Mary Queen of Scots by Antonia Fraser

[TheOfficialBren]

I just purchased a copy of this the other day. Is it any good? How accurate is it and is the pacing good?

Thanks.

[mookien]

It is well written, well annotated, apparently (not being an expert on the subject) well researched, and with a decent index and an adequate bibliography - all in all an excellent biography, engaging story, and comprehensive history. As for pacing, that is very subjective. I found its pace pleasant and somewhere between a graduate history textbook and an interesting novel.

If you know only a little about Mary and the history that surrounds her, you might enjoy first watching the episode of Simon Schama's "A History of Britain" entitled "The Body of the Queen". It's in Volume III. And/or, you might enjoy Episode 5 of Neal Oliver's "A History of Scotland" entitled "Project Britain". Both are excellent introductions to Mary and her milieu. Whatever you decide, enjoy!

[TheOfficialBren]

Esxcellent. Thank you, my friend. I have watched both series in their entirety. Very well done.

I am looking forward to reading this book.

[McClef]

I have the book and would recommend it.

My copy also contains some excellent illustrations.

[Ruanaidh]

Highly recommended. Also her The Six Wives of Henry VIII, King James VI and I, The Restoration and Charles II, Faith and Treason: The Gunpowder Plot. Dame Fraser is one of those rare writers that can combine scholarship with readability.

[TheOfficialBren]

Awesome. I always like that in a history read.

[JSFMACLJR]

It was partly due to Lady Antonia's books that I read Tudor and Stuart History at university.