Customer Reviews
A great introduction - By: J. Hutchings, 01 Jul 2007 
Pre-Tudor English history can seem daunting for many, & Dr Starkey has succeededin 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 - By: Julian Day, 02 Dec 2004 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 & his sons William Rufus & Henry. Starkey succeeds brilliantlyin bringing to life the men & women who shaped this period of history: politicians, plotters, butchers, & saints alike. Offa, Alfred the Great, Edward the Confessor, William the Conqueror & many others, all emerge as individuals with their own personalities, ambitions, & agendas. This is a short book, & 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 - By: M. Davey, 22 Nov 2004 
I have admired David Starkeys' previous TV work & books, based on his deep & expert knowledge of Tutor politics. However, this new TV series & book display serious shortcomings. It has been apparentin his delivery on TV that he is not a generalist & 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 & argument & 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 & a long way from his best work.
