This is a wonderful glimpse into Henry VIII's life, the court and Renaissance England. Surely, it is a novel but done with such attention to detail and great research, that it seems as believable as a scholarly historical work. So many biased and negative things have been written about this great Monarch; this give the other, more human point of view story on this great man.

What a wonderful book! At the beginning, Henry has died, and Will has found the diary he supposedly kept since his youth. He sends it to the daughter of Anne Boleyn's sister Mary, who he believes is in truth Henry's daughter. Will, whose father died when he was very young, does this because he believes that a child should know his or her father.

George has really done her research, but instead of ploddign through history, she gives Henry a realistic voice that is at time maddening, at other times sympathetic; in other words, she turns this huge historical figure into a man, like others, with both strengths and weaknesses. The interjections by Will, who, despite his cynical tone, obviously loved Henry, give us further insights into his character. Along the way, she gives us a delightful picture of life, love, and politics at the Tudor court.

I listened to the audiobook; the reader, David Case, was wonderful. It's a long one--over 41 hours--but never dull. I also have the book in print and know that I will be going back to it in the future. ( )

If only Margaret George could put out novels as quickly as Phillipa Gregory! I didn't so much read this book as absorb it slowly into my system like a strong narcotic. It's very lush and vibrant and you can almost pity the five-time loser in marriage(I can't say six because Cathering Parr left that marriage unscathed), the indomitable and boistorous Henry VIII.

I loved it! ( )

Margaret George's works are always intricate and well-developed. While long, she never makes it hard. The Autobiography of Henry VIII is a different look at the history and life of the man probably best known for his numerous wives. An intriguing fiction that also deals with the truth of the era. ( )

I liked how this book told the story of King Henry the 8th from the beginning but I thought it was hard to keep track of the characters if you didn't already know what is or was going to happen. I know the story and thought it was a good version overall. It was also kind of cool reading about his childood. ( )