The Word of a Prince: A Life of Elizabeth I from Contemporary Documents [Paperback]

Maria Perry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 5, 1999

A new approach to historical biography - she has studied both the original sources and recent works of scholarship and has a thorough understanding of the period. SUNDAY TIMES Until Maria Perry began her exploration of Elizabeth's papers, this vivid raw material had only been partially studied. From it, a fresh portrait of Elizabeth emerges, one which is often more cohesive and less baffling than some offered by her biographers. The dangers and insecurities of her early life, her sense of divine protection, her formidable education, all stand out as crucial elements in the formation of her character; but behind the acquired circumspection lies a personality of great warmth and spirit. On the teasing questions of love, marriage and virginity, the letters and speeches offer oblique comment; it seems certain that Robert Dudley was her one true love, and that she felt his second marriage to Lettice Knollys as a bitter betrayal.MARIA PERRY is a graduate of Somerville College, Oxford, where she read history.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'A compelling portrait... the Elizabeth whom Perry presents is not the enigma of myth, triumphant but unfathomable. Rather she is a clever but very human woman, who came to know the extent of her assets and liabilities.' ENGLISH HISTORICAL REVIEW

Product Details

• Paperback: 276 pages
• Publisher: Boydell Press (August 5, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0851156339
• ISBN-13: 978-0851156330
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #864,302 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #48 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Historical > British > Elizabeth I

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for some, not for other - you decide!, May 10, 2000

By 

Caroline Blanchard - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Word of a Prince: A Life of Elizabeth I from Contemporary Documents (Paperback)

I read this book in a History class of the Tudor-Stuart period in college. While I found the book interesting, many others did not. The book combines documents by Elizabeth herself, many rare or hard to find and of a personal nature, and secondary source comentaty. The book gives an often unheard naritive of Elizabeth I's childhood, accendancy, and reign.

One problem that many other students found in my class was the constant personal narritives given by the author. While at times they are quite dramatic and through provoking, they are often biased and pure speculation (yet presented as fact). Some issues and events are taken someone out of context or presented in a slanted view.

While I would definatly recomend this book to anyone wanting to know more and about Elizabeth I, I must caution the reader to question some of the evidence and speculation given in the book. The reader must constantly be on the look out for things that may be biased. This book does make an excellent read for the amature historian, but like all historical books, do not base all your knowledge on this one work.

0 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm confused., October 20, 2000

By 

Ashley (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Word of a Prince: A Life of Elizabeth I from Contemporary Documents (Paperback)

I've never read this book before, But someone that has, Could u tell me why in the world it says The World of a *Prince*? Because shes a princess.