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The Anne Boleyn Collection: The Real Truth about the Tudors
"The Anne Boleyn Collection" brings together the most popular articles from top Tudor website The Anne Boleyn Files. Articles which have provoked discussion and debate. Articles that people have found fascinating. Written in Claire's easy-going style, but with an emphasis on good history and sound research, these articles are perfect reading for Tudor history lovers everywhere. Discover the REAL truth about the Tudors
249 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2012
403 people are currently reading
1798 people want to read
About the author
Claire Ridgway
22 books284 followersClaire Ridgway is the author of the best-selling books On This Day in Tudor History(October 2012), The Anne Boleyn Collection (Feb 2012), The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown (April 2012), The Anne Boleyn Collection II (September 2013) George Boleyn: Tudor Poet, Courtier and Diplomat (April 2014), Sweating Sickness: In an Nutshell (August 2014), Illustrated Kings and Queens of England (November 2014) and Tudor Places of Great Britain (October 2015).
Claire worked in education and freelance writing before creating The Anne Boleyn Files history website and becoming a full-time history researcher, blogger and author. The Anne Boleyn Files is known for its historical accuracy and Claire's mission to get to the truth behind Anne Boleyn's story. Her writing is easy-to-read and conversational, and readers often comment on how reading Claire's books is like having a coffee with her and chatting about history.
Claire is also the founder of The Tudor Society.
Claire worked in education and freelance writing before creating The Anne Boleyn Files history website and becoming a full-time history researcher, blogger and author. The Anne Boleyn Files is known for its historical accuracy and Claire's mission to get to the truth behind Anne Boleyn's story. Her writing is easy-to-read and conversational, and readers often comment on how reading Claire's books is like having a coffee with her and chatting about history.
Claire is also the founder of The Tudor Society.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
March 18, 2012
The author says "Anne Boleyn is a paradox. Her life can be manipulated by historians and authors to fit their theories and ideas."
This is a fascinating read! In a world oversaturated with really bad Tudor propaganda...I thank Claire for taking on all the myths and so called facts and questioning them. This book goes into my favorites. The author not only shares my opinions on Anne, but also taught me new things about The Tudors (who knew I could learn more?) A very popular book we know as TOBG has caused many debates. Even though it's fiction a lot of people believe it to be true. Claire breaks down the facts between not only this book but also the popular TV show The Tudors. She also questions popular historians David Starkey and Alison Weir. This part really makes you question things. This book takes popular articles from the author's website, so some parts can seem repetitious. That is my only negative. The author covers everything from "Did Anne have a 6th finger" to "Lady Rochford's recorded testimony against Anne"...is there one? What was found when the graves were exhumed at The Chapel of St. Peter and who do the mysterious Boleyn graves at Hever and Penshurst belong to? I laughed at the author many times (yep, this was funny and entertaining non-fiction.) It is not dry at all, more like a GoodReads discussion. I loved it and thank you Claire for speaking up for not only Anne, but her family and the other Queens since they cannot stand up for themselves today.
I recommend this too all history fans...Tudored out or not and hopefully this will stop some authors from jumping on the myths because DR Gregory says they're true.
This is a fascinating read! In a world oversaturated with really bad Tudor propaganda...I thank Claire for taking on all the myths and so called facts and questioning them. This book goes into my favorites. The author not only shares my opinions on Anne, but also taught me new things about The Tudors (who knew I could learn more?) A very popular book we know as TOBG has caused many debates. Even though it's fiction a lot of people believe it to be true. Claire breaks down the facts between not only this book but also the popular TV show The Tudors. She also questions popular historians David Starkey and Alison Weir. This part really makes you question things. This book takes popular articles from the author's website, so some parts can seem repetitious. That is my only negative. The author covers everything from "Did Anne have a 6th finger" to "Lady Rochford's recorded testimony against Anne"...is there one? What was found when the graves were exhumed at The Chapel of St. Peter and who do the mysterious Boleyn graves at Hever and Penshurst belong to? I laughed at the author many times (yep, this was funny and entertaining non-fiction.) It is not dry at all, more like a GoodReads discussion. I loved it and thank you Claire for speaking up for not only Anne, but her family and the other Queens since they cannot stand up for themselves today.
I recommend this too all history fans...Tudored out or not and hopefully this will stop some authors from jumping on the myths because DR Gregory says they're true.
April 9, 2015
This was provided to me by the author for reviewing on goodreads
The only things I ever knew about Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII was from what I saw on TV, movies, or the little amount we learnt in school. So really, my knowledge of the whole Tudor era was pretty limited. The most I remember about it was from The Other Boleyn Girl movie, which apparently was a horribly unaccurate re-telling.
I learnt alot of things I did not know, especially about Anne. I wasn't one of those people that thought she was a whore or a homewrecker, I always just thought it was a different time and things were done differently then. I never laid judgement, but I did assume that she took the king from his wife. After reading The Anne Boleyn Collection: The Real Truth about the Tudors I can see that maybe she was a victim (in a sense) rather then the evil man stealer she is often represented as in films and such.
I also never knew anything about his other wives. I knew he had 6, but for some reason whenever I had to learn about this era, they always glimmered over the other wives and focused on Anne Boleyn.
For some reason, whenever I read about him decapitating his wifes I always pictured him dressed like this:
and saying in the high pitched voice of hers "off with their heads!"
This book is well put together, and it shows you all the facts and all the myths and lets you make your own opion on what you think happened. It all happened so long ago that it mostly is speculation. We can only guess and assume what was really going through all their heads, but no one will really ever know for sure.
If you're interested in this time period and what really went one, I would highly recommend this book. :]
The only things I ever knew about Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII was from what I saw on TV, movies, or the little amount we learnt in school. So really, my knowledge of the whole Tudor era was pretty limited. The most I remember about it was from The Other Boleyn Girl movie, which apparently was a horribly unaccurate re-telling.
I learnt alot of things I did not know, especially about Anne. I wasn't one of those people that thought she was a whore or a homewrecker, I always just thought it was a different time and things were done differently then. I never laid judgement, but I did assume that she took the king from his wife. After reading The Anne Boleyn Collection: The Real Truth about the Tudors I can see that maybe she was a victim (in a sense) rather then the evil man stealer she is often represented as in films and such.
I also never knew anything about his other wives. I knew he had 6, but for some reason whenever I had to learn about this era, they always glimmered over the other wives and focused on Anne Boleyn.
For some reason, whenever I read about him decapitating his wifes I always pictured him dressed like this:
and saying in the high pitched voice of hers "off with their heads!"
This book is well put together, and it shows you all the facts and all the myths and lets you make your own opion on what you think happened. It all happened so long ago that it mostly is speculation. We can only guess and assume what was really going through all their heads, but no one will really ever know for sure.
If you're interested in this time period and what really went one, I would highly recommend this book. :]
July 31, 2012
Glad this was a freebie because I would have been sorely disappointed had I paid for it. Come to find out it's a compilation of a blog written by Claire Ridgway. And it reads like a blog including silly musings such as 'can you believe that's what I did this weekend?'
If all you know about Henry VIII, the Tudors and the king's six wives is from watching The Tudors on television and seeing the movie The Other Boleyn Girl then this book might clear the air with some truths. I made a point to avoid the TV series and the movie because I was already well versed in the subject and knew I would be disappointed in something other than fact and what is documented.
Fortunately, I've been interested in the subject over my lifetime and have read numerous books by historians, so there were no surprises here.
A solid reminder though, if you are interested in history, read books written and documented by historians not one that has Wikipedia as a reference.
If all you know about Henry VIII, the Tudors and the king's six wives is from watching The Tudors on television and seeing the movie The Other Boleyn Girl then this book might clear the air with some truths. I made a point to avoid the TV series and the movie because I was already well versed in the subject and knew I would be disappointed in something other than fact and what is documented.
Fortunately, I've been interested in the subject over my lifetime and have read numerous books by historians, so there were no surprises here.
A solid reminder though, if you are interested in history, read books written and documented by historians not one that has Wikipedia as a reference.
January 4, 2013
While Claire Ridgeway is clearly very passionate about Anne Boleyn and the Tudor time period, her book lacks a certain finesse and quality. Claire spends the majority of the book critiquing other works on the reign of Henry VIII, including Phillipa Gregory’s books, the Tudors series and many historians whose work is supported by the academic community. One of her main critiques of these works is the lack of solid research and analysis. Unfortunately, Claire falls very short from this goal herself. When critiquing these other works Claire simply states that a section of the work is not supported by evidence, but does not move forward to explain sources to back her argument. There are a few articles that do utilize solid sources, including the discussion of the Brass crosses of the two Boleyn siblings. However, the solidly researched articles were few and far between.
In addition to the lack of evidence supporting her own claims, Claire also utilizes a very informal writing style typically found in IM chats of teenagers. Her editor and high school English teacher forgot to tell her that four explanation points and bold lettering is not the professional way to make a point.
Overall, having read Philippa Gregory’s works and enjoyed the Tudors I was very disappointed in this book. Claire’s critique of these works is unfounded as neither claim to be the most accurate portrayal of history but a dramatized version of possible events. If you are looking for an accurate depiction of Anne Boleyn this is not the book to read.
In addition to the lack of evidence supporting her own claims, Claire also utilizes a very informal writing style typically found in IM chats of teenagers. Her editor and high school English teacher forgot to tell her that four explanation points and bold lettering is not the professional way to make a point.
Overall, having read Philippa Gregory’s works and enjoyed the Tudors I was very disappointed in this book. Claire’s critique of these works is unfounded as neither claim to be the most accurate portrayal of history but a dramatized version of possible events. If you are looking for an accurate depiction of Anne Boleyn this is not the book to read.
September 12, 2012
Who was Anne Boleyn? No one really knows, but Claire Ridgway does her best to answer the question. This is a collection of essays that appeared on Ridgway's Anne Boleyn website and cover a wealth of infromation.
Ridgway looks at the history, evaluting and at times, disagreeing with other historians. When she does, she is respectful and presents each side fairyly. She discusses the dubious history of The Other Boleyn Girl as well as the popularity of the Tudors on Showtime. Her writing conveays her passion for the subject, but she is not overwhelmed by that passion. She admits faults of Anne Boleyn and is a supporter of both CofA and Boleyn. Nice to see that.
I will note, however, possessing knowledge of a basic Tudor timeline will help when reading this book.
This book is good and helpful not just because of the use of primary source material, but because Ridgway points the reader to the sources, thereby making it easy for the reader to see the original as well as sources the reader might not have been aware of.
Ridgway looks at the history, evaluting and at times, disagreeing with other historians. When she does, she is respectful and presents each side fairyly. She discusses the dubious history of The Other Boleyn Girl as well as the popularity of the Tudors on Showtime. Her writing conveays her passion for the subject, but she is not overwhelmed by that passion. She admits faults of Anne Boleyn and is a supporter of both CofA and Boleyn. Nice to see that.
I will note, however, possessing knowledge of a basic Tudor timeline will help when reading this book.
This book is good and helpful not just because of the use of primary source material, but because Ridgway points the reader to the sources, thereby making it easy for the reader to see the original as well as sources the reader might not have been aware of.
October 24, 2012
I admire Claire Ridgway's enthusiasm and tirelessness in clearing up the mysteries/controversies surrounding Anne Boleyn. Unfortunately, her writing style leaves a lot to be desired, particularly for someone who claims to write professionally. She strives hard to stay unbiased, examining the evidence and basing her opinions on that alone, but doesn't always succeed, as when considering the likelihood of Anne having more than one brother who survived to adulthood (and her tone got kinda obnoxious there, too. See: the bit about Tudor women not getting pregnant in their 40s. Whatever.)
The worst thing about the book, though, is the constant repetition. I get how articles on a website might want to repeat key points in case readers skipped over other articles that had first expressed them, but reading two essays in a row that repeat lengthy passages from each other verbatim just smacks of lazy book-editing, or as if the author wanted to pad the number of pages. The material itself is interesting, but it's presented in a way that's entirely subpar, and I lay the blame for that squarely at Ms Ridgway's feet.
The worst thing about the book, though, is the constant repetition. I get how articles on a website might want to repeat key points in case readers skipped over other articles that had first expressed them, but reading two essays in a row that repeat lengthy passages from each other verbatim just smacks of lazy book-editing, or as if the author wanted to pad the number of pages. The material itself is interesting, but it's presented in a way that's entirely subpar, and I lay the blame for that squarely at Ms Ridgway's feet.
April 3, 2012
This was an interesting read. While reading this you start to learn that authors have some different and sometimes extreme ideas about what really happened. Claire Ridgway tries to come up with an accurate picture of history using as many verifiable facts as possible. She does share her opinions about things that just can't be known but she applies logic to them instead of just coming up with a wild guess like some Anne Boleyn "authorities" have. My only complaint is that there are a few repetitive part of the book. I do think anyone interested in this history would enjoy this read and will learn things they don't already know or maybe just see a different way of looking at things.
April 7, 2014
A candidate for the worst book I've ever read, selective usage of evidence to prove points and over analysis of evidence that doesn't stack up. Truly awaful!
May 11, 2019
Ridiculous
This is basically a book written to disprove every aspect of 'the other Boleyn girl' by phillipa gregory. The author does not seem to credit her readers with the ability to realise that 'the other boleyn girl' is in fact, fiction. Claire Ridgway starts every article in this book, citing a study by other authors and historians and then proceeds to tear their research to shreds! A very arrogant author who seems to believe that she is the only person who knows the real facts! Very annoying book. Believe me there is much more enjoyable reads about the Tudors out there, written by actual historians not a lady who decided to make a website after a dream about Anne Boleyn!
This is basically a book written to disprove every aspect of 'the other Boleyn girl' by phillipa gregory. The author does not seem to credit her readers with the ability to realise that 'the other boleyn girl' is in fact, fiction. Claire Ridgway starts every article in this book, citing a study by other authors and historians and then proceeds to tear their research to shreds! A very arrogant author who seems to believe that she is the only person who knows the real facts! Very annoying book. Believe me there is much more enjoyable reads about the Tudors out there, written by actual historians not a lady who decided to make a website after a dream about Anne Boleyn!
May 1, 2012
An excellent collection of articles from Claire Ridgway's Anne Boleyn Files website where she sets out to debunk the myths that continue to swirl about this Queen of England. And a fine job she does too, digging right through primary as well as secondary sources that really get you thinking and questioning everything you thought you knew about Anne Boleyn and the Tudors. A brilliantly compiled collection that deserves a place right next to E W Ives and Alison Weir.
I can't wait for her book on Anne's fall and execution!
I can't wait for her book on Anne's fall and execution!
anne-boleyn
September 28, 2013Free on kindle right now for those who missed it the first time.
May 1, 2021
I first read this a few years before it occurred to me to get a Goodreads for the purpose of shouting into the void, so despite being my second time I've read it, this will be my first time attempting to organise my thoughts into some semi-coherent words.
What I like: almost everything, if I'm honest. Ridgway's style is readable and gives the feeling of just sitting down with a cup of tea and a good friend to try and sort out what really happened. All her sources are marked and easily accessible (unlike some historians I could name...) and the division of the book into little 'talking points' essays makes it easy to pick up and put down.
What I like less: the essays are actually just lifted wholesale from Ridgway's website without editing or anything extra. Which means that the same phrases are frequently used, and if you're something of a binge-reader, that can get a little tiring. It also just feels a bit like a cheat. If you've spent money on the book, there's always the desire to get something you can't get for free online. And yes, holding a physical paperback is wonderful, but it would have been twice as wonderful to get some bonus content.
What I like: almost everything, if I'm honest. Ridgway's style is readable and gives the feeling of just sitting down with a cup of tea and a good friend to try and sort out what really happened. All her sources are marked and easily accessible (unlike some historians I could name...) and the division of the book into little 'talking points' essays makes it easy to pick up and put down.
What I like less: the essays are actually just lifted wholesale from Ridgway's website without editing or anything extra. Which means that the same phrases are frequently used, and if you're something of a binge-reader, that can get a little tiring. It also just feels a bit like a cheat. If you've spent money on the book, there's always the desire to get something you can't get for free online. And yes, holding a physical paperback is wonderful, but it would have been twice as wonderful to get some bonus content.
December 27, 2013
The Anne Boleyn Collection By Claire Ridgway
Summary:
The Anne Boleyn brings together the most popular articles from the Website The Anne Boleyn Files. Articles which have provoked discussion and debate. Articles that people found fascinating Written in Claire’s easy going style, but an emphasis on good history and sound research, these articles are perfect for Tudor history lovers everywhere.
Rating 4.5
My Review:
The Book The Anne Boleyn Collection gives us the most popular articles from the website The Anne Boleyn Files. The articles are interesting but it what Claire does with her writing and how she leaves you at the end of one of them. She has you think of what you know of this historical figure and if it true. That in many ways it gives you new light on The Tudors. That in many ways the tudors still fascinating us this day with the debatable things in the past. That The Tudors still fascinate us with what they left behind in the past.
Claire shines light on thing we never bother to think about in her book. How Henry VIII wives and their labels. Yet this book is like no other it is one of its kind.
I would reccomend it to anyone who enjoys Tudor History or an Anne Boleyn fan because this book may be your cup of tea. This book make you think about the tudors beginning and end. Anne Boleyn fascinates me to this day may this book help you with your fascination.
Claire has you question fact from fiction. Anne Boleyn is a different light in her story because it is a story in which we all want to know the truth to Claire can help you piece it together in easy reading writing. She makes Anne Boleyn a layered person a woman in the light she should be in.
Summary:
The Anne Boleyn brings together the most popular articles from the Website The Anne Boleyn Files. Articles which have provoked discussion and debate. Articles that people found fascinating Written in Claire’s easy going style, but an emphasis on good history and sound research, these articles are perfect for Tudor history lovers everywhere.
Rating 4.5
My Review:
The Book The Anne Boleyn Collection gives us the most popular articles from the website The Anne Boleyn Files. The articles are interesting but it what Claire does with her writing and how she leaves you at the end of one of them. She has you think of what you know of this historical figure and if it true. That in many ways it gives you new light on The Tudors. That in many ways the tudors still fascinating us this day with the debatable things in the past. That The Tudors still fascinate us with what they left behind in the past.
Claire shines light on thing we never bother to think about in her book. How Henry VIII wives and their labels. Yet this book is like no other it is one of its kind.
I would reccomend it to anyone who enjoys Tudor History or an Anne Boleyn fan because this book may be your cup of tea. This book make you think about the tudors beginning and end. Anne Boleyn fascinates me to this day may this book help you with your fascination.
Claire has you question fact from fiction. Anne Boleyn is a different light in her story because it is a story in which we all want to know the truth to Claire can help you piece it together in easy reading writing. She makes Anne Boleyn a layered person a woman in the light she should be in.
June 23, 2020
This book is more for Anne fans than it is for historians. Ridgway presents quite a few interesting points in her articles (particularly the ones about George Boleyn), but unfortunately they are also littered with sensationalist statements that are flatly untrue. The most prominent of these statements, reiterated more than once, being: "we know now, from historical evidence and research, that Anne Boleyn was innocent of all charges and was executed an innocent woman."
No, we don't. I also believe that Anne was framed. Most historians seem to agree. But we do not know this. Without a completely seamless alibi, it is impossible to prove that someone didn't do something. And, unfortunate to her circumstances, Anne does not have one. Ridgway spends most of her articles reevaluating depictions of Anne in historical fiction and TV dramas. I think Ridgway's depiction of Anne may need this same treatment.
Also, the phrase "according to Wikipedia" in any sort of publication makes me die a little inside.
No, we don't. I also believe that Anne was framed. Most historians seem to agree. But we do not know this. Without a completely seamless alibi, it is impossible to prove that someone didn't do something. And, unfortunate to her circumstances, Anne does not have one. Ridgway spends most of her articles reevaluating depictions of Anne in historical fiction and TV dramas. I think Ridgway's depiction of Anne may need this same treatment.
Also, the phrase "according to Wikipedia" in any sort of publication makes me die a little inside.
June 7, 2012
This was a very fascinating read even though I still think that Catherine of Aragon was my favorite of Henry's wives you've got to admit that Anne was quite a woman. However, in finishing this book there's something that has been troubling me. They accused Anne or supposedly accused Anne of poisoning Catherine, I just wonder if anyone ever thought Henry could've poisoned her. I know it was death to speak ill of the king and I'll probably never know the answer but I'm just curious if that thought ever crossed anyone's mind considering what a tyrant he was. I can't wait to read and find out more.
February 17, 2013
I don't even know if I should even out it as read or give it a rating cause I couldn't even get through it. I was going into this book knowing very little about Anne Boleyn and came out (the few short chapters I read) still trying to figure out what she is talking about. First I don't like other authors talking bad about another novel. Just plain childish! And than she goes on talking about the facts? Really? Was she there? I couldn't keep up with the myths and her "facts" to much to. I didn't like it! Poor writing and it didn't flow. She was all over the place. Thank gods it was a free book or I would complain worst than I am!
April 22, 2012
I purchased this book to take away with me on a brief holiday to Kent. I was a bit sceptical about it being a series of articles put together which I could view on the internet but I am glad with my purchase and I did enjoy the format and the style of writing was punchy. I would have preferred dates to be on the articles so that you could see how the research had progressed, particularily for the section on the Lost Boleyns. I know that Claire is currently working on her next book and I very much look forward to reading that too.
June 2, 2012
This was a fairly interesting read about a fair few subjects concerning Anne Boleyn and people around her. My main criticism is that I found the way it was written extremely biased which ruined it a little for me. I understand the author is an Anne Boleyn enthusiast so had a bit of warning, but personally would have preferred to read something a bit more impartial! Also there is a fair bit of repetition, however since it is a collection of articles/blog posts that can be expected as some will obviously tie in with each other.
June 8, 2012
Amazing. Very interesting to learn about the events and different views of the events leading up to her being queen and her following death. I have always thought she was innocent of the charges she was "found guilt" of, but as Claire states, it's not something some one can change in the history books. Can't wait to read more Tudor era books!
April 16, 2012
Fantastic read. Informative, well written, and immensely fun! -M-
The Anne Boleyn Collection: The Real Truth about the Tudors
Claire Ridgway
The Anne Boleyn Collection: The Real Truth about the Tudors
Claire Ridgway
March 24, 2012
My sister got me started watching the Tudors and this lead to my fascination of learning more about King Henry VIII and his wives. This book was a short summary and easy to read about Anne and the other wives.
March 5, 2013
The Anne Boelyn Collection is an interesting collection of historical facts about Anne Boelyn and of the time she lived. I admire how much research the author put into this collection. Definitely a must for all Tudor lovers.
November 30, 2016
While I did learn some good facts about the Tudors, most of the book was the author stating lore and countering with a whiny "Just because___, doesn't mean____"Literally. So actually there was little fact, just the author whining out her Anne Boleyn loving contradictions to any AB naysayers
February 29, 2012
can't wait to read it!!!!
July 28, 2012
It had its moments, but it was pretty repetitive in some sections.
Read if you like history.
Read if you like history.
June 25, 2014
Very boring, she repeats the same material over and over. She also spends a large part of the book criticizing authors who don't share her adoration of Anne Boleyn.
November 14, 2021
Nothing new to learn
Very repetitive. Just a rehash of other people's work and opinions. Really nothing new to learn in this book. Not worth the read
Very repetitive. Just a rehash of other people's work and opinions. Really nothing new to learn in this book. Not worth the read
March 5, 2012
Quick read, and I learned a lot of things I didn't know. Hope she writes another!
May 25, 2020
Have you ever watched a historical drama/ movie or read a historical fiction novel and started to wonder if the “facts” they a portraying are true? You start researching the history of these people and the times that they lived in and it soon becomes a passion. You have your favorite figures to study and you want to defend them when those online decide to criticize them in discussion boards. For some of us, that is as far as it goes, but some choose to make blogs to explore these topics even further. This scenario is similar to what happened with Claire Ridgway, the creator of the popular blog The Anne Boleyn Files; however, her inspiration came from a dream. To share her passion for all things Anne Boleyn, Ridgway has decided to compile some of the most popular articles from her blog into her debut book, “The Anne Boleyn Collection”.
As a fellow history blogger, I share Ridgway’s passion for finding the truth about the past through personal research and to share that information with other Tudor fans through articles. I admire her for finding a subject that she is so passionate about that she decided to write enough articles to create an entire book about Anne Boleyn and the topics around her. There were several articles in this book that I found fascinating; like the missing Boleyn children, the men and women of Anne’s household, the discussion of the Boleyns in popular historical dramas, and the discovery of Anne’s remains, which I think shows Ridgway’s desire to show a different side to the Boleyn story to those who study the Tudors.
Ridgway’s book is a series of articles that were well received on her blog. They are not in chronological order, but there are some mini-series of articles that discuss certain topics at length. Some of the articles do discuss Anne Boleyn and how she is portrayed in The Tudors and The Other Boleyn Girl, which are popular but they tend to show Anne and her family in a rather negative light. Ridgway has very strong views on these programs and makes them very apparent.
The one major issue that I had with this book was the fact that she reused articles that were on her blog and just put them in an order that made sense. To me, there is a difference in style between writing a blog article and writing a book. You can still have the casual writing style that makes you feel like you are having a conversation with the reader, but expand your thoughts that you had in your articles while using more reliable sources. Since these articles are the same ones that were on the Anne Boleyn Files blog, it feels a bit redundant to have them in this book and on the blog.
Overall, I think that this was a decent debut book for Claire Ridgway. I thought she made some good points in her articles and her passion is evident in her writing. It does feel like having a conversation with Ridgway herself, which makes it easy for Tudor novices to understand. I did wish she expanded on some points and used more credible sources, but I thought it was a good book. If you are a fan of the Anne Boleyn Files and discussing hot topics about Anne Boleyn, I would recommend you check out, “The Anne Boleyn Collection” by Claire Ridgway.
As a fellow history blogger, I share Ridgway’s passion for finding the truth about the past through personal research and to share that information with other Tudor fans through articles. I admire her for finding a subject that she is so passionate about that she decided to write enough articles to create an entire book about Anne Boleyn and the topics around her. There were several articles in this book that I found fascinating; like the missing Boleyn children, the men and women of Anne’s household, the discussion of the Boleyns in popular historical dramas, and the discovery of Anne’s remains, which I think shows Ridgway’s desire to show a different side to the Boleyn story to those who study the Tudors.
Ridgway’s book is a series of articles that were well received on her blog. They are not in chronological order, but there are some mini-series of articles that discuss certain topics at length. Some of the articles do discuss Anne Boleyn and how she is portrayed in The Tudors and The Other Boleyn Girl, which are popular but they tend to show Anne and her family in a rather negative light. Ridgway has very strong views on these programs and makes them very apparent.
The one major issue that I had with this book was the fact that she reused articles that were on her blog and just put them in an order that made sense. To me, there is a difference in style between writing a blog article and writing a book. You can still have the casual writing style that makes you feel like you are having a conversation with the reader, but expand your thoughts that you had in your articles while using more reliable sources. Since these articles are the same ones that were on the Anne Boleyn Files blog, it feels a bit redundant to have them in this book and on the blog.
Overall, I think that this was a decent debut book for Claire Ridgway. I thought she made some good points in her articles and her passion is evident in her writing. It does feel like having a conversation with Ridgway herself, which makes it easy for Tudor novices to understand. I did wish she expanded on some points and used more credible sources, but I thought it was a good book. If you are a fan of the Anne Boleyn Files and discussing hot topics about Anne Boleyn, I would recommend you check out, “The Anne Boleyn Collection” by Claire Ridgway.
May 19, 2017
The Anne Boleyn Collection is the third book I read by Claire Ridgway, and like the first two it was a fast and enjoyable read.
As I said previously, I really like how passionate Claire Ridgway is about Anne Boleyn and how much research she puts in her articles. She is constantly citing not only famous historians but also primary sources, and her writing is always straight-forward and accessible. True, sometimes her style could be more refined, but the fact that her articles are so easy to read is refreshing, and should appeal to all kinds of readers, especially those who are just starting to read about the Tudors.
My favourite articles were, first of all, those about Henry's six wives. They were a quick but well researched overview of these fascinating women, and I really liked how Ridgway focused on the stereotypes associated with them, debating which ones are close to the truth and which ones are probably incorrect.
Then the article about Anne having been "corrupted" in France, which Ridgway picks up from Alison Weir's book about Mary Boleyn. I remember noticing it too and thinking "what is she talking about??", so it was interesting.
Lastly, I really liked the articles about Henry and Anne's marriage and George Boleyn.
As I said previously, I really like how passionate Claire Ridgway is about Anne Boleyn and how much research she puts in her articles. She is constantly citing not only famous historians but also primary sources, and her writing is always straight-forward and accessible. True, sometimes her style could be more refined, but the fact that her articles are so easy to read is refreshing, and should appeal to all kinds of readers, especially those who are just starting to read about the Tudors.
My favourite articles were, first of all, those about Henry's six wives. They were a quick but well researched overview of these fascinating women, and I really liked how Ridgway focused on the stereotypes associated with them, debating which ones are close to the truth and which ones are probably incorrect.
Then the article about Anne having been "corrupted" in France, which Ridgway picks up from Alison Weir's book about Mary Boleyn. I remember noticing it too and thinking "what is she talking about??", so it was interesting.
Lastly, I really liked the articles about Henry and Anne's marriage and George Boleyn.
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