englishhistory

The Eagle and the Hart: The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV | Helen Castor

pick

I liked this book enough that it‘s tough to review here. There is just too much I want to talk about. Shakespeare, Richard II, king at 10, riding out amongst the mob of the Peasants Revolt in 1381, his disinterest in his country, and quest for absolute power. Henry IV, who usurped the throne, was his cousin, the same age, and loyal until he felt threatened. Also - Richard was never insane. An awesome book on the Women‘s Prize longlist.

Lcsmcat This is on my TBR. Maybe I‘ll get to it after I finish

Unruly: The Ridiculous History of England's Kings and Queens

Graywacke @Lcsmcat that sounds fun! I could use some insight on who those various weirdos… er, kings… were. 3d

Lcsmcat @Graywacke It‘s hilarious. I keep making my husband listen to quotes but I can‘t exactly post them because the set-ups are so long. Highly recommended! 3d

Graywacke @Lcsmcat great to know. It‘s gets good ratings on audible 3d

57 likes3 stack adds4 comments

bibliothecarivs

Richard the Third | Paul Murray Kendall

Random book from our home library:

📖 Richard the Third by Paul Murray Kendall

We originally had a paperback reprint but I later found this beautiful 1950s hardback - first edition? - at a local charity shop.

Ruthiella Nice find! 2w

10 likes1 comment

merelybookish

Eagle and the Hart: The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV | Helen Castor

pick

Blame it on an upcoming trip to London, but this royal history about Richard II & Henry IV from the Women's Prize Nonfiction Longlist piqued my interest. Also helped that I've read the Shakespeare plays about these kings. At 20+ hours, it was a commitment. My interest waned near the end. But I was immersed for the first 3/4. War, intrigue, rebellion. Nothing was stable for long. Castor is THOROUGH & has a soft spot for Henry IV & his father 👇

merelybookish John of Ghent. I saw one review that described it as a well researched history with soap opera style. That feels generous. It is dishy at times but you never forget this is serious history full of dates, names, and events. Glad I read it but happy to be done. Time to re-read some Shakespeare! 3w

squirrelbrain Great review and I agree with you. I‘d never have picked it up if it wasn‘t for the WPNF and I liked it, but was glad when I finished it! 3w

merelybookish @squirrelbrain Thanks! Yes, feels like 50 pages could have been cut and it would have still told the central story in detail! 3w

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Graywacke @merelybookish held me till the end. I was so entertained that Henry‘s claim to bring good government hand strapped him to actual try to honor that. 3d

merelybookish @Graywacke Yes Henry was quite put-upon to justify his legitimacy! And I was quite fascinated by his son, future Henry V! Glad you enjoyed! I did too but just found it long. 3d

Graywacke @merelybookish i kept thinking - that‘s not my Henry V! Where‘s the booze? What‘s with all this responsibility stuff? 🙂 That arrow in the eye though - wow. 3d

49 likes6 comments

bibliothecarivs

Great Tales from English History: The Truth About King Arthur, Lady Godiva, Richard the Lionheart, and More | Robert Lacey

Random book from our home library:

📖 Great Tales from English History, Vol. 1: The Truth About King Arthur, Lady Godiva, Richard the Lionheart, and More by Robert Lacey, illustrated by Fred van Deelen ★★★★★

3 likes

Purpleness

Henry V: The Astonishing Triumph of England's Greatest Warrior King | Dan Jones

My jet-lagged brain did a double-take, then took a second to go, “It wasn‘t a museum yet” 😂

Ruthiella 😂😂😂 4w

dabbe 🤣🤣🤣 4w

38 likes2 comments

bibliothecarivs

Bosworth 1485: Psychology of a Battle | Michael Jones

Recent acquisition:

📖 Bosworth 1485: Psychology of a Battle by Michael Jones

7 likes

Hooked_on_books

The Eagle and the Hart: The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV | Helen Castor

While listening to this one, I put together this kit and just had to show it to you all. I think it came out great!

PaperbackPirate So cool! 😍 1mo

TheBookHippie Love!!!! 1mo

Ruthiella Really neat! 🤩 1mo

See All 8 Comments

squirrelbrain Lovely! ❤️ 1mo

Soubhiville So cute 💚 1mo

AmyG Love it! 1mo

Deblovestoread ❤️❤️❤️ 1mo

Bookzombie That‘s so cute!! 4w

53 likes8 comments

Hooked_on_books

The Eagle and the Hart: The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV | Helen Castor

so-so

I have mixed feelings about this one. I do think it‘s well written, but I also know I am not the audience for it. I knew nothing about these men and felt some sort of prior knowledge was imperative to fully enjoying this book. I never would have made it through the print; the audio was well done.

squirrelbrain I agree completely- it was rather slow and the actual ‘battle for the crown‘ was only a few pages. Not my favourite from the list. 1mo

RamsFan1963 If you're interested in this era of English history, I'd recommend trying Henry V by Dan Jones. He starts the book with background of the reigns of Richard II and Henry IV, before moving on to Henry V. 1mo

Hooked_on_books @RamsFan1963 Thanks! I‘ll have to look for that. 1mo

53 likes3 comments

bibliothecarivs

Green Blades Rising | Kevin Crossley-Holland

Random book from our home library:

📖 Green Blades Rising: The Anglo-Saxons by Kevin Crossley-Holland

7 likes

Graywacke

The Eagle and the Hart: The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV | Helen Castor

My new audiobook - and my second from the 2025 Women‘s Prize for Nonfiction. Lots of Shakespeare in the introduction 🥰

merelybookish I just started this! 1mo

Graywacke @merelybookish I‘m 2.5 hours in (12%), and fascinated (edited) 1mo

merelybookish How's it going? I'm about halfway through. I am enjoying it and amazed I'm mostly keeping everyone straight. 4w

See All 6 Comments

Graywacke @merelybookish i‘m 6 hours in and constantly fascinated. The nature of power, the way everyone plays this game, it‘s crazy and so much looser than I realized. 4w

merelybookish @Graywacke Yeah, I was skeptical in her intro when she said there are parallels to today. But you can see how there can be very different visions of power and different avenues can be taken to secure it. I feel like that is playing out before our eyes. 4w

Graywacke @merelybookish I‘m still thinking about that. It‘s different. But the undermining of norms for power and with destructive intent are striking parallels. The indifference to human life is so strange. 4w

38 likes6 comments

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