An excellent exploration of the political, religious, and social forces which led to Lady Jane Grey being named Queen of England and then deposed thirteen days later.

One of the primary strengths of the book is many documents which Tallis cites to build her portrait. She does an excellent job of explaining who wrote the document, what the probable biases of the authors were, and whether or not they can be considered reliable. At the same time, the weakness of the book is Tallis's frequent use of words like "undoubtedly" when she is speculating on undocumented events or the feelings of historical figures. ( )

Beautifully written and researched this is a quality read, it's often stated truth is stranger than fiction, and the story of Lady Jane Grey is certainly the case. Abused and misused by ambitious men worst of all her own father Jane was sadly and in many ways wrongly executed. This is the story of a brilliantly clever pious young woman whose life was tragically cut short who knows what she may have achieved given the chance.
A quality engaging always interesting read. ( )

This nonfiction book covers the life and death of Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Day Queen who was never crowned and never wanted it in the first place. Other people schemed to get her on the throne after the death of Edward VI and she was a pawned used by her father and the Duke of Northumberland to be the puppet for them to rule England. The book is copiously footnoted throughout to support facts given in the book but even with the notes the care of the subject comes through the author’s writings.

The book is an interesting read of the time frame and how some people make poor decision after poor decision to the ruin of their families. In the end the only person out of Jane’s family that does well for themselves is her mother.

Digital review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley
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One of the best books on the Tudors I have read for a long times. An engaging, very readable account of the short life of the most tragic Tudor, Lady Jane Grey, the Nine Day Queen (or as Tallis points out, actually the 13 Day Queen). Tallis picks apart the scanty evidence of Jane's short existence, giving a excellent picture of her growing up in one of the most powerfully-connected nobles families, her formidable intelligence and her love of study, her passion for the reformed faith, her forced marriage to Guildford Dudley and the utterly tragic story of how, very much against her will, she was selected as a figurehead by powerful and unscrupulous men to take the throne instead of her fiercely Catholic cousin Mary. Jane tried to make the best of it, in her brief rule she demonstrated her strength of character and refusal to bow down to the men who tried to manipulate her, but she was doomed by the lack of support from the people, who wanted Mary to reign. Inevitably she was overthrown and sent to the Tower. She was destined never to leave it, as her witless father organised a cock-eyed and hopeless rebellion against Mary, which forced the Queen reluctantly to order Jane and Guildford's execution. At the age of just 17 she bravely refused to recant her faith and was beheaded on Tower Green. This is a truly tragic story, but through it shines a brave, intelligent and principled young woman, who deserves acknowledgement of her place in history. Absolutely great story and a really teriffic book. ( )