An "evocative, visceral [and] haunting" look at one of history's bloodiest and most tumultuous reigns ( Daily Telegraph, UK).

"Compelling . . . Seven hundred years of history pass lightly but with absolute assurance under Mr. Massie's hand." — The Wall Street Journal

This panoramic history of one of the world's most fascinating royal families tells the complete story of the Stuarts, from the first king to the last. Charting the Stuarts' rise to the thrones of Scotland and England and eventual descent to exile and ruin, author Allan Massie brings the family's most recognizable figures, including Mary, Queen of Scots, Charles I, and Bonnie Prince Charlie, to life in a remarkable way while uncovering a family of strong affections and fierce rivalries. Massie draws on the accounts of historians past and present, as well as novels and plays, to tell this gripping true story of backstabbing, betrayal, and ambition gone awry.

"Not just for history lovers but anyone hooked on Showtime's The Tudors or . . . The Borgias . . . An enjoyable, often witty read, which will make for a nice introduction to the Stuarts and a fun refresher for aficionados." — Library Journal

"A well-fashioned history of the remarkable Scottish monarchs . . . A palatable history lesson that might help untangle the royal lineage web for American readers." — Kirkus Reviews

"Smart . . . A delightfully opinionated but nuanced and action-packed history." — Publishers Weekly