Henry by David Starkey

Henry

by David Starkey

Bestselling royal historian David Starkey's captivating biography is a radical re-evaluation of Henry VIII, the British monarchy's most enduring icon.

Larger than life in every sense, Henry VIII was Britain's most absolute monarch - but he was not born to rule. In this brilliantly readable history, David Starkey follows the promising young prince - a Renaissance man of exceptional musical and athletic talent - as he is thrust into the limelight after the death of his elder brother. His subsequent quest for fame was as obsessive as that of any modern celebrity, and his yearning for a male heir drove him into dangerous territory.

The culmination of a lifetime's research, David Starkey's biography is an unforgettable portrait of the man behind the controversies, the prince turned tyrant who continues to tower over history.

Reviewed by elysium on

3 of 5 stars

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I like that the book concentrates in time before Henry became king or seeks divorce from Katherine.
But I find his writing style annoying. It also made me think that does he think he's Henry or his best fiend?

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  • Started reading
  • 23 August, 2009: Finished reading
  • 23 August, 2009: Reviewed