The Life of Elizabeth I | 
 enlarge | Author: Alison Weir
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Category: Book
List Price: $17.00
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Rating:  130 reviews
Sales Rank: 11089
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 560
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8 x 5.4 x 1.2
ISBN: 0345425502
Dewey Decimal Number: 942.055092
EAN: 9780345425508
ASIN: 0345425502
Publication Date: October 1999
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Amazon.com Review
The long life and powerful personality of England's beloved Virgin Queen have eternal appeal, and popular historian Alison Weir depicts both with panache. She's especially good at evoking the physical texture of Tudor England: the elaborate royal gowns (actually an intricate assembly of separate fabric panels buttoned together over linen shifts), the luxurious but unhygienic palaces (Elizabeth got the only "close stool"; most members of her retinue relieved themselves in the courtyards), the huge meals heavily seasoned to disguise the taste of spoiled meat. Against this earthy backdrop, Elizabeth's intelligence and formidable political skills stand in vivid relief. She may have been autocratic, devious, even deceptive, but these traits were required to perform a 45-year tightrope walk between the two great powers of Europe, France and Spain. Both countries were eager to bring small, weak England under their sway and to safely marry off its inconveniently independent queen. Weir emphasizes Elizabeth's precarious position as a ruling woman in a man's world, suggesting plausibly that the single life was personally appealing as well as politically expedient for someone who had seen many ambitious ladies--including her own mother--ruined and even executed for just the appearance of sexual indiscretions. The author's evaluations of such key figures in Elizabeth's reign as the Earl of Leicester (arguably the only man she ever loved) and William Cecil (her most trusted adviser) are equally cogent and respectful of psychological complexity. Weir does a fine job of retelling this always-popular story for a new generation. --Wendy Smith
Product Description
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 fresh insights on this enigmatic figure.
Against a lavish backdrop of pageantry and passion, intrigue and war, Weir dispels the myths surrounding Elizabeth I and examines the contradictions of her character. Elizabeth I loved the Earl of Leicester, but did she conspire to murder his wife? She called herself the Virgin Queen, but how chaste was she through dozens of liaisons? She never married--was her choice to remain single tied to the chilling fate of her mother, Anne Boleyn? An enthralling epic that is also an amazingly intimate portrait, The Life of Elizabeth I is a mesmerizing, stunning reading experience.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 125 more reviews...
 Not Weir's best work November 16, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a biography on the life of Queen Elizabeth I, not a political biography. If you are looking for the latter, then you will be immensely disappointed with this book. The majority of the book is dedicated to Elizabeth's many quarrels/reconciliations with Dudley and Essex. Alison Weir successfully brings the relationships to life with many excerpts from personal letters written by the Queen and her favorites.
Unfortunately, I think Weir was over-generous with the information she included in the book. It seemed like she was eager to share every single piece of information she came across. What Elizabeth ate for breakfast (and what time), what time she took her walks (and what she wore), how she brushed her teeth (what her toliet looked like). I found myself nodding off at times.
I was also not pleased with Weir's version of Arbella Stuart, James I's cousin. She claims Arbella, who she calls "unstable and neurotic", was sent away from court because Elizabeth considered her too arrogant. I usually agree with Mrs Weir, but unfortunately I must disagree with her on this. Arbella was one of Elizabeth's many "wait and see victims". Much like Anjou and Dudley, Arbella spent her entire life waiting for Elizabeth to make a decison. If Arbella became unstable and neurotic it was due to living almost her entire life in seclusion - waiting for Elizabeth to approve a marriage for her. Arbella eventually took matters in her own hands and arranged her own marriage. She found herself in the tower for this, where she stayed until her death.
Overall, I was not unhappy with the book, but I felt it was a bit repetitive at times. I agree with a previous reviewer who pointed out that Weir stated certain facts more than once throughout the book. If I had not read the reviewer's comment, I would have thought I was going crazy. When reading this book, I would sometimes come across a certain sentence that left me wondering where I had heard it before. I found it very odd and distracting.
 Beautifully written biography November 14, 2008
Alison Weir does a fantastic job in recounting history in layman's terms. Details are vivid and engaging without the hyperbole you would expect in descriptions of the life and times of Elizabeth I.
The book is very easy to read and compelling. The language is not so simplistic that you think you are being talked down to, nor is the language so difficult that you have re-read pages twice to understand. The personal life of Elizabeth I is presented against her public one, though, as Ms. Weir acknowledges, it was hard to differentiate the two. It's as if you are reading a very engaging novel as the life Elizabeth led seems so unrealistic at times.
I carried it everywhere with me until I finished. And now, I make a point of re-reading at least once a year.
A Rather Narrow and Shallow Treatment November 3, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is the fourth Alison Weir novel that I've read and looking back, I've rated them all three stars. This is certainly not an endorsement, as the subject matter of these novels (mid-second millenium English history) is of great interest to me. Each of these works simply falls short in providing the kind of captivating reading experience that the subject matter offers.
The Life of Elizabeth I is a perfect example. Someone relying on this work for their sole exposure to Elizabeth I would think that virtually her entire reign was taken up with the pretense of marriagability. In that respect, this work is very narrow and does a great disservice, not only to Elizabethan accomplishments, but to the scope of 16th century life in general. In addition, analysis contained in the book is virtually non existent. As with Weir's other works, the prose consists almost entirely of short declarative statements, one after another. The style is jarring and not conducive to either entertainment or education.
The same novel on a subject of lesser interest would garner only two stars, however it would be difficult to write a novel on Elizabeth rated under three stars, the subject matter is so rich with possibility. This is a swing and a miss.
Amazing indepth information. September 1, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I was hooked on this book.I could not put it down.Im amazed at the amount of historical paper work that still survives to this day for this kind of biography.I felt like like I eas there.
As background for Shakespeare June 14, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I read this book as part of my interest in the Shakespeare authorship question. It was my first biography of Elizabeth, so I can't presume to compare to others. But I have read some other Tudor/Elizabethan history. I found Weir's book engaging, informative, relevant to my own interests, and colorful; and it seemed reasonably balanced. Take Me With You When You Go
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