Thomas Cromwell
The Untold Story of Henry VIII's Most Faithful Servant
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Thomas Cromwell
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Narrated by:
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Gareth Armstrong
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Paul Mendez
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Sandra Duncan
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By:
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Tracy Borman
About this listen
THE CAPTIVATING TRUE STORY OF THE MAN WHO INSPIRED WOLF HALL, MASTERFULLY TOLD: NOW REVISED WITH A NEW CHAPTER
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Known widely as Henry VIII's 'right-hand man', Cromwell has captured imaginations throughout the centuries: but who was he really? In this major new biography, leading historian Tracy Borman examines the life, loves and legacy of the man who changed the shape of England forever.
Born a lowly tavern keeper's son, Cromwell rose swiftly through the ranks to become Henry VIII's right hand man, and one of the most powerful figures in Tudor history. The architect of England's break with the Roman Catholic Church and the dissolution of the monasteries, he oversaw seismic changes in England's history. Influential in securing Henry's controversial divorce from Catherine of Aragon, many believe he was also the ruthless force behind Anne Boleyn's downfall and subsequent execution.
Although for years he has been reviled as a Machiavellian schemer who stopped at nothing in his quest for power, Thomas Cromwell was also a loving husband, father and guardian, a witty and generous host, and a loyal and devoted servant. With fresh research and new insights into Cromwell's family life, his household and his close relationships, Tracy Borman tells the true story of Henry VIII's most faithful servant.
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Critical acclaim for Thomas Cromwell:
'Dr Tracy Borman has crafted an exceptional and compelling biography about one of the Tudor age's most complex and controversial figures. With expert insights based on a wealth of research, and riveting detail, she has brought Thomas Cromwell to life as never before.' ― Alison Weir
'This deeply researched and grippingly written biography brings Cromwell to life and exposes the Henrician court in all its brutal, glittering splendour.' -- Kate Williams ― Independent
'Tracy Borman tells us succinctly in 400 pages what we need to know about the man who rose to be the king's highest adviser ... a very good book.' ― The Times
'Tracy Borman's study makes clear his achievements, both admirable and despicable ... Borman has read an impressively wide range of modern historical literature on Cromwell.' ― Guardian
'Borman's is a highly readable account, and will add to the debate surrounding this ultimately elusive character.' ― Financial Times
'Elegant ... her prose, as ever, glides beautifully along.' ― Sunday Times
'An engaging biography.' ― Evening Standard
What listeners say about Thomas Cromwell
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Helen olivieri
- 22-02-2023
Great narrative, great narration, crap voices
This is a very well researched and engaging account of a very impactful and complex courtier. It is also very balanced and considered, and I appreciated its reflectiveness and it’s discussion at the end of Cromwells legacy and cultural influence. It was read very well, except when there was any quoting of key persons from letters or other sources. I’m not quite sure how the voice actors concerned could have adopted such bizarre tones with straight faces. Never mind. It was weird but good
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 03-01-2023
great book
This was a great book. I enjoyed it from the opening paragraph to the conclusion. The narrator was fabulous , with a clear and engaging manner and appropriate intonation and tempo. highly recommended for English history devotees.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Bronwyn R
- 11-02-2019
The King's Right Arm
I had been watching "Wolf Hall" for the second time, and have found it absolutely mesmerising... This sent me off looking to read about the man himself and find out how well he was depicted in the televisation of the biographies, and I was very impressed at the comparisons, but also learning more in-depth the intricacies of his more private side as well as motivations for decisions he made or urged the King to make. Alas, while this saw his meteoric elevation to Henry VIII's most (or equal most-) trusted advisor, it was also his downfall... he just didn't know when to stop. Sadly for Henry, he soon regretted his tragic decision regarding Cromwell's fate, but Cromwell's descendant Oliver would make the family name even more famous a few generations further down the line. As a fan of Charles II, the Cromwells are not my favourite family from the past, however, this was a very impressive man and I was very sad as his ultimate fate loomed.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Duffy
- 06-08-2024
Such an interesting read, but the voices!
I love Tudor history and thoroughly enjoyed this book. The only downfall are the voices of the historical characters. Henry is less than Kingly, and poor Chapuys became pantomime comical and had me chuckling in parts. Didn’t remove from the book too much, but would’ve been better without.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- S.Attenborough
- 16-09-2024
Thoroughly Researched
This would have been a great book to listen to. Unfortunately the narration was annoying. You don’t have to have someone pretend they are pompous for the listener to get the picture. The use of primary resources was excellent and that fact alone is what makes this book very good indeed.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Robyn
- 06-03-2023
Great book ruined by second narrator
Having watched the TV production of Wolf Hall three times but knowing it was based on a novel, I was keen to read a biography by a reputable historian. Tracy Borman's 'Thomas Cromwell' fills the bill admirably. Her meticulous research and fine writing combine to recreate the life of a truly gifted man while evoking the atmosphere of Henry VIII's court and the intrigues which made survival, let alone advancement, a course for none but the most astute and tenacious. I found the book gripping from start to finish with no flat sections, and Cromwell's documented life is much more interesting than Mantell's fictionalised character.
While the book is a flag-waving 5-stars, and Gareth Armstrong does his usual 5-star job, the audiobook is ruined by the contributions of the second narrator, Mendez, whose commission was to read the (male) quotations. Flabbergasted, I listened to samples of Mendez narrating other books and found that he has a very pleasant voice and accent. So how this truly awful performance passed muster with the producer is a mystery and a great shame. Ordinarily I would have marked this great book for re-listening several times, but it was all I could do to finish it as I was constantly on edge anticipating the next grating contribution by the unfortunate Mr Mendez.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Peter
- 10-07-2020
Oh dear those voices ...
Factually, a surprisingly well documented account of Cromwell's career, pretty much reinstating him as a pragmatic, self-seeking greedy lawyer without a single scruple in his body. It's impossible to see Mantel's version of Cromwell in Borman's portrait: even at best Cromwell was undoubtedly responsible for the judicial murder of many unfortunates, and richly deserved his ultimate fate. The reader is excellent even though the narrative is a bit pedestrian. The (many) quotations are read in the worst pseudo-Italian/French/Spanish accent I've ever heard on an audiobook!
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Ruth Maria Fortune
- 13-01-2023
Why the imagined accents?
Why why why does the narrator have to pretend to be 147 different persons and read with imagined voices and accents. This is utterly annoying.
Otherwise a great book and plenty of interesting facts.
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