Carole LevinThe Heart and Stomach of a King: Elizabeth I and the Politics of Sex and Power

This book is very intriguing. I was looking for a book that showed how women have handled social dynamics from a position of power. I've learned quite a bit from reading about Elizabeth I. There's a lot of power in understanding how people perceived her, how they tried to spread rumors about her several non-existent children (which tells us about humans in general - and uh makes me wonder, do pets spread rumors too?), how she molded her public persona, how she dealt with people regarding a situation she didn't want (marriage). She deals with a lot of people who all want her to do something, each one contradicting the other. The contradicting rumors fascinated me the most though because that is a dynamic women have to deal with, even today.This isn't a bio, so if you're looking for that, you'll have to read something else.

I needed the book for a class. It served its purpose. It's a decent read and provides good information on the topic.

This is a fascinating book and well researched and written. I felt it could have been shorter, as some of the information seemed redundant, but highly recommended if you consider yourself an Elizabethan buff!

If you are intrigued by the life and reign of Elizabeth I, you will enjoy this book, whether you agree with all the author's conclusions or not. She gives some interesting insights to the challenges Elizabeth faced as a female monarch and describes how Elizabeth both compensated for her femininity and used it to her advantage during her reign. You will also get a taste of how Elizabethan culture affected the politics of her reign. The book takes an academic approach but is very readable by a layperson. I gave it a 7 only because it slows down in places and I think the author is reaching in making some of the connections between gender and politics that she does. But overall, interesting insights to Elizabeth as leader.

"I may have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have th heart and stomach of a King" - Elizabeth IThis quote from Elizabeth I says a lot about this book. Professor Carole Levin examines how Elizabeth I was able to use her role as a woman (where traditionally, the public viewed women as incapable, weak, dependant) to her advantage and at the same time she ruled like a "King". Levin also examined how Elizabeth was so successful in her reign and at the same time, she was not the typical "woman" of her time; she was childless, and unmarried. She portrayed herself as a "Virgin Queen" - as in she was married to her country.It is important to note that this is not a biography of Elizabeth I but a book that gives a new perspective of Elizabeth I, that helps us to understand the overlapping of politics with gender and sexuality. Levin did an excellent job in using unconventional sources such as gossips, rumors, religious works, diplomatic correspondence that makes it a distinctive scholarly work. This book is also very easy to read, and even if you don't have a substantial backgroup in pre-modern European history, you will not have a problem in reading this book

I had to read this book for a college history class I took. It was good and interesting reading for something that was required. Even if you don't have to read this book for your Tudor/Stuart History class, take some time out and read it! You'll definitely be rewarded with a great sense of history and accomplishment.