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katiescho741's review against another edition
4.0
A fantastic, in-depth look at one of the most famous medieval kings.
There are several chapters that deal with Richard's reputation through history, and in popular culture, as well as turning the tables and looking at him from the Muslim perspective during his crusade. This book is a slightly more academic look at Richard and some of the chapters are a little heavy on the detail, but most of the writing as approachable and interesting.
The author presents positive and negative views of this famous man, and his references to the contemporary sources are interesting, especially ones from the Muslim world.
A great book about this famous/infamous warrior king!
There are several chapters that deal with Richard's reputation through history, and in popular culture, as well as turning the tables and looking at him from the Muslim perspective during his crusade. This book is a slightly more academic look at Richard and some of the chapters are a little heavy on the detail, but most of the writing as approachable and interesting.
The author presents positive and negative views of this famous man, and his references to the contemporary sources are interesting, especially ones from the Muslim world.
A great book about this famous/infamous warrior king!
tiredandspice's review against another edition
(someone looooooves Richard I)
(hint: it's Gillingham, Gillingham loves Richard I)
(hint: it's Gillingham, Gillingham loves Richard I)
alexctelander's review against another edition
3.0
For quite a few decades now the scholastically renowned Yale University Press has been publishing fabulous biographies as part of their Yale English Monarchs. In 2001 the expensive hardback of Richard I came out, then in April a more affordable and easier to handle paperback was published.
The author is John Gillingham, formerly a professor of medieval history at the London School of Economics and is currently the leading authority on Richard’s reign; who better to write an extensive biography on one of Britain’s greatest monarchs. As a matter of fact, a larger than life statue currently stands outside London’s Houses of Parliament depicting the valiant and honorable King Richard on horseback with sword drawn.
The statue is much like this biography: complete, majestic, encompassing, and overpowering. Written in a hand that threatens to become over-complicated but never does, here is Richard the Lionhearted under a microscope, from his early years with his mother and father, through his older years warring with his bothers, and then through his later years on crusade against the devilish Saladin whom he never actually met. Richard is a great and just king whom all should know about.
Originally published on November 18th, 2002.
For over 500 book reviews, and over 40 exclusive author interviews (both audio and written), visit BookBanter.
The author is John Gillingham, formerly a professor of medieval history at the London School of Economics and is currently the leading authority on Richard’s reign; who better to write an extensive biography on one of Britain’s greatest monarchs. As a matter of fact, a larger than life statue currently stands outside London’s Houses of Parliament depicting the valiant and honorable King Richard on horseback with sword drawn.
The statue is much like this biography: complete, majestic, encompassing, and overpowering. Written in a hand that threatens to become over-complicated but never does, here is Richard the Lionhearted under a microscope, from his early years with his mother and father, through his older years warring with his bothers, and then through his later years on crusade against the devilish Saladin whom he never actually met. Richard is a great and just king whom all should know about.
Originally published on November 18th, 2002.
For over 500 book reviews, and over 40 exclusive author interviews (both audio and written), visit BookBanter.
sophronisba's review against another edition
4.0
I am nearly done with my long, winding tour of the monarchy under Henry II and his spawn (only one King John biography to go!) and although Henry, Eleanor, and their children were fascinating people, I am beginning to find them a bit claustrophobic. I will not miss them. The more I read about them the more infuriating I find them. Multiple wars fought because a father could not sit down with his sons in a room and peacefully parcel out large sections of England and France! After a while you begin to want to shake them bodily. How many innocent people died because of your little teenage egos? you want to ask.
So that was the frame of mind with which I opened John Gillingham's biography of Richard I. This is a perfectly serviceable biography, and I thought that Gillingham did a good job of presenting various historical controversies and explaining why he found one side or another more plausible. He also convincingly explains why Richard's subjects may have considered him a perfectly good king even though he doesn't hold up particularly well to the glare of twenty-first century examination. He could not make me like Richard, or make me less tired of his arrogance, but I suppose that is not what he set out to do.
So that was the frame of mind with which I opened John Gillingham's biography of Richard I. This is a perfectly serviceable biography, and I thought that Gillingham did a good job of presenting various historical controversies and explaining why he found one side or another more plausible. He also convincingly explains why Richard's subjects may have considered him a perfectly good king even though he doesn't hold up particularly well to the glare of twenty-first century examination. He could not make me like Richard, or make me less tired of his arrogance, but I suppose that is not what he set out to do.
alexctelander's review
3.0
For quite a few decades now the scholastically renowned Yale University Press has been publishing fabulous biographies as part of their Yale English Monarchs. In 2001 the expensive hardback of Richard I came out, then in April a more affordable and easier to handle paperback was published.
The author is John Gillingham, formerly a professor of medieval history at the London School of Economics and is currently the leading authority on Richard’s reign; who better to write an extensive biography on one of Britain’s greatest monarchs. As a matter of fact, a larger than life statue currently stands outside London’s Houses of Parliament depicting the valiant and honorable King Richard on horseback with sword drawn.
The statue is much like this biography: complete, majestic, encompassing, and overpowering. Written in a hand that threatens to become over-complicated but never does, here is Richard the Lionhearted under a microscope, from his early years with his mother and father, through his older years warring with his bothers, and then through his later years on crusade against the devilish Saladin whom he never actually met. Richard is a great and just king whom all should know about.
Originally published on November 18th, 2002.
For over 500 book reviews, and over 40 exclusive author interviews (both audio and written), visit BookBanter.
The author is John Gillingham, formerly a professor of medieval history at the London School of Economics and is currently the leading authority on Richard’s reign; who better to write an extensive biography on one of Britain’s greatest monarchs. As a matter of fact, a larger than life statue currently stands outside London’s Houses of Parliament depicting the valiant and honorable King Richard on horseback with sword drawn.
The statue is much like this biography: complete, majestic, encompassing, and overpowering. Written in a hand that threatens to become over-complicated but never does, here is Richard the Lionhearted under a microscope, from his early years with his mother and father, through his older years warring with his bothers, and then through his later years on crusade against the devilish Saladin whom he never actually met. Richard is a great and just king whom all should know about.
Originally published on November 18th, 2002.
For over 500 book reviews, and over 40 exclusive author interviews (both audio and written), visit BookBanter.
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