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loganslovelylibrary's review
5.0
This was such a great book!! I normally read fiction, but I was so intrigued by this non-fiction book. I love the Tudor England time period in historical fiction books, so this was a great supplement to all the books I read. I learned a lot from this and found out some interesting and surprising things. If you're interested in this time period at all I definitely recommend!
hmalagisi's review
4.0
The study of the Tudor dynasty has led us on many different adventures throughout the centuries. We have analyzed this period from numerous angles, from the royals and nobles to the essential lives of those who lived in England during this time. We tend to leave the more intimate moments for historical fiction novels and dramas, but one must wonder what those moments might have been like for those who lived in Tudor England. What were the romantic and the more intimate moments like for the Tudors? In her book, “Sex and Sexuality in Tudor England,” Carol McGrath gives her readers an in-depth look at these private moments.
I want to thank Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I have heard great things about the Sex and Sexuality series by Pen and Sword Books, so when they announced the book about Tudor England, I knew that I wanted to read it.
McGrath begins by informing her readers that to understand how Tudors viewed sex and sexuality, we must know how the Catholic Church and Protestantism viewed sex. We also see what kinds of aphrodisiacs the Tudors found the most effective, where prostitution reigned supreme for a time, how music and dancing influenced courtship. They viewed hygiene and their overall health through the Humours Theory and how the Tudors viewed witchcraft compared to other dynasties that would follow.
She also mentions how those accused of adultery and impotence were tested and tried and how a couple could prevent an unwanted pregnancy. McGrath makes sure that no stone is unturned in this journey to understand better these private moments from love and lust, sex inside and outside of marriage, clothing, and symbols in art.
One complaint with this title was that she spent a little too much time on Henry VIII and his wives. Still, I wanted to see more about other less known Tudor relationships to gain a more comprehensive understanding of different Tudor relationships.
This is a well-written and informative book on the more private moments in Tudor history. They played a dynamic role in our understanding of the Tudors. It is educational, and a fun read for any fan of the Tudor dynasty. If you want to learn more about the more intimate side of the Tudor dynasty, I highly recommend you read “Sex and Sexuality in Tudor England” by Carol McGrath.
I want to thank Pen and Sword Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this book. I have heard great things about the Sex and Sexuality series by Pen and Sword Books, so when they announced the book about Tudor England, I knew that I wanted to read it.
McGrath begins by informing her readers that to understand how Tudors viewed sex and sexuality, we must know how the Catholic Church and Protestantism viewed sex. We also see what kinds of aphrodisiacs the Tudors found the most effective, where prostitution reigned supreme for a time, how music and dancing influenced courtship. They viewed hygiene and their overall health through the Humours Theory and how the Tudors viewed witchcraft compared to other dynasties that would follow.
She also mentions how those accused of adultery and impotence were tested and tried and how a couple could prevent an unwanted pregnancy. McGrath makes sure that no stone is unturned in this journey to understand better these private moments from love and lust, sex inside and outside of marriage, clothing, and symbols in art.
One complaint with this title was that she spent a little too much time on Henry VIII and his wives. Still, I wanted to see more about other less known Tudor relationships to gain a more comprehensive understanding of different Tudor relationships.
This is a well-written and informative book on the more private moments in Tudor history. They played a dynamic role in our understanding of the Tudors. It is educational, and a fun read for any fan of the Tudor dynasty. If you want to learn more about the more intimate side of the Tudor dynasty, I highly recommend you read “Sex and Sexuality in Tudor England” by Carol McGrath.
helenephoebe's review
4.0
Thank you to Pen and Sword Books for the gifted copy of this book to review.
I really enjoyed this book. It was so interesting, and I learnt quite a lot about the way the Tudors thought about sex and the roles of women and gender. It is irrevocably tied in to the Reformation and changing religious views across the long Tudor century. This is all discussed throughout as McGrath dives into several different areas.
It offers a different view on Tudor England, though there is still quite a lot of focus on Henry VIII and his relationships with his wives. There could have been more on the general populace, and maybe looking more at court cases about women i.e. scolding, adultery, fornication, and children.
The main reason I didn't give this book 5 stars was because I felt there was too much focus on the royal history, as well as a few errors as below:
* Page 12/64 - Thomas Howard referred to as Earl of Norfolk when he was Duke of Norfolk
* Page 27 - It was said that Katherine of Aragon and Prince Arthur were married at Westminster Abbey when they were actually married in St Paul's Cathedral
* Page 58 - Field of the Cloth of Gold said to have happened in 1521, but it was actually 1520
* Page 88 - Anne Boleyn's father was described as Duke of Wiltshire when he was Earl of Wiltshire
* Page 88 - Francis Byron questioned over Anne Boleyn's fall, but it was Francis Bryan
* Page 92 - McGrath says that Catherine Carey was acknowledged as Henry VIII's daughter, but she was never acknowledged, it was only rumoured
I really enjoyed this book. It was so interesting, and I learnt quite a lot about the way the Tudors thought about sex and the roles of women and gender. It is irrevocably tied in to the Reformation and changing religious views across the long Tudor century. This is all discussed throughout as McGrath dives into several different areas.
It offers a different view on Tudor England, though there is still quite a lot of focus on Henry VIII and his relationships with his wives. There could have been more on the general populace, and maybe looking more at court cases about women i.e. scolding, adultery, fornication, and children.
The main reason I didn't give this book 5 stars was because I felt there was too much focus on the royal history, as well as a few errors as below:
* Page 12/64 - Thomas Howard referred to as Earl of Norfolk when he was Duke of Norfolk
* Page 27 - It was said that Katherine of Aragon and Prince Arthur were married at Westminster Abbey when they were actually married in St Paul's Cathedral
* Page 58 - Field of the Cloth of Gold said to have happened in 1521, but it was actually 1520
* Page 88 - Anne Boleyn's father was described as Duke of Wiltshire when he was Earl of Wiltshire
* Page 88 - Francis Byron questioned over Anne Boleyn's fall, but it was Francis Bryan
* Page 92 - McGrath says that Catherine Carey was acknowledged as Henry VIII's daughter, but she was never acknowledged, it was only rumoured
annarella's review
4.0
An interesting and well researched history book, I found it entertaining and informative.
Tudor England is a fascinating time, a time of changes and revolution.
The author analyses the different aspects of the sexual life for both upper and lower class.
Some part are a bit repetitive but I liked the book.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Tudor England is a fascinating time, a time of changes and revolution.
The author analyses the different aspects of the sexual life for both upper and lower class.
Some part are a bit repetitive but I liked the book.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
salatanita's review
5.0
This book is both an informative and easy read, sometimes with shocking details of daily practices Tudor nobility and commoners followed. Carol McGrath is the author of many historical fictions and maybe that's why this is an easy-going and entertaining book, not a heavy non-fiction. It was a quick read and I enjoyed reading about the peculiar (and sometimes repulsing) customs and beliefs of the time.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pen & Sword History for an Advance Review Copy.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pen & Sword History for an Advance Review Copy.
vikkidrag's review
4.0
Gifted a copy on NetGalley. I learned a lot from this, and really enjoyed it. It didn't spend too long on any one topic, and so kept my interest. Bravo.
queserasarah_'s review
4.0
Ever since I read The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory in middle school, I have been deeply obsessed with all things having to do with the tumultuous reign of Henry VIII. The sex, the scandal, the beheadings - a veritable devil's playground, if the countless movies and TV shows have anything to say about it.
And yet, it's no wonder the sneaky sex-capades come across as so exciting - there were so many rules against it! I mean, come on, nothing is more thrilling than breaking the rules. Carol McGrath does a marvelous job illustrating those rules and how all things sex were perceived during that time.
Of course, most of those rules are concerning when you can and can't have sex (especially when you can't). For instance, sex was forbidden on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays. So explain to me, exactly, how the people of Tudor England fought off the Monday blues without a little nooky!? Oh, also - you weren't allowed to have sex naked and only in missionary! So basically, no one was allowed to have any fun at all - unless you're the king, of course.
That, my friends, is just the tippy tip of the iceberg. McGrath covers numerous sexually related topics, from witchcraft to naughty words. Did you know that "Cock" is a euphemism for God (ugh, men) or that to "Die" can mean having an orgasm? I sure as hell didn't. But I do now, and I fully plan on adding everything I've learned to my mental lexicon.
It takes quite a bit for me to enjoy a work of non-fiction, but this one was a titillating mix of being both entertaining as well as informative. It's a quick read that's well written, so give it a chance if you need a brain break from the world of fiction! I assure you, real life (historical life, especially) can be so melodramatic, you'd think it was made up anyways.
Thank you, NetGalley and Pen & Sword, for the ARC!
And yet, it's no wonder the sneaky sex-capades come across as so exciting - there were so many rules against it! I mean, come on, nothing is more thrilling than breaking the rules. Carol McGrath does a marvelous job illustrating those rules and how all things sex were perceived during that time.
Of course, most of those rules are concerning when you can and can't have sex (especially when you can't). For instance, sex was forbidden on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays. So explain to me, exactly, how the people of Tudor England fought off the Monday blues without a little nooky!? Oh, also - you weren't allowed to have sex naked and only in missionary! So basically, no one was allowed to have any fun at all - unless you're the king, of course.
That, my friends, is just the tippy tip of the iceberg. McGrath covers numerous sexually related topics, from witchcraft to naughty words. Did you know that "Cock" is a euphemism for God (ugh, men) or that to "Die" can mean having an orgasm? I sure as hell didn't. But I do now, and I fully plan on adding everything I've learned to my mental lexicon.
It takes quite a bit for me to enjoy a work of non-fiction, but this one was a titillating mix of being both entertaining as well as informative. It's a quick read that's well written, so give it a chance if you need a brain break from the world of fiction! I assure you, real life (historical life, especially) can be so melodramatic, you'd think it was made up anyways.
Thank you, NetGalley and Pen & Sword, for the ARC!
orasmis's review
3.0
*Free copy given in exchange for an honest review*
As with most nonfiction book the title is exactly what this book is about. It is a study of sex and sexuality during the Tudor era of England and everything that would be involved in that including courtship, hygiene and personal appearance, childbearing, adultery, sexuality in literature and art, and many other topics.
Overall I have to say this is a well written book. It delves into a wide variety of topics as related to sexuality and sexual expression. It spends a great deal of time talking about Henry VIII and his romantic life, courtships, and many wives. It also talks a great deal about how the average person would conduct their lives and courtships. Many of the topics were very well researched. However some of the topics were a little too delved into. The section of art was especially detailed and I think that is slightly to it’s detriment. Art history can be very interesting but it can also get very tedious if too much detail is put in. There were also several topics that were barely touched on. I don’t see that much of a pint in including something in the book if you are barely going to write a paragraph about it.
My main complaint is that the book is written in a very dry and clinical matter at times. It can feel like your slogging through a textbook. And it is my opinion that the rhetorical question to the audience is severely overused. Several typos were noticed at various stages in the book but it wasn’t severe enough to distract from what was being told.
Overall I think I do recommend this for history fans and especially fans of history from the Tudor era. Even more for people that like reading about Henry the VIII. Obviously do not recommend for younger readers.
As with most nonfiction book the title is exactly what this book is about. It is a study of sex and sexuality during the Tudor era of England and everything that would be involved in that including courtship, hygiene and personal appearance, childbearing, adultery, sexuality in literature and art, and many other topics.
Overall I have to say this is a well written book. It delves into a wide variety of topics as related to sexuality and sexual expression. It spends a great deal of time talking about Henry VIII and his romantic life, courtships, and many wives. It also talks a great deal about how the average person would conduct their lives and courtships. Many of the topics were very well researched. However some of the topics were a little too delved into. The section of art was especially detailed and I think that is slightly to it’s detriment. Art history can be very interesting but it can also get very tedious if too much detail is put in. There were also several topics that were barely touched on. I don’t see that much of a pint in including something in the book if you are barely going to write a paragraph about it.
My main complaint is that the book is written in a very dry and clinical matter at times. It can feel like your slogging through a textbook. And it is my opinion that the rhetorical question to the audience is severely overused. Several typos were noticed at various stages in the book but it wasn’t severe enough to distract from what was being told.
Overall I think I do recommend this for history fans and especially fans of history from the Tudor era. Even more for people that like reading about Henry the VIII. Obviously do not recommend for younger readers.
fenwench's review
1.0
This needed a competent proof reader and copy editor. Littered with typos and embarrassingly basic errors. I am rather mortified for the author…