The Tudors: A Very Short Introduction

Love love love this book. A great introduction that's very cut and dry, straight to the facts. It's like cliffnotes for time periods!

the revised ed

Son needed this for school paper.

The Very Short Introduction series from Oxford University Press began in 1995 and now lists more than 300 titles, according to this book's blurb. I've seen positive (and not so positive) reviews of several of the titles, but this is the first one I've read. I thought that starting with a subject I'm familiar with would give me an opportunity to see how well the book captures the essentials.First off, the book is not only Very Short but also very small - with a very small font. So handy to carry in a pocket or bag, so long as you don't need to tote along your reading lamp and magnifying glass. However, it is well laid out and contains some illustrations to break up the text. The reading material in this one runs to 129 pages, plus a list of further reading, a chronology and an index. Handily it also has a genealogical table and a note explaining the value of currencies.Written by John Guy, one of my favourite historians, I expected the history to be accurate and well-presented, and it is. It's roughly divided into a chapter per monarch (from Henry VII to Elizabeth I, who gets two in recognition of the length of her reign), with a couple of extra chapters on the Reformation and on Arts and Culture. You can tell from the scope that this must therefore be an exceedingly quick romp through the period. It gives the basics, but not much more. I found it pretty unsatisfying in the early parts where I was most familiar with the history - up to about mid-way through Elizabeth's reign. I felt the facts were there, but I didn't get much feel for the personalities or the international picture. However, when we reached the latter part of Elizabeth's reign, about which I knew very little, it seemed much more rewarding. So I concluded that the error was mine - I should probably have read one on a subject about which I know nothing to really find out how effective these little books are.Overall, then, a decently presented little history, well-written by a respected historian, that will give the reader the basic facts, but doesn't add anything new for the reader who may know a little about the subject. I may try another of these at some point in the future. They cover all kinds of topics other than history - philosophy, science, even literature - so it shouldn't be too hard to find something I know nothing about!NB This book was provided for review by Amazon Vine UK.

This little book is extremely impressive. Guy has encapsulated the story of the Tudors - eloquently and concisely - in less than 130 pages (main text). The text may be short but feels in no way vague.It was very very useful for my study of A-level history (AQA, taken in 2017). It gives you very good understanding of the major themes of the period (so you get the gist of the 118 years of Tudor history); it shows how all the events link together and their contexts, and makes compelling arguments for the major debates of the period. It has great details, especially concerning the Tudor economy and Chapter 7 'Material culture and the arts' provides more than any textbook on the topic. But the text does lack in providing details of some specific events necessary for A-level, e.g. rebellions are mentioned only in passing. The summary nature of this text enables the student to recognise which are ideas are most important to understanding the period. The text is therefore a very good compliment to a textbook and Guy's writing makes studying the period very enjoyable.

The Very Short Introductions are a major educational resource. There are presently over 500 small books covering a very wide range of subjects. Although short, the Introductions are substantial in content. Everyone would benefit from reading these books to broaden their knowledge and understanding in diverse areas of life. Perseverance with some subjects may be required but be prepared to be surprised, enlightened and enriched.

Brilliant for on-the-go knowledge. Great price, extremely comprehensive and gives you a full overview of the Tudor period.Don't be fooled by the title - the Very Short Introductions are brilliant for in-depth knowledge or just for a quick read here and there due to their pocket-sized nature - and I am actually using this book as one of my sources for my A-Level Historical Enquiry, which requires thorough understanding and explanations of debates in the field - tasking work but this little book has made it so much easier to gain the knowledge and understanding that I require!Would definitely recommend to absolutely anyone who is interested in the time period of the Tudors, or just someone who wants to gain a bit more general knowledge on British History.

great for an overview of subject matter, quick to read focuses on key points

John Guy always good value