Henry

The first instalment of the highly anticipated biography of Henry VIII, written by one of the UK's most popular, established and exciting historians. 'Henry: Virtuous Prince' is a radical re-evaluation of the monarchy's most enduring icon. Henry VIII was Britain's most powerful monarch, yet he was not born to rule. Thrust into the limelight after the sudden death of his elder brother, Prince Arthur, Henry ascended the throne in 1509, marking the beginning of a reign that altered the course of English history. In his youth Henry was highly intelligent, athletic and musically talented. He excelled in Latin and Mathematics and was an accomplished musician. On his accession to the throne, aged just seventeen, after the tumultuous rule of his father, he provided England with hope of a new beginning. Nobody could have foreseen how radical Henry's rule would prove to be. Often overshadowed by the bloody saga of his six marriages, his reign has left a lasting legacy. An absolute monarch, Henry's quest for fame was as obsessive as any modern celebrity. His fierce battles against Papal authority mark one of the most dramatic and defining moments in the history of Britain.Yet his early life was insecure. The Tudor regime was viewed by many as rule by usurpers and the dark shadows of the Wars of the Roses often threatened to tear England apart once more. The culmination of a lifetime's research, David Starkey gives a radical and unforgettable portrait of the man behind the icon; the Renaissance prince turned tyrant, who continues to tower over history.

'Writing with a mixture of tabloid verve and original scholarship, peppering every page with pungent wit and yet never skimping on the detail!the best political history of the reign of Henry VII so far!Starkey shows more vividly than any previous historian!eye-catching detail!for its extraordinary insights into the smouldering embers of the Wars of the Roses, "Henry: Virtuous Prince" is masterly. As a biography of England's most celebrated king, it's an outstanding overture.' John Guy, Sunday Times (Editor's Choice) 'If you like Henry VIII, this is what you'll like.' Tim Martin, Daily Telegraph (Books of the Year) 'Starkey gives us an unexpectedly fresh-faced Henry VIII in his breezy biography.' Dominic Sandbrook, Daily Telegraph (Books of the Year) 'It is brilliant, beady-eyed history, and every page of it has an intimate fascination!Starkey has eschewed the easy wisdom of hindsight!his strength is that he questions everything!he seeks fresh evidence...his writing is uncluttered and conversational, and he cuts through the back-story!with grace, clarity and wit!accessible and entertaining.' Guardian 'This book!demonstrates his scholarship, supremely confident grasp of the period and authorial panache!fascinating.' Daily Mail 'It has an immense amount to offer the general reader...there are several little gems of brand new information!David Starkey has produced the most careful as well as the most colourful study of the young Henry for a long time, and perhaps of all time.' Independent on Sunday 'What Starkey has produced, considering his own unrivalled command of the subject, and its vast literature, is a miracle of condensation.' Sunday Telegraph 'The book is full of delicious detail.' Evening Standard 'Starkey is a wonderfully lucid writer.' Independent 'Starkey's picture of court life and the government machine is full and always interesting!the fascination of this learned but often light and coloquial biography rests in the hints it offers of the monster Henry would become.' Daily Telegraph 'Starkey writes throughout with the assurance of someone who knows the king better than anyone else!there are many parts of the book I relished!compelling.' Observer 'David Starkey's biography!does full justice to one of the most magnificent monarchs of them all. A marvellous book, filled with interesting detail, it succeeds both in informing the student and entertaining the more recreational reader!Starkey stands head and shoulders above historians. His prose is scholarly and his stories fascinating!This truly riveting book, masterfully written by Starkey is a must, not only for would-be historians but all who enjoy reading a great story.' Sunday Express 'Full of delicious details!and very good indeed on the reign of Henry VII.' Scotsman 'A breezy, riveting read!while loaded with enough anecdotes to make it a gripping read, this is also a masterful academic work.' Time Out 'This book...is brilliant...eminently readable...here are all the presentational skills familiar from seeing David Starkey on television: fluency, acuity, an eye for the memorable detail or the apt analogy...the book is quite simply unique...nothing as complete and authoritative has been seen before...powerful and persuasive.' BBC History magazine Praise for 'Monarchy': 'Starkey has the mind of an historian but the eye of a court painter.' Peter Ackroyd, The Times 'Starkey tours England's monarchical horizon with gusto.' Simon Jenkins, Sunday Times 'Vivid, lucid and engaging!a very enjoyable book.' Allan Massie, Daily Telegraph 'Starkey is a master of his trade!The best short history of England written since J. R. Green in the 1870s!the artistry of the writing conceals the efforts that have been made to ensure that this is both highly entertaining and remarkably accurate!an enterprise of surpassing excellence.' TLS 'Starkey is as eloquent and lucid as ever.' The Times 'Assessed with authority, wisdom and wit!This is Starkey at his fluent and enter

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