Log In
Register
Home
Topic RSS
7:19 pm
November 26, 2011
Offline
‘Ello all . I got a Nook for Christmas and am very excited ! I have already bought The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir . (Only on pg. 84) and am contemplating buying Henry VIII by Eric Ives . Is this book worth the $8.95 price? Please Help.
Xoxo . (:
EDIT : Woahwoahwoah . I just found out Alison Weir is a horrible author. (Or so I've heard.) She seems good in the KoA part so far. I wasted 10 dollars on her book! GRRRR.
Le Plus Heureux ♥ ~ Anne Boleyn//Toujours la reine
8:02 pm
April 9, 2011
Offline
I haven’t read Henry VIII by Eric Ives, but I do have all the Alison Weir books (bar Mary Boleyn atm) that span from War Of The Roses to The Children Of England time frame. I don’t mind them, they provide me with the information I need, but I can see why others enjoy trouncing her books. She definitely writes for the masses, doesn’t reference things and uses too many maybes, might haves and could haves but as a go to for quick information I find her handy. And if I ever need anything to clarified there is always this place.
I guess the obsessive part of me enjoys having a series of books from the same author that deal with the same subject. But its not like she is the only author I have. I do rely on other authors to help fill in the gaps for personalities that Weir hasn’t touched (and some would say thank God)
BTW What's a Nook? Is it like a Kindle?
3:08 am
December 5, 2009
Offline
Eric Ives', 'Henry VIII' was originally due out in October 2010 but was put back and back. I didn't realise it had eventually been published but I know that it will be well worth the read. Ives is one of the most accomplished historians we have today. Comparing him with Weir is like comparing a fine wine with a bottle of cheap lager!
I personally loath Weir and wouldn't touch her books with a barge pole. I have read 'The Lady in the Tower' and her biography on Mary Boleyn. They were two of the worst supposed non-fiction books I have ever read. I know 'The Lady in the Tower' had great reviews but it was full of inaccuracies, and worse than that, I think some of them were a deliberate ploy to deceive the reader. I therefore question Weir's honesty and her integrity.
3:10 am
February 16, 2009
Offline
I haven't read the Eric Ives Henry VIII book and haven't bothered buying it because Amazon describes it as a “bite sized biography” which put me off it as it made it sound rather basic, I might be wrong though!
Eric Ives is a very reputable historian, though, a professor in history, if that helps.
Debunking the myths about Anne Boleyn
10:29 am
November 26, 2011
Offline
Thanks everyone . I might get it … not sure yet . Oh, and yes, a Nook is just like a Kindle! (Just not as cool . And it's cheaper.) (;
Le Plus Heureux ♥ ~ Anne Boleyn//Toujours la reine
10:32 am
April 11, 2011
Offline
KarleeBoleyn, I shouldn't feel too bad about buying Weir. Yes, from a purist viewpoint regarding historical accuracy and referencing she is not to be recommended, however enjoying history should also be fun and I have to admit I have read and enjoyed some of her books in the past. As long as you realise that what you are reading is primarily for entertainment and not education then I see no harm in enjoying her book in that context. So, don't feel you've wasted 10 dollars, enjoy. Regarding Ives, I agree with Claire's assessment of his capabilities as an historian, and if Weir cost you 10 dollars then Ives is certainly worth $8.95.
10:39 am
December 5, 2009
Offline
KarleeBoleyn, I've had a look at Amazon and I think we may have been at cross purposes. Ives brought out a book about Henry VIII about four or five years ago. That's only about 118 pages long so as Claire says it's a 'bite size biography'. However, Ives is bringing out a full length biography, which was originally due to be published in October 2010 and it is that which I thought you were referring to. I don't think that's been published yet. Sorry for the confusion.
