[bksvol-discuss] just submitted: the Life of Elizabeth I by Alison Weir
- From: "Amber Wallenstein" <amber.wallens@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2008 10:08:23 -0400
I have just submitted The Life of Elizabeth I by Alison Weir.
Weir describes herself as a social historian but admits that when chronicling
the lives of the flamboyant Tudors, it's impossible to keep domestic politics
and world affairs apart. One could hardly ignore the threatened depredations of
the "invincible" Spanish Armada or pass over the intrigues of Mary Queen
of Scots as she struggled to seize the throne and return England to Roman
Catholicism. Weir has already negotiated the complex matrimonial life of
Elizabeth's
father in The Six Wives of Henry VIII and the early lives of the resulting
progeny in The Children of Henry VIII. After a lonely and often perilous
childhood
during which Elizabeth was once imprisoned in the Tower and was nearly executed
at the behest of her half sister, Queen Mary, 25-year-old Elizabeth ascended
to the throne when Mary died. The prevailing expectation was that she would
speedily marry a strong man who would then take over as king: as Elizabeth
herself admitted, it was commonly thought that "a woman cannot live unless she
is married." Elizabeth did nothing of the kind and, as Weir details, she
did quite well for herself manipulating the royal marriage mart of Europe. Weir
uses myriad details of dress, correspondence and contemporary accounts
to create an almost affectionate portrait of a strong, well-educated ruler
loved by her courtiers and people alike. Hot-tempered, imperious Elizabeth has
been the subject of innumerable biographies, many very good. But Weir brings a
fine sense of selection and considerable zest to her portrait of the self-styled
Virgin Queen.
Enjoy.
Amber
Book blog:
http://community.livejournal.com/book_cuddler/
I have accepted a seat in the House of Representatives, and thereby have
consented to my own ruin, to your ruin, and to the ruin of our children. I give
you this warning that you may prepare your mind for your fate.
John Adams
E-Mail: amber.wallens@xxxxxxxxx
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