<P><B>An evocative, long overdue biography of Tudor England's most fascinating statesman, who lives on in the popular imagination through texts such as <I>The Tudors</I> and <I>Wolf Hall</I></B></B></P> <p>This is arguably the first ever comprehensive book to explore the many contrasting layers of Thomas Wolsey's life and career. Making no assumptions, it looks at the real person in the cold light of his actions, and uncovers a man of contradictions and extremes whose meteoric rise was marked by an equally inexorable descent into desperation, as he attempted in vain to satisfy the tempestuous master whose ambition ultimately broke him. Far from being one more familiar portrait of an overweight and overweening spider or another cautionary tale of pride preceding a fall, this is the gripping story of how consummate talent, noble intentions, and an eagle eye for the main chance can contrive with the vagaries of power politics to raise an individual to unheard of heights before finally consuming him.