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Elizabeth I (Paperback)

~ (Author) "On 9 April 1533, a foreign diplomat named Eustace Chapuys arrived at Greenwich Palace to make a formal protest to Henry VIII about the King's..." (more)
Key Phrases: heiress presumptive, state papers relating, one courtier, Queen of Scots, Mary Stuart, Lord Admiral (more...)

4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)

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Hardcover Available from these sellers. Published November 4, 1991	Hardcover, November 4, 1991	--	$17.95	$0.43
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Paperback $16.15 In Stock. Published January 6, 2003	Paperback, January 6, 2003	$16.15	$4.98	$4.25
Paperback Available from these sellers. Published October 15, 1992	Paperback, October 15, 1992	--	$6.48	$0.90
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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.

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Product Details

Paperback: 672 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (October 15, 1992)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312081839
ISBN-13: 978-0312081836
Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 2 pounds

Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,152,951 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)
Popular in these categories: (What's this?)
#49 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( E ) > Elizabeth I
#60 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Historical > British > Elizabeth I

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Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
On 9 April 1533, a foreign diplomat named Eustace Chapuys arrived at Greenwich Palace to make a formal protest to Henry VIII about the King's behaviour towards Catherine of Aragon, his Spanish wife of twenty-four years' standing. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
heiress presumptive, state papers relating, one courtier

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Queen of Scots, Mary Stuart, Lord Admiral, Lord Robert, Privy Council, Robert Cecil, Low Countries, Lord Treasurer, Duke of Norfolk, Earl of Leicester, Queen's Majesty, Sir Henry, House of Commons, Sir James, King Philip, Archduke Charles, Mary Tudor, New Year, Privy Chamber, Sir William, Archbishop of Canterbury, Don John, Earl of Shrewsbury, Earl of Sussex, English Catholics

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 74 books:

Expansion Of Elizabethan England by A.L. Rowse on 4 pages
The Queen's Merchants and the Revolt of the Netherlands (The End of the Antwerp Mart, Part 2) by G. D. Ramsay in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
Government of Elizabethan England by A. G. Smith in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
Faith by Statute: Parliament and the Settlement of Religion, 1559 by Norman L Jones in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
Queen Elizabeth I by J. E. Neale in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)

See all 74 books this book cites

Books on Related Topics (learn more)

The Life of Elizabeth I by Alison Weir

Discusses:

The Sisters of Henry VIII by Maria Perry

Discusses:

Henry VIII by Alison Weir

Discusses:

Dissing Elizabeth by Julia M.Walker

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	60% buy the item featured on this page: Elizabeth I 4.4 out of 5 stars (19)
	22% buy The Life of Elizabeth I 4.0 out of 5 stars (139) $11.56
	6% buy The Children of Henry VIII 4.5 out of 5 stars (79) $10.88
	6% buy The Lady Elizabeth: A Novel 4.1 out of 5 stars (63) $10.00

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Customer Reviews

19 Reviews

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
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Average Customer Review

4.4 out of 5 stars (19 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 42 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)

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.

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26 of 26 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" (Perth, Australia) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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.

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23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

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

By A Customer

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.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Elizabeth !
As detailed, or moreso, as a dry history textbook, but written with the imaginative romance and style of an 'historical soap opera', if you will. Read more

Published 9 months ago by D. R. Pitts

2.0 out of 5 stars incorrect descripton of condition/an interesting read
This book arrived with a broken spine; I did contact the seller who defended their description and offered a refund since they did not have another to replace it. Read more

Published 13 months ago by C. weber

5.0 out of 5 stars elizabeth the great
elizabeth was the most fascinating ,complex woman who every rule in the world.the author capture the reader's imagination by tell story of motherless princess who mother beheading... Read more

Published 18 months ago by S. D. Simmons

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite so far.....
In my opinion this is the best of the numerous biographies I've read about this fascinating person. A balanced and fair, warts and all approach that allows the reader to form... Read more

Published on November 1, 2007 by Melissa Wallace

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive and Interesting
I had never read a historical biography before, and I had no idea a book like this could be such a page turner. I could hardly put it down! Read more

Published on May 25, 2007 by L. Phillips

5.0 out of 5 stars Best biography of Elizabeth I
This is the most substantial and elegantly written of the recent biographies of Elizabeth I. Somerset is especially good on Elizabeth's character (indecisiveness was a big... Read more

Published on May 13, 2007 by Short Shelf

5.0 out of 5 stars a clear-eyed personal and political bio
This is an insightful and fascinating look into the age of Elizabeth I: not only does the author explore her complex private life, but her techniques of holding and exercising... Read more

Published on November 4, 2006 by Robert J. Crawford

5.0 out of 5 stars The First Iron lady?
This is an excellent book and a lively and interesting read. Anne Somerset gives an insight into all sides of the character of Elizabeth. Read more

Published on July 22, 2006 by J. Chippindale

4.0 out of 5 stars A Well-Researched and Detailed Account
I thought Somerset's Elizabeth I was an excellent biography. At almost every turn you were loaded with so many little facts and intricacies that seemed to go off on another... Read more

Published on July 6, 2005 by A. Lee

4.0 out of 5 stars Queen for a day (or four decades)
Who is the most important monarch in English history? The case could be made for a number of different figures, from William the Conqueror through Victoria, with a number of... Read more

Published on February 18, 2005 by mrliteral

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