First, thanks for the Early Reviewers eBook. I found this to be a reasonable history of the Tudors, focusing not just on the children of the title (Mary, Elizabeth, and Edward), but beginning with Henry VII and his sons: Arthur, and Henry (later Henry VIII). Given the scope of the subject matter, and the relatively short length of the book, this is obviously not an in depth look at the Tudors, but would provide a good introduction for those who are seeking an overview. It's an accessible read and interesting. Given my Tudor "obsession" I found little new ground here, but I could definitely recommend this for someone seeking a non-fiction, accessible introduction to this dynasty.

There's a lot of information here about Henry III's four children, each from a different mother. Interesting reading, but I think I like Weir's work better.

I didn't rate this book because I overdosed on the Tudors several years ago and felt my indifference would unfairly bias my rating. Instead, I'll say what worked for me and what didn't. The book is an overview of Henry's marriages and his children's lives and reigns and works well as an introduction to the period. Guy writes clearly and annotates his text. This is a good primer for lay readers who want to know more of the history behind the hype of the Tudors. People with a good understanding of the period will find it lacking in depth and breadth. At less than 200 pages it's a fast read, but it can be little else than a starting point for further research for readers who want more detail about each child and their remarkable reigns. I received a free PDF copy of uncorrected proofs from the publisher through the LibraryThing Early Reader program. (Note: I posted this review in at LibraryThing in 2013. I was required to sign up here at NetGalley to receive the PDF and didn't come back. I'm now here for other reasons and felt obligated to post the earlier review to this archived book. My apologies to the publisher, but I did not consider myself a NetGalley member at that time--my obligation was to review and post at LibraryThing which conducted the giveaway. Additional Note: NetGalley requires a rating before sending to the publisher, which I am reluctant to give, but decided the most fair rating was 2 stars or "OK." Folks who are new to the Tudors can add a star.)

"Behind the facade of politics and pageantry at the Tudor court, there was a family drama. Nothing drove Henry VIII, England's wealthiest and most powerful king, more than producing a legitimate male heir and so perpetuating his dynasty. To that end, he married six wives, became the subject of the most notorious divorce case of the sixteenth century, and broke with the pope, all in an age of international competition and warfare, social unrest and growing religious intolerance and discord. "

Intriguing - yes. This is not a standard biography of each of Henry's children, but more an intertwining history. Into this mix is included the often over-looked Henry FitzRoy, which makes for a refreshing change, and was one of the main reasons I picked this up. However, Guy does not paint a very flattering picture of either of Henry's daughters, not of his wives, which I found a little annoying. This short tome would be considered more of an entree into the world of the Tudors than anything else.

My apologies; if I requested this book, it appears that due to family commitments I was not able to read it before the book was archived. I'm sorry it has lingered this long.

Although I was provided an advance reader's copy of this book, I actually did not read it and therefore cannot provide feedback.