The Tudors

The Complete Story of England's Most Notorious Dynasty

De: G. J. Meyer

Narrado por: Robin Sachs

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The award-winning author of The Memphis Murders presents “a rich and vibrant tapestry” (The Star-Ledger) of the fabled Tudor dynasty—and some of the most enigmatic figures to ever rule a country.

“A thoroughly readable and often compelling narrative . . . Five centuries have not diminished the appetite for all things Tudor.”—Associated Press

In 1485, Henry Tudor, whose claim to the English throne was so weak as to be almost laughable, nevertheless sailed from France with a ragtag army to take the crown from the family that had ruled England for almost four centuries. Fifty years later, his son, Henry VIII, desperate to rid himself of his first wife in order to marry a second, launched a reign of terror aimed at taking powers no previous monarch had even dreamed of possessing—ultimately leaving behind a brutal legacy that would blight the lives of his children and the destiny of his country. The boy king Edward VI, a fervent believer in reforming the English church, died before realizing his dream. Mary I, the disgraced daughter of Catherine of Aragon, tried and failed to reestablish the Catholic Church and produce an heir, while Elizabeth I sacrificed all chance of personal happiness in order to survive.

Blending gripping history with lively storytelling, The Tudors presents the sinners and saints, the tragedies and triumphs, the high dreams and dark crimes of this enthralling, notorious era.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"[A] sweeping history of the gloriously infamous Tudor era. Unlike the somewhat ponderous British biographies of the Henrys, Elizabeths and Boleyns that seem to pop up perennially, Meyer displays some flashy, fresh irreverence…Meyer cut[s] to the quick of the action…Energetic and comprehensive."—Kirkus Reviews

"History buffs will savor Meyer's cheeky, nuanced, and authoritative perspective on an entire dynasty, and his study brims with enriching background discussions, ranging from class structure and the medieval Catholic Church to the Tudor connection to Spanish royalty."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Historian/journalist Meyer does an excellent job of recreating the Tudor epoch, both in his dramatic narrative and in the alternating "background" chapters that illuminate 16th-century culture, politics, etc...Meyer's book is a rich and vibrant tapestry depicting England's most notorious—and most remembered—monarchs."—The Newark Star-Ledger

New Perspective...

Would you listen to The Tudors again? Why?

As someone who has read extensively on the Tudor dynasty, I actually enjoyed the different perspective that this book offered, which was overwhelming negative about the whole lot of the family. It is not unusual to find books that condemn the behavior of Henry (VII and VIII) and Mary, but this book calls to the carpet, so to speak, the actual ramifications of the reign of Gloriana (admittedly one of my childhood heros), both during her lifetime and after. It seems well-researched and while negative, fair in it's analysis of the facts presented.

Loved it!

I loved absolutely every moment of this. I wish it were even longer! Sachs does an excellent job bringing a delightful and entertaining story to life.

Colour filled History

Excellent record of events and background, well structured and interesting, giving lots of insight into the characters and the effects of excess. Enjoy this book immensely.

An Awsome Corruption of Power

Would you listen to The Tudors again? Why?

I would listen to this book over and over. For such an interesting read there is a surprising amount of detail in here. Each monarch brings with them new faces to the court. These new power struggles and jealousies lead to parallel intrigues. As for the monarchs themselves, the Tudors remain one of history's great intrigues.

What other book might you compare The Tudors to and why?

I suppose the closest I would find to this may be A history of the Isles by Norman Davies, and I suppose the reason is that the author's passion for subject becomes so infectious, without loosing their ability to be highly critical or controversial.

What about Robin Sachs’s performance did you like?

It was a really great listen. You usually know from the first 5 minutes if the narrator is going to be a winner. Sometimes the best narrators are the ones you don't notice. When the work involves a fair bit of detail it needs to be delivered without distraction but with authority.

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

No. I enjoyed mulling it over. There is too much historical detail to take in and I mean that in the best way possible.

Any additional comments?

I will listen to this book again and again. If I had one complaint it would be the lack of information regarding the Tudors in Ireland. The Tudors sowed the seeds of five hundred years of conflict as well as laying the groundwork for the great suffering for the coming generations of the native Irish people. Although in the past English historians have rarely bothered themselves with England/Britain's interference in Ireland, and Irish students of history always have to read English historians through a certain prism because of this. I felt that this was a study that could have made room for it but plainly didn't. But a great book for all that.

Good overview

This book is a good overview of the Tudor Dynasty. There are some drawbacks but they are not bad enough to not read this book. First of all, this book is not exhaustive regarding all six wives. In fact, the book barely mentions the wives after Anne Boleyn. I am now reading "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" by Alison Weir to compensate for this loss. Also, the way the author jumps back and forth in time is annoying.

On the positive side, I learned a great deal from this book. There is lots of good info on Thomas Wolsey and Thomas Cromwell. There are chapters in the book called "Background" chapters and they are fascinating. Robin Sachs is an excellent narrator for this book.