Was wonderful reading!! I enjoy almost everything about the Tudors. This was one of the most comprhensive readings on them that I have ever seen. Gave lots of tidbits not known before. Very heavy paperback but had it entirely read in about 2 1/2 weeks.

Very informative. I dont know if I was the only one that felt this way, but you do see a difrent side of the King ... Not of a monster as many historians put him out as but of a man, a king doing what he thought was right to protect his legacy and his heart...... Anyways .... I truley enjoyed this book ... its a long read but a very well documentation of King Henry and his six ladies....

I have never been much of a reader, but this book is AMAZING! The author provides unbelievable amounts of well-researched detail without letting the plot drag a bit. Henry and his wives have made a reader out of me!

Alison Weir can serve up a historically accurate account that entertains as well as informs. I still wish I could kick Henry in his well-upholstered backside.

Alison Weir brings her wit and extensive knowledge of British history to life in this complete volume of the lives of Henry the 8th's six wives. Each woman leaps off the page as her personality is brought to light, and common misconceptions are dispelled by factual evidence and the detail of the research that was poured into this book. Even though this is nonfiction, it is every bit as compelling as fiction because it is presented in such a way as to be a compelling read from start to finish. There isn't a single page that is dry like so many history books tend to be. A great deal of the book focuses on Anne Boleyn, as she is most certainly the most notorious of the six. Everything from personal letters to household lists are used to paint the most accurate picture possible of how these women lived and what they were like, and most importantly how they dealt with this enigmatic and hugely promiscuous husband with a temper that became increasingly erratic as the years progressed. A must read for any fan of the Tudor era and a great companion to historical novels, if you are into getting the true story in addition to the fictional portrayal.

I have loved every book by Weir that I've read. She's an excellent author who doesn't stray from the facts and keeps the content clean.

This was one of the best books I have read in a while. I have always been interested by this time period, and King Henry VIII in particular, but was even more intrigued after becoming addicted to The Tudors television series. After watching the first two seasons (currently waiting for the third to come out on dvd) I decided to read this book and was pleased to find that The Tudors, looks aside, is pretty darn historically accurate.

The book itself is very entertaining and informative and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves The Tudors or is a history fan. Actually, you don't even have to be a history fan, anyone who loves a good book about love, lust, deceit and all of the intricacies of human emotion will love this book.

Book is in great shape, arrived quickly, and I could not be more pleased. Thank you.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. Alison Weir is so talented, and this book reads like a novel, not a historical account. It is truly fascinating and I recommend every book that she has written.

This read like a novel. It was fascinating and so well done yet meticulously researched.

Overview:

Many books have been written about Henry VIII and his infamous marriages, but Alison Weir takes us back to the facts, guiding us through the events that led these women into the arms of this powerful man.

Beginning with Katherine of Aragon and ending with Catherine Parr, Weir expertly answers the Who, What, Where, How, and, most importantly, Why questions that form the real stories of these incredible women.


Review:

Wow! I usually abstain from non-fiction historical books, preferring instead to read historical fiction novels which reflect the importance of the story over dry, dull facts. But, this book was soo interesting that I felt like I was watching a movie instead of reading a fairly large book. I just could not put it down!

Go ahead with those Philippa Gregory, Margaret George, and Jean Plaidy books but, to truly understand and appreciate the lives of Henry the VIII's marriage partners, you must absolutely pick up this book. Highly recommended!

This review pertains only to the KINDLE edition of this book. I have not read other editions. The Kindle edition has been frustrating to read because of typos and inconsistencies in the text that I think are inherent in the Kindle edition. There are paragraph breaks in midsentence, words strung together with no spaces in between, and the dates are typed very oddly. For instance, virtually all month/year combos are written as "September 1 509." Years by themselves come out as "1 50 9," "1 5 0 9" or "15 09." It just disrupts the flow as you are reading, especially when you have to stop to figure out whether they are trying to represent a month/day/year, or just the month/year. I know Kindle is relatively new, but I'm baffled as to why it seems like these editions are being produced with OCR software, rather than as true digital editions licensed from the publisher (and based on digital files). Either way, it's time for better proofreading!

This books is a must read for anyone looking for a solid biography of each of King Henry's six wives. Alison Weir is by far one of the best authors of the time period as well as David Starkey. Both bring tremendous insight into the lives of each wife and gives us a great deal of information. If you are interested in learning about the six wives of King Henry VIII then this is the book for you.

Alison Weir's attention to detail makes this book come alive - I marveled at the fact that this breathtaking royal drama actually happened. Each wife of Henry VIII was a fascinating character and through his choice of each one, the reader coems to know the King in each stage of his life, from boyhood, to adventurous manhood, midlife crisis and finally old age.

Wonderful accurate book.
Alison Weir is the Great Master of British History.
I loved it.

I'm enjoying this book as it provides additional info of Henry VIII's life as I also view Tudors.

The reason I want to buy the book is that when I was watching the TV series-the Tudors, I was attracted by the magic life of Henry VIII. But as we all know the pace of TV show is slow. And I m not patient enough. That's why I choose to buy this book. The day I opened this book, I was absorbed to it totally. It is so interesting and real. From this book, I knew quite a lot interesting details which were not described in the TV series. So I recommend it to u.

What a wonderful book! I found it very entertaining as well as informative. The Six Wives of Henry VIII has quickly become one of my favorite books to read.

I love to read, but I am one who has to really concentrate to take in books. Something has to be very interesting for me not to be distracted. I was suprised to find out this book was one that kept me interested no matter what was going on around me. I am very happy I bought this.

This is the second book I have read by Alison Weir. She does a wonderful job of making larger then life historical figures venerable as well as accessible. I highly recommend this well written and deeply researched book to those who are interested. I will soon be on to my third book by her which is about Henry's children and I anticipate I will not be disappointed. For those interested Elizabeth I is great as well.

To be a historical book, this is an easy, interesting read. With so much interest in English history, this is a good book to read.

This book was very informative as to the personal lives of the six queens. Weir was able to tell a story full of facts without reading like a history book. She also addresses some of the rumors circulating during the period about some of the queens and why they may or may not be true. Overall, a satisfying read.

I love the book. Me and my mother are into history, and this is a great book to add to all the others. Very good book.

Recieved book in excellent condition. This is the second time I have read
this book. I enjoy it

The book was delivered in excellent condition. If you enjoy history and the show "The Tudors" you will enjoy this book. I did not realize what happened in England in the 1500s until I read this book. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes history.

This is an excellent book on the Tudors. Allison Weir breaks it down with a time line that is easy to ready. Dont let the length of the book be intimidating, once you start reading it you will not stop..

The author was not boring in telling the stories of these women that were mostly admirable in their own special way (with a few exceptions). However, I found this fascinating and a fantastic read that satisfied my interest.

Ms Weir has written many fascinating books, but this is arguably her best. The Six Wives of Henry VIII is an exceptionally written biography of King Henry's many wives. The book is divided into three parts. The first begins with Katherine of Aragon and proceeds with Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour. Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Katherine Parr are discussed in part three.

I have read many books on the Tudor period. I admit that Anne Boleyn books are my favorite read, but Alison Weir's account of all six wives was enthralling as any Boleyn book I have ever read. Her easy-to-read and vivid manner of writing will make you breeze through this 600 page book.

While the book is about Henry's six wives, the author argues that certain events helped shape the image of the wife-murdering tyrant that many think of today when they hear the name Henry VIII. Alison Weir believes Katherine of Aragon's stubborness in fruitlessly clinging to her marriage and Anne Boleyn arrogance contributed to King Henry's malevolent character. The author reminds the readers of the importance of judging Henry VIII's actions through sixteenth-century standards. Was it not his job to provide male heirs to his kingdom? If one views the events that transpired in that manner, one may almost find themselves sympathizing with Henry VIII. Almost!

Look at the facts. Katherine of Aragon was unable to provide male heirs, her successor also failed. Jane Seymour died shortly after child birth leaving the King with one boy who may or may not survive to adulthood. (Skipped Anne of Cleves for now) Katherine Howard was guilty of adultery and provided the King with a valid excuse for her execution. Anne of Cleves, however, was set aside without the King knowing if she was capable of providing male heirs. If judged by sixteenth-century standards, Henry VIII did his country a great disservice by casting aside a queen simply because he found her unappealing. How many kings before him sired heirs with women they found unattractive? Too many to count! In a further attempt to humanize Henry VIII, Alison Weir also states that the Jane Seymour considered King Henry a loving husband. She may not have felt the same had she lived longer. Same goes for Katherine Parr. The author claims the King refused to believe ill of his Queen without adequate proof. Katherine had quite a close call. The King was certainly forgiving, which I doubt had been the case if he had been younger and in better health.

I disagree with Ms Weir's attempt to create a more sympathetic view of King Henry, but the book was still fascinating. I had no problems with the material concerning the king's six wives. All the information provided was well-researched and as in all her books extremely readable. If you want to learn more about King Henry VIII wives without purchasing separate biogrpahies on each woman, this is the book to buy.

Whenever I heard the name Henry the VIII, I thought of a fat, disgusting, misogynistic male. Margaret George, whose writing I never tired of reading in all 936 pages, justifies all his murderous acts and portrays him as a man who was never really loved. He was raised to be a priest, jealous of his older brother who was initially intended for the thrown. His first wife was not his "true wife" as she had been married to his brother. His second wife was a witch, the third died in childbirth, the fourth a horse of a woman, the fifth a loose woman, the sixth a saint who outlived him. All his wives were younger and virgins, or at least he thought. Only his first and fourth wife were of royal blood.

The story of Henry's children would make an excellent sequel for Margaret George, if she has not already written about them. What a troubled childhood with no mothers, at least not for long, and a father who did not prioritize them, if he recognized them much at all.

Not the story of a happy household.

This is the best biography I have ever read.It is so interesting and full of facts.Alison Weir makes the book read somewhat like a novel as well as biography.She covers every area of that time.I was blown away by all the information in this book.Well worth the cost and then some.I have a lot of books about Henry VIII and this one is by far my favorite.I have to say this is one that I continually go back for.I recommend this book to everyone.You just can't go wrong with all that knowledge.

I love Alison Weir so my review might be a little biased. Since I have read a great deal of her other works I jumped at buying this book. It covers all six of Henry VIII's wives using a great deal of research. Predictably, Ms. Weir focuses the majority of the book on his first two, most famous wives Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. The rest of the book somewhat flies through the rest of the wives, especially his third wife who died shortly after childbirth so her reign was quite short.

This is a long book and it is heavily laded with facts and dates but I love that. It is very informative and entertaining. It is not a boring book by any means. If you want a comprehensive study of all of Henry VIII's wives, then pick up this book.

I wanted to know more about this time period and decided to "bite the bullet." I read this book expecting it to be a difficult read since there is so much history covered in this book. As soon as I started to read this book, I realized that I would really enjoy the experience. It was well written (with sources) and very easy to understand and enjoy.

This book was not only entertaining, but extremely educational as well. The author does an absolutely brilliant job of pulling the reader in and making one feel as though they personally know each character and are right there as the past unfolds. I highly recommend this book!

Very illustrative and insightful. I am looking forward to reading Weir's Life of Elizabeth I that I just ordered today.

Excellent account of the times. Makes you appreciate the often precarious positions these vulnerable and ambitious women were in!

I found this book enlightening, easy-to-read, and quick to finish. It starts off with Henry as quite the affable young man, and even handsome. He is a catch for any lady, especially Princess Catherine, his first wife, but all of that changes as the years progress and he becomes more and more paranoid. In fact, as the book went on I found myself wondering why no one ever tried to assassinate him. He was a threat to powerful nobles, to his wives, to former friends... I felt terribly sorry for all of his wives, but especially Catherine.

If you are a fan of Philippa Gregory, like myself, and you relish in the scandals and dramatics of King Henry VIII's Court, this may not be the book for you. This reads a lot more like a history textbook. Not exactly salacious or trashy. Just provides a lot of background and facts about this period of time. I just couldn't stay engrossed. I guess I need the fictionalized version, no matter how accurate it may be. Not exactly a short casual read by any means.

A must read if you have been enticed by the interesting tale of the period... Perhaps you have read some of the fluffier books with more romance and fictional license. This is book fills in many of the holes. This book is a nice enjoyable read with great details that touch on the people in a Titan's wake.

The women come to life.
The politics and decisions that baffle us, centuries later, come into focus as you understand the rival nations and religious reform of the era. GREAT NOVEL.

This author did research and portrayed the characters factually and clearly.

Her Eleanor of Aquitaine novel is excellent as well.

I got through this book much quicker than average. I could hardly put it down. Very well written and extremely interesting.

To be a wife of Henry VIII would be great if you were content to not to be an individual with any rights.You would want for nothing.On the other hand if you wanted to express your self and be seen as an equal you would be treading on thin ice.

The book is excellent. So much interesting drama! I am Korean and Korea's Chosun Dynasty is also full of Queens and deceit and back stabbing and I realized how England's Kingdom was very similar to Korea's. I suppose King & Queens are kind of similar in their nature to keep the power given to them. Anyway, I bought 2 other Alison Weir books because she just writes wonderfully. Knowing this is history which can be boring, but not so for this wonderful book. If you are a history buff like myself, you will love this book. One thing though, I read my book on subway trains and on buses while I commute to work, and this book too heaaaaaaaaaaaavvvvvvvvvy! I guess that would be only minus for this book.

Alison Weir provides a fascinating, richly detailed and penetrating human history of the life of King Henry VIII and his six wives. The work is meticulously researched and provides a deep and intelligent understanding of these six fascinating ladies and of King Henry himself.

While Henry VIII was responsible for some great achievements for England, he developed into a cruel tyrant; anyone who aroused his suspicion or displeasure was likely to be be executed and those who died included nobles, ministers, prelates and 2 of his six wives, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard.

Catherine of Aragon was a proud Spanish princess, the daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, and a deeply pious Roman Catholic. She was betrothed at three years of age to the first son of King Henry VII, Arthur Prince of Wales and became Prince Arthur's wife at 16. Arthur died six months after their marriage and Catherine spent 7 years in poverty and insecurity, abandoned by Spain and despised by Henry VII, robbed of her dowry and never sure of what her fate would be. Catherine bore these years with great faith, strength and dignity.
After Henry VII's death, in 1509, the newly crowned Henry VIII made her his wife, and they lived together for eighteen years.
Of the five children born to Catherine, only Mary lived. She became Queen Mary I ("Bloody Mary"). Henry desperate for a male heir and enchanted by Anne Boleyn, decided to annul his marriage to Catherine.
Catherine resisted the annulment as long as she could, while always declaring her loyalty and love to the king.
After Henry broke with the Roman Catholic Church to divorce her, Catherine lived in retirement.

Anne Boleyn was a chamber maid to Catherine of Aragon when the king became interested in her.
Henry secretly married Anne in January, 1533. Henry's Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer pronounced Henry's first marriage null and void.
Anne Boleyn was crowned queen in June and because of circumstances beyond her control was unpopular with the English people and had many enemies.
Anne gave birth to Elizabeth in June.
But Henry a cruel and selfish man had wanted a boy and soon tired of Anne.
After she repeatedly failed to produce a male heir, Henry and his chief minister Thomas Cromwell had Anne framed for adultery and executed.
Anne was an intelligent and courageous women, as well as ambitious and capable at times of ruthlessness.
She was a strong adherent to the Protestant cause and well read in Protestant theology at a time when it was dangerous to do so.
The author reveals that Anne was not however the scheming wanton that some historians have painted her as.

Jane Seymour by contrast was not the good hearted innocent some have seen her as. she copied Anne Boleyn's methods of witholding her sexual favours to the king until she was Queen. She was favoured by the Catholic camp.
She seemed to have remained on the King's good side and bore him his long wanted male heir to be Edward VI.
She died of illness soon after Edward's birth.

Henry was then maneuvered into a marriage by his chief minister Thomas Cromwell, to the Protestant German princess, Anne of Cleves, to bolster the Protestant cause.
Henry had only soon seen Anne of Cleves in a portrait but when he met her he found her unattractive exclaiming "I like her not".
He soon divorced her but because Anne of Cleves did not resists the divorce and was amenable she avoided a tragic fate and lived out a comfortable retirement with a large inheritance, the longest living of Henry's wives.
Ironically the Protestant princess Anne of Cleves was converted to a devout Catholic, by Princess Mary, who became her close friend.

After that the powerful Howard family manipulated one of their young daughters, the 15 year old Catherine Howard to marry the king, and was supported by the Catholic faction. The aging Henry's large ego was thrilled to betroth an attractive girl over thirty years his junior. When he married her, Henry described Catherine Howard as his "rose without a thorn"
Catherine was good hearted, but simple and sexually promiscuous. Described as giddy girl."

The machinations of the court destroyed her and she was not shrewd enough to survive.
She was accused of adultery, whether she was guilty is not known, but she never stood a chance and was executed on the orders of the cruel and vengeful Henry,a truly tragic tale.
Catherine Howard was a powerless pawn used by powerful and unscrupulous forces.

Henry's last wife was the level headed and highly intelligent Catherine Parr. She managed to outlive the king, and befriended the young Princess Elizabeth and Prince Edward, showing a kindly character. She was a strong Protestant and believed in church reform (she had secret Lutheran sympathies) and the author believes she would have made a mark as a great thinker in times when women were encouraged to think independentally and make an intellectual contribution.
Her strong religious convictions led her to argue with King Henry about religion, and the author writes that she may have been lucky the King died when he did.

Catherine Parr, later married Sir. Thomas Seymour and was a great friend to the Lady Jane Grey.
she also foretold that the young Princess Elizabeth was destined by Heaven to be a great Queen of England, when she had told Elizabeth to leave her house after Elizabeth had been seduced by Thomas Seymour, showing her powers of vision and her non vengeful nature,
She was a visionary and a good woman.

An interesting historical anecdote. Friar Peto predicted in 1532 that if King Henry cast off Katherine of Aragon and married Anne Boleyn he would be as Ahab and the dogs would lick his blood.
After Henry's death his lead coffin weakened by the motion of the carriage burst open, and liquid matter from the body seeped out onto the church pavement. A dog was with the plumbers who came the next morning to repair the coffin, and it was seen to lick up the blood from the floor just as Friar Peto had predicted.

Like all of Alison Weir's works this volume combines detailed history with a thrilling and smooth read. Everything you could want in a factual history volume.
It is social and personal history at it's best and captures the essence of the time of Henry VIII's reign and the wider events involving England at the time.

Alison Weir provides a fascinating, richly detailed and penetrating human history of the life of King Henry VIII and his six wives. The work is meticulously researched and provides a deep and intelligent understanding of these six fascinating ladies and of King Henry himself.

While Henry VIII was responsible for some great achievements for England, he developed into a cruel tyrant; anyone who aroused his suspicion or displeasure was likely to be be executed and those who died included nobles, ministers, prelates and 2 of his six wives, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard.

Catherine of Aragon was a proud Spanish princess, the daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, and a deeply pious Roman Catholic. She was betrothed at three years of age to the first son of King Henry VII, Arthur Prince of Wales and became Prince Arthur's wife at 16. Arthur died six months after their marriage and Catherine spent 7 years in poverty and insecurity, abandoned by Spain and despised by Henry VII, robbed of her dowry and never sure of what her fate would be. Catherine bore these years with great faith, strength and dignity.
After Henry VII's death, in 1509, the newly crowned Henry VIII made her his wife, and they lived together for eighteen years.
Of the five children born to Catherine, only Mary lived. She became Queen Mary I ("Bloody Mary"). Henry desperate for a male heir and enchanted by Anne Boleyn, decided to annul his marriage to Catherine.
Catherine resisted the annulment as long as she could, while always declaring her loyalty and love to the king.
After Henry broke with the Roman Catholic Church to divorce her, Catherine lived in retirement.

Anne Boleyn was a chamber maid to Catherine of Aragon when the king became interested in her.
Henry secretly married Anne in January, 1533. Henry's Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer pronounced Henry's first marriage null and void.
Anne Boleyn was crowned queen in June and because of circumstances beyond her control was unpopular with the English people and had many enemies.
Anne gave birth to Elizabeth in June.
But Henry a cruel and selfish man had wanted a boy and soon tired of Anne.
After she repeatedly failed to produce a male heir, Henry and his chief minister Thomas Cromwell had Anne framed for adultery and executed.
Anne was an intelligent and courageous women, as well as ambitious and capable at times of ruthlessness.
She was a strong adherent to the Protestant cause and well read in Protestant theology at a time when it was dangerous to do so.
The author reveals that Anne was not however the scheming wanton that some historians have painted her as.

Jane Seymour by contrast was not the good hearted innocent some have seen her as. she copied Anne Boleyn's methods of witholding her sexual favours to the king until she was Queen. She was favoured by the Catholic camp.
She seemed to have remained on the King's good side and bore him his long wanted male heir to be Edward VI.
She died of illness soon after Edward's birth.

Henry was then maneuvered into a marriage by his chief minister Thomas Cromwell, to the Protestant German princess, Anne of Cleves, to bolster the Protestant cause.
Henry had only soon seen Anne of Cleves in a portrait but when he met her he found her unattractive exclaiming "I like her not".
He soon divorced her but because Anne of Cleves did not resists the divorce and was amenable she avoided a tragic fate and lived out a comfortable retirement with a large inheritance, the longest living of Henry's wives.
Ironically the Protestant princess Anne of Cleves was converted to a devout Catholic, by Princess Mary, who became her close friend.

After that the powerful Howard family manipulated one of their young daughters, the 15 year old Catherine Howard to marry the king, and was supported by the Catholic faction. The aging Henry's large ego was thrilled to betroth an attractive girl over thirty years his junior. When he married her, Henry described Catherine Howard as his "rose without a thorn"
Catherine was good hearted, but simple and sexually promiscuous. Described as giddy girl."

The machinations of the court destroyed her and she was not shrewd enough to survive.
She was accused of adultery, whether she was guilty is not known, but she never stood a chance and was executed on the orders of the cruel and vengeful Henry,a truly tragic tale.
Catherine Howard was a powerless pawn used by powerful and unscrupulous forces.

Henry's last wife was the level headed and highly intelligent Catherine Parr. She managed to outlive the king, and befriended the young Princess Elizabeth and Prince Edward, showing a kindly character. She was a strong Protestant and believed in church reform (she had secret Lutheran sympathies) and the author believes she would have made a mark as a great thinker in times when women were encouraged to think independentally and make an intellectual contribution.
Her strong religious convictions led her to argue with King Henry about religion, and the author writes that she may have been lucky the King died when he did.

Catherine Parr, later married Sir. Thomas Seymour and was a great friend to the Lady Jane Grey.
she also foretold that the young Princess Elizabeth was destined by Heaven to be a great Queen of England, when she had told Elizabeth to leave her house after Elizabeth had been seduced by Thomas Seymour, showing her powers of vision and her non vengeful nature,
She was a visionary and a good woman.

An interesting historical anecdote. Friar Peto predicted in 1532 that if King Henry cast off Katherine of Aragon and married Anne Boleyn he would be as Ahab and the dogs would lick his blood.
After Henry's death his lead coffin weakened by the motion of the carriage burst open, and liquid matter from the body seeped out onto the church pavement. A dog was with the plumbers who came the next morning to repair the coffin, and it was seen to lick up the blood from the floor just as Friar Peto had predicted.

Like all of Alison Weir's works this volume combines detailed history with a thrilling and smooth read. Everything you could want in a factual history volume.
It is social and personal history at it's best and captures the essence of the time of Henry VIII's reign and the wider events involving England at the time.

The book is excellent. So much interesting drama! I am Korean and Korea's Chosun Dynasty is also full of Queens and deceit and back stabbing and I realized how England's Kingdom was very similar to Korea's. I suppose King & Queens are kind of similar in their nature to keep the power given to them. Anyway, I bought 2 other Alison Weir books because she just writes wonderfully. Knowing this is history which can be boring, but not so for this wonderful book. If you are a history buff like myself, you will love this book. One thing though, I read my book on subway trains and on buses while I commute to work, and this book too heaaaaaaaaaaaavvvvvvvvvy! I guess that would be only minus for this book.

This is a great book and very interesting. After seeing The Other Boleyn Sister I was anxious to read what really happened. A little drawn out between his marrage to Katherine and Anne but considering it took almost 7 years I can see why. He was a tyrant!

This is a great book and very interesting. After seeing The Other Boleyn Sister I was anxious to read what really happened. A little drawn out between his marrage to Katherine and Anne but considering it took almost 7 years I can see why. He was a tyrant!

Alison Weir's well-written, easy to read book about the Six Wives of Henry the VIII is an outstanding work of history about England in the 1500s, Henry's six wives, and the role they play in English politics and international relations with Spain, France and Germany. It is definitely a five star work of scholarship and entertainment.

This is an excellent account of Henry and his many wives. Well researched, very well written - there's hardly a boring passage.

Henry VIII is a fascinating man of history. He took six wives, arranged to exchange one wife for another, murdered two, lost one to childbirth, rejected another and died before he could find a way to get rid of wife six. A man of wit, intelligence, excess and greed. He had an enormous appetite for pleasure, riches and love. You'll feel as if you're reading exceptional fiction but it really happened.

Watching the Tudors on Showtime got me interested in Henry VIII. I purchased this book because of the depth of its research and historical accuracy. It was excellent. I could not put it down. I tend to be more of a fiction reader, when I read for enjoyment. This was as engrossing as any novel.