Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
London : Faber and Faber, 2014.
Description
The best-selling author of The Plantagenets traces the 15th-century civil wars that irrevocably shaped the British crown, particularly evaluating the roles of strong women including Margaret of Anjou, Elizabeth Woodville and Margaret Beaufort in shifting power between two ruling families. Includes six maps and four genealogies.
User reviews
LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
*I received this book through GoodReads First Reads.*
Dan Jones presents a great narrative history of the Wars of the Roses, detailing the factors leading up to the conflict, including the Hundred Years War and the minority of Henry VI, and the aftermath of the rebellions and pretenders faced by
Dan Jones presents a great narrative history of the Wars of the Roses, detailing the factors leading up to the conflict, including the Hundred Years War and the minority of Henry VI, and the aftermath of the rebellions and pretenders faced by
Show More
Henry VII. He also gives personality profiles of the leading figures including Henry VI, Margaret of Anjou, Richard of York, Edward IV, Richard III, and Henry VII. I found this book an enjoyable read and I appreciated the author's ability to present the story with empathy for both sides, rather than taking a Lancastrian or Yorkist approach, which many often do when telling the story of this conflict. Show Less
LibraryThing member Stbalbach
This is my first book on this complex and violent period. Jones says the Wars of the Roses were caused by the weak and feckless King Henry VI. The English state required a strong King, and it fell into squabbling factions during Henry's reign. This is entirely reasonable. It misses the larger
I had difficulty with the names, a noble might be called 3 or 4 different names and there are so many nobles. The solution I found was to read with one eye on various genealogy charts. Eventually the charts become memorized which is ultimately the best way to understand English history, otherwise it is a sea of Henrys, Richards, Edwards etc.. I was disappointed the battles were not covered in more detail, few of them really stand out in my memory, but this is not a military history, mostly political.
This period is seen as a transition from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance and modernity. During periods of change there is typically upheaval and from that emerges greater cooperation afterwards - think about the world pre and post WWII, Germany and Japan merged into Western liberalism. What emerged from the Wars of the Roses was a more united England, in particular Wales, and between north and south England. There was also a merger of the French realms because England left the continent.
Show More
contextual picture of late middle ages violence historians call the 'Crisis of the Late Middle Ages', but Jones is giving a more narrow retelling which makes for an excellent primer before taking on the many fictions about this period including Shakespeare's Histories, Wolf-Hall etc..I had difficulty with the names, a noble might be called 3 or 4 different names and there are so many nobles. The solution I found was to read with one eye on various genealogy charts. Eventually the charts become memorized which is ultimately the best way to understand English history, otherwise it is a sea of Henrys, Richards, Edwards etc.. I was disappointed the battles were not covered in more detail, few of them really stand out in my memory, but this is not a military history, mostly political.
This period is seen as a transition from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance and modernity. During periods of change there is typically upheaval and from that emerges greater cooperation afterwards - think about the world pre and post WWII, Germany and Japan merged into Western liberalism. What emerged from the Wars of the Roses was a more united England, in particular Wales, and between north and south England. There was also a merger of the French realms because England left the continent.
Show Less
LibraryThing member FKarr
emphasis on the weakness of Henry VI & on the Wars as political rather than dynastic conflicts
LibraryThing member ParadigmTree
The Hollow Crown is an excellent history of the Wars of the Roses. The author writes in a very narrative style, which puts you right in the action along with the historical figures. This approach is incredible engaging and makes the Hollow Crown a wonderful read. I look forward to reading more from
Show More
this author. Show Less
LibraryThing member PhilSyphe
I’ve lost count of how many books I’ve read on the Wars of the Roses. This is certainly one of the best versions of events.
I like Dan Jones’s non-academic approach. This is fascinating period of English history, albeit a complicated one, but the author tackles it well. It’s good that he
I did spot at least one factual error. When covering the Battle of Stoke in 1487, it incorrectly states that Francis Lovell was among the dead on the field, when in reality he escaped.
Another possible mistake is the reference to Martin Schwartz – who really did die on Stoke Field – as being Swiss. Every other reference I’ve read about Schwartz states he was German.
On the whole, this is an excellent read.
I like Dan Jones’s non-academic approach. This is fascinating period of English history, albeit a complicated one, but the author tackles it well. It’s good that he
Show More
doesn’t end with the Battle of Bosworth in 1485 but goes on to cover the three de la Pole brothers who are often overlooked. I did spot at least one factual error. When covering the Battle of Stoke in 1487, it incorrectly states that Francis Lovell was among the dead on the field, when in reality he escaped.
Another possible mistake is the reference to Martin Schwartz – who really did die on Stoke Field – as being Swiss. Every other reference I’ve read about Schwartz states he was German.
On the whole, this is an excellent read.
Show Less
LibraryThing member JHemlock
This guy lays it out. Reading his books and then watching his series puts many things into perspective. This was a crappy time to be alive in, but oh what would we all do to be able to go back and take part in it. Would any of us hesitate? Not for a second.
LibraryThing member Castlelass
Well-researched and well-written narrative non-fiction about the period of time in English history covering the various Wars of the Roses (1455-1487). It is an account of the infighting between the branches of the Plantagenets (Lancaster and York), leading to the rise of the Tudors, replete with
Show More
many battles, treachery, greed, births, and untimely deaths. It documents these tumultuous years in which the crown repeatedly changed hands. Told mostly in chronological order, it documents the various allegiances, betrayals, and general chaos of the times. The author has a knack for providing vivid descriptions and tells these stories in an engaging way such that the reader can easily follow, though there are so many people with the same names that it is occasionally hard to keep them all straight. This book is covers a higher level picture of events with enough background information that it feels like just the right level of detail. I certainly learned a lot! Show Less
Language
Original publication date
2014
ISBN
057128809X / 9780571288090