Elizabeth I and Her Circle by Susan Doran

A very accessible book in that it engages the reader, academic and non academic alike, on a stroll through the times of 
Queen Elizabeth I. 

This book is not simply an academic retelling of Elizabethan times but an entertaining read for anyone interested in history or historical figures who have made a lasting impact on the world.
The paranoia of plots and treason, the ambitions and back stabbing that went on around Elizabeth and the ever looming presence and usage of the Tower, before and during her reign, made for good reading and proves that historical, factual texts can compete with popular fiction in the entertainment factor.
I was captivated by the wealth of research that went into this book and how it was communicated to the reader. I didn't feel like I was reading a history book, I was living it. 
Highly recommended