The White Queen (The Cousins' War)

Gregory, Philippa

ISBN 10: 1442366982 ISBN 13: 9781442366985

Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2013

Synopsis

The inspiration for the critically acclaimed Starz miniseries The White Queen, #1New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory brings to life the extraordinary story of Elizabeth Woodville, a woman who rises from obscurity to become Queen of England, and changes the course of history forever.

Elizabeth Woodville is a woman of extraordinary beauty and ambition. Her mother is Jacquetta, also known as the mystical lady of the rivers, and she is even more determined to bring power and wealth to the family line. While riding in the woods one day, Elizabeth captures the attentions of the newly crowned King Edward IV and, despite her common upbringing, marries him in secret.

When she is raised up to be his queen, the English court is outraged, but Elizabeth rises to the demands of her exalted position and fights for her family’s dominance. Yet despite her best efforts, and even with the help of her mother’s powers, her two sons become pawns in a famous unsolved mystery that has confounded historians for centuries: the lost princes in the Tower of London.

In this dazzling account of the deadly Wars of the Roses, brother turns on brother to win the ultimate prize: the throne of England.

About this title

Review

'It would be hard to make history more entertaining, lively or engaging' "Sunday Express

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'Queen of the historical novel' "Mail on Sunday

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'Gregory brings to life the sights, smells and textures of 16th-century England' "Kate Mosse", "Financial Times"

'Rollicking, page-turning stuff' "Metro"

'Of Woodville herself, Gregory makes a fascinating heroine; strong, ambitious, vengeful, beautiful and tinged with more than a hint of witchcraft. Popular history at its best' "Daily Mail"

'History comes gloriously alive as widowed Elisabeth Woodville of the House of Lancaster seduces and marries Yorkist King Edward IV. From then on conflict, betrayal and murder stalk her life as the Queen of England' "Mirror"

'As with The Other Boleyn Girl, Gregory's clever blend of fact and fiction is a lot racier than the average historical biography ... her tale of Elizabeth Woodville's tenacious fight for her family's position during the Wars of the Roses oozes sex appeal and suspense' "Glamour magazine"

'Lady Margaret Beaufort - cold, clever, calculating - will stop at nothing to put her son Henry Tudor on the throne. Gregory is very good at describing the bitchiness of the women in this tale of dynastic rivalry' "Telegraph"

'Entrancing' "Telegraph"

'an informative and riveting read from start to finish' "Edinburgh Evening News"

'Gregory brings this period of history and another strong female character to life with the same colour and intrigue she applies to all her novels' "Glasgow Evening Times"

'A gripping read' "South Wales Echo

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'...whips along with lashings of historical intrigue' "Company

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'Gregory's novels are, in fact, meticulously researched pieces of historical scholarship. For each novel she immerses herself in dozens of primary and secondary sources, before transforming them into vivid fiction' "Sunday Telegraph"

"Gregory returns with another sister act. The result: her best novel in years."

"Gregory delivers another vivid and satisfying novel of court intrigue, revenge, and superstition. Gregory's many fans as well as readers who enjoy lush, evocative writing, vividly drawn characters, and fascinating history told from a woman's point of view will love her latest work."

"Gregory is one of historical fiction's superstars, and "The Kingmaker's Daughter" shows why . . . providing intelligent escape, a trip through time to a dangerous past."

"Wielding magic again in her latest War of the Roses novel ... Gregory demonstrates the passion and skill that has made her the queen of English historical fiction....Gregory portrays spirited women at odds with powerful men, endowing distant historical events with drama, and figures long dead or invented with real-life flaws and grand emotions. She makes history ... come alive for readers."

About the Author

Philippa Gregory is the author of many bestselling novels, including The Other Boleyn Girl, and is a recognized authority on women's history. Her work has been adapted for the screen in The Other Boleyn Girl movie and the critically acclaimed STARZ miniseries The White Queen and The White Princess. Her most recent novel is The Last Tudor. She graduated from the University of Sussex and received a PhD from the University of Edinburgh, where she is a Regent. She holds two honorary degrees from Teesside University and the University of Sussex. She is a fellow of the Universities of Sussex and Cardiff and was awarded the 2016 Harrogate Festival Award for Contribution to Historical Fiction. She welcomes visitors to her website, PhilippaGregory.com.

About this edition

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1442366982
• ISBN 13: 9781442366985
• Binding: Audio CD