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The Tudors: It's Good to Be King (The Tudors) |
Author: Michael Hirst
Published: 2007-04-24 |
List price: $14.95
Our price: $10.17
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As of: October 06th, 2008 05:34:55 PM
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Customer comments on this selection.
 the tudors==the king, queenm and the mistress
I READ THE BOOK AND ENJOYED IT SO MUCH, I ORDERED SHOWTIME SO I COULD WATCH...THE AUTHOR, ANNE GRACIE DID AN EXCELLENT IN SHOWING THE FUN AND THE UNFAIRNESS OF THE COURT..
GREAT GREAT GREAT
Not meant to be historically accurate. Those who do not like this book (or TV show) just don't "get it". The book and TV show both, make one curious and eager to learn more about this important period in England's history. It was Henry VIII who was responsible for doing away with the Pope and the Catholic church in England. The book makes no claims of accuracy, The TV show is prime time drama with outstanding acting and costuming and scenery, etc. Enjoy both !
 A Script... not a novel!
I did not realize that was basically just a script of the first season! I wish I had read farther into the description and I could have saved my money! I already watched it on Showtime! However, if you don't subsribe to Showtime, this book is for you!
Inaccurate yes but Sitll a Fun read
This book is suppose to be for the fans of the show and that is what it is. A great piece of memrobillia for The TUDORS FANS!
 Is it considered a spoiler if its history?: A nice companion to a great show.
"The Tudors: It's Good to Be King" by Michael Hirst has received low ratings in the past by Amazon.com reviewers who cite this book as historically inaccurate and poorly written. I disagree with both. As a (self-proclaimed) Tudor history buff as well as a fan of the show, I think its time this book was given its fair shake as far as reviews go.
What has to be taken into consideration before you purchase "It's Good to Be King" is its subtitle: Final shooting scripts 1-5 of the Showtime Series. This is not a novel nor is it a textbook, therefore complaints against it's accuracy or use of prose are irrelevant. This book serves only as a companion to the successful Showtime series, "The Tudors," and it should be reviewed as such, so here it goes: This book not only contains the scripts it promises but also timelines, a summary of Henry's reign, and several pages of full-color cast and production photos - a must for any fan of the show.
And there you have it, a fair review. However, there does seem to be a genuine concern regarding the issue of whether or not Michael Hirst has completely butchered history for the sake of television. Dispelling that notion will require a closer look at the actual script.
Hirst has, indeed, taken some liberties in rewriting the material for TV: Henry's sisters Mary and Margaret have been combined into a single character, the time frame of historical events compared to the king's age and the ages of his children are a bit wonky, Henry Percy (Anne's fiance before Henry VIII decided he wanted her for himself) has, sadly, been omitted, etc. But these are among the sacrifices that sometimes have to be made when reworking any existing material into a different format for a new audience. This is acknowledged by the writers/publishers of "It's Good to Be King" who provide the reader with an accurate timeline, historical overview, and family tree. Also, there is an understanding and admission to the changes made; exhibited by the author/creator himself who claims in the foreward that the script is only "about 85%" true.
Aside from the aforementioned concessions, this reviewer can't see anything wildly offensive about the historical content (or lack thereof) in the scripts. On the contrary, while this show was widely advertised as one big salacious sex romp ripe for Showtime, Hirst used the sensational bits sparingly and focused primarily on historically documented Tudor plots, conspiracies, and events. It's a script that capitalizes on the dynamics (and danger) of Tudor court and does so admirably. Hirst further proves himself a bona fide Tudor fan with the inclusion of several details that rarely, if ever, sneak their way into Tudor films or books. Henry's hypochondria and competitive nature are effectively used to craft a complex main character; King Francis I of France and well-favoured court composer Thomas Tallis - consistently omitted from historical fiction and never before showcased in a Tudor film - emerge as a primary characters; entire episodes are dedicated to the plague that nearly took Anne Boleyn's life and Field of the Cloth of Gold (and yes, both happened!)
Hirst does falter in his attempt to craft a few B-Plots involving Tallis and Henry's sister (while its true that she married Henry's best friend Charles Brandon, the portrayal of their relationship is questionable.) These subplots are poorly done and come off as just plain boring when played alongside the wildly exciting based-in-history main plot. It doesn't necessarily take away from the meat of the show, only proves that Hirst's strengths lay in rewriting existing stories and had best stay clear of mixing in the original bits.
I have a great love for Tudor history and tuned into the series expecting the worst. The worst is not what I got. In fact I quite like the show. As with any creative interpretation of actual events, there were a few discrepancies and bumps along the way, but its not fair to judge this book so harshly considering its aim is not to educate, but to entertain. If you want to learn more about Tudor history, then surf on over to the Alison Weir collection. Or maybe its Tudor fiction that you want? Then by all means, check out Norah Lofts. But if you loved Showtime's "The Tudors" then buy this book. It's fun and there are pretty pictures.
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