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Queen of Scots (Abridged) Audiobook
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(3.03) - 571 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
An intimate, myth-shattering new biography of Mary Queen of Scots by a premier historian that draws on a trove of newly discovered sources.Queen of Scots, the first full-scale biography of Mary in more than thirty years, offers a singularly novel, nuanced, and dramatic portrait of one of history’s greatest women.
John Guy draws on sources -- many previously unstudied -- as varied as the secret communiques of English spies and Mary's own letters.
Dispelled is the ingrained popular image of Mary as a romantic leading lady, achieving her ends through feminine wiles, driven by love to murder, undone by passion and bad judgment. We come to see her as an emotionally intricate woman and an adroit diplomat, maneuvering ingeniously among a dizzying array of factions who sought to control or dethrone her. Guy's investigation of Mary's storied downfall throws sharp new light on questions that have baffled historians for centuries, and offers convincing new evidence that she was framed for the murder for which she was beheaded.
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"I've had this on my bookshelf for years and have finally gotten around to it this summer. Well worth it! It brings Mary Queen of Scots into the realm of human being. Making her imprisonment and death by the hand of her cousin and another female monarch, all the more horrifying."
— Chrissie (4 out of 5 stars)
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“[An] absorbing biography…Meticulously researched…Scholarly and intriguing.”
— Times (London) -
“This is, make no mistake about it, a definitive biography…Reads as thrillingly as a detective story, and is rich in detail and authoritative in its analysis. Guy deserves a wide readership.”
— Sunday Times (London) -
“Rarely have first-class scholarship and first-class storytelling being so effectively combined.”
— Daily Telegraph -
“Reads like Shakespearean drama, with all the delicious plotting and fresh writing to go with it.”
— Atlanta Journal-Constitution -
“The definitive biography…Gripping…A pure pleasure to read.”
— Washington Post Book World
Awards
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Winner of the 2004 Whitbread Award for Biography
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A 2004 National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist
Queen of Scots Listener Reviews
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Amanda McClure, 10/17/2019
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" This book was one of the most innacurate and poorly written biographies of Mary Queen of Scots I've came across. Not only did it skip over some of the most important parts of her life it's riddled with innacuracies. "
— Stephanie Riley, 1/6/2017 -
" A fascinating book looking at the life of Mary Queen of Scots. Quite hard going in places, but really interesting. "
— Lorna, 2/10/2014 -
" It wasn't until I finished listening to this audiobook that I realized that it was an abridged version. I'm a little disappointed, but I enjoyed listening to it nonetheless. "
— KristenR, 1/24/2014 -
" A really great book to start you off on Mary Stuart. "
— Chantay, 1/21/2014 -
" I found this book thoroughly insightful with Guy's use of historical documents and factual information. I learned so much about Scottish political history and it has helped me undertand more about Scotland's current political situation (and its relationship with England) "
— Tara, 1/15/2014 -
" Supposedly a revisionist view of Mary Stuart with new information that sets her decisions in a better light...I read it hoping for this and came to the conclusion that nope, she's still an idiot. A better documented idiot, but still an idiot. "
— Margaret, 12/2/2013 -
" An interesting biography which gave understanding of the complex relationship between the two queens Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots. "
— Tracey, 11/22/2013 -
" Wow... the political intrigue in this book is enough to make your head spin - it was no wonder royalty lost heads and kingdoms. Truthfully, I couldnt finish it, it was just too much for my little brain to handle right now - one day.... "
— Jenna, 9/14/2013 -
" I did it. I read the whole book. I am very proud of myself. I have never not finished a book. It is very detailed which is what made it difficult for me. There are alot of characters with alot going on. Keeping it straight was hard. I may read it again just to make sure I got everything. "
— Grace, 8/21/2013 -
" Glad that someone finally realized that Mary was not the airhead she is usually portrayed as, but Guy doesn't seem to understand the concept of spiritual conversion, which is especially crucial in understanding Mary's final years. "
— Bill, 2/26/2013 -
" I originally bought this as an "anti-Elizabeth I" book. But, I really enjoyed it. I gave it 3 stars because it's really one-sided, and it tries to prove that Mary was a saint... yeah right. But very enjoyable. "
— Jacob, 9/23/2012 -
" I can really recommend it. "
— Linda, 5/18/2011 -
" I loved this book. The story of Mary Queen of Scots is probably the most interesting in Scottish history. Her life is an incredible story, although it is a tragic tale. Even if you're not particularly into history you will be gripped by this story. "
— Thane, 3/15/2011 -
" Just a little too acedemic for my taste. Maybe I should have read it instead of listening to it on tape... "
— Amy, 1/15/2011 -
" What a sad existence for the true heir to the throne. Politics was so deadly in Europe. The US and the Bushes probably learned a lot from these evil throne stealers. Guy tells the biography well , but I am a fan of historical fiction. "
— Wendy, 10/5/2010 -
" What a sad existence for the true heir to the throne. Politics was so deadly in Europe. The US and the Bushes probably learned a lot from these evil throne stealers. Guy tells the biography well , but I am a fan of historical fiction. "
— Wendy, 7/12/2009 -
" It wasn't until I finished listening to this audiobook that I realized that it was an abridged version. I'm a little disappointed, but I enjoyed listening to it nonetheless. "
— KristenR, 5/3/2009 -
" I can really recommend it. "
— Linda, 4/11/2009 -
" It is courious to see how the queen lived in the 1500. <br/>read in Italian "
— Michela, 1/3/2009 -
" I found this book thoroughly insightful with Guy's use of historical documents and factual information. I learned so much about Scottish political history and it has helped me undertand more about Scotland's current political situation (and its relationship with England) "
— Tara, 8/22/2008 -
" Wow... the political intrigue in this book is enough to make your head spin - it was no wonder royalty lost heads and kingdoms. Truthfully, I couldnt finish it, it was just too much for my little brain to handle right now - one day.... "
— Jenna, 8/18/2008 -
" Trying to read this.... It has been more difficult than I expected. I have learned that I prefer biographies that are more storytelling in nature. This one is not that! "
— Stacy, 7/14/2008 -
" Absolutely fantastic, made me think of Mary in a totally different way. Also reinforces the fact that history is told by the victors. "
— Megan, 3/15/2008
About John Guy
John Guy studied history at Clare College, Cambridge, and became a lecturer on early modern British history and Renaissance political thought. He has held academic positions in Britain and the United States throughout his career and is still a fellow in history at Clare College, Cambridge, and teaches on the Yale in London program at the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art. He appears regularly on BBC Radio and has presented five documentaries for BBC2 television. He also writes and reviews for various newspapers and magazines, including the Sunday Times, the Guardian, and the Economist.