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The White King
- Charles I, Traitor, Murderer, Martyr
- Narrated by: Graeme Malcolm
- Length: 10 hrs and 43 mins
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Publisher's summary
From the New York Times best-selling author and master of narrative nonfiction comes the tragic story of Charles I, his warrior queen, Britain's civil wars, and the trial for his life.
Less than 40 years after England's golden age under Elizabeth I, the country was at war with itself. Split between loyalty to the Crown or to Parliament, war raged on English soil. The English Civil War would set family against family, friend against friend, and its casualties were immense - a greater proportion of the population died than in World War I.
At the head of the disintegrating kingdom was King Charles I. In this vivid portrait - informed by previously unseen manuscripts, including royal correspondence between the king and his queen - Leanda de Lisle depicts a man who was principled and brave but fatally blinkered.
Charles never understood his own subjects or court intrigue. At the heart of the drama were the Janus-faced cousins who befriended and betrayed him - Henry Holland, his peacocking servant whose brother, the New England colonialist Robert Warwick, engineered the king's fall; and Lucy Carlisle, the magnetic "last Boleyn girl" and faithless favorite of Charles' maligned and fearless queen.
The tragedy of Charles I was that he fell not as a consequence of vice or wickedness but of his human flaws and misjudgments. The White King is a story for our times, of populist politicians and religious war, of manipulative media and the reshaping of nations. For Charles it ended on the scaffold, condemned as a traitor and murderer yet lauded also as a martyr, his reign destined to sow the seeds of democracy in Britain and the New World.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
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Chief minister to King Louis XIII, Cardinal Richelieu was the architect of a new France in the 17th century, and the force behind the nation's rise as a European power. Among the first statesmen to clearly understand the necessity of a balance of powers, he was one of the early realist politicians, practicing in the wake of Niccol Machiavelli. Truly larger than life, he has captured the imagination of generations, both through his own story and through his portrayal as a ruthless political mastermind in Alexandre Dumas's classic The Three Musketeers.
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Great story boringly told
- By pete k on 09-19-16
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Bloody Mary
- By: Carolly Erickson
- Narrated by: Corrie James
- Length: 23 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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Here is the tragic, stormy life of Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon. Her story is a chronicle of courage and faith, betrayal and treachery - set amidst the splendor, pageantry, squalor, and intrigue of 16th-century Europe. The history of Mary Tudor is an improbable blend of triumph, humiliation, heartbreak, and devotion - and Ms. Erickson recounts it all against the turbulent background of European politics, war, and religious strife of the mid-1500s.
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A good history
- By A. Barrios on 05-21-15
By: Carolly Erickson
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Isabella of Castile
- Europe's First Great Queen
- By: Giles Tremlett
- Narrated by: Karen Cass
- Length: 19 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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In 1474, a 23-year-old woman ascended the throne of Castile, the largest and strongest kingdom in Spain. Ahead of her lay the considerable challenge not only of being a young female ruler in an overwhelmingly male-dominated world but also of reforming a major European kingdom that was riddled with crime, corruption, and violent political factionism. Her pivotal reign was long and transformative, uniting Spain and setting the stage for its golden era of global dominance.
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Enlightening
- By Jean on 03-07-17
By: Giles Tremlett
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Mary Queen of Scots
- The True Life of Mary Stuart
- By: John Guy
- Narrated by: Lucy Rayner
- Length: 25 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
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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.
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Horrible narration - don’t purchase
- By ballymerrigan on 12-27-18
By: John Guy
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Heretic Queen
- Queen Elizabeth I and the Wars of Religion
- By: Susan Ronald
- Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon
- Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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Acclaimed biographer Susan Ronald delivers a stunning account of Elizabeth I that focuses on her role in the Wars of Religion - the battle between Protestantism and Catholicism that tore Europe apart in the sixteenth century. Elizabeth’s 1558 coronation procession was met with an extravagant outpouring of love. Only 25 years old, the young queen saw herself as the nation’s Protestant savior, aiming to provide new hope, prosperity, and independence from the foreign influence that had plagued her sister Mary’s reign. Given the scars of the Reformation, Elizabeth would need all of the powers of diplomacy and tact she could summon.
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a thorough history of a great lady
- By Angelus56 on 07-24-18
By: Susan Ronald
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The Borgias and Their Enemies
- 1431-1519
- By: Christopher Hibbert
- Narrated by: John Telfer
- Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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The name Borgia is synonymous with the corruption, nepotism, and greed that were rife in Renaissance Italy. The powerful, voracious Rodrigo Borgia, better known to history as Pope Alexander VI, was the central figure of the dynasty. Two of his seven papal offspring also rose to power and fame. The Borgias were notorious for seizing power, wealth, land, and titles through bribery, marriage, and murder. The story of the family's dramatic rise from its Spanish roots to the highest position in Italian society is an absorbing tale.
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Covers the bases, but falls a little flat.
- By Chap Walker on 06-16-13
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The Romanovs
- 1613-1918
- By: Simon Sebag Montefiore
- Narrated by: Simon Beale
- Length: 28 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
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This is the intimate story of 20 tsars and tsarinas, some touched by genius, some by madness, but all inspired by holy autocracy and imperial ambition. Simon Sebag Montefiore's gripping chronicle reveals their secret world of unlimited power and ruthless empire building, overshadowed by palace conspiracy, family rivalries, sexual decadence, and wild extravagance, with a global cast of adventurers, courtesans, revolutionaries, and poets, from Ivan the Terrible to Tolstoy and Pushkin.
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Scholarly but gripping
- By William on 06-16-16
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Henry IV
- The Righteous King
- By: Ian Mortimer
- Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart
- Length: 22 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
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The talented, confident, and intelligent son of John of Gaunt, Henry IV started his reign as a popular and charismatic king after he dethroned the tyrannical and wildly unpopular Richard II. But six years into his reign, Henry had survived eight assassination and overthrow attempts. Having broken God's law of primogeniture by overthrowing the man many people saw as the chosen king, Henry IV left himself vulnerable to challenges from powerful enemies about the validity of his reign. Even so, Henry managed to establish the new Lancastrian dynasty and a new rule of law.
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Detailed and compelling
- By kayakman on 12-15-17
By: Ian Mortimer
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Edward III
- The Perfect King
- By: Ian Mortimer
- Narrated by: Alex Wyndham
- Length: 19 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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Holding power for over 50 years starting in 1327, Edward III was one of England's most influential kings and one who shaped the course of English history. Revered as one of the country's most illustrious leaders for centuries, he was also a usurper and a warmonger who ordered his uncle beheaded. A brutal man, to be sure, but also a brilliant one.
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Great book about Edward III
- By Kiesha on 07-05-16
By: Ian Mortimer
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The First Elizabeth
- By: Carolly Erickson
- Narrated by: Antony Ferguson
- Length: 18 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
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In this remarkable biography, Carolly Erickson brings Elizabeth I to life and allows us to see her as a living, breathing, elegant, flirtatious, diplomatic, violent, arrogant, and outrageous woman who commands our attention, fascination, and awe. With the special skill for which she is acclaimed, Carolly Erickson electrifies the senses as she evokes with total fidelity the brilliant colors of Elizabethan clothing and jewelry, the texture of tapestries, and even the close, perfumed air of castle rooms. Erickson demonstrates her extraordinary ability to discern and bring to life psychological and physical reality.
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Well Researched Book
- By JustBill on 03-13-15
By: Carolly Erickson
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Peter the Great
- His Life and World
- By: Robert K. Massie
- Narrated by: Frederick Davidson
- Length: 43 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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This superbly told story brings to life one of the most remarkable rulers––and men––in all of history and conveys the drama of his life and world. The Russia of Peter's birth was very different from the Russia his energy, genius, and ruthlessness shaped. Crowned co-Tsar as a child of ten, after witnessing bloody uprisings in the streets of Moscow, he would grow up propelled by an unquenchable curiosity, everywhere looking, asking, tinkering, and learning, fired by Western ideas.
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Narrater ruins everything
- By BrendaLouQuilts on 12-30-11
By: Robert K. Massie
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Four Princes
- Henry VIII, Francis I, Charles V, Suleiman the Magnificent and the Obsessions that Forged Modern Europe
- By: John Julius Norwich
- Narrated by: Julian Elfer
- Length: 7 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
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John Julius Norwich - whom the Wall Street Journal called "the very model of a popular historian" - has crafted a big, bold tapestry of the early 16th century, when Europe and the Middle East were overshadowed by a quartet of legendary rulers, all born within a 10-year period. Against the vibrant background of the Renaissance, these four men laid the foundations for modern Europe and the Middle East, as they collectively impacted the culture, religion, and politics of their respective domains.
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For the most part, very informative.
- By Paula on 02-05-18
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The Wars of the Roses
- The Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors
- By: Dan Jones
- Narrated by: John Curless
- Length: 15 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
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The 15th century saw the longest and bloodiest series of civil wars in British history. The crown of England changed hands five times as two branches of the Plantagenet dynasty fought to the death for the right to rule. Now, celebrated historian Dan Jones describes how the longest reigning British royal family tore itself apart until it was finally replaced by the Tudors. Some of the greatest heroes and villains in history were thrown together in these turbulent times.
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No Need for a Score Card
- By Troy on 01-16-15
By: Dan Jones
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What listeners say about The White King
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Nancy
- 05-23-18
If you’re into English Kings, Treachery and Beheadings, this one’s for you.
Wonderfully researched and presented, “The White King” really drills down, mostly from personal writings and letters of the era, into great detail. The reader will wince when the King makes yet another decision that will lead to his ultimate end or he wins a battle that could get him back on the throne. I lost count of the times he skillfully escaped from his captors. That’s why I love this type of historical piece... no one could make this stuff up!
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2 people found this helpful
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- Andrew C
- 10-20-21
a wonderfully balanced biography
This biography of Charles 1 is sympathetic to the king, in contrast to, what seems to me, the more prevalent critical view of the man. The author does a good job of explaining both his strengths and weaknesses, and why he was somewhat unprepared for ascending the throne. while the bio is pretty balanced, it's obvious the author believes that Charles was a better man than his enemies gave him credit, and that his enemies were more opportunistic than noble. This work makes use of newly uncovered documents, and provides a lot of clarification about a muddled portion of British history. It also, as a tangent, helps provide some context for The Three Musketeers. Highly recommended!
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1 person found this helpful
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- Tim G.
- 07-01-20
Well told if slightly biased.
Good easy to follow story even if it is slightly biased to Charles's favor. The book was well written had a lot of detail, explained itself well, and the footnotes were entertaining and usually useful. I recommend this book for anyone intrested in the period.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Adeliese Baumann
- 01-25-18
Enlightening Stuart history
Stuart history is an area about which I know very little, which is one reason I turned to this book. It was without a doubt an incredibly entertaining and enlightening listen. As with Leonie Frieda's biography of Catherine de Medici, I found myself wanting to read still more biographies of some of the characters I met within the narrative. That's always a delightful surprise! I am in awe of de Lisle's extensive research. Her writing style is lively and accessible as well. Malcolm's narration was very well suited to the subject throughout. Highly recommended to those interested in the Stuarts, the English Civil War, or British history.
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10 people found this helpful
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- Terence Lowery
- 12-19-18
Illuminating a reign no one wants to talk about.
A significant piece of the British Royal puzzle has been revealed in this unique telling of the life of Charles Stewart aka Charles the First, King of England.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Thomas
- 03-13-19
Great Read
I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end. The pace was just right and the detail deep enough to be interesting without becoming boring at any point. Interestingly, the more I read of this book the more I found myself sympathetic towards King Charles. I wonder whether that was the author’s intent. Yes, Charles had tremendous flaws and made terrible mistakes, but he was also a good husband, a caring father, and had plenty of good and very human qualities such as loyalty and even compassion. In the end, it seemed he was a king from another place and time who tried to rule England as an absolute monarch without truly understanding the people, history and traditions of the country he ruled. Had he been able to overcome his flaws and work with Parlament he might have become one of England’s greatest monarchs. In that respect, this is a sad story, and one that is not without modern implications given the divided and polarized opinions in much of the world today.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Kev All
- 02-20-23
The book was ok
This book was OK. Did a great job on the kings family. I learned a lot about Henrietta Maria and her military decisions. She’s a lot more than a passive advisor. I understand that the war wasabout religious feelings as well as political but those parts really dragged.
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- Felisa Kay
- 01-18-21
I really enjoyed the book! good flow
there are more detailed reads about this subject. but different author's deliver different info.. so I do read several books on same subjects. this one was very enjoyable. I have no complaint. good performance, good content, it had smooth flow and was easy to listen to for hours. I liked the information the author shared, it was interesting stuff that little side stuff I had never heard in other books. it was easy to follow and she has good insite and a good take on things . which I appreciate. not stuffy at all. I highly recommend!!!
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3 people found this helpful
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- Lynn
- 07-15-20
Superbly Written and Read Bio of Charles I
This book is clearly and vividly written. If anyone gives much thought to executed monarch King Charles I outside of professors of history, they probably think - oh yeah, he's the one who got his head chopped off because he insisted God had given him the divine right to do whatever he felt like doing. This book presents a much more complicated and meaningful portrait of Charles and the restless, violent world beset with religious and dynastic wars he was born into. The author's brilliant first chapter explains how this complicated world came to be clearly and more succinctly than anything I've read before on the subject (which is a lot.) Then, as Charles' life unfolds, we're presented with a man whose actions become understandable even in a modern context: he was ultimately fighting to preserve the Anglican form of Protestantism from extinction by Cromwell and other radicals, as well as to reassert the monarchy's right and duty to preserve and protect the commoners from domination and exploitation by the military and religious dictatorial forces. He had a flaw as King that was of Shakespearean proportions: he underestimated the ruthlessness of his adversaries.Courtly, loyal, physically brave, family-centered, but tending to a regal icyness in public, he comes across as a dignified king and tender father, rather than as a despotic knucklehead. He went to his death after his sham trial with great resolution and dignity. All this and more is engagingly told by the author. it's an easy and informative listen.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Greta V. McNeill
- 06-07-20
Rather dry
A thorough history of Charles I, but the writing is a bit dull, even while the narrator is talented.
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