Queen James
The Life and Loves of Britain’s First King
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Queen James
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Narrated by:
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Gareth Russell
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By:
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Gareth Russell
About this listen
'James comes alive in full flamboyance … Russell expertly weaves the bedchamber gossip into the tapestry of a tumultuous reign' SUNDAY TIMES
'Brings the backbiting and power struggles of the Jacobean court to life with wit and vigour' OBSERVER
‘A warts and all story told with compassion’ PHILIPPA GREGORY
‘Elizabeth was king,
Then James was queen.’ – English author (1603)
James Stuart, King of England, Scotland, and Ireland did not always love wisely, but he never failed to do so boldly.
He fell in love three times – with a Scottish lord, a knight and George Villiers, ‘the handsomest man in the whole world’. He was infatuated three more times – with a Highland earl, a Welsh lord and an English spy.
We know so much about the six wives of Henry VIII, why not the six loves of James I?
This groundbreaking new book puts James – genius, liar, spendthrift, idealist, witch-hunter – and the men he loved at the centre of one of the most dramatic stories in British royal history.
Beginning with the brutal and mysterious murder of his father in 1567, James’s life encompassed kidnapping, witchcraft trials, torture, his mother’s beheading, poison, political radicalism, religious fundamentalism, a queen’s alleged abortion, passionate sex, strong love, stronger hate, espionage, brothels, and a decade-long love affair that ended in assassination.
It is unquestionably one of the most gripping stories in British history, retold in Gareth Russell’s Queen James with scholarship, biographical insight and wit.
'Books like this don't come along very often. Told with Gareth Russell's characteristic verve and exquisite eye for detail, it is a story so compelling and surprising that it feels as if it has been hiding in plain sight for 400 years. A stunning achievement and a must for history fans everywhere' TRACY BORMAN
©2024 Gareth Russell (P)2024 HarperCollins PublishersListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about Queen James
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Crazy Shopper Lady
- 28-02-25
Queen James
What a fascinating listen this was. Could hardly wait for it to drop into my library. Then couldn't put it down until it was finished. Thank you Gareth
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 01-04-25
Astonishingly well researched
This was a fascinating and enlightening history.
Beautifully read by the author. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the history of the British Isles and the lives of those who shaped it.
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- Mrs. Nancy Hatch
- 16-04-25
Compelling
This is a hefty listen and it certainly gave me much to consider. The author is a superb historian and masterfully pieces together the facts offering a compassionate portrait of James VI and I
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- susan sacranie
- 22-04-25
detailed anaysis
a window into another world. fascinating and intriguing. Well researched and well proposed. we'll worth the listen
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 09-04-25
Great biography
Really enjoyed the author’s narration of this fabulous biography of a neglected monarch! Issues around relationships were sensitively handled and the story of James’ life is told with humour and a deep understanding of the history involved!
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- dglambeth
- 06-03-25
Fascinating history
I wasn't sure whether I wanted to listen to this as I'm a Scot and I've read a fair bit about James over the years already. How wrong was I?
Russell's scholarship is admirable and evident but this isn't a dry academic account, it's a great story, very well narrated by the author himself. He made these 16th and 17th century people breathe again with the breadth and depth of his description and his insight and he made interesting connections to matters of more general and historical interest as he went.
There were a few pronunciations of Scots family and place names that I might argue with but that was all very peripheral.
Excellent stuff!
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- Woj
- 27-03-25
Thoroughly researched
A complete history of James & his years as James VI , before he took the English throne. Interesting & entertaining.
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- Lady Samantha
- 14-04-25
A Thorough and Fascinating look into the loves and life of King James
Brilliantly read by the Author himself, Gareth, I thoroughly enjoyed the audible book. It was wonderful to find out what a fascinating man King James (I & VI) was. Gareth really described and captured the man and his humanity, as opposed to just the King and politics of the time. However, there was still enough of the politics and intrigue to explain his reign, and the personal decisions he had made . I loved learning about this often overlooked King, due to his Tudor predecessor, Queen Elizabeth’s reign, and the civil war of his son, King Charles I’s reign, and unfortunate end.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book to anyone, especially those who love looking at history at a human level and the real personal story about the life and love of this fascinating King.
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- Critical Buyer
- 19-04-25
converted
I thought I'd formed a founded opinion about James I and it wasnt positive. How wrong I was amd how converted I am!
Really enjoyed this and will listen again
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- Anonymous User
- 18-04-25
lost opportunity
the focus on King James 1st homosexuality,which detracted from the historical,narrative ,the over focus and even the over explanation on what the nomenclature means left a bad taste all over the narrative ,as a follow up to Catherine Howards story it was a big dissapointment.not a good read .
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