In her book, Thomas Cromwell: The Untold Story of Henry VIII’s Most Faithful Servant, Tracy Borman gives an extensive and detailed look at one of the most influential figures in English history. Beginning with his humble upbringing as the son of a blacksmith and tracing his rise to the King’s loyal advisor, Borman explains the determined, hardworking, and brilliant climb to power by Cromwell. Predictably, this led to the resentment those in the upper classes already established at court. Cromwell’s ability to manipulate and maneuver people and circumstances for the Henry’s benefit are particularly evident with the King’s divorce to Catherine of Aragon, his marriage to Ann Boleyn, and her subsequent beheading. He further demonstrates his clout by taking power away from the Catholic Church and giving it to the crown. But in the ultimate betrayal, the very machinations he employed against others, would lead to his own demise. And the King who depended on Cromwell to carry out his desires, proved to be fatally fickle.

Thomas Cromwell is a well-written and well-researched biography. It is a balanced narrative which neither vilifies nor deifies its multifaceted subject. It uses letters and other official documents to piece together the time and place of a fascinating figure who endeavored to wield power on behalf of his king and his kingdom. The political intrigue throughout the account makes the book both interesting and informative. There are portions of the tome where Old English is used liberally, but the reader will be challenged and rewarded if patient. Fans of Tudor History and “Wolf Hall” would greatly benefit from this volume. I highly recommend Thomas Cromwell as it is a riveting portrait of a powerful man.


I was given a free copy by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.