‘Ground-breaking … One of the greatest international bestsellers of the post-war period’ Andrew Roberts, Daily Telegraph
‘Reads like an engrossing novel’ Sunday Times
An infant queen. A teenage widow. Beautiful, flamboyant Mary Queen of Scots had a formidable intellect but her political sense – formed at the absolute court of France – plunged her country into a maelstrom of intrigue, marriage and murder. Upon fleeing to England she was held captive by her cousin Elizabeth I. In this classic biography, reissued for the fiftieth anniversary of its publication, acclaimed historian Antonia Fraser relates the enthralling story of Mary’s life and untimely end.
‘Reads like an engrossing novel’ Sunday Times
An infant queen. A teenage widow. Beautiful, flamboyant Mary Queen of Scots had a formidable intellect but her political sense – formed at the absolute court of France – plunged her country into a maelstrom of intrigue, marriage and murder. Upon fleeing to England she was held captive by her cousin Elizabeth I. In this classic biography, reissued for the fiftieth anniversary of its publication, acclaimed historian Antonia Fraser relates the enthralling story of Mary’s life and untimely end.
Newsletter Signup
By clicking ‘Sign Up,’ I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Hachette Book Group’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Reviews
[A] ground-breaking biography ... One of the greatest international bestsellers of the post-war period, Mary Queen of Scots ... launched Fraser's now award-studded career, and single-handedly created a new publishing genre ... The true golden age of British biography really began with the publication of Mary Queen of Scots and it won't end so long as Fraser keeps tapping away on her ancient Smith Corona
This is a fine biography, sympathetic without sentimentality, and with a keen awareness of the texture of its subject's world
Lady Fraser brings intuitive insight and humble self projection to this period without losing historical balance. She gives us imaginative vitality and the historical edifice at once
Before biography was fashionable, Antonia Fraser made the past popular
Fraser is at her best here, lucid, authoritative and compassionate
Lady Antonia Fraser tells Mary's story movingly and yet with scholarship, insight and balance. It is the sort of biography of Mary which has long been needed
The irreplaceable classic biography
