Type of bind: Audio Cassette
Dewey Decimal Number: 920
EAN num: 9780007113194
Format: Audiobook
ISBN number: 0007113196
Label: HarperCollins Audio
Manufacturer: HarperCollins Audio
Quantity: 2
Printing Date: February 19, 2001
Publishing house: HarperCollins Audio
Sale Popularity Level: 4338559
Studio: HarperCollins Audio
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Product Description:
An abused child, yet confident of her destiny, passionately sexual yet, she said, a virgin, famed as England's most successful ruler yet actually doing little, Elizabeth I is full of contradictions. This biography, published to accompany a Channel 4 series presented by the author, aims to turn the paradox into a person. Starting with Elizabeth's own speeches and writings, the author lays emphasis on two things: her faith made her see religion as a purely personal relationship between the individual conscience and God, yet her sophisticated education led her to a smoke-and-mirrors view of politics, in which clever image-making and speech-writing could solve or postpone real problems. The result was a surprisingly contemporary approach to some very modern questions, like civil strife in Scotland and Ireland and the risk of England's absorption into a European super-state. This approach to the enigma of the Queen's character is presented in a retelling of her reign; her love for Robert Dudley, the tragi-comedy of her favourites and suitors, her struggles with Mary Queen of Scots and Philip II of Spain and the final, humiliating debacle of her relationship with Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex.
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Rated by buyers 
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I approached this novel as an accompaniment for a trip to Florida. In other words, I thought it would be a run of the mill, rehashed but pleasant reading for me. I am delighted to be affirmed in my expectation. There is so much to be delved into in Elizabeth I history, and I am excited that David Starkey has thoroughly and carefully presented others learnings in a concise and somewhat chronological order.
The writing is dry, unadorned and significantly presumptuous in its presentation. I had hoped to find some embellishments or adornment to Mr. Starkeys' novel but there were none. It is not a matter of not having the material to create with, as so much the possible decision to shorten his pot-boiler to the core. Even with a description of the crowning ceremonies, I felt that the lack of colour in his writing left me feeling like I was reading just another published medical journal. Here are the facts, the dates of completion and action; the reader must internalize and review the data.
I love words and I was not disappointed in this novel to learn or endeavor to learn perhaps 100 new and obscure words. Did Mr. Starkey write this compendium with a word processor set on "Oxfordian Thesaurusian"?
I did also sticky note perhaps fifty facts that Mr.Starkey presented that gave me pause, and desire to continue my research with. There were various passages that time after time, were alluded to, that were not concluded to, in Mr. Starkeys' novel. No definitive statements here! ie: Seymours alleged dalliance with Elizabeth is presented with no forensic aside of proof or conclusion, only assumptions, and those taken from the usual sources. This encompasses pretty much all his facts within this novel. His sources are few and paraphrased continually.
Is my review harsh? I don't think so. I am researching Elizabeth I and try to give all my history sources a fair shake. A few pleasant words of encouragement, but, not here in this instance. Starkey gets a few points for compilation of events, but loses his credibility with his inability to keep the years presented with the days.
Rated by buyers 
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She sure was the helluva queen, and this was one real man-size exhibition. Incredible images, straight-talking text. Boy, was that a woman.
Rated by buyers -
A great book. After you read this book, you will have more sympathy and respect for Elizabeth I. A neglected early childhood, loved and protected by faithful servants to whom she was loyal until they died. Finally accepted by her Father at heiress at the age of 10, she came to love and admire her distant father. Her mental capabilities were prodigious and her wit and learning allowed her to die an old woman beloved in memory. She may not have been perfect, but she was remarkable.
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