Blondel's Song: The Capture, Imprisonment and Ransom of Richard the Lionheart |
 |
 click here for more details, find new or used items |
David Boyle
|
|
Pages: 400 (Paperback)
ISBN: 0141015977
Pub: Penguin Books Ltd
Pub date: 2006-05-04
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 344489
Reader Reviews:
A quietly Merrie Engalond... (4/4 people found this helpful)
David Boyle writes capably and accessably about the life and exploits of Richard 'lion-heart'. Having chosen this book to read for travelling to Austria it did the job admirably not just of filling in the hours but informing and colouring the trip, especially the description of the flight across Styria in the middle of winter. I also found his principle argument about the political and surrepticious roles played by troubadors and other wandering entertainers fascinating and wish there was more to read on the subject. However, because David Boyle doesn't aim for a specific readership some of the material seems merely narrative, bordering on decorative, and on the whole there are few momments of shattering new insight. Also- and he is certainly not alone in this- he at times slips up and it is possible to see how he has a strong liking for his subject which rigorous historians might frown at. All of this perhaps serves to make the work more approachable and comprehensive. My own personal criticism is that he buys too readily into the myth of the 'age of chivalry'and at times overstates Richard's role. Readable, but perhaps a little cosy.
Similar Products
Lionheart and Lackland: King Richard, King John and the Wars of Conquest
The Leopard: Revised and with New Material (Vintage Classics)
Bloodfeud: Murder and Revenge in Anglo-Saxon England
Queen Emma and the Vikings: The Woman Who Shaped the Events of 1066
Innocent Traitor
Categories
Amazon.co.uk places this book into the following categories:
Books -> Subjects -> History -> Britain & Ireland -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> History -> General
Books -> Subjects -> History -> General AAS
Books -> Subjects -> History -> Archaeology -> General AAS
Books -> Refinements -> Language (feature_browse-bin) -> English
Books -> Refinements -> Age (feature_two_browse-bin)
Books -> Refinements -> Format (binding_browse-bin) -> Paperback
Books -> Refinements -> Condition (condition-type)