A History of England from the Tudors to the Stuarts

By: Robert Bucholz, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Robert Bucholz

Length: 24 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

During the 229-year period from 1485 to 1714, England transformed itself from a minor feudal state into what has been called "the first modern society" and emerged as the wealthiest and most powerful nation in the world.

Those years hold a huge and captivating story. The English survived repeated epidemics and famines, one failed invasion and two successful ones, two civil wars, a series of violent religious reformations and counter-reformations, and confrontations with two of the most powerful monarchs on Earth, Louis XIV of France and Philip II of Spain. But they did much more than survive. They produced a great culture, giving the world the ideas of John Locke, the plays of Shakespeare, the wit of Swift, the poetry of Milton, the buildings of Christopher Wren, the science of Isaac Newton, and the King James Bible, to name a very few. And, despite the cruelty, bloodshed, and religious suppression they visited upon so many, they ultimately left behind something else: the political principles and ideals for which we-and so many of them - would work and die, and on which we would build our own nation.

Now you can watch this remarkable panorama of society, economics, religion, and politics unfold in a series of 48 transfixing lectures by a justifiably honored teacher who takes you into the lives of not only Britain's ruling royal houses, but the English people themselves, describing how they were born, worked, played, worshiped, fell in love, and died.

Cinematic in their presentation and detail - whether describing the likely thoughts of Charles I on the way to his execution or the overheard weeping of Queen Anne after she fired her Lord Treasurer - these lectures are as memorable as the history they describe.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2003 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2003 The Great Courses

Old-fashioned and inaccurate

Bucholz has written some respected texts, but in this series he has relied on outdated research. His lectures on Henry VII and Henry VIII are sound enough, but by the time he got to Edward VI it was clear he had read no recent historical writing; he repeated the myth that Edward was weakly from birth, that Northumberland had conspired to put his son and daughter in law on the throne, and a number of other inaccuracies. Finally I had to stop listening. There are better books out there: David Loades' books on each of the Tudor monarchs are excellent, readable, and well-researched, Diarmuid MacCulloch wrote a good one on Edward, Dale Hoak's Age of Henry VIII is both interesting and easy to listen to.

History-lite according to Braveheart

What disappointed you about A History of England from the Tudors to the Stuarts?

Unlike "The Great Courses" Medievil History of England lectures, this series is poor—it is a self promoting series by Rovert Bucholz that doesn't back up most of his views with archeology and primary texts—instead he does melodramatic readings of Shakespeare, hearsay, gossip, and movie quotes.

What was most disappointing about The Great Courses’s story?

His voice—he tries to convince you through raising his voices into an affected form of rhetoric instead of calmly presenting opposing views. He talks about the lecture its self as if were a primary source and makes leaps of logic.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Professor Robert Bucholz?

Jennifer Paxton who did The Story of Medieval England

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disbelief—I'm sure which parts are true and which parts are not. I'll need to find a more balanced book about the Tudors and the Stuarts.

Any additional comments?

It's lectures series like this that cause people to study science and give up on the humanities.

Better than any fiction

I listen to history fiction books for fun and entertainment. This true history course was as good or better than any books I have on this subject. Narrator is excellent!

A great topic and discussion marred by Social Justice Worriory.

This author is knowledgeable, speaks clearly, and has many interesting anecdotes. Sadly, he feels compelled to insert a SJW sermonette in the opening and closing chapters to the effect that the English elite and gentry were uniquely morally depraved in their treatment of others, as if he were ignorant of the events in contemporary European, Ottoman, Far Eastern, and pretty much every other society in the world. It made the last chapter almost impossible to listen to. Sad.

Engaging & thorough review of Tudor-Stuart Britain

I have really enjoyed this lecture series! The level of detail would make it easy for anyone to understand, not just those with a background in history. I love that he focuses on social history, as this was an aspect not often reviewed in my studies but is the part of history I enjoy most. I especially enjoyed that he spent time reviewing the lives of the lower social classes and what every day life would have been like during this time period!

Good but some inaccuracies

This is basically good for someone unfamiliar with the period, but its mainly a rehashing of Victorian history which has plenty of holes and myths. I found it a little crazy that he insinuated Henry's inability to have a child was a result of venereal disease. That has no basis in fact, the man was such a freak about getting ill that getting the pox was just not something he can be blamed for. There are many little things in there that made me wonder when the last time he had done any reading on his subject.

I don't usually give 5's

As a Canadian I thought we would be taught about the history of our colonial masters, but somehow I slipped well into middle age without learning any of this fascinating info. The professor delivers it in a passionate and compelling manner that makes the 48 hrs fly by.
It is hard to critique the factual nature of the subject, but the analysis of the competing social forces made me wish I read this type of insight in our common social fabric years ago. It does shed light on how the political system works even today. I just wish he was able to explain more about Canada during that time. This is my 2nd learning company lecture and I hope to buy more.

A fantastic storyteller of a fantastic story

A must listen for anyone that is interested in history. It is very well presented and has enough depth. I've learnt a huge amount from this series and now have a desire to learn a lot more about the period.

Interesting

I thought this was a great overview of an interesting period. The only "critique" I have is that it was a bit of a slow start. The professor sort of glossed over Henry VII, in my opinion. But after that he was consistently enjoyable and engaging. And does a great balance of the big events of history and some social, political and economic history

Easy listen

What did you love best about A History of England from the Tudors to the Stuarts?

I found the series and lecturer excelling at being able to bring a long and intertwined structure into a great narrative

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yep, i kept coming back to a long but very engaging read

The seeds of our modern successes and failures

Prof Bucholz has provided a digestible yet encyclopaedic account of modern English history. With a relaxed and informal style he shows how the personalities of the Monarchs shape their response to the main problem areas of the day, religion, succession, finance and dealing with foreign threats or opportunities. Aimed at a U.S. audience I, as a Brit, always found the course relevant and interesting. The way the government moves from the King to Parliament over the centuries, and the way responses to religious dissent move from execution by burning to less violent punishment and finally to religious tolerance helps us understand our present day responses when tensions between Protestants and Catholics, Muslims and Jews underlie any global conflicts. Above all, to get to know the Monarchs and their entourages as people, Henry 8th whose narcissistic and sociopathic personality led to huge changes for the country and Queen Anne, denigrated for her obesity by some sexist historians, yet able to make peace after a terrible war.
A great voyage.

Be ready to press pause ...

... not a luxury afforded in the lecture theatre - if you are English you will find much that is contentious - better to be ready to pause than have the argument in your head and miss some of this fascinating series of lectures.

amazingly good

What did you like most about A History of England from the Tudors to the Stuarts?

The coverage is immense; coherent theme, informative and illuminating. Great

What did you like best about this story?

All aspects, lecturing style, information, research marvellous.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

difficult to say. All lectures of a great standard

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. But that would not to justice to the content.

Any additional comments?

Congratulations and thanks.

learn about history the easy way

was able to learn so much and all whilst either driving, traveling on the train or cooking a meal for my family

Worthwhile listen

If you could sum up A History of England from the Tudors to the Stuarts in three words, what would they be?

Informative, interesting, different angle.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A History of England from the Tudors to the Stuarts?

The Great Chain of Being and how it changed through the history of the Tudors and the Stuarts

What does Professor Robert Bucholz bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Lively lecture style, doesn't drone, well researched, well presented.
My only reason for not giving full stars is because of his overuse of "by the way..." which does get a bit repetitive but not enough to take away from these lectures being really good.

Superb set of lectures

Found this series highly enjoyable and stimulating. Professor has an engaging personality and a profound grasp of English history. Would recommend this series.

Excellent!

Would you listen to A History of England from the Tudors to the Stuarts again? Why?

Yes I would. It is fantastic how much the Professor has managed to get into every lecture, without jamming it with names. I am sure I have missed things first time round, and would enjoy listening again to catch more. The lectures are written in a witty engaging style. He manages to cover all the good stories as well as giving us a proper historical account of the period.

He does a great job of balancing the high politics and character portraits of the key leaders with a humane and imaginative portrayal of the lives of ordinary people.

Well presented and easily digestible

Although quite a daunting task to finish all the lectures I was glad I persevered. The lecturer was interesting to listen to.

Would recommend

What did you like most about A History of England from the Tudors to the Stuarts?

Prof Buchoiz is an engaging speaker and his lectures are stimulating. He includes accounts of the common people as well as an informative run through the kings and queens of England.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It is possible to listen for long periods of time and remain interested

Any additional comments?

The sound seems a little muffled, but increasing the volume a little solves the problem

Historcal audible

All quite positive and informative .Appears to be well researched . I want to continue my bucket list and history is top of that list.