Crown of Thistles: The Fatal Inheritance of Mary Queen of Scots - Softcover

Magnificent ... proves that there was nothing predestined, or particularly preplanned, about the coming together of Scotland and England -- Giles Tremlett * Observer * Mary's life was rich in incident and Linda Porter recounts it with judiciousness and verve. -- Michael Prodger * New Statesman * To be applauded as a highly courageous, pioneering attempt to brush the cobwebs off the existing national histories ... deserves a wide readership. -- John Guy * Literary Review * Elegantly written, decently researched and, crucially will alert a new readership to a neglected subject ... Charming and informative. * The Herald * In focusing on the family rivalries that led to Mary's reign and fall, Porter has found a fresh approach to a familiar subject. She brings alive a thrilling story of cultured courts and violent deaths, of ambitious kings and tragic queens. -- Leanda De Lisle * Mail on Sunday * The authentic story of how Mary, Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I came to be, rather than simply who they were ... bold, insightful and vivid. -- Melanie Reid * The Times Saturday Review * Stunning - an epic journey through the turbulent history of two nations, engagingly written and showing a masterly balance of politics and vivid personal detail. -- Alison Weir