Tag: Cardinal Wolsey

Book Review: “The Palace: From the Tudors to the Windsors, 500 Years of British History at Hampton Court” by Gareth Russell

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The PalaceWhen we think of old homes, we often think of the phrase, “If walls could talk,” because the true treasure of any home is not the floorboards or the walls, but rather the stories of those who lived inside its walls. Take, for example, Hampton Court Palace in England. A home for over 500 years that has seen many architectural and artistic changes in its hallowed halls, but it is the stories of those who stayed for brief periods that truly make this palace spectacular. Stories full of salacious scandals, religious implications, and revelations that would shake England to its core through revolutions. Hampton Court Palace has been the center of English court drama for centuries and finally, these tantalizing tales are being told in a truly remarkable book, “The Palace: From the Tudors to the Windsors, 500 Years of British History at Hampton Court” by Gareth Russell.

I would like to thank Gareth Russell and Atria Books/Simon and Schuster, for sending me a copy of this book. I have enjoyed Russell’s previous biographies about The Queen Mother and Catherine Howard, so when I heard that he was writing a new book about Hampton Court Palace, I knew I wanted to read it.

Russell structures this book similarly to how he structured, “Do Let’s Have Another Drink” in that each chapter is a different tale from this palace’s half a century of history, which is a ton of historical fun to explore. He starts with a story of a ball attended by Elizabeth Windsor, soon to be Queen Elizabeth II, a few days before her coronation in 1953. Full of glitz and glamor, we soon transition to the origins of the land that Hampton Court Palace resides on and how the palace came to be after its humble beginnings as an estate for the Knights Hospitaller. It was not until the Wars of the Roses that the manor gained prominence under a favorite of Henry VII, Giles Daubeney, 1st Baron Daubeney.

By understanding how this phenomenal manor became a palatial palace, we can appreciate the stories that are the bulk of this book. Russell takes his readers through 500 years of English royal history, starting with the tumultuous Tudors, moving to the saucy Stuarts, the haughty Hanovers, the gossiping Georgians, and finishing with the worldly Windsors. Each chapter focuses on one character from each dynasty and one room of the palace.

While I was relatively well aware of the Tudor tales of Cardinal Wolsey, Catherine Howard’s run down the Haunted Gallery, and Mary I’s phantom pregnancies, it was the other dynasties that drew me into an engrossing book. The Stuarts especially shocked me with the colorful cast of characters who ranged from King James I with the King James Bible, Charles II and his many mistresses, and Oliver Cromwell. Russell shows the tragic moments, which included the death of several queens of England, the chaotic period known as the English Civil Wars, the creation of “The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior,” and the story of The Grand Duchess Xenia, the last living sister of Tsar Nicholas II. There are also stories full of art, scientific research, love, humor, and even chocolate and court life.

Russell’s narrative style of writing combined with his meticulous research has created another smash hit. I could not put this book down and I was very sad when I finished reading it, I did not want it to end. I don’t want to spoil much about this book, but it is my new favorite book by Gareth Russell. If you want a book full of fascinating history that you can binge-read, I highly suggest you read, “The Palace: From the Tudors to the Windsors, 500 Years of British History at Hampton Court” by Gareth Russell.

Book Review: “Wolf Hall” by Hilary Mantel

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Wolf HallThe 1520s in England were a raucous time. As the years pass, King Henry VIII’s desire for a legitimate son grows and his resentment towards his wife Katherine of Aragon increases. Henry has decided to divorce his wife of over 20 years to marry a new fling, Anne Boleyn, who would surely give him the son and heir. All of Europe, especially the Pope, is horrified at the direction Henry is taking, but one man stands firmly on the side of the King. Thomas Cromwell rose through the ranks to become Henry VIII’s right-hand man, even though he had rather humble origins. Can Thomas Cromwell help the man who made him and survive the king’s wrath? Hilary Mantel explores the origins of Cromwell’s rise and The Great Matter in the first book in her Thomas Cromwell trilogy, “Wolf Hall.”

“Wolf Hall” is a novel that I have meant to read for a while now. I have heard from the Tudor community how great this novel is plus I saw the advertisements for the television show of the same name. I just never picked it up until I went into a used bookstore, saw it on a shelf, and decided to give it a try.

We are introduced to our main protagonist Thomas Cromwell, getting beaten bloody by his father, a drunkard blacksmith, Walter Cromwell. His childhood is harsh, but his sister Kat and her husband Morgan Williams convince Thomas to run away from his home. Thomas becomes a soldier fighting for the French and spends some time in Italy before he goes back to his native England to become a lawyer, working his way up to work with Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. Thomas Cromwell married Liz Wykys and had three children; Gregory, Anne, and Grace. The first part of the book focuses on Cromwell’s service to Wolsey, Wolsey’s fall from grace, and the tragic deaths in his family.

The majority of this novel focuses on Cromwell’s rise in power to become King Henry VIII’s right-hand man. The main issue that Cromwell must focus on is The Great Matter, the divorce of King Henry VIII from his first wife Katherine of Aragon so that he could marry Anne Boleyn. It is a taboo topic, but Henry realizes that the Pope will not go with his plan. While navigating the tumultuous Tudor court and his home life, Cromwell also has to come up with a plan to make Anne Queen of England and Henry the Supreme Head of the Church of England. A tall task for anyone, but this is Cromwell, a man who will do whatever it takes to succeed.

Reading this particular novel was a struggle for me, not because of the contents, but rather Mantel’s unique writing style. It took me a long time, almost 200 pages, to get into this novel and become invested in the story. There were points in reading this novel where I wanted to give up and wait until I had access to the audiobook to try again, but I chose to keep reading. Once I did get invested in Cromwell’s tale and the ones who surrounded the powerful figure, I was hooked. I think if the beginning was not so convoluted, this would have been an almost perfect novel, except for how she portrayed figures like Mary Boleyn, Jane Rochford, and George Boleyn, which I did not agree with, but that is my own opinion.

This novel is an arduous adventure, but it almost mirrors the same rigorous journey Cromwell took from the son of a drunkard blacksmith to one of the most powerful men in Tudor England. I think I need to take a break from this trilogy to truly digest what I have read before tackling the other two books, but I understand why Mantel and this novel are so beloved in the community. If you want to tackle this book, I would suggest taking your time in the first two hundred pages of this novel before you dive in completely. “Wolf Hall” by Hilary Mantel is a uniquely complex yet unforgettable look at Thomas Cromwell and the Tudor era that will make you question if you know the truth of Cromwell’s story.

Book Review: “The Great Survivor of the Tudor Age: The Life and Times of Lord William Paget” by Alex Anglesey

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The Great SurvivorRulers cannot govern alone. They require a team of men and women behind them to operate as a cohesive unit. The same can be said for rulers during the Tudor dynasty. We know the stories of men like Cardinal Wolsey and Thomas Cromwell, two men who rose through the ranks to prominent seats of power to ultimately have disastrous falls from grace. However, there was a third Tudor politician who should be in this discussion about rags-to-riches stories. He was the son of a common merchant who went to serve most of the Tudor monarchs as an advisor. Conspiracies and rebellions kept him on his toes, but he ultimately survived the Tudor dynasty, which was a difficult thing to achieve. His name was Lord William Paget and his story is told by his descendant Alex Anglesey in his debut book, “The Great Survivor of the Tudor Age: The Life and Times of Lord William Paget.”

I would like to thank Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I have heard the name William Paget in previous books that I have read about the Tudors, but he is one of those figures that felt like a footnote to me. When I heard that there was going to be a biography about Paget, I wanted to read it and learn more about this Tudor politician.

Alex Anglesey, the current Marquess of Anglesey, tells the story of how when he was a child living in the family home of Plas Newydd. Anglesey was able to use family letters to piece together the story of his ancestor, William Paget, a man of low status who rose through the ranks and served four Tudor monarchs.

The beginning of Paget’s international political career was traveling all across Europe to convince other European countries to accept the Great Matter. During this time, William married Anne Preston and they had nine children. He was the secretary for both Queen Jane Seymour and Anne of Cleves, and he witnessed the dissolution of the monasteries before making his way into the Privy Council as a clerk.

Paget’s first major role was as the English ambassador to France during the reign of King Francis I and gave news to the king about the downfall of Katherine Howard, but it did not last long as he was needed back in England to become Secretary of State. He was King Henry VIII’s private secretary towards the end of his life and helped craft Henry’s last will and testament. After siding with Edward Seymour during the reign of Edward VI, William barely survived a stay in the Tower of London, but he did. During Mary I’s reign, he helped organize the marriage between Mary I and Philip and witnessed the infamous burnings of Protestants. Paget only saw a few years of Elizabeth’s reign before he passed away.

Anglesey shows how Paget and his family were able to survive the Tudor dynasty by staying neutral on matters like religion while still promoting peace. I did find this book a bit dry in places and some of the references to the modern age felt a bit out of place. Overall, it was informative and not a bad read for a debut book. If you want to learn more about a lesser-known political figure who lived during the Tudor dynasty, I suggest you read, “The Great Survivor of the Tudor Age: The Life and Times of Lord William Paget” by Alex Anglesey.

Book Review: “Of Judgement Fallen: An Anthony Blanke Tudor Mystery” by Steven Veerapen

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Of Judgement FallenThe year is 1523, and England is again preparing for war against its mortal enemy, France. Cardinal Wolsey is firmly in power as King Henry VIII’s right-hand man who is about to open Parliament, but Sir Thomas More’s star is slowly rising. London is busy, and at the center of it, all is Wolsey’s trumpeter and groom, Anthony Blanke. In this chaos of Wolsey’s household where murder and betrayal lie, and the enemies of the Cardinal begin to pile up. It is up to Anthony Blanke to clear his name and find the murderer before it is too late. Anthony’s latest thrilling adventure occurs in Steven Veerapen’s novel, “Of Judgement Fallen: An Anthony Blanke Tudor Mystery.”

Thank you, Polygon Books and Steven Veerapen, for sending me a copy of this novel. I enjoyed the first Anthony Blanke novel, “Of Blood Descended,” so when I heard that there was going to be a second mystery, I could not wait to read it.

Veerapen opens his novel with his first victim, Lancelot Cosyn, a scholar who is in a lot of pain and is on a mission. He is a man who detests Cardinal Wolsey, who he thinks is the source of evil in England, and he has chosen to take action by visiting the great man. Unfortunately, he is found dead inside Wolsey’s home before the meeting. Wolsey assigns Anthony Blanke the task of finding the person behind the murder of Cosyn before the news reaches the King’s ear and before Parliament opens.

As Anthony begins his investigation, more bodies of the Cardinal’s enemies start to pile up around him, so he enlists the help of Sir Thomas More to find the murderer. The color of his skin and how close Anthony is to the case make people suspect him of being involved in these dastardly deeds. Anthony, his friend Mark, and a pup named Bo work with Thomas More to prove Anthony’s innocence and determine why these people were murdered and who was behind the chaos in London.

What I love about this series is the diversity that Veerapen has chosen to show in Tudor England. Racism and religious issues are complex issues to discuss. Still, Veerapen has given his audience a window into the past and showed what it might have been like for a person of color to prove themselves in the court of Henry VIII while also dealing with people deemed as heretics for their beliefs.

This was a well-written mystery full of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end. I had no clue who might have done it until the end, a sign of a fantastic mystery writer. If you are a fan of the first Anthony Blanke murder mystery and want another adventure, “Of Judgement Fallen: An Anthony Blanke Tudor Mystery” by Steven Veerapen must be on your to-be-read pile.

Book Review: “Cardinal Wolsey: For King and Country” by Phil Roberts

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cover264519-medium (1)When we think about those who rose through the ranks to achieve significant titles in the Tudor Court, we instantly think about Thomas Cromwell. However, we should also consider his mentor as one of these great men, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. The son of Robert Wolsey, an Ispwich businessman, and his wife, Joan Daundy, who worked hard and ended up being the right-hand man of the young King Henry VIII. The man behind Hampton Court helped start the Great Matter and The Field of Cloth of Gold, Wolsey had numerous achievements. Who was the man behind these significant Tudor moments? This is the question Phil Roberts tries to address in his book, “Cardinal Wolsey: For King and Country.”

Thank you, Pen and Sword Books and Netgalley, for sending me a copy of this book. When I heard about this title, it was intriguing to me. I had not read many biographies about Thomas Wolsey, so I was excited to read this book.

Roberts begins by showing how Wolsey has been portrayed in other books and media such as films and TV dramas. He then dives into the complex task of tracking the Wolsey family from the Norman Conquest to the Wars of the Roses, which did feel a tad rushed. I wish he had included some family trees so that his readers could follow along with the different branches of the family.

Wosley had a personal life outside of his public persona with his illegitimate children, his loyal friends, and the enemies he made along the way, including Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. Roberts spends a lot of time looking at the different aspects of Wolsey’s life, like his policies, the schools he built in Ispwich, and his own homes. Finally, Roberts explores how Wolsey fell from the good graces of King Henry VIII and the last days filled with anguish as he slowly died from an illness.

Although Roberts presented interesting facts about Thomas Wolsey, I think the structure of his book was a bit all over the place. In the beginning, he spent a lot of time looking into the history of Ispwich and its schools and church, including a lengthy segment about a missing statue, before getting into Wolsey’s life story. I found this information fascinating, but I don’t know if it was important enough to spend that much time on it. These facts would have been more appropriate in a book about Ispwich. Another thing that threw me off was that Roberts did not write this biography in chronological order of the events until the end of this book.

Overall, I thought this book had enlightening factoids about Thomas Wolsey, but it needed some tweaking to make it a brilliant biography. This is a book for someone who knows the general facts about the Cardinal but wants to learn more about this man. If this sounds like you, I recommend you read “Cardinal Wolsey: For King and Country” by Phil Roberts.

Book Review: “The Private Life of Thomas Cromwell” by Caroline Angus

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cover260114-mediumWhen we think about the men who surrounded King Henry VIII, a few names come to mind. Cranmer, More, Wolsey, and Wroithesley are just a few, but the man who is synonymous with the infamous king’s reign is Thomas Cromwell. The man who helped Henry get his divorce from Katherine of Aragon saw both the rise and fall of Anne Boleyn. He also assisted in the dissolution of the monasteries and brought reform to England with the break from the Roman Catholic Church. To modern audiences, it feels as if we know everything that there was to know about Thomas Cromwell’s public life, but what was he like in his private life when his friends and family surrounded him? Caroline Angus gives her readers an insight into Cromwell’s personal life in her latest book, “The Private Life of Thomas Cromwell.”

Thank you, Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley, for sending me a copy of this book. I love finding new perspectives about historical figures, like Thomas Cromwell, so when I heard that Caroline Angus was writing this book, I was delighted. I wanted to see what new information this book could provide about Thomas Cromwell’s life.

Angus begins her new nonfiction book on Cromwell by showing the origins of the Cromwell family and how Thomas went from the son of a blacksmith to his journeys in Italy, especially in Florence. It is impressive to see how Thomas’ influential friends from Florence would help shape how he conducted business later on in life as one of King Henry VIII’s top counselors. Thomas must have been a polymath to achieve the astronomical rise to power that we see him go through that landed him in the workforce of Thomas Wolsey.

Under Thomas Wolsey, Thomas Cromwell’s private and public life became insanely busy as he gained the king’s respect. He would be the principal architect for the dissolution of monasteries and helped Henry VIII gain his divorce from Katherine of Aragon to marry Anne Boleyn. As Cromwell became a player in Tudor politics, he married Elizabeth Williams and had several children. As Cromwell’s family grew, so did Thomas’ roles at the court of Henry VIII. He was the king’s number one advisor and was asked to perform the most difficult tasks, like bringing the downfall of Anne Boleyn and breaking England from the Roman Catholic Church. In a way, Thomas Cromwell was the Tudor equivalent of Alexander Hamilton.

I enjoyed this book because we see Cromwell as a human being, not just some lofty historical figure. He was a man who climbed the social ladder with his talents and his connections throughout England and Europe. With every title and every bill passed, Cromwell gained new enemies, who would lead to Thomas Cromwell’s downfall after the disastrous marriage between Henry VIII and Anna of Cleves. His fall was so dramatically quick that even Henry VIII regretted killing Thomas Cromwell.

Angus’s passion for comprehensively telling Cromwell’s story for scholars and students of Tudor history shines through this book. Her research is meticulous as she balances Thomas’ public life and private life to tell the whole story of the legendary man. If you are interested in understanding the life of Henry VIII’s most faithful servant and trusted advisor, I recommend reading “The Private Life of Thomas Cromwell” by Caroline Angus.

Book Review: “Of Blood Descended” by Steven Veerapen

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60293344._SY475_The year is 1522, and London is in a jovial mood. King Henry VIII and his wife Catherine of Aragon are to play host to the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V as he visits England. As one of King Henry VIII’s most loyal advisors, Cardinal Wolsey had the great honor of hosting a grand masque featuring King Arthur and the Black Knight for the distinguished company. Unfortunately, as preparations for the luxurious masque are in full swing, Wolsey’s historian is horrifically murdered. The only one who can solve the case is Anthony Blanke, the son of John Blanke, the trumpeter before the masque is ruined, and Henry VIII discovers the truth. The story of this case is told in Steven Veerapen’s latest novel, “Of Blood Descended.”

I want to thank Steven Veerapen for sending me a copy of his latest novel. I am always in the mood for a good Tudor mystery, and when I heard that the main character was the son of John Blanke, I was intrigued to see how Veerapen would portray his story.

Veerapen begins this novel by introducing Pietro Gonzaga, Cardinal Wolsey’s historian, and his family as Gonzaga is on the cusp of revolutionary discovery. We then cut to Anthony Blanke returning to London after his father, John Blanke’s death. He is reluctant to go back to court and all of its intrigues, but it is necessary as Cardinal Wolsey himself summoned him. Wolsey is hosting a grand masque in honor of King Henry VIII and the Imperial Emperor Charles V; the theme is King Arthur and the Black Knight, and he has decided to cast Anthony as the titular Black Knight.

Progress with the masque goes smoothly until someone discovers Signor Gonzaga’s body after being brutally slain. Gonzaga’s murder sets the stage for a whirlwind chase to find the murderer, but the monster leaves a trail of blood behind him, and no one is safe. The action, intrigue, and mysteries will keep you guessing until the final pages to figure out who the mastermind was behind it all.

I loved the mystery behind the murder and how Veerapen was able to weave the Arthurian legends and prophecies with the story of the Tudors. I enjoyed the cameos from Thomas Boleyn and Anne Boleyn, but my favorite cameo was Henry VIII’s historian Polydore Vergil, who does not appear that often in Tudor historical fiction. I thought Anthony was such a fascinating protagonist as he gave a different perspective on the diversity of London life. Even though characters like Anthony Blanke, Sister Jane, Mark Byfield, and Harry Gainsford are entirely fictional characters, they feel like they would fit exceptionally well in the Tudor world.

I thoroughly enjoyed every twist and turn that Veerapen included in this novel. I hope to see more stories with Anthony, Jane, Mark, and Harry. If you enjoy Tudor murder mysteries, you will be enthralled with “Of Blood Descended” by Steven Veerapen.

Book Review: “Wolf Hall Companion” by Lauren Mackay

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52659696 (1)One of the most popular Tudor historical fiction series in recent memory has revolved around the enigmatic Thomas Cromwell. Of course, I am talking about the famous Wolf Hall trilogy by Dame Hilary Mantel. As many dive into this monumental series, certain questions arise. How true is Mantel’s portrayal of Cromwell and the court of Henry VIII during some of the most tumultuous times of his reign? What was life like for those who lived in privilege during Henry VIII’s reign? How did Cromwell rise to the pinnacle of power and why did he fall spectacularly? In Dr. Lauren Mackay’s third book, she takes up the monumental task of explaining to readers what is fact and what is fiction in Mantel’s series. Her book is aptly titled “Wolf Hall Companion”. 

I would like to thank Batsford Books and Net Galley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book. I will admit that I have not yet read the Wolf Hall trilogy, but this book might have convinced me to take up the challenge and read the trilogy soon.

Mackay starts this delightful book by exploring Thomas Cromwell’s origins and what his family life was like. To uncover the truth about Cromwell’s life, Mackay relies heavily on the behemoth biography of Cromwell written by Diarmaid MacCulloch, which makes perfect sense. She also looks into the lives of those who either influenced Cromwell or were affected by Cromwell’s decisions. People like Anne Boleyn and the entire Boleyn family, Cardinal Wolsey,  Katherine of Aragon, Thomas Cranmer, Anne of Cleves, and Stephen Gardner just to name a few. Mackay balances how Mantel portrays these figures in her novels with the facts that we know about them and the events from numerous sources. 

Mackay also tackles the aspects of the Tudor court and life that adds another layer of details for readers. Things like important holidays, how Henry VIII’s court was structured,  gentlemanly activities and sports, and the Renaissance and the Reformation. It breathes new life into the Tudor dynasty and the people who lived during this time. 

Mackay’s challenge is how to write a book that is just as engaging for the readers as Mantel’s trilogy while still being educational and informative while incorporating her feelings about these novels. It is not an easy task, but Mackay can take on this task and write a gorgeous companion piece, with exquisite woodcut images to follow the story of Thomas Cromwell’s life, his rise to power, and his downfall.

I found this companion book a sheer delight. A combination of being well-researched, bite-size biographies, and gorgeous woodcut illustrations make this book an absolute treat for fans of Wolf Hall and the Tudor dynasty alike. The way Mackay describes Mantel’s writing style and how she created her characters may not be the way I envision them, but that is the great thing about historical fiction. It can challenge your views about a person while still being entertaining. I wish more historical fiction series had companion books like this one. If you are a fan of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall trilogy or if you just love learning about the Tudor dynasty from a different point of view, you need to check out Lauren Mackay’s latest masterpiece, “Wolf Hall Companion”.

Book Review: “Henry VIII and the Men Who Made Him” by Tracy Borman

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40642324The story of the reign of King Henry VIII has been told mainly through his numerous marriages and through the lives of his children. Although his immediate family was a big part of his legacy, there is much more to his story than his tempestuous relationships. There were also his legal, religious, and military exploits. The ones who were with Henry when he made these decisions were the men who were loyal to him, his counselors and companions. Their tales are often told separately, until now. Tracy Borman has decided to masterfully combine their tales to explore the life of their infamous king in her latest biography, “Henry VIII and the Men Who Made Him”. 

I have read plenty of books about Henry VIII’s wives and his children, but I haven’t read many books about the legendary man himself. I wanted a biography that explored the decisions he made in his life and the men who helped him along the way. That is exactly what Borman delivered in this biography that is bountiful with the information that it provides. 

Like any good biography, Borman begins by exploring Henry VIII’s birth and childhood. This is actually a significant time in his life and in the development of the future king of England. Growing up as the second son, Henry VIII was not destined to be king, but when his older brother Arthur tragically passed away, everything changed and Henry was thrust into a life of training to become king. He was constantly living in the shadow of his father and once he became king, he tried to outshine Henry VII.

Once he became king, Henry surrounded himself with men, both of royal birth and humble origins, to help run England. Some of the men that Borman included are Charles Brandon, Cardinal Wolsey, Sir Francis Bryan, Thomas More, Thomas Cromwell, Thomas Cranmer, Thomas Wroithesley, and Thomas Howard. Relatively familiar names for those who have studied the Tudors before and understand the significance of their roles in the Tudor court. However, Borman also includes the stories of men who did their best work on the sidelines, like the painters, diplomats, members of his inner circle, and doctors who saw all of Henry’s triumphs and failures. 

By highlighting the men that Borman did, she gives her audience a fresh perspective on such an infamous figure in history. He was a complex figure who could change his mind at a drop of the hat. These men knew how to navigate the dangerous situations that they were thrust into in order to make sure that their master’s orders were carried out. Of course, some went above the call of duty and others lost their lives to achieve their goals. 

This was the first book that I have read by Tracy Borman and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Her writing style was so engaging that I did not want this book to end. I thought I knew a lot about Henry VIII and his men, but “Henry VIII and the Men who Made Him” still provided new facts that surprised me. If you want to read a biography about Henry VIII that gives a fresh and innovative look into his life, I highly recommend you read this book.