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The First Elizabeth

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The First Elizabeth

By: Carolly Erickson
Narrated by: Nelson Runger
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About this listen

Elizabeth was not just Queen, she was ruler. In an age of male supremacy she, by sheer force of character, became not only the unchallenged leader of the English but also the first leader of an empire upon which the sun never set. Erickson’s biography tells the truth about this extraordinary woman and profiles some amazing people - their personalities and culture.

©1983 Carolly Erickson (P)1986 Recorded Books, LLC Europe Fiction Great Britain Historical Historical Fiction Politics & Activism Royalty Women England Tudor

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Great story told reasonably well - only marred by the narrator’s inability to correctly pronounce some name - like Huguenot (silent ‘T’!)

Our greatest Queen

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There are 2 versions of this available. For me, I prefer the English narrator. I prefer the voice of the American narrator, yet it sounds so like the narrator of the Godfather, I kept expecting a Corleone to appear in Tudor England, or for Elizabeth to wake up with a horses head in her bed. Others have commented on the odd expressions which felt anachronistic, such as 'In the fall' . I'm almost certain this expression can't be in the book yet would be pleased to hear otherwise. Others have also mentioned the mispronunciations which jarred a little to an English auditor. I winced at another - Norfolk has a slient L. PS - well, I'll eat my hat. The original does include reference to 'fall' instead of Autumn - perhaps because Erickson too is American?

Buy the version with the English Narrator

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This was a very easy listen. Engaging and yet factual. The reader is clear and well modulated. Relly a very good biography.

Well written, organized and engaging.

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Detailed descriptions of Elizabethan life at court. Nicely read by an American narrator. I knew very little of this period of history and felt as if I knew all the characters by the end of the book. There are a few Americanisms there such as “in the fall” and a couple of odd pronunciations but to be fair I liked the accent. An interesting if somewhat bloody account. I would recommend this book as a great introduction to this subject.

Comprehensive account

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A well researched and engaging book with lots of period detail. Narrator is easy to listen too and a good story teller.

Interesting book, great narration

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not much to dislike, perhaps a bit long but manageable the end the end

very interesting and engaging recount of the virgin Queen

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A factual entertaining listen read so well. Was so informative and had me gripped from first page.

Life of Queen Elizabeth 1

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Nelson Rungers narration is 1st class,his voice is made for audio.Elizabeth the 1st is in my opinion are Greatest Monarch.I wonder what she would make of the world today.

My Favourite Queen

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Excellent and well read, with lots of content, with history fact I hadn't heard before. Would highly recommend.

Excellent,and well read

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Great story absolutely destroyed by the narrator. Why would anyone choose an American reader for an English historical book that also doesn’t know how to pronounce so many of the words? I gave up after Hartlepool was read as ‘Hartell-pool’. It was the last straw after so many place names and adjectives were butchered. Also - and I’ve never heard this before in an audio book - post production hadn’t removed the little noises like the narrator swallowing. Both elements annoying in the extreme.

Ruined by the narrator

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