Mary Queen of Scots

The True Life of Mary Stuart

By: John Guy

Narrated by: Lucy Rayner

In the first full-scale biography of Mary Stuart in more than 30 years, John Guy creates an intimate and absorbing portrait of one of history's most famous women, depicting her world and her place in the sweep of history with stunning immediacy. Bringing together all surviving documents and uncovering a trove of new sources for the first time, Guy dispels the popular image of Mary Queen of Scots as a romantic leading lady - achieving her ends through feminine wiles - and establishes her as the intellectual and political equal of Elizabeth I.

Through Guy's pioneering research and superb prose, we come to see Mary as a skillful diplomat, maneuvering ingeniously among a dizzying array of factions that sought to control or dethrone her. Mary Queen of Scots is an enthralling, myth-shattering look at a complex woman and ruler and her time.

©2004 John Guy (P)2018 Tantor

Critic reviews

"As enthralling as a detective story." (The New York Times Book Review)

Highly recommend for all interested in Tudor hx

Great narrative full of information that is normally omitted or forgotten. I love that so much time is spent telling about ALL the years of her life especially her happiest in France and the ending is done with much dignity and respect. I love how the author chose to end the book.

excellent, accurate telling of actual events.

great read. I'm glad someone decided to separate facts from fiction about Mary's life.

An amazing biography

I've read several biographies of Mary, but this one stands out. it brings in a lot of primary source quotes and is arranged in a wonderful narrative. It is very balanced in its treatment of Mary and the others. I cannot recommend this highly enough.

Very enjoyable

This was a great book! The narrator was excellent, and has a pleasant voice. Very informative.

Information may be good but narration is not

I could not get passed the first 5 hours. I really wanted to like this book but I cannot continue to listen because of the way this book is read by the narrator.

Odd approach to May, Queen of Scots

I realize that this was a difficult to write book. My personal favorite author of history is Barbra Tuchman. This book did not meet that standard by any means. The narration by this reader had a sing-song feel to it most of the time.

Interesting

Very detailed. Maybe a little too much. interesting perspective . What a sad and convoluted family.

Learned something

Good book that once you get past the beginning and all the royal lineage stuff was easy to listen to, engaging, and educational!

Never another by this narrator

Story is awesome. Full of wonderful details such as plots and fashion.
I think produce and director chose the wrong narrator. She begins every sentence and clause on a rising voice. She ends every sentence and clause with a drop off. I wish she were a Scot; her accent is of a “veddy prahpa British gull with a veddy uppah clahss accent.”
I moved speed to 1.25 and at that speed some of the narrator’s patronizing accent is masked — but not all.

Worst narration I’ve EVER heard!

I am still desperately trying to finish this book but it is so difficult because the narrator’s performance is the worst I have ever heard. It’s delivered in a predictable sing song pattern that is so distracting that I can’t keep up with the story. I hope the same book comes out with a different narrator.