Scary Facts to Blow Your Mind (Fun Facts to Blow Your Mind)

In the last few years Henry seems to have become a popular subject for television and novels; most presenting him as a sympathetic figure, balked of true love. Wilson paints him as those who knew him best saw him, as a vicious tyrant. This is a refreshing (in the literal sense of the word) perspective. How did Henry rule, what did he expect from his chief ministers, how did they fulfill his wishes (and manage to fulfill... Read Full Review

I've continued to check this book out of the library until I finally decided to buy a copy for my personal reference. Wilson uses primary accounts quite well and convincingly to practically examine the political affairs of Henry VIII's court. It has some surprising perspectives that aren't usually associated with Thomas Wolsey, Thomas More, and the notorious Thomas Howard. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone that... Read Full Review

I recently read Alison Weir's "Henry VIII: The King And His Court" and it was interesting to read Derek Wilson's book covering Henry's reign, but looked at from a different perspective. Ms. Weir concentrated more on people and personalities, especially Henry's wives. Mr. Wilson chose to concentrate more on politics and religion. Both books are rewarding and since the approach taken by each author is different you get a fuller... Read Full Review

England's King Henry VIII has already been extensively discussed in various books as well as portrayed in a number of plays and films. Why another book? In his Introduction, Wilson acknowledges that much attention has been devoted to Henry's six wives (Three Catherines, two Annes, and a Jane) and shares this mnemonic:"Divorced, beheaded, died,Divorced, beheaded, survived."and then observes: "I propose a different set of relationships... Read Full Review

Just finished the above book and found it very interesting. It tells the story of six men, all with the first name of Thomas, and what they did during the reign of Henry Vlll. It is definitely not a book for someone who has no idea of the Tudor court and only remembers that Henry had six wives. These wives are only mentioned in passing, except for Anne Boleyn who rates a few more pages, and will be a disappointment to those... Read Full Review