Peter Brears intersperses a thorough examination of Henry VIII's kitchens at Hampton Court with recipes drawn from period sources.

The palace kitchens at Hampton Court were a large-scale industrial enterprise that fed 600-1200 people every day - everyone from the lowliest servant to the King himself. The author does a grand job of describing how the system procured, stored, and prepared immense amounts of raw materials each day.

Interspersed with the description are recipes drawn from contemporary sources that are similiar to what might have been served at the palace. The author also covers Tudor table manners, etiquette, and the ceremony involved in feeding the monarch.

"A California Dreamer in King Henry's Court" is the story of adventurer Harold Hurgood who journeys back in time from twentieth century London to the year 1535 during the tyrannical reign of King Henry The Eighth and his Tower of London horrors. From chapter to chapter the reader travels along with Hurgood along a circuitous and sometimes dangerous route meeting interesting characters along the way. Who could not forget "John The Large" and little "Annalisa?"

And who could not be amused at times by Hurgood himself as a bard and then a knight, and then not fear for him when he comes to realize his tenuous place as a subject to the tyrant King.

The historical details and splendid dialogue of the time are well researched, from the major events and people true to life down to little things like unwashed boards for plates, and to own a Bible risked the stake.

As an author, Robert L. Plunkett is on a par with the likes of Jules Verne and H. G. Wells. "A California Dreamer in King Henry's Court" is a "must have" for science fiction and history buffs. You won't be disappointed.

This book was a very pleasant surprise. It's an ably written, and brief account of the two intertwined lives of the men who served Henry VIII prior to and during the Henrician Reformation. Williams argues that Thomas Cromwell was just as much Henry's "prime minister" as Cardinal Wolsey. The author seems to be more of an admirer of Cromwell than Wolsey, but he doesn't shut his eyes to either man's faults. Of especial interest to me, were Cromwell's correspondence with Wolsey, his loyalty after Wolsey's fall, and his stated wish that Luther had never been.

Although he was my great great uncle, I am not writing this review with bias. I found it to be a fascinating book, with a (relatively) new perspective on many matters

Henry VIII and his Chopping Block is a wonderful way to get kids to actually want to read history! It's all unbelievingly true. Henry VIII is a fun and funny way to learn about England's most famous king. What were his manners like(you may not want to know)? What were the secrets of his six wives? Get the chief executioner's tips on how to die. Read the Tudor Tatler, the newspaper of the time. Get the truth on how they dressed, what they did, what they ate, and...how they died. Read Henry's "Secret Diary". Be sure to read the "For the Chop" letters which tell the real storys on famous people who died because fat Henry lost his temper(quite normal, compared to other things he did).This first quality book is complete with HISTARICAL cartoon illustrations. Buy it today.

Ridley is brilliant as ever. In his masterly style, he portrays both historic detail and periodic insight in such manner that the reader is captivated from the first page onwards. The ongoing battle with Lady Antonia Frazer's biography is a delight (especially when historical inaccuracies in her biography are condemned to footnotes). A book one cannot put down for a single moment.

This is an excellent book for any "Tudorite". It deals thoroughly, yet easily, with Good King Hal and his Katherines, Anne's, and his only beloved Jane. Having read MANY things about King Henry and his love-life, this book was to the point and helped me to appreciate not only Hal's goals, but those of his wives, ministers, and courtiers. What a wonderful addition to any Tudor-fan's bookshelf, not only for useful reference but grand for just regular enjoyable reading and pleasure.

While I wouldn't recommend this book for the casual reader who wants to know more about King Henry VIII, for scholars, it's wonderful to be able to see the original source documents that are so often briefly quoted in biographies.

For those of you trying to get an understanding of where Prize Fighting came about this is a great book. This is a piece of history that any duelist should own. If your into heavy metal or the art of rapier you can get an idea of what men went thru to become " Masters of Defence".

Dr. Thurley has done a great job with this reference book. A great addition to anyone's personal reference library on Tudor history.