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"Henry VIII" by Alison Weir -- thoughts?
November 25, 2013
5:28 am
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chkylie
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I usually read reviews before I buy my Tudor history books, but on an impulse I just saw this book in a store and bought it. In the past I’ve had some problems with things Alison Weir has written, so if any of you have read through this one before, what did you think of it? Thanks :)

--Kylie
queenaboleyn.blogspot.com (Tudor Blog)
kylie.floriental.org (Personal Blog)

"Let the grumble -- that's how it's going to be."

November 25, 2013
7:20 pm
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Sharon
Binghamton, NY
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Hi chkylie,
Her Henry VIII was the first Tudor book I picked up. Weir is a good starting point, but as you said she has some problems. Her best, I think, was Mary Boleyn.

November 27, 2013
5:39 am
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Bella44
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It’s been some year since I read this but I remember it being one of Alison Weirs’ better ones. It focuses a lot on Henrys’ court and its workings and what duties each position entailed.

January 4, 2014
6:09 pm
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TudorFan
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I usually like Alison Weir’s books. What are the problems that you think she has?

January 4, 2014
9:19 pm
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Sharon
Binghamton, NY
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The last book I read by her was Mary Boleyn, and I really liked that book. Her Henry VIII was good. She isn’t very good at sourcing her information. She will put something in quotes and she’ll say she found it in Letters and Papers. Letters and Papers is huge and if you don’t have the source numbers, you could search until the cows come home and still may not find it. Sometimes she says things and doesn’t source it at all.
In Lady in the Tower (I think) she said that Anne was pregnant when she was killed. No source. That was a huge gaffe. It is things like that which to me are turn offs.
However, I do read her books. I have just received her book, Elizabeth of York, and I am looking forward to reading it. I would never tell anyone not to read her books. I like her writing style. It is easy to follow her.

January 4, 2014
9:47 pm
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Anyanka
La Belle Province
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I’m another who finds her easy to read in style but her lack of proper citations does annoy me.

It's always bunnies.

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