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Prepare to be captivated by a royal tale that has remained hidden in plain sight for four centuries. Gareth Russell's "Queen James" unveils the extraordinary life of James Stuart, King of England, Scotland, and Ireland, with unparalleled verve and meticulous attention to detail.
This groundbreaking work delves into the passionate affairs of a monarch who loved daringly, if not always wisely. From Scottish lords to English spies, James's romantic entanglements rival the intrigue of Henry VIII's six wives. Russell's narrative places James and his six great loves at the epicentre of one of British royal history's most dramatic sagas.
The book chronicles James's tumultuous life, beginning with the mysterious murder of his father in 1567. It weaves through a tapestry of events including kidnapping, witch hunts, torture, his mother's execution, allegations of poisoning, and religious upheaval. The story culminates in a decade-long love affair that ends in assassination.
Russell's account is both scholarly and engaging, offering fresh insights into the complex character of James - a man of genius and idealism, yet also a spendthrift and occasional liar. "Queen James" presents an unvarnished portrait of a monarch whose reign was as colourful as it was consequential.
As Tracy Borman aptly notes, books of this calibre are a rarity. Philippa Gregory praises it as "a warts and all story told with compassion". This compelling narrative promises to reshape our understanding of one of Britain's most fascinating monarchs.
Book ISBN: | 9780008660857 |
Book Author: | Gareth Russell |
Book Format: | Hardback |
Book Imprint: | William Collins |
Book Publisher: | HarperCollins Publishers |
Book Dimensions: | 241 x 165 x 44 cm |
Book Publication Date: | 2025-02-27 |
Book Pagination: | 496 pages |
Book Weight: | 770g |
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.
We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.
Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’