"The Tudor Empire" by David Wildman offers a captivating and comprehensive exploration of one of the most dynamic periods in English history. Wildman skillfully navigates through the complexities of Tudor rule, spanning from the late 15th to the early 17th century, and examines how England transformed from a relatively insular nation to a burgeoning global power. Through meticulous research and engaging prose, the author delves into key events, personalities, and innovations that shaped the Tudor Empire, including the reigns of monarchs such as Henry VII, Henry VIII, and Elizabeth I. From the Tudor conquest of Ireland to the exploration of the New World, Wildman provides readers with a vivid portrait of the expansionist ambitions and imperial aspirations of the Tudor dynasty. Moreover, the book offers valuable insights into the social, economic, and cultural dynamics of Tudor England, shedding light on the experiences of ordinary people living in a time of profound change and upheaval. "The Tudor Empire" is a must-read for anyone interested in the Tudor period and its lasting impact on the course of world history. With its rich detail and engaging narrative, this book is sure to captivate both scholars and general readers alike.

The Tudor Empire takes on a large period in a short number of pages. It reads like a cliff-notes version of most of the rulers during this period. I did learn some things pertaining to Henry VII such as his issues with the Cornish. Other monarchs are glossed over in favor of the bigger names. Although, it was nice to not have to read much about the succession of Henry VIII's wives in much detail.

Thank you to Netgalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. I would recommend this to those just entering the Tudor Period as a taster.

What an amazing book it's well written, documented and it was literally page after page of interesting information. The Tudors are well known and loved getting to learn about how it all started. There are 20 chapters and each one breaks down a certain period and events that happened.
The desire of the monarchy to expand its reach, power and the lengths it went to do achieve that goal was clearly illustrated in its actions. If you love history and want to know more this is your book. Loved reading it.

Great read! I like that this book detailed the Tudor Empire, meaning the ins and outs of where Tudor rulers' subjects explored the wide world rather than focusing on life at court and within the realm as most Tudor books do. I learned so much!

Again, another great and informative book. Pen and Sword is one of my favorite publishers to read books because I love British History, particularly the Tudor era. This book covers from the Plantagenet Inheritance to the passing of the empire to the Stuart dynasty. This is a book that I'll keep as reference for a long time.

A very informative history book about the Tudor Empire. It explained a lot and cleared what could have been misunderstood about the history. I really recommend this book if you are someone interested in the Tudor history like me.

The Tudor Empire by David Wildman is an entertaining and informative book that highlights how the Tutors expanded their kingdom and the cost incurred by the dynamic historical characters that helped shape England. It highlights political alliances that changed the dynamic of the medieval playing field throughout generations and the importance of obtaining and retaining significant lands such as Calais. It covers England’s foray into North America and details the atrocities of the Prayer Book Rebellion. This book covers a lot of information and I was able to learn a lot. It’s history that reads better than fiction and Wildman did a great job making sure the content, although informative, was still entertaining. I did get a little lost in locations. I think some great additions would be a map of the Tutor Empire, a timeline of highlighted events, and family trees.

Thanks to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for providing me with an ARC of this book!

Wishes do come true and I am a big fan of these books.....Thank you.

The Tudor Empire by David Wildman was a book I enjoyed from start to finish and I love reading about Tudor times etc, not saying I would love to live then........The Tudors still remains one of Britain’s most fascinating royal dynasties and I love learning more about this time.

This book will delve into how the Tudors exerted their control over their empire and domains, stretching from the north of England, Wales, Ireland, Cornwall, all the way to European possessions, as well as fresh colonies in the New World.

This book was amazing and a joy to read from the very first page.
I loved it.

Big Thank you to Netgalley and especially Pen & Sword, Pen & Sword History for making my wish come true - well, the book to review!!!

Driven by their obsession with legitimate rule, the Tudors sought boundless power, from Henry VII's consolidation of authority to Elizabeth I's aspirations in the New World. Using contemporary sources, this fascinating, easy-to-read, and enjoyable history explores how each monarch expanded their reign.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

"The Tudors: Control and Expansion" is a compelling dive into one of Britain's most riveting royal chapters. The book unveils the seemingly insatiable hunger for power of this dynasty, driven by a deep-seated paranoia of occupying a throne they felt wasn't rightfully theirs.

The author skillfully navigates through the sixteenth century, detailing the rapid territorial expansions of the Tudors, often at great human costs. The intricate detailing of each monarch's vision, from Henry VII's consolidation of power to Elizabeth I's adventures in the New World, paints a vivid tapestry of ambition, strategy, and legacy.

What sets this book apart is its use of contemporary sources, seamlessly blended with modern historical debates. This not only adds authenticity but also provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of the era. For anyone keen to delve into the tumultuous and transformative reign of the Tudors, this book is a must-read. A captivating blend of history, intrigue, and drama, it offers an accessible yet profound exploration of a dynasty that shaped an empire. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

As an avid fan of British history, particularly the Plantagenet, Tudor, Lancaster, et al families... I had to give this new book a chance. David Wildman covers the 5 to 6 kings and queens from the 14th to 17th centuries, providing history of the drama, the key political moves, the genealogical impacts of having or not having a male child, and so much more. It's a non-fiction book, so reading all in one setting is not advised, but it offers a solid summary of everything you need to know. If this doesn't fascinate you about the family, nothing will!

A well-written, somewhat interesting book on the Tudors. Being that the Tudors fascinate me, I jumped at a chance to read this. It wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible either.

The book contains 20 chapters, each one focusing on a key event in the Tudor era and assessing how each Tudor monarch handled problems while trying to promote their rule. Of the 20 events, only the chapters concerning the rebellion in Cornwall were new to me. They provided enlightening insight on why Cornwall has a level of autonomy not seen in other parts of England.

Some pertinent points that stuck out for me:
- imperial expansion during the Tudor period (1485-1603), particularly in the reign of Elizabeth I, traditionally understood as laying the foundation for the later British Empire, rather than existing & operating as an empire itself
- Tudors must not be viewed through 21st century lens, but rather through 15th/16th centuries len --> their 'empire' wasn't just about their attempts to expand into the New World, but also their attempts to control those close to home --> the Welsh, the Irish, the Northern English, and the Cornish
- Tudor dynasty must be viewed as both a political unit and a family unit, which means that the Tudor empire was a family business continually aiming to expand their power and might

Some personal observations:
- there should have been an official conclusion to the book, considering there was a preface; without a conclusion, the book ends too abruptly
- there should have been a timeline of the Tudor era
- all 29 images at the end are without color; some of them should have been colorized

I will always love the Tudors. However this book will not be on my must-read/must-buy list. Thanks to NetGalley and Pen&Sword for access to this ARC, which I voluntarily read and reviewed.

The Tudor era is a fascinating period in History. I love the way Wildman narrates history. It is almost like watching a period drama in words.

Tudor Empire" is a captivating historical read that weaves together the intricate tapestry of the Tudor era. Wildman's thorough research and engaging narrative bring the Tudor dynasty to life, making it a must-read for history enthusiasts. The book's detail and vivid storytelling transport readers to a bygone era, offering a compelling journey through the political intrigues, cultural advancements, and personalities that defined the Tudor Empire. With a blend of scholarship and storytelling, Wildman succeeds in creating a captivating and enlightening reading experience that leaves an impression.

This book focuses on the attempts by the Tudor monarchs to expand their 'empire' through the 118 years of the dynasty. From Henry VII's missed opportunity to fund Christopher Columbus' New World excursions through an attempt to establish a slave trade to Elizabeth I's relative support of explorers going both east and west, it provides extensive details on the transitioning Tudor focus on the 'Empire'. There's thorough discussion on things that diverted attention to matters closer to home like the repeated crushing of rebellions in Cornwall, Wales and the 'wilderness' that was the Irish island. Throw in the Scottish kingdom to the north and there was always something to divert attention to closer domestic issues. Add in Henry VIII's repeated attempts to make his name by engaging with France (and losing ground) and you have a detailed account of this era's world situation.

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy for an honest review

‘The Tudor Empire’ is an interesting nonfiction read, I would recommend it to anyone interested in the Tudor period.

Rating 4 stars

I found this book easy to read,it included lots of new information on the tudor period that I didnt know previously.