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Lytton Strachey
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Elizabeth and Essex: A Tragic History Kindle Edition

by Lytton Strachey (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 189 ratings
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The romance of Queen Elizabeth I and Robert Devereux captures “the real drama of ambition, passion, and personality in the pageant of veracious history” (The Philadelphia Inquirer).
 
The author who helped to shape the modern biography turned his glorious prose and searing wit to one of the most famous romances in British history, that of Queen Elizabeth I and Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex. As the San Francisco Chronicle raved, “Elizabeth is an old subject, but here is a fresh and brilliant portrait of her, a splendidly dramatic story, an historical excursion of uncommon interest.”
 
In these pages, Lytton Strachey follows the twists and turns of the uncommon affair. The stepson of the Earl of Leicester, the Queen’s favorite, Robert was not yet twenty when he captured the fifty-three-year-old monarch’s interest. Their tumultuous relationship survived international intrigue, political machinations, and even the young Earl’s marriage. But it was only a matter of time before his ambition would clash with the capricious Queen, bringing about his untimely end.
 
This biography “is penetrating and true. It is not only Mr. Strachey’s best book; it is a great book” (New-York Evening Post).
 
“A beautiful and memorable book.” —The Atlantic Monthly
 
“If there is such a thing as imperishable prose being written in our time, Mr. Strachey has done it here.” —The New York Times Book Review
 
“Mr. Strachey unfolds this story in brilliant chapter after brilliant chapter, unraveling the tangled threads of amorous intrigue and political machination . . . Above all, he writes as beautifully as he thinks.” —Outlook
 
“It is a glowing history in words.” —Boston Evening Transcript
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  1. Print length
    216 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Open Road Media
  5. Publication date
    January 1, 2024
  6. File size
    3174 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CR91SNK8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Open Road Media (January 1, 2024)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 1, 2024
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3174 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 216 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 189 ratings

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Lytton Strachey

Lytton Strachey

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Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
189 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

R. R. Fraspa
5.0 out of 5 stars difficult but worth it
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2024
Verified Purchase
The book begins with character studies before action commences. I plowed through the beginning and was rewarded why an extraordinary history. A wonderful book that lifted the veil on Elizabeth and Essex .
One person found this helpful
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Cloud Walker
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2016
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Interesting enough, certainly the writer possesses good knowledge of the era. However, I left knowing not much more than I started of what I was looking for which is what life was like for royalty and common man alike. I wanted to sense how all the upheavals affected people, not that there was upheaval.

The writer seems impressed with the language of the times and adapts the writing style to it. While impressive as writing exercise, I was not looking to be impressed with the skill of the writer, rather, hoping the writer could transport me to a time and place that I might see history as it was.

Still, I give it four stars as the facts are there and the writing excellent though not to my taste.
6 people found this helpful
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MFM008
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2015
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unfortunatly the first 11 pages were missing. Still readable but I know the story.
One person found this helpful
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MT57
5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific storytelling
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2016
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I had no idea what to expect when I came across this book. Most free downloads are nothing special. But this was a terrific read. It isn't "history" as that is done today.. The author has a strong voice and constantly gives us his gloss on events in florid language and his characterizations of the main characters states of mind at given moments which no professional historian would do so boldly. But it isn't fiction, as there is little that is outside the record either. I would call it storytelling and it was magnificent. I zipped right through the book and enjoyed it immensely.
16 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars a joy to read
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2008
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this is a lovely book. The author's mastery of the English language is a pleasure to savor. I will keep this book to re-read and I'm sure I will enjoy his way with words and his way with a story again and again. He makes his characters come to life. If you love Elizabethan history, if you love the English language, read this book, you won't be disappointed. I wish I were articulate enough to do justice to his art.
19 people found this helpful
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JP
2.0 out of 5 stars Too many marks on pages
Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2013
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The seller stated the book only had "minor" marks throughout the book, however there were multiple pages where the reader had completely marked through the page, making it unreadable. There were personal comments written throughout the book, and numerous highlighting. This book is unreadable in many parts.
One person found this helpful
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Maria
4.0 out of 5 stars I did enjoy this book but I felt that I wanted to ...
Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2015
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I did enjoy this book but I felt that I wanted to understand more about their relationship. Even after reading the book I wanted to know more about Essex.

I will read this book again because I did like it very much. I usually read books twice or even three times and I will certainly do this with this book.

Many thanks to the author.
3 people found this helpful
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Melissa H
5.0 out of 5 stars Purple prose(VERY PURPLE)...but a great purple!
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2010
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This is the story of the "love"/relationship between Queen Elizabeth the first
and Robert Deveraux,the second Earl of Essex. Lytton Strachey has written
this as a grand ,sweeping novel,mixing in lots of true life facts with his own way
of telling their' story. it makes a great read. It has a sort-of insider/tabloid/talk
show-type feel to it-and THIS really happened-to these people! It is a fascinating book.
As I read it,I couldn't help but feel futility because, I knew Robert would crash and burn
at the end. I wish he had tried to save himself,but,alas..this is tragedy on a grand scale.
Do not miss this one!
10 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

claralexapops
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating. and a page turner.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 21, 2013
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I was recently involved with the Royal Opera production of Britten's opera "Gloriana" which was partly based on this book. The very different characters of Elizabeth and Essex are brought vividly to life as is a sense of the times. This all happened really not so very long ago and yet it seems to have taken place on another planet. Elizabeth and her courtiers' fear of assassination is matched by the horror of the punishments meted out to traitors, real or falsely accused. I found the fate of her physician, Dr Lopez, deeply saddening. Further reading will consist of more about Elizabeth and Lytton Strachey's books about the Victorians and others which I have obtained on Kindle.
4 people found this helpful
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Carol Clements
4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting insight into Elizabeth's Court and Gloriana herself.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2015
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I have read this book twice. The language is rather flowery in parts. Translations of Latin into English would have helpful.
Essex was too full of himself and should never have been given titles and honours as his shown in his poor judgement of handling State matters. He did not follow the commands of Elizabeth and her government thereby wasting thousands of pounds on futile causes.

He deserved his punishment and he knew it.
2 people found this helpful
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john lynch
3.0 out of 5 stars A good read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 25, 2014
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A good insight into the politics of the Elizabethan court although not to sure how much is factual and how much is fiction. Would have preferred translation of the Latin phrases and found the passages of old English text quite hard to understand and had to read them several times.
4 people found this helpful
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Sue Ellen
5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely good. Strachey evokes the period very well
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 12, 2016
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Extremely good. Strachey evokes the period very well, the cruelties, suspicions and the feeling that Elizabeth was constantly
having to walk a tightrope politically. One gets the sense that she put the love of her country and people always to the fore.
I thoroughly recommend this book.
One person found this helpful
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Miss S. K. Heffernan
2.0 out of 5 stars Ok for a politico, not really historically relevant
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 28, 2014
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Started reading this and to be perfectly honest it reads more as a political review of Elizabeths failings as a queen than a commentary on her love (?) for Essex... Leicester is pretty much sidelined - he was her original favourite before Essex. I got rather bored and deleted it from my Kindle.
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