Great Harry Audiobook By Carolly Erickson cover art

Great Harry

The Extravagant Life of Henry VIII

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Great Harry

By: Carolly Erickson
Narrated by: Nelson Runger
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In lively, absorbing prose that rivals the finest literary fiction, prize-winning historian Carolly Erickson recreates the life of the notorious Tudor king, Henry VIII. In his youth as a charming national hero, his reign as a monstrous king, and his final days as a tottering old man, Erickson draws a thoroughly convincing portrait of one of English history’s most notorious characters.

©1980 Carolly Erickson (P)1988 Recorded Books, LLC Europe Great Britain Historical Politicians Politics & Activism Royalty Tudor England
Comprehensive Coverage • Detailed European Context • Exceptional Narrator • Fascinating Historical Facts
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Just finished listening for the 3 time, yet never reviewed this masterful biography of the larger-than-life Henry VIII. Erickson’s writing style never gets boring or dry. This is one of my favorite audiobooks about Henry VIII/Tudor England, along with Alison Weir’s history “The Six Wives of Henry VIII”, and Margaret George’s epic novel “The Autobiography of Henry VIII”.
Nelson Runger’s performance is excellent, as usual. He excels at making history eminently “listenable”.

Superb Bio! Erickson at her best.

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Would you try another book from Carolly Erickson and/or Nelson Runger?

I have read Carolly Erickson books before and love them. Her attention to detail is awesome. This book seems to be just a collection of stories and facts about Henry VIII. It just doesn't have much life in it. The narrator is kind of boring and slow. It is sometimes hard to tell which character is being portrayed. This is a good book for checking facts about some of the other Henry VIII books. Other than that I'd skip it for entertainment.

Full of info, dull narration. Like a textbook.

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I loved this book. It's well written with fascinating insight into the daily life of King Henry VIII and his Court. A page turner that will keep your interest throughout. Narrator was excellent, perfect for this audiobook. Definitely a keeper for your library.

Great Harry is fascinating book on King Henry VIII

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This was an interesting history in that didn't centre on the well known fact he married six times but more on the man himself and the politics of the time. My criticism is that it had the feeling of a school text book as the author had a tendency to talk down to the reader.

It was also difficult to listen to one of the most well known and memorable periods of English history being told by a narrator with an American accent. Nelson Runger did a good job but accent just seemed wrong when we were being told about the greatest English King!

That said there was information that I didn't know and was most interested to hear about. I enjoyed the book and will listen to other Carolly Erickson's histories with equal interest.

Henry the Gr8!

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Well done and informative. Got nice details about daily life, money, food, jobs, etc. And of course we learn about Henry, the family history and all the wives. Well done. Great narration.

Excellent Book & Narration

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What did you love best about Great Harry?

The fact that this book covered his entire life, not just his time as King of England.It gave me a very detailed background of Henry's family & ancestors, as well as what was happening in Europe in the 15 th century. From that, I was able to piece together what made this monarch such a fascinating man in England's history. I've read many books on Henry VIII, but this one put together a lot of detail about what the European monarchies were like, and the other religious and political people who were behind the scenes, so to speak.

What other book might you compare Great Harry to and why?

Not sure right now.

Which scene was your favorite?

The betrayal of Anne Boleyn.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The most Feared , Maniacal & Beloved Monarch of all time: Henry VIII

Any additional comments?

Because there is so much information to cover in this book, I felt it was all over the place at first, & I thought the narrator was without passion until about halfway through, but I kept listening and finally things were easier to follow, with a less

Very interesting/ intriguing history of Henry VIII

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So he started off not so badly and ended notoriously. Inadequate parenting pure and simple.

what a falling off was there

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Good book. Not bad narration really but at times I feel like Im listening to America’s Top 40.

Good book narrated by Casey Kasem?

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The story is fine but the American accent and sing-song tone of the narrator takes away from this otherwise good book.

Badly Narrated

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What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

A serious well balanced treatment of the subject.

What was most disappointing about Carolly Erickson’s story?

I just finished G.J Meyers "The Tudors" which was brilliantly written although scathing in its treatment of everyone after Henry VII. I was searching for a book that might lend some balance. Instead I was rewarded by writing that would have been more suitable in children's literature. Character development was superficial at best. The physical descriptions ranged on for what seemed an eternity.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Nelson Runger is an exceptional narrator. However I have to question if he was the best choice for a book dealing with Tudor England. It was difficult connecting with the period with his voice as the vehicle of transmission. Perhaps it was a lack of imagination on my part or my growing frustration with the text that soured me on the narration. I have in the past purchased a book in which I was luke warm on the strength of a sample of his narration alone.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Great Harry?

I really couldn't be fair. The book made me cringe to the point that I could not finish it.

Any additional comments?

It was the loss of a credit and eight hours I will never get back.

Juvenile book

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