The Lives of the Queens of England Volume 1
Agnes Strickland
Read by Ann Boulais
>The Lives of the Queens of England is a multi-volumed work attributed to Agnes Strickland, though it was mostly researched and written by her sister Elisabeth. These volumes give biographies of the queens of England from the Norman Conquest in 1066. Although by today's standards, it is not seen as a very scholarly work, the Stricklands used many sources that had not been used before.
Volume one includes the biographies of Matilda of Flanders, Matilda of Scotland, Adelicia of Louvaine, Matilda of Boulogne and Eleanora of Aquitaine.
(Introduction by Ann Boulais) (9 hr 49 min)
Chapters
Reviews
great book, unbearable reader.
the reader shouts the story, instead of reading it. really wanted to listen to it, but i just can't.
Excellent history, interesting
Rosiknitzar
I loved the historical background gleaned from these volumes, but I would have preferred a reader with better intonation.
interesting subject, hard to follow
Hiker1956
I was ok with the reader once I got used to her. Someone complained about her pronunciation of words. I don't know the readers heritage but I accept that different regions have different pronunciation of words. As I have Scottish heritage I am interested in the book's topic. Not knowing place names in the British isles and on the continent and with all the duplication of names - Matilda, Henry etc, I think it would have been much easier to follow if I had period maps to cross reference with modern maps as well as some kind of chronological chart showing who was where when and the relationships between the subjects involved. Basically I eventually gave up on trying to understand and just listened. After a while some of it made sense. Hoping volume 2 is easier to comprehend.
Agonizingly boring from beginning to end, narrated by a voice so poorly dragging you down into sleep that you celebrate the mispronounced words as a wake up cup of morning coffee !!! I know not what the narrator’s primary language is but I do know it is not Latin, French, English, or German !!! If one town or location name had been spoken as it is actually supposed to be the shock of it would have caused me to suffer a heart attack in pure shock !!!
Each volume is excellent, despite narrator.
Beth
Though I managed to get through all 9 volumes, I'm so frustrated that the narrator pronounces 90% of proper places incorrectly! But don't worry - her volume & that abnormally high octave she uses in the beginning tones down after a few volumes.
Excellent book that provides wonderful information!! However, the reader is intolerable. Screams the text and tone is bland which made listening to some of the stories painful. Also, numerous words and names pronounced incorrectly! Really took away from a fantastic book.
Fascinating History
TheFountainPenDiva
Excellent early historical about the great English queens. Enjoyed the reader, though she mispronounced some of the place names, which is understandable considering and is a minor quibble.Overall this is a great introduction and enjoyable listening
kings and queens of england
I am sure the book is outstanding however I just could not stand to listen to the reader