayal of Elizabeth as a dynamic queen of England. This is a book I recommend to anyone who has an interest in Elizabeth I, Queen of England.