Jane Boleyn: The True Story of the Infamous Lady Rochford (ISBN 0739358790)

Almost a book about Jane...:
For three-quarters of this book, the title of this otherwise well-researched work about the court of Henry VIII is almost laughable--at least in terms of Jane's appearances. In fact, I laughed many times, when, in the middle of well-written pages about the historical on-goings at court, in a complete non-sequitur to the action being described, a sentence like the following will suddenly get tacked on, appearing with no relationship to anything in the previous paragraphs or pages: "Jane is likely to have been there." (My paraphrase). The preceding paragraphs will have been flowing along, having absolutely nothing to do with Jane, and this constant speculative interpolation was an awkward jolt from left field, jerking me out of the narrative every time--right until the latter part of the book where the author enters the historically verifiable field of Jane's life, notably, the events leading to and following Anne Boleyn's death, and her role in the fall of Catherine Howard. At that point, it really does become a book about Jane Rochford. The author does an earnest and credible job of casting a different light upon this player in history. Worth a read for anyone interested in the Tudor period, and brings many details to light in a way that is refreshing in these days of the historical novel that takes ample liberties with actual events of record. (Not that I mind those books, but it's good to be brought back to some semblance of real events after enjoying the "artistically licensed" world of TV Tudors, Natalie Portman and such.

Wrong Jane:
Has anybody noticed that the cover of the book is actually a famous painting of Jane Seymour, third queen to Henry VIII? This is an okay read, but the cover really bothers me because it is so blatant.

Painfully bad writing:
Not only is this book poorly researched as history, but the sentences within it are poorly contructed too; some are so laughably bad as to merit entry in the Bullwer-Lytton competition. I agree with those other reviewers who tired of reading about where Jane might have been and what she could have known. What a lot of hooey!

A Fascinating Look Into The Life of A Woman at COurt During the Tudoe Dynasty.:
I have to admit to a lifelong fascination - perhaps obsession is a better way to describe it - with Tudor England. I 'feel' these lives - so connected. This book is a riveting (to my mind) look at how one survivor - who happened to be female - lived and died in the Tudor court. I cannot recommend this book any more highly than I have for anyone interested n Bristish history, Tudor history, woman's history - or just history. I loved this book !

Nothing New:
Just a retelling of Tudor history from the last days of Catherine of Aragon to the death of Catherine Howard. Fox tries to include Jane Boleyn, but it's all educated guessing.