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  • The Private Lives of the Tudors

  • Uncovering the Secrets of Britain's Greatest Dynasty
  • By: Tracy Borman
  • Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble, Sandra Duncan
  • Length: 15 hrs and 18 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (698 ratings)

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The Private Lives of the Tudors

By: Tracy Borman
Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble, Sandra Duncan
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Summary

A BEHIND THE SCENES GLIMPSE INTO THE LIVES OF HENRY VIII, ANNE BOLEYN, ELIZABETH I AND MORE: PERFECT FOR FANS OF WOLF HALL

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'I do not live in a corner. A thousand eyes see all I do.' Elizabeth I

The Tudor monarchs were constantly surrounded by an army of attendants, courtiers and ministers. Even in their most private moments, they were accompanied by a servant specifically appointed for the task. A groom of the stool would stand patiently by as Henry VIII performed his daily purges, and when Elizabeth I retired for the evening, one of her female servants would sleep at the end of her bed.

These attendants knew the truth behind the glamorous exterior. They saw the tears shed by Henry VII upon the death of his son Arthur. They knew the tragic secret behind 'Bloody' Mary's phantom pregnancies. And they saw the 'crooked carcass' beneath Elizabeth I's carefully applied makeup, gowns and accessories.

It is the accounts of these eyewitnesses, as well as a rich array of other contemporary sources that historian Tracy Borman has examined more closely than ever before. With new insights and discoveries, and in the same way that she brilliantly illuminated the real Thomas Cromwell - The Private Life of the Tudors will reveal previously unexamined details about the characters we think we know so well.

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Critical acclaim for The Private Lives of the Tudors:

'Borman approaches her topic with huge enthusiasm and a keen eye for entertaining...this is a very human story of a remarkable family, full of vignettes that sit long in the mind.' Dan Jones, The Sunday Times

'Tracy Borman's eye for detail is impressive; the book is packed with fascinating courtly minutiae... this is a wonderful book.' The Times

'Borman is an authoritative and engaging writer, good at prising out those humanising details that make the past alive to us.' The Observer

'Fascinating, detailed account of the everyday reality of the royals... This is a book of rich scholarship.' Daily Mail

'Tracy Borman's passion for the Tudor period shines forth from the pages of this fascinatingly detailed book, which vividly illuminates what went on behind the scenes at the Tudor court.' Alison Weir

©2016 Tracy Borman (P)2016 Hodder & Stoughton
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History
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What listeners say about The Private Lives of the Tudors

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Brings a new understanding to the whole family saga.

Very interesting. Lots of new information and painting a very much better complete picture of Elizabeth in particular.

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A must for history buffs !

What a fantastic informative interesting book so well written and so well read I was gripped from the first sentence ! Thank you so much audible !

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Excellent.

loved the story and the narrator, my only complaint is the other man's voice which just sounded dull and out of place.

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A must for anyone interested in the Tudors

Extremely well written and interesting with amazing attention to the little details of every aspect of the Tudor monarchs’ lives. Thoroughly enjoyable and very entertainingly narrated!

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Riveting!

Very enjoyable and accessible to anyone with an interest in the Tudors. Jonathan Keeble's narration is spot on as always.

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Superb!

Excellent detailed historical account of the reign of the Tudor Kings and Queens, starting with Henry Tudor and finishing with Elizabeth l. Written with historical accuracy but reads like a story with all the embellished details that you want to know about surrounding Tudor life.

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Excellent book

Jonathan Keeble could very likely read a bus timetable and make it sound interesting. Here, however, his talents are well deployed in reading this truly entertaining and informative book. One knows a fair bit about the Tudors, either by reading and study or by osmosis. Here, within the well-known framework, is a cornucopia of information. Not only the minutiae of habits and dress, but more serious matters such as the likelihood that Elizabeth I became more irascible and difficult to deal with in her later years due to the increasing amount of toxins which she absorbed from her cosmetics and medications. I've always suspected that Henry VII's elder son was sickly due to being an 8-months baby, and this likelihood is discussed here. And I'd no idea that James I was such a creature!

Do listen to this book. It may be worth getting the hard copy, so that dipping in may be easier! Thank you, Tracy Borman, for bringing together your exhaustive research into a book which is entertaining as well as informative.

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As she was.

Queen Elizabeth I is in everyone's mind as the youngest sister. This book stands out to show she was the best of all Tudors

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Most informative and enjoyable

Really loved this book - so much detail about the Courts of Henry and Elizabeth- fascinating!

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Interesting and well narrated

I loved the book. Not a dry boring piece but full of anecdotes and interesting titbits. I love Tudor history and I learned a lot. The narrator makes this an even better experience. I am a fan of Jonathan Keeble. He is one of the best narrators, which is probably the list important aspect of an audio book.

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