The Monarchy of England: Beginnings v. 1 |
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David Starkey
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Pages: (Audio CD)
ISBN: 0007201915
Pub: HarperCollins Audio
Pub date: 2004-11-01
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 150093
Reader Reviews:
A great introduction (3/4 people found this helpful)
Pre-Tudor English history can seem daunting for many, and Dr Starkey has succeeded in producing a great introductory book for those who show a want to understand more about our glorious past - simply a must for the armchair historian.
A compelling view of Dark Age Britain (11/13 people found this helpful)
In order to tell the story of the English monarchy, David Starkey starts from the Roman invasion of Britain by Julius Caesar. This first volume ends with the early Norman kings of Britain, William the Conqueror and his sons William Rufus and Henry. Starkey succeeds brilliantly in bringing to life the men and women who shaped this period of history: politicians, plotters, butchers, and saints alike. Offa, Alfred the Great, Edward the Confessor, William the Conqueror and many others, all emerge as individuals with their own personalities, ambitions, and agendas. This is a short book, and provides an excellent introduction to this period of English history. My only regret on finishing it is that the second volume is not yet published.
Mr Starkey overreaches himself (34/45 people found this helpful)
I have admired David Starkeys' previous TV work and books, based on his deep and expert knowledge of Tutor politics. However, this new TV series and book display serious shortcomings. It has been apparent in his delivery on TV that he is not a generalist and has been unable to show much passion for information given. In fact he seemed distinctly ill at ease with much of his input.
The book shows a desperately thin amount of information and argument and compared with his previous work is very disappointing. Perhaps this is the problem with authors being given lucrative extended contracts who then have to pontificate on areas not really within their capabilities. This is by a distance a severe blot on his reputation and a long way from his best work.
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Categories
Amazon.co.uk places this book into the following categories:
Books -> Subjects -> History -> Archaeology
Books -> Subjects -> History -> Other Historical Subjects -> Historians -> Starkey, David
Books -> Subjects -> History -> General
Books -> Subjects -> Audio CDs -> History
Books -> Refinements -> Language (feature_browse-bin) -> English
Books -> Refinements -> Age (feature_two_browse-bin)
Books -> Refinements -> Format (binding_browse-bin) -> Audio CD