Praise for The Stolen Crown : A Sunday Times Top 10 Bestseller One of Smithsonian''s 10 Best History Books of 2025 A Town & Country Best Book of November An Amazon Best History Book of November "The real truth about the Tudor succession comes to light Literally. The transition to the Stuart dynasty after Elizabeth I''s death was neither smooth nor peaceful." -- Washington Post "A fascinating look at Tudor history." -- Town & Country, "Best Books of November" "This is an old and timeworn tale, but under Borman''s industrious scholarship, it takes on fresh urgency . She tells it in the vivid and expressive detail it deserves, and she writes brilliantly, one of the very best of the bevy of Tudor historians who have emerged in recent years . The Stolen Crown is an engrossing and gracefully presented account worth dipping into for its insights into royal goings-on at the turn of the 17th century. For the serious reader, it''s equally worth lingering over, cover to cover." --Bob Duffy, Washington Independent Review of Books "A compelling and accessible dive into the final days of the Tudor dynasty and the fraught transition to the Stuart reign.
With clarity and finesse, Borman unpacks centuries of dynastic rivalry, political intrigue and royal ambition, offering readers a vivid portrait of Elizabeth I''s reign and the shadowy succession that followed . Borman''s prose is elegant and engaging . Her depiction of court life, political maneuvering and the personalities involved is rich and nuanced. The contrast between Elizabeth''s vibrant, hands-on leadership and James''s aloof, council-driven governance is particularly striking . Ultimately, The Stolen Crown is a masterfully written and thoroughly researched account of a pivotal moment in British history."-- Julie Kentner, Winnipeg Free Press "A timely and comprehensive analysis of the succession situation to show how James''s inheritance was far more uncertain than hindsight made it seem . the story is as engaging as its analysis is insightful. Tracy Borman''s prose is elegant and commanding .
This latest offering in an impressive catalogue of wonderful non-fiction (and fiction) books is an absolute delight."-- Janet Wertman, Open Letters Review "A meticulously researched must-read for Tudor enthusiasts."-- Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine , "The Ten Best History Books of 2025" "A riveting account exploring how the usurpation of the English crown occurred and was obscured by centuries of historical revisionism . James'' machinations are just one of many royal plots revealed in this brilliant real-life drama . This well-researched work is enlightening and will turn more than a few heads when considering the impact of royal succession and the future of empires."-- Philip Zozzaro, Bookreporter "This book does this deep dive into why that succession crisis was such a big freaking deal and what a big deal it was that she, in particular, was this monarch that made that choice. It''s so nerdy, but it''s so good, and Tracy Borman just writes really accessibly, and it reads like a soap opera at times. And that''s my favorite kind of history.
"-- Vanessa Diaz, Book Riot - The Podcast "Tracy Borman is another one of my favorite historians . It is so juicy it reads like a soap opera, and that''s why I constantly talk about history and wanting more people to spend more time with books like these . This is really written quite accessibly, really gets into the meat and potatoes . It''s so political . It was such a fun read."-- Vanessa Diaz, Book Riot - All the Books! "Borman''s research makes a strong case that Elizabeth I never named James."-- Nancy Bilyeau, History, Horror & Headlines "Fantastic . Underneath all of the sterling research and excellent storytelling is an author who will slyly let a few digs fly .
I found it refreshing to read a title so utterly dedicated to one historical thread . A masterpiece."-- History Nerds United Podcast "Incredible . truly one of my favorite books that I''ve read this year so far . that contains, I would say, a bombshell discovery . phenomenal . just so readable."-- Dana Schwartz, Noble Blood Podcast "Continuing her excellent analysis of the life of Queen Elizabeth I, eminent historian Borman .
details how those revisions [to William Camden''s account] may hold the key to understanding how precarious the transition from Tudor to Stuart actually was, with tantalizing implications. Highly recommended, Borman''s fascinating report illustrates yet again the veracity of the adage that history is merely a fable agreed upon."-- Booklist , starred review "In tracing the history of the rival claimants, secret letters, and palace intrigues that marked the tumultuous end of the Tudor dynasty and start of the Stuart, Borman - thanks to newly uncovered material - lays bare the 400-year lie (zounds!) of Elizabeth I''s supposed deathbed naming of James I as her successor ("I''ll have none but him" she was purported to have declared)."-- Globe and Mail "Reveals sensational new evidence which throws doubt on everything historians thought they knew about the dying days of the Tudors . With this bit of dynamite in her toolbox, Borman now casts an eye back over the last decades of Elizabeth''s reign. And what she discovers is far more contorted, contested and downright bloody than previously understood . her interpretation of the latest forensic scholarship on the Elizabethan end days makes this a model work of popular history."-- Daily Mail (UK) "Pacy .
makes the case that Elizabeth I played ''a masterstroke of statecraft'' by not naming her successor . Borman tells the story with panache and urgency."-- Times (UK) "Meticulous . Drawing on a fresh interpretation of royal correspondence, Borman . lays out her case via an exploration of several technocratic, religious, and interpersonal intrigues . An enthralling and detailed window into royal family drama."-- Publishers Weekly "Borman tells the fascinating story of palace intrigue, forgery, and other shenanigans behind those facts . An entertaining and highly readable story of a falsehood that has lasted 400 years.
"-- Kirkus Reviews "You think you know about the Tudor succession? Think again, because this riveting book reveals the facts behind one of history''s best-kept and most astonishing secrets. Tracy Borman has written a powerful tale based on new research, one that will overturn our understanding of the dawn of the Stuart age for good. Compelling and brilliant--don''t miss it!"-- Alison Weir, author of The Six Wives of Henry VIII "Full of twists, turns, intrigue and deceit, The Stolen Crown has it all . this is Borman at her absolute finest--groundbreaking and utterly compelling."-- Nicola Tallis, author of Young Elizabeth: Elizabeth I and Her Perilous Path to the Crown "Astonishingly fresh and revealing. Borman . explodes one of the favourite fables we as a nation like to tell ourselves - that of an inevitable, unquestioned line of succession to the throne."-- Sarah Gristwood, author of Elizabeth and Leicester "Part political thriller, part detailed historical scholarship, this brilliant book explores the transition of power in 1603 .
A thrilling achievement."-- Kate Williams, author of Rival Queens: The Betrayal of Mary, Queen of Scots "Wonderful . no one will ever look at the accession of James I in the same way again."-- Elizabeth Norton, author of The Hidden Lives of Tudor Women "The twilight of the Tudors reads here like a political thriller . This is both a great read and great history."-- Gareth Russell, author of The Six Loves of James I "So propulsive and more-ish and full of dazzling and exciting intel."-- Sally Wainwright, award-winning producer of Gentleman Jack "Wonderful . reading like a political thriller, no one will ever look at the accession of James I in the same way again.
"-- Elizabeth Norton, author of The Lives of Tudor Women "The twilight of the Tudors reads here like a political thriller . This is both a great read and great history."-- Gareth Russell, author of Queen James Praise for Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I : Named a Top 10 History Book of the Year by Smithsonian Named a Best History Book of the Year by Waterstones "A deep and compelling dive into the lives of this extraordinary mother and daughter . Borman, who is an amazing writer, delivers a captivating and exquisitely heart-wrenching account of the mother and daughter duo who radically changed English history forever . Thought-provoking and moving . A must-read for any student of history and especially Tudor fans."-- New York Journal of Books "Masterfully corrects the historical record . It''s in the details Borman shares illustrating the mother-daughter relationship that this book truly shines.
"-- Washington Independent Review of Books "A seminal and groundbreaking work of meticulous, extraordinary, and detailed scholarship."-- Midwest Book Review " Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I offers a fresh perspective on Tudor history. Set against the many volumes about Henry VIII''s rule and Elizabeth I''s influence, Bor.