Yes, an autobiography of this famous English King; obviously a work of fiction but one solidly based on historical fact. The work goes from his time as a left behind second child, to his sudden elevation as heir apparent to his kingship with all of his hopes and dreams to reality as he moves through his life. What is interesting about this book is that it is told from his side; painted by history as a cruel tyrant, a wife murderer and destroyer of the Catholic church in England, the book describes (from his perspective) his actions, motives, joys, fears and failures.
Too late, Henry found what any good manager or leader finds out; you are alone at the top. Those who surround you may fawn on you, may tell you many wonderful things, but you never know their true motivations, their true feelings about you and your decisions. Henry did not find out until so late this basic rule of life and as a consequence he lived in world that he often could not understand. Being an absolute ruler, his lack of understanding is even more understandable.
The book describes the various factions at court; the powerful English families who vied for Henry’s favor even while scheming to place themselves in his position. The politics as they fought for his favor by offering service, wives and more make for a view of like that we can still see today in our world. Mankind has not progressed all that far.
The author has a fine grasp of history and male human nature. She has written other (autobiographies) of Queen Mary, Elizabeth I, Cleopatra, Helen of Troy and other notable women. If you have interest in Henry but find traditional history dry, try this book; it shall entertain and educate you and perhaps, cause you to look further into the life and character of a key player in Western European history.
