A review by a_gillie
The Greatest Knight: The Remarkable Life of William Marshal, The Power Behind Five English Thrones by Thomas Asbridge

adventurous emotional informative inspiring fast-paced

5.0

An astoundingly cinematic biography of  Medieval history’s most inspiring and impressive figure. The story of Marshal’s life is indeed cinematic in its scope, and Asbridge expertly navigates it and guides the reader through the dense politics and ferocious skirmishes of the period. The story stretches from southern England, all the way to the Holy Land, and back again, taking in the reign of six notorious kings. I was surprisingly moved by many passages, and found the rendering of Marshal’s character to be charming and heroic (some of this owing no doubt to 13th century propaganda). A totally engrossing book which anybody with the slightest interest in history should devour.