About this title: Acclaimed biographer Alison Weir brings the enigmatic Elizabeth to life as never before in a brilliantly researched, fascinating book that is both an enthralling epic and an amazingly intimate portrait. 16-page photo insert.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Description: Acceptable. Book is in good reading condition. Cover has wear at edges and corners, and may have creases. Spine has wear at edges and creases. read more
Description: Good. Light shelf wear and minimal interior marks. Millions of satisfied customers and climbing. Thriftbooks is the name you can trust, guaranteed. Spend Less. Read More. read more
Description: Very Good. 0345425502 **Softcover**--Exact ISBN Match--Very mild shelf wear. No personalizations, writing or marks in the text. Absolutely no spine creasing. Ships Quickly-IN STOCK-Satisfaction Guaranteed! read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Date Published: 1999-10
ISBN-13:9780345425508ISBN:0345425502
Description: Good. Cover art different but ISBN same. Cover has a few light fingernail creases; corners are creased and curling a bit. Writing inside front cover. Spine creased, minor edge wear. NOT an ex-library book; no publisher's remainder marks. Military (APO/FPO) orders are welcomed-Thank you for your service. read more
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Date Published: 1999
ISBN-13:9780345425508ISBN:0345425502
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. Cover has some wear. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 560 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade. read more
Edition: First edition thus
Binding: Trade Paperback
Publisher: Ballantine Books, New York
Date Published: 1999
ISBN-13:9780345425508ISBN:0345425502
Description: Good. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. x, 532 pp., illus., biblio., index; 21 cm. Tight, clean copy. Creased back cover. Browning. "Perhaps the most influential sovereign England has ever known, Queen Elizabeth I remained an extremely private person throughout her reign, keeping her own counsel and sharing secrets with no one--not even her closest, most trusted advisers. Now, in this brilliantly researched, fascinating new book, acclaimed biographer Alison Weir shares provocative new interpretations and ... read more
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Date Published: 1999
ISBN-13:9780345425508ISBN:0345425502
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 560 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade. read more
Description: New. 0345425502 BRAND NEW trade paperback in excellent condition with no blemishes or flaws of any kind; This Item is in stock, we have great customer service and fast shipping! read more
Edition: First American Edition
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Date Published: 1998
ISBN-13:9780345425508ISBN:0345425502
Description: Fine. 1st American Edition 1st printing 1998, lightly used clean copy, softcover in excellent condition, no marks or writing, binding tight, spine perfect, covers bright and glossy. read more
Description: Very good. 1999 Ballantine Books Reprint Softcover(Trade PB) Edition. Some wear to cover, text clean with strong binding. Ships Fast! read more
"This is an absolutely wonderful biography of Queen Elizabeth I. The story begins with her uncertain childhood, following the death of her mother, Anne Boleyn, by order of her father Henry VIII. Her first passion is briefly told and her fears for her life as her sister, Mary, reigned.
But it is really the tracing of the arc of her reign that is at the heart of this book. The volume weaves together Elizabeth's personal life, her court life, and the political context in which she operated. You need a scorecard to keep all the actors straight here!
The book does a superb job describing the relationships of Elizabeth with intriguing people such as Mary, Queen of Scots (how Mary could have survived so long given her perpetual scheming to overthrow Elizabeth is stunning), Robert Dudley (Leicester), Robert Devereaux. Also well done is the tale of her on and off again courtships with foreign leaders, as she moved to (a) produce an heir, (b) create useful political alliances, and (c) retain her power. The latter, holding on to her power, always trumped the former. The story of her hot and cold linkage with Anjou is nicely done.
Inherent in a work like this is the poignancy of the Queen and her leading advisors aging and dying.
An important adjunct to reading is a set of genealogical tables at the end of the book. Keeping the players straight calls for some aid such as this!
Overall, an exquisitely written book that brings the character of Elizabeth I to life. The amount of information available about the Queen allows for such a detailed book that the people and times seem to come to life.
In the end, a book well worth looking at if interested in the times and the people. Highly recommended."
"If you like to read history but have trouble finding readable authors, look no further. Alison Weir is one of the most engaging writers of the Tudor period in England that I have ever had the pleasure of coming across. This fascinating, in-depth, and easy to follow portrayal of one of the most complex and daring queens in English history is a must read. I recommend it not only to history buffs but also to any female who feels inspired by strong women ahead of their time"
"Covering the reign of Elizabeth I, Weir brings the last of England's most elaborate court to light. Elizabeth's reign would see the end of the farce of courtly love and the medieval style. What could have been terribly dull and dry was not. I was saddened as I read to learn that many of the palaces of Elizabethan England are long victim's of the Cromwell days. The pomp, the pagentry, the feasts - and the utter cruely and intrigue, are the stuff of legend."
"I absolutely LOVE this book! I think that Weir gives a very refreshing view of Elizabeth and her motives. Compared with David Starkey's "Elizabeth: The Struggle for the Throne", I would choose Weir hands down. While Starkey writes with a pompous style that seems to scream "I am the one and only expert on all things about Tudor England", Weir comes straight out and says that, aside from predetermined fact, she offers theories about what may have happened. Also, I may be naive, but I like the fact that Weir says that Elizabeth was most likely a technical virgin. I honestly believe that she knew that she would have relenquished a lot of her power if she became somebody's (namely Dudley's) mistress. She would have known that once she gave in to a man's advances, he would have had power over her, and she wanted to hold all of the cards (as confirmed in her refusal to marry). I emphatically reccommend this book to anybody who enjoys biographies of historical figures."
We guarantee every item's condition, as described on Alibris. If you are not satisfied that an item is as described, return your purchase for a refund.