Olga, I started reading The Other Tudors on a slow night shift the other day, and I thought the same thing. What a load of tosh! I do know where my copy is but like you, I’m in no hurry to finish it. I started reading Annette Carson’s “Richard III, The Maligned King’ instead.

Olga said

Ok I have one for each list. Read most of Philippa Jones the Other Tudors a couple of days ago. I wouldn’t have read so much except I was waiting for an emergency appointment at the dental hospital for two and a half hours. Meanwhile I polished off most of it and it was not very good at all. I have actually lost it somewhere in my study (full of book booby traps here) and I’m actually in no hurry to find it to finish. She’s managed to make up five illegitimate children, and Harry Percy’s wife trying to abort her own child (no footnote of course) I think most of it has leaked out of my head already.

Fools and Jesters by John Southworth is an excellent book, fascinating stuff. I think he may have more books coming out, and if so, I’m in. He’s on my favourites list.

Now another question, anyone read Chris Skidmore? I’m considering his book on Edward VI

I though I was the only one who lost books from where they are supposed to be. I sometimes think I’m part of the Unseen University Library but without the orang-utang librarian.

D’Hoffryn can’t understand why I have at least one book in my car at all times and why if I’m with him another in my bag, just in case….

I’ve read his book on Amy Robsarts death, and whilst I found it absorbing to read, I can’t say I totally agreed with his conclusions. But I’ve always wanted to read the book on Edward and I can’t think of many others that focus solely on him. Are there any?

I read Skidmore’s book on Edward VI. I liked it and do recommend it. It is one of better Tudor biographies of recent years, and I felt I learned a lot about Edward. It’s been awhile since I read it, so I am not clear on the details.

I started to read Skidmore’s book on Amy Robsart, but never finished it. I will have to start at the beginning.

Philippa Jones’s book is utter trifle. I bought a copy for $2.00 at a discount store, so I’m not out anything. But I would not recommend to anyone, unless you want a good laugh!

I would say Professor Ives will be the all time number 1 on the list of most trusted Historians for me, a man who always referenced his work and always seemed open for a debate with other Historians, and wasn’t afraid to acknowledge criticism and always open to changing his views on certain things ( for example his update on his book on Anne), i sadly never met the man, but he really was an inspiration.

Others i would say are Antonia Fraser, David Loades ( not his latest work though), Dan Snow, Kate Williams, Anna Whitelock, David Starkey, Christopher Hibbert, Christopher Warwick and Robert Hardman

Least i would say is Elizabeth Norton who’s work is so rushed and un-prepared it’s slightly embarrassing, she’s churning out books like there is no tomorrow, but they just seem so poorly researched, harsh as it sounds.

James33 said

Claire said

The Chris Skidmore book on Edward VI is excellent.

By the way, on a personal note, John Guy and Julia Fox are amazing people. Eric Ives was booked to be our main speaker at the recent Anne Boleyn Experience tour but we heard from his daughter that he’d had a stroke and was in hospital. As sad as this was, I also had to try and find someone to step in at just a few days’ notice and zoomed an email off to Julia and John and, hey presto, they stepped in and did an amazing job. They are lovely, lovely people who have helped and inspired me. The same is true of Leanda de Lisle and Suzannah Lipscomb who are always willing to help and never too busy. Obviously, none of this matters to the general reading public, but these people are true historians and truly kind, genuine and helpful people. Eric Ives was also like that and I will really miss him. It would be easy for historians and authors to look down on me, as I’m not a professor or academic, but these people don’t and I’m very grateful.

That’s fantastic- i really worry when meeting Historians as although i’m incredibly interested & passionate in history & have read many biographies, that the fact that i’m not academically trained that i might someway be looked down on when talking to them- i know it sounds really stupid & a lot of it is really just self doubt on my part , it took me a while to start attending events- the best events so far i have found to be Historic Royal Palaces, there events are always very relaxed, welcoming, friendly & it’s not just academics that go to them which is nice.

I really wish i could have met Eric Ives, everyone who met him has spoken so highly of him, i would have loved to have told him how much i loved his work on Anne and how his book is like the history bible to me now :p, you can really tell how hard he worked on that book- even the historians who disagreed with some of it have all said how marvelous it is, which i think really shows how great he was

James most of us here aren’t acamdemically trained in history, but I think we can all confidently say that we are well read. I understand exactly where you are comming from though. The thoughts a theories that you have you feel that if you voice them, you will be ridiculed and villified. It won’t happen, you have offered an opinion and everyone here respects that. They might not agree with you but will respect your point of view.
I think nearly everyone here will agree that some of the opinions I have put on this forum are very off the latch at times. I’m sure that Anyanka must have an industrial sized angle grinder to keep the points sharpened well on the Iron maiden she has at the back of her cupboard, and Sharon must be shipping in Duckhams hypergrade oil by the barrel for to oil up the rack, she has in her garage just to torture me on with what I come out.
The fact is we aren’t hear to judge, we are here to have fun, enjoy each others company and learn from each other.
I have made some wonderful freinds here and I love each and everyone for who and what they are.

Olga said

Has anyone read Robert Hutchinson yet? I’m currently reading his Young Henry book and it is excellent. I have most of his other books as well, hes also done a biography on Cromwell, on Walsingham and a couple on the Tudor family. Anyway I am really impressed, he’s also very engaging, the book is really interesting.

I was very impressed with Hutchinson’s book about Cromwell. Haven’t read any of his other books.
Is Starkey writing his sequel to his Henry book or what? Seems like we’ve been waiting a very long time.