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Another great book by Osman

Reviewed: 25-09-24

If you like the Thursday Murder Club you will love this. Very similar writing style and the performance is great. Kept me hooked from start to finish. I did guess the twists but I often think that means good writing.

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A very insightful and interesting book!

Reviewed: 30-03-24

I’ve always been interested in Alexander the Great. From reading about him as a child to watching Oliver Stones movie I loved everything about him. However, recently I had forgotten my interest until I watch the new Netflix show, which in fairness is not great, but it inspired me to pick up another Alexander the Great book. I’m really glad I chose this one.

I really like how this book delved into not only Alexander but Philip. It really changes the way you perceive Alexander when you see Philip’s achievements first. I enjoyed finding out about both men and this books was really knowledgeable as well as being written excessively for people who aren’t historians.

I would say that is your aren’t one for historical battles and formation this one might not be for you but personally I really like that sort of thing. I also liked how this book portrayed both men fairly. I have often read previous works where Philip is portrayed as a drunken invalid and his achievements forgotten to make Alexander even more impressive. This book does not do that. Moreover, the last months of Alexander’s life are often portrayed as him becoming a deranged drunkard. While this book mentioned this I think it deals with the idea of hyper fixation on these events due to his death very well. Lastly, I liked the way Alexander’s relationship with Hephaestion was acknowledged and the possibilities discussed. Too often it is either ignored all together.

Overall I’d give this book a 4 there are a few times this book can become a bit of a slog but it’s well worth getting through to further your understanding of two great men.

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The real Henry IV!

Reviewed: 20-10-23

This is the second Ian Mortimer book I have read. The previous one being the perfect king, which is one of my favourite books.

I enjoyed Mortimer’s story telling greatly. He has a way on turning history into a addictive, entertaining and romantic story. Henry IV is the king I probably knew the least about. I have read a lot on the Plantagenets and then a lot of the war of the roses but this segment in history I have previously neglected. I’m so glad I read this book to correct this. Henry Bolingbroke’s life is a story that deserves to be told. What is the perfect king? No did he make many mistakes? Yes. But did he lead and incredible life full of adventure, chivalry and daring? Yes absolutely and personally I would rather learn about a historical figure like that than a callous, boring Richard II.

As a massive Shakespeare fan I have to say I am incredibly disappointed with his portrayal of Henry IV. I just really hope more people read books like this so the Shakespearean portrayal of usurper and then cruel father can be dismissed. However, I don’t blame Shakespeare for this, but it highlights yet another way in which the tudors managed to ruined something.

I didn’t like this book as much as the perfect King simply because I love Edward III more than any other King so it is an incredibly bias preference on my part. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves this period of history or wishes to learn more about one of the more forgotten kings of this age. There is no Henry V without this man!!

The nature was good. He made the story interesting and easy to listen to! I felt as if he enjoyed reading this book as much as I did.

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Flipping Brilliant

Reviewed: 20-10-23

This book is bloody brilliant!! The humour is great, the history is interesting and the whole book filled me with warmth and enjoyment. Books like these are what the history world needs! Many of my friends who aren’t big history fans would read this, it allows people to learn and enjoy history without taking itself too seriously which is a massive problem in the history world.

There are only 2 reasons for someone not to like this book. One they don’t understand old school British humour. Therefore, before you read take a minute to look up David Mitchell on YouTube and see if you like his humour. If you don’t or you don’t understand it then do not read this book! Also get a better sense of humour. The second reason would be if you go into this thinking it’s a serious history book. It’s not, but again take 10 seconds to see it’s written by a comedian and not a history before you get really disappointed. If you do both those things and still don’t like it. Well I have no idea, try it again maybe?

Anyway, I laughed out loud so many times reading this book. I was excited every time I picked it up. I would recommend to anyone who love history and comedy. For kids who grew up with horrible histories, or adults who loved it to!

David Mitchell brings this whole book to life through his narration. No one else could pull this off like he did. One of the best narrations of a book I’ve ever heard!

Edit: I saw a few reviews which said he was pro monarchy and sexist. Not really sure how people came up with that? Did you miss the part at the end where he says there were much better, smarter and more interesting people alive than these monarchs but they are lost to history. Or the amount of times he makes fun of each monarch and for the UK for still have one? I’m not sure how you could say he’s pro monarchy after that. I think he enjoys the history of the monarchy and can see it as a large part on the UK’s identity today. He definitely was inviting us all to cheer for King Charles. And on the sexism. Please. He wrote about the female monarchs well and when he could he talks about other important women, but at the end of the day it’s a book about medieval history it’s not going to be all about women is it.

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1 person found this helpful

Disappointing, do not recommend.

Reviewed: 12-09-23

This book had so much promise but does not deliver. I was so excited to read this book but was left disappointed and frustrated.

The main issue of the book is it’s structure. It says too much and too little at the same time. It goes off on long drawn out tangents which often don’t have anything to do with the women it’s meant to be focused on but then leaves out important details about said women. It also jumps across different centuries, countries and people (often with the same name) so you are left confused and unable to follow anything it is saying. If I had not had background knowledge on a lot of these women this book would have been unreadable.

Furthermore, it depicts a very bias narrative. The author purposely misses out historical evidence or scripture if it doesn’t support his theories. An example of this is saying Richard the lion-heart was gay and did not like women. Now I am not saying it’s out of the question he may have slept with men, I know some historians believe this, but to say he had no interest in women at all and fail to mention his bastard son Philip is incredibly misleading. It is disrespectful to your readers to write your theories as if they are fact. Especially when you are clearly going for some agenda.

Lastly, something that irritated me was when he chose to finish this book. Why would you stop at Edwards III wife and not mention his daughters. Who are Plantagenet princesses. I understand after Richard II some regard this as the end of the true Plantagenets but to stop at Philippa of Hainault made no sense.

It honestly felt like the author had no interest in these women but used them as a shield to discuss men’s history hoping the title would get more readers in. Quite honestly I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone. There are so many better books out there that cover these women in a clearer and more respectful manner.

The narrator is very poor. His voice is monotone and grating. He struggles to pronounce many words and takes pauses in the middle of sentences which throw the whole thing off.

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1 person found this helpful

Boring and confusing

Reviewed: 11-09-23

This book covers exactly what it says on the tin. It discusses the impact the 100 year war had on different types of people. Unfortunately, by doing this it makes one of the most exciting periods of history incredibly boring. The structure of this book is very confusing, you jump from different decades and people very quickly with no explanation. The author also repeats himself over and over again which becomes boring and annoying.

I’m glad I read this book simply because I’m always happy to learn more about the 100 year war. However, there are so many better books out there with an easier structure to follow and greater excitement.

The narrator was ok. He was a bit monotone which did not help the entertainment of this book.

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Great book! Incredibly interesting.

Reviewed: 27-08-23

If you love medieval battles or Edward the 3rd then this is for you!!

This book goes into the the causes of the 100 year war from economics to politics. It dispels stories of herons and cowardice. Then it goes on to what Edward achieved in France prior to Crécy and attempts to understand his plans. Lastly, it breaks down the battle and under covers the fact that much of the history we think we know might not actually be true.

The book is written very well, explaining in detail but not too confusing to the average reader. It is well paced and just incredibly interesting. My favourite part was the chapter on the location. The author write its like an old fashion deceive story with clues trying to figure out the murderer, or rather trying to figure out the site of the battle.

The reader was great! He made me feel as though he was as passionate about the project as the author. He made me want to listen more and more.

I really loved this book and would recommend highly to those who love medieval history!!

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1 person found this helpful

Good book but the reader can’t pronounce.

Reviewed: 20-08-23

A really interesting book covering individuals that have often been forgotten by history. It is clear to see that the the fate of England could have been very different if these individuals had become kings/queens.

The writing is very simple, I liked this as it means the majority of people could read this book without an issue. This is not always the case when reading books on medieval history or history in general. The author tries to keep to the fact and evidence as much as possible only straying into speculation when necessary. They explain elements of history that are needed for the reader to understand but do not get bogged down in the intricate politics of the 100 years war or the wars of the roses. I like this as it meant the booked stayed on topic. Other specialist works explain those intricacies and they weren’t needed for this book.

I would recommend this book if you like historical books on the British monarchy or medieval England. Especially if you are tired of reading about the same only people, this may give you some fresh stories to explore.

Unfortunately, the reader is quite annoying. He sounds bored throughout his reading. Even when reading about important battles or murders. He also has no idea how to pronounce many names of people or places in England. If I couldn’t hear the accent I would have thought he was an American trying to pronounce English towns. I’m surprised someone with such a English voice struggled so much. While it is annoying it didn’t stop me from finishing and enjoying the book.

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What a book!

Reviewed: 13-02-23

Having already read the previous two books in the series I was really excited for the third. It did not disappoint!

I loved the way Steven Fry made the Trojan war so accessible and entertaining for a modern reader. He was able to show the characters, their personalities and motives exceptionally well. I also enjoyed how he handled aspects of the story which are often up for debate.

I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn more about the greek myths/Trojan war. Especially as a starting point of books such as the Iliad feel daunting. In my opinion this was the best in the series so far and deserves nothing less than 5 stars.

Fry’s performances of this book is incredible (as he always is in audio format) his voices bring the story to life and I honestly believe no one else could read this book and do it justice.

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Not up to Jones Standard

Reviewed: 24-01-23

I will start by saying I am a big Dan Jones fan. I have read pretty much all of his book at this point and I do have high expectations of his writing. For me, this one just didn’t live up to it.

Overall I would give this a 2.5 stars. I felt this book felt very flat compared to his others. I felt my mind wondering and often got distracted which is a rarity when I read Dan Jones. Often it felt like masses of names and places dumped on the reader instead of precise and specific history you find in his Plantagenets and The Hollow Crown.

I did consider my view may be due to the topic. As I don’t often read about history outside of Europe however, I have read Jones Templars and really enjoyed that.

I can’t really put my finger on why this book disappointed me, it just felt it had no heart. Sometimes that happens and I guess it’s ok.

I would recommend if you enjoy books on the crusade I’m sure you will like this. But if you are reading as a Dan Jones fan you may be a little disappointed.

However, I will say as always Dan Jones is an incredible narrator!!

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