The Betrayal of Mary, Queen of Scots

Elizabeth I and Her Greatest Rival

By: Kate Williams

Narrated by: Anne Flosnik

Length: 14 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

From New York Times best-selling author of Becoming Queen Victoria, a new history of Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I that reveals how the most important relationship of their life - their friendship - changed them forever.

Elizabeth and Mary were cousins and queens, but eventually it became impossible for them to live together in the same world. This is the story of two women struggling for supremacy in a man's world, when no one thought a woman could govern. They both had to negotiate with men - those who wanted their power and those who wanted their bodies - who were determined to best them.

In their worlds, female friendship and alliances were unheard of, but for many years theirs was the only friendship that endured. They were as fascinated by each other as lovers; until they became enemies. Enemies so angry and broken that one of them had to die, and so Elizabeth ordered the execution of Mary.

But first, they were each other's lone female friends in a violent man's world. Their relationship was one of love, affection, jealousy, antipathy - and finally death.

©2018 Kate Williams (P)2018 Tantor

You can’t make this stuff up!

Amazing historical story told in such vivid detail. The reader was excellent. She made the listener feel like you were right there watching historical events unfold.

The Betrayal of Mary Queen of Scots

Let me start of saying I love history! This book gets into the nitty gritty of what they DON'T teach you in school. A bit long, but loaded with history!

Enjoyable and informative

This is a good biography of Mary with an overview of how her life intersected with Elizabeth’s. I enjoyed the narration.

Doe Eyed Mary Stuart

I enjoyed this book very much, but I think it adds to the narrative of Mary being so innocent. Anything that she did wrongly was portrayed as a silly mistake, or that she had no choice. She is a bit one dimensional rather than being fleshed out as a human with flaws other than bad judgement. Even her plotting to have Elizabeth I assassinated was no doubt done out of desperation because of how much she, Mary, had suffered, it was still an act of treason warranting execution.

I think Mary's life is fascinating and it is truly sad how much she was used and suffered for it. I would just like for her to be held accountable for some her actions.

I have listened to many books about the Tudor dynasty. When I first heard the narrator it was slightly jarring in comparison to the softer narration of the women performing these other works. after some time the narrator grew on me.

The other Tudor dynasty books can be so full of periphery people, dates, amounts of money, and repetition of facts that it can become tedious. Although I love the books written by Alison Weir I do tend to slip in and out from time to time. However, The Betrayal of Mary was very clear and not laden with the recitation of minute details that are not as crucial. Dates, money, and people are relevant and not over done.

Overall I would recommend this title to others. It is a good introductory read for someone new to the history of Tudor times, while also being an entertaining read for those that have been learning for some time.

A fascinating insight into these two Queens...

I highly recommend this audio book. The narrative is compelling, engaging and above all, accurate. It is fascinating to get insight into both Mary and Elizabeth not only as Queens but as women. I love the insight I gained, being able to evaluate how where one was strong, the other weak. I've often felt Mary was a victim of circumstances and thus have an amount of pity for her, although much of her misery she brought upon herself through poor marriage decisions and being too trusting of those Scottish Lords surrounding her. Elizabeth commanded respect, and as such, her advisors/counslers wouldn't dare dream of treating her in the same manner Mary was treated. However, at the end of the day, I do believe while Mary was no dummy, she lacked the overall great intellectual ability that Elizabeth had.

It is fascinating to see where these two monarchs were also jealous of each other. while under the pretense of being sisterly towards each other. It was rare having one Queen, let alone two being on the same island. it is quite obvious that Elizabeth was rightfully jealous of Mary's great Beauty, while Mary was jealous of the respect Elizabeth demanded and received by not only her people, but her counselors.

Frankly, if Mary did not make the initial mistake of marrying Darnley, her life would have been drastically different, and we never would have seen her even more disastrous marriage to Bothwell.

All of the above insight I obtained through this book, and as such, again I highly recommend it. I'm kinda sad it's over.

Purchase and enjoy!

Extremely well written, told in storybook manner

Easy to get swept up in the author's style of writing I enjoyed the book very much

Very well written, great read.

This felt very sluggish in the beginning but picked up around the middle and I felt it really grabbed ahold of me and didn't let up until the brutal end. Great storytelling.

Excellent storytelling!

Just what I was looking for! How could one queen behead another? Mary made poor choices and Elizabeth was not confident… excellent book

Beautifully and tragically told

Kate Williams did an amazing job on giving a detailed account of what took place between Mary and Elizabeth. Beautifully told!

Excellent book, very bad delivery

This is such a fascinating book from a great author. It is ruined somewhat by the reader’s performances. She ‘does voices’ when there is a direct quote. This is not a children’s book that requires one to change the voice for the characters. I stopped listening after about 8 chapters and bought the book to read it instead.