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Henry VIII and the Men Who Made Him

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What to expect

A thrilling peek behind the curtain at the men who supported Britain's most famous king from Sunday Times bestselling author Tracy Borman OBE

'An outstanding work of historical artistry' - ALISON WEIR

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Henry VIII is well known for his tumultuous relationships with women, and he is often defined by his many marriages. But what do we see if we take a different look? When we see Henry through the men in his life, a new perspective on this famous king emerges.

Henry's relationships with the men who surrounded him reveal much about his beliefs, behaviour and character. They show him to be capable of fierce, but seldom abiding loyalty; of raising men only to destroy them later. He loved to be attended and entertained by boisterous young men who shared his passion for sport, but at other times he was more diverted by men of intellect, culture and wit. Often trusting and easily led by his male attendants and advisers during the early years of his reign, he matured into a profoundly suspicious and paranoid king whose favour could be suddenly withdrawn, as many of his later servants found to their cost. His cruelty and ruthlessness would become ever more apparent as his reign progressed, but the tenderness that he displayed towards those he trusted proves that he was never the one-dimensional monster that he is often portrayed as.

In this fascinating and often surprising new biography, Tracy Borman reveals Henry's personality in all its multi-faceted, contradictory glory.

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Readers LOVE Tracy Borman:

'Tracy Borman's book must rank among the very best [Tudor history books].' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Tracy Borman is an excellent author and you can guarantee anything she writes is very well researched.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
' I love Tudor history and this book was phenomenal.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Critics Review

In this stunning book, Tracy Borman proves yet again that she is at the top of her field. It's an outstanding work of historical artistry, a brilliantly woven and pacy story of the men who surrounded, influenced and sometimes plagued Henry VIII. Borman is in complete command of the vast source material, and affords us a new perspective on a king who has dominated the national consciousness for centuries - no mean achievement. Masterful, and hugely impressive, this is one Tudor book you must not miss!
Alison Weir
An arching overview of Henry's reign with small surprises on virtually every page. Why wait for the final installment of Wolf Hall, when the real tale is every bit as compelling? We meet a Henry who for once is a wholly convincing man - neither a monster, nor the monolith of the Holbein portrait [Borman] unpacks so deftly.
Sarah Gristwood
A fresh and interesting approach to Henry VIII's story, revealing a new side to the famous king's character through the lives of the men who surrounded him.
Elizabeth Norton, author of The Lives of Tudor Women
Henry VIII and The Men Who Made Him is a meticulously researched and compellingly presented narrative, which presents the infamous Tudor King in a whole new light from the eyes of the men who knew him: family, friends, servants and enemies. It's a refreshingly brilliant approach to a well known story, which is beautifully and engagingly written.
Nicola Tallis, author of Crown of Blood
This is a superbly told and impeccably researched account of Henry VIII's reign and the men who surrounded him. At the centre of Borman's narrative is the majestic horror created, and inflicted, by Henry's charisma.
Gareth Russell, author of Young and Damned and Fair: The Life of Catherine Howard
Author Tracy Borman
Narrator Julie Teal
Duration 17 hours and 54 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9781473650312
Format x-book®
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton
Genre Biography: royalty, European history, History
Availability AU, GB, IE

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