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A review by alexctelander
Richard I by John Gillingham
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.