Elizabeth I is so often depicted as an inaccessible figure -- the Virgin Queen who stood alone on the throne. Doran's book helps to complicate that portrait in wonderful ways, enriching the story of the queen by highlighting her connections with the people around her, including family and courtiers. Recommended.

This book was AMAZING! I've always been a fan of Royal European history, so this book just spoke to my soul!

This was an extremely detailed account of Elizabeth I and those who surrounded her during her reign. This is a period I have a great deal of interest in, and so I was very pleased to be able to read this book. Unfortunately, because of the density of the subject and how it was presented, it was one that took me many months to get through. As a tome for research, I think it will be useful, but for general reading, it was a bit much. I definitely appreciated the work that went into it and wish I could have enjoyed it more.