This is a lovely and charming book about the history of Hampton Court Palace.I was very much impressed with just how much history it did indeed contain.While I think this was a very good thing I was hoping for more of a room by room history or an historical objects tour contained within the famous and infamous palace walls.There are some mentions of these but they were rather footnotes to the story as a whole.Over all I enjoyed it and I hope to see something else on this topic from the author in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria books for an ARC copy of this!

This is my second book by Gareth Russell and my favorite of the two. He covers a long span of time in English history all centered around the people and events that occurred at Hampton Court. Russell starts off the book with an expectation that this is not about the architecture or building history, and he sticks to that.
I really enjoyed the breadth of content he covers in this book- from royal engagements, babies, and scandals, to the non-royals who lived and worked there. I was most touched by the chapter on the tomb of the unknown soldier at Westminster Abbey and how it has ties back to Hampton Court. Russell has clearly done his research, and tells the story in a way that is easy to read and flows well off the page. I only wish I had read this book before I visited Hampton Court last summer.

A wonderful journey through the history of Hampton Court Palace! Gareth Russell provides the reader with history as well as anecdotes that provide extra color to the palace. This is definitely a book for history buffs.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC, which I voluntarily read and reviewed.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This is an excellent and entertaining book, looking at a famous building in England that I have visited but drawing it in a new and more nuanced light as you are taken through the eras of history and the generations of occupants and what happened in the building. Very neat!

First line: As it has done for centuries, Hampton Court Palace draws thousands of visitors every year – as far back as the reign of Elizabeth I, staff were supplementing their incomes by offering tours to visitors, and the fascination shows no signs of dwindling.

Summary: Gareth Russell’s new book looks at the important events and people who resided at Hampton Court Palace from the age of the Tudors until the present day royal family. This royal palace has seen many of the most thrilling times and stood the test of revolutions, regime changes and remodeling. It is one of the most famous and long standing palaces in England, which the author shows us through this new book.

My Thoughts: I have visited Hampton Court three times in my life and hope to go many more times. There is something magical about this place and its history. As you approach there is the wonderful Tudor brick entrance, the courtyards, the great hall and the original kitchen complex. But as you move through the styles change to the remodeled section designed by Christopher Wren. It truly is a wonder to see and imagine the lives that have lived here.

I enjoyed how the author broke down the book into chapters covering the palace during each of the reigns since the days of Henry VIII to the present day. Rather than cover architectural history the author dives into the events and people who lived and worked at the palace. The early years are the ones I am more familiar with but I found the information of the Stuart and Georgian times to be fascinating. Plus the idea that people were given Grace and Favor apartments is such an interesting idea. I would have loved to live in such a historical building.

I highly recommend this for lovers of English history and if you have been or are planning to visit Hampton Court.

Some years ago, I visited Hampton Court Palace on a trip to London and ever since, I have been curious to know more about the history of the palace and some of its occupants. This book fulfilled my quest. I had previously turned to some historical fiction from respected authors like Alison Weir, Hilary Mantel, and Conn Iggulden but as much as I enjoyed their novels, I actually wanted more history, just not enough to pour through huge history tomes. Gareth Russell presents this concise (under 500 pages) history debunking some myths or rumors and highlighting some lesser know details. This is not a history of the architecture of the palace, though he mentions some additions built by various monarchs, changes to kitchen, or gardens, in passing; this is a history of the infamous and not-so-famous people who have peopled Hampton Court. The history also shows how the palace was used by its various owners or lessees. The occupants from Thomas Wolsey to several of the wives of Henry VIII to William of Orange and Thomas Cromwell all mentioned briefly in most guidebooks to the palace are given the attention they deserve. This is a well-researched and very readable history for anyone who wants to learn more about this very historic building's place in British history or anyone who wants a deeper, non-fiction look at what they have touched on in their fictional reads.
I received advanced digital access to this book thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Atria Books) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

I heard Gareth Russell interviewed on a podcast recently and was delighted to be able to read and provide an honest review of The Palace. Russell's affection for Hampton Court is evident in every chapter where he delights the reader with a comprehensive history of the people who inhabited and events that took place in this remarkable landmark. The building and its environs are the main character and written with such detail and care that I could close my eyes and imagine myself there. A absolute must read for anyone interested in British history!

This book was fantastic! I swooned when I learned there was a book being released about Hampton! It’s one of my favorite destinations whenever I read about the Tudors. Such a magnificent palace to fantasize about. Every time I’ve read about it new and thrilling pictures float around my imagination and it’s never the same.! Now I have a much stronger visual in mind. Thank you to the publisher, the author, and NG for the free copy of this book in exchange for a review.
If I ever get to visit England again Hampton will definitely be on my “must visit” list. It sounds just beautiful. I must admit every time I read about it falling to ruins my heart picked up the pace. I admit I’m a bit chagrined that it’s now divided into apartments. I totally understand why as I’m sure it is much needed, but still. I think I’ll just get my Time Machine tuned up and see what’s up with the cardinal.

This book is an excellent and entertaining exploration of the role of Hampton Court Palace played during all the drama of the Tudor dynasty, with some attention paid to William III and its modern afterlives as an ancillary palace. It's a must read for Tudor fans as well as people who've recently visited or are planning to visit Hampton Court.

One can always expect a rollicking good history from Gareth Russell, and he is once again in fine form with this latest outing. The Palace is at turns exciting and gut-wrenching, dramatic and poignant. With HRP's emphasis on the Tudors and William III, visitors tend to see this glorious palace with a myopic view, but far beneath the trappings of these two eras, a clamor of voices rise to make themselves heard. Told through the vignettes of Hampton Court's less infamous inhabitants, Russell deftly escorts the reader through hidden passageways and behind curtains to reveal the secrets contained within these hallowed walls. Meticulously researched and full of juicy details, The Palace will satisfy every audience, from the casual armchair enthusiast to the history buff. Highly recommended!

The Palace: From the Tudors to the Windsors, 500 Years of British History at Hampton Court by Gareth Russell is an excellent nonfiction that gives us a wonderful spotlight on Hampton Court Palace.

This is such a fantastic book that gives the reader all they have ever dreamed (and more) of wanting to know about Hampton Court Palace.

Not only does the reader learn about the architectural history, but also all that this stunning building must have seen and experienced with the vast array of figures and events that occurred amongst its grounds.

I really felt that I was there with this book and even though it was nonfiction, it was so easy to read…and enjoy…such a gem and I highly recommend.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Atria Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 12/5/23.

Oh my gosh!! Gareth Russel is an amazing author!!
The Palace has so much information, some I never even heard of before,including a new small detail about Mary Boleyns life!! (I really wish we knew more about her!)
This is a must read!!

This is one of the best books I have read that is written about a single location. This book is nonfiction storybook that brings Hampton Court Palace to life. It walks us through the key moments in history and the people to have lived in Hampton Court and makes it real. If you haven't ever visited Hampton Court Palace, you will want to read this book and when you do get to visit, you will be awe struck. If you have visited this book will bring your visit to life and you will see what occured where you walked.

What a fantastic and fascinating read. Author Gareth Russell is a skilled storyteller with the ability to suck you into his books, making you feel as if you are there. It amazed me that he was able to make Hampton Court itself seem like an actual historical figure. It is truly amazing to think about each and every monarch who has spent some time there, has left his mark there in history and stories, whether it be stunning gardens, a lovely gate or perhaps a new and stunning bath. The stories Mr. Russell added to this book were titillating and intriguing, certainly not the average, bland things you tend to hear about the individual royals who lived at Hampton Court. I have already been recommending this book to my friends with shared interests. Yet another truly wonderful read by Gareth Russell.

Terrific book on Hampton Court Palace, which is an easy train ride west of London. The book explains the various construction changes at various times in history but more importantly, describes the people who resided there. I was at Hampton Court only three years ago so it is wonderful to se the areas I visited come to life in his descriptions. Easy to read, not bogged down in historic or political minutia.
Get yourself some good photos of the places described, or check them out on the web. Very fascinating book.

This book covers highlights of 500 years of history at Hampton Court Palace. It is divided into sections of the ruling families, Tudors, Stuart’s,,Hanover, Windsor to the present day.. Lots of interesting things happened here, both good and bad. Some I had heard about and some not. It’s non-fiction and well-researched. An interesting way to learn about how the palace was used over 5 centuries. I have visited Hampton Court twice and loved learning even more about it.

*Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

This was a delightful and fascinating read. Russell manages to make Hampton Court itself seem like a historical figure, with so much to uncover and learn about. It is truly incredible to think about every monarch who has spent time there has left a mark there in history, whether it be a new bath, wonderful gardens or a gate. The stories throughout this book were engaging and fascinating, not the average things you hear about the royals who lived there.

I will be recommending this book to anyone interested in the royal palaces, monarchs of England, or history in general. It was a wonderful read!

The Palace, advertised as 500 years of British history at Hampton Court, is a treasure trove of stories not often found in the individual histories of individual monarchs. Author Gareth Russell writes about the people whose actions had influence not only on the monarchy but on this particular property. Anne Boleyn lived there; James I commissioned the Bible translation that bears his name there; A Romanov survivor of the Bolshevik revolution stayed there; rooms were added and others destroyed. As a lifelong student of British history I found the many tidbits of everyday living during a given period fascinating. This is a scholarly piece but immensely readable. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Highly recommend.

Hampton Court is one of numerous palaces and castles with a history as rich and vibrant as the tapestries hanging inside once were. It would be great to have a series of these books on all the major palaces, but I'm sure most have been documented in one form or another throughout history.