Tudor England [Paperback]

John Guy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 8, 1990 | ISBN-10: 0192852132 | ISBN-13: 978-0192852137 | Edition: New edition

John Guy here provides the most complete narrative history of Tudor England in more than 30 years. A compelling account of political and religious developments from the advent of the Tudors in the 1460s to the death of Elizabeth I in 1603, his authoritative study discusses the far-reaching changes in government and the Reformation of the Church under Henry VII, Edward VI, Mary, and Elizabeth, and is enriched with illuminating character studies of the monarchs and politicians of the era. Taking into account new debates on the progress of the English Reformation and the strengths and weaknesses of Tudor Government at a local and national level, the book includes contextual analyses of the Tudor English economy, society, and political culture.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'John Guy's book, lucid, scholarly, remarkably accomplished, provides an excellent overview ... Guy handles the traditional themes of power and religion with authority and conviction.' Jonathan Clark, The Sunday Times

`It is a full and strong account... Notes of the 16 chapters, a select bibliography, a glossary and a detailed index are an invaluable plus.' Oldham Evening Chronicle

'John Guy provides a compelling account of political and religious developments.' Good Book Guide

'This is a huge book. It is a consistently interesting one. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and would expect others to enjoy it also. The sheer range of coverage, based on the author's own work and his extensive knowledge of the writings of others, is deeply impressive. That, and much else besides, makes this quite excellent book a "must."' Jenny Wormald, Glasgow Herald

`John Guy is easily the most stimulating and vital Tudor historian writing today... a work of formidable erudition... it provides an invaluable and up-to-date guide to the historiography of the period.' Canadian Journal of History

'Judiciousness and equity are Guy's hallmarks. His sympathetic account of Wolsey is agile and humane, while the Machiavellian Thomas Cromwell emerges as a man of passionate evangelical faith ... painstaking book' Paul Hartle, Country Life

'closely argued, heavily weighted with detail and supplied with 54 pages of references ... The author's enthusiasm is engaging and his breadth of knowledge impressive.' Rosalind K. Marshall, The Scotsman

'Guy handles the traditional themes of power and religion with authority and conviction. John Guy's book, lucid, scholarly, remarkably accomplished, provides an excellent overview.' Jonathan Clark, Sunday Times

'the first comprehensive history of Tudor England for 30 years Patrick Collinson, Observer

'Guy's treatment of administration under Thomas Cromwell is a model of historical analysis and historiographical tact ... astonishingly up-to-date ... no historian can be expert and original on everything - and John Guy is expert and original on more than most of us' Christopher Haigh, Christ Church, Oxford. TES

About the Author

John Guy is Reader in History at the University of Bristol and was John Hinkley Visiting Professor at the Johns Hopkins University (1989-90). He is the author of many books on the Tudor period and is a contributor to the Oxford Illustrated History of Britain

Product Details

• Paperback: 624 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; New edition edition (March 8, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192852132
• ISBN-13: 978-0192852137
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #289,385 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A scholarly, thorough review of Tudor politics and society., July 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Tudor England (Paperback)

John Guy is a fine scholar and an adequate writer. His analysis of Tudor society and government thoroughly convinces the reader of his sound understanding of Tudor history.

At points he assumes his audience has more knowledge of Tudor policitics than this reader had. He analyzes membership and conflicts in the Privy councils in more depth than most people reading for pleasure will want. But the work will, on balance, entertain and fascinate any patient reader with its many perspectives on those famous Tudor monarchs.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic description of the whole period, July 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Tudor England (Paperback)

This book is excellently written, and will really appeal to anyone who is interested in the Tudors. Professor Guy's book is essential for anyone wishing to study this period, as this one volume covers religion, politics, society and the economy. He has a good style of writing and each topic flows smoothly into the next, giving a valuable insight into both the policies and the characters in this period.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterful survey of Tudor history, November 26, 2005

By 

Mark Klobas (Tempe, AZ, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Tudor England (Paperback)

In the preface to this book, John Guy states that one of his aims in writing it was to provide "a clear narrative account of the period of English history from 1460 to the death of Elizabeth I in a manner equally accessible to the general reader and to the student." In this the book is an unqualified success; though the author presumes some familiarity with the era, it is a great narrative of England during their reign, presenting complex events in a straightforward and comprehensible manner.

Guy's focus is primarily on political and religious themes of the period, though he includes chapters on the economy, society, and culture as a means of fully developing his argument. Such an approach is understandable, given that the development of the state is one of the major events of 16th century England. The key figure in this, as with so much else in Tudor history, is Henry VIII, whose innovations would be felt for the remainder of the century.

Written with clarity and wit, Guy's book is the best single-volume history of the Tudor era. My only complaint is that, given his other professed goal of offering a synthesis of current research, a new edition is needed to maintain the book's usefulness as a survey account. I can only hope that Guy does so before too many readers dismiss what is otherwise an excellent overview of Tudor rule.