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The Wives of Henry VIII | 
 enlarge | Author: Antonia Fraser
Publisher: Vintage
Category: Book
List Price: $18.95
Buy Used: $4.08
You Save: $14.87 (78%)
New (29) Used (38) Collectible (2) from $4.08
Avg. Customer Rating:  28 reviews
Sales Rank: 17039
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 496
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 8 x 5.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 0140132937
Dewey Decimal Number: 942.0520922
EAN: 9780679730019
ASIN: 067973001X
Publication Date: November 30, 1993
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com
When we think of the wives of Henry VIII, we tend to think of women who literally lost their heads. But Antonia Fraser opens the door to the political and cultural demands that shaped the destinies of the king and his royal wives. Romance, unfortunately, rarely had anything to do with it. And if you think the modern American media is too tough on political leadership, you oughta READ about the royal court in King Henry's day! That's one family you'd never want to marry into.
Product Description
The six-week New York Times bestselling history of the legendary six wives of Henry VIII--from an acclaimed biographer. "Admirably succeed(s) in bringing to life the six women who married England's ruler. . . ."--New York Times Book Review. 16 color plates. 32 pages of illustrations.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 23 more reviews...
 Better than Fiction March 29, 2008
Great book about the many interesting women married to the famous Monarch. Ms Fraser is a great writer breathing life into each one of the Queen's, showing their vulnerability as well as strength. I will be reading more by this author.
 Off with 'er head! and other love stories March 28, 2008
As I described it to my friend, Fraser's work reads like a novel with footnotes. There's definitely research, and she has an excellent grasp on what she is saying, but as a biography of the wives, there isn't much of the usual dense analysis to grapple with. Fraser's strength as an author is in the narrative. Her narrative is lively and well informed - her background in writing novels definitely comes through. She is also successful at ensuring that she has given you all the background information to attempt to explain the context - it was, after all, more than just a husband's wandering eye. This work of popular history is definitely accessible and entertaining, and even though you might already know how it ends, the narrative still keeps you coming back to it, waiting for the next high emotion scene where heads will quite literally roll.
For those of you who enjoy history, this will be a delightful, easy read.
If you are considering going to see The Other Boleyn Girl [Theatrical Release] or you're a fan of the Showtime series The Tudors - The Complete First Season, or even if you aren't, I would definitely recommend picking up Fraser's book. At the very least the book will allow you to be watch such recent Hollywood hits and say, "Hey! They totally got the timeline and context wrong on this whole situation." It will also probably make you wonder why Hollywood has bothered to change the story at all - when the real one is dramatic and entertaining enough on its own.
Different view of an Infamous King October 7, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This was the first Antonia Fraser book I read and from the "Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived" I was hooked. I read it after hearing her speak at Peterborough Cathedral about Catherine of Aragon. The book looks at Henry VIII's from his wives' perspective. What drove them to marry this man especially after he beheaded Anne Boleyn. Also, it is great introduction to Tudor England.
Brings History Back To Life March 9, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
For those who say history is boring. Better than reading a novel, with real characters sometimes going beyond the imaginary. An amazing study of the six wives, and the power crazed king they called husband. Used every means imaginable to justify ridding himself of one wife, to marry another. Even to the point of falsely accusing one of commiting incest with her own brother (Anne Boleyn), and having her beheaded. A powerful study of the British monarchy, and one of its most shameful periods.
really interesting January 15, 2007
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
The book is well written and it brings you back inside the story.
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