- Unknown Binding: 427 pages
- Publisher: Harvard University Press (1951)
- Language English
- ASIN: B0007EQ6A2
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This superbly written, meticulously researched book is an excellent presentation of the known facts of Eleanor of Aquitaine's life. It's rare to find a biography that is quite forthright in delineating what we know for certain and what we do NOT know, while still making it an absolutely fascinating tale to read. I highly recommend this book.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
While somewhat dated in language and style, this is an extremely well researched and engaging biography of one of History's most interesting and influential women. As a definitely "historical" biography it covers in scholarly detail the multiple political and religious characters involved with Eleanor and, by association, the causes they espoused. This is not, then, a work for romance readers seeking the mythic chivalry and trappings found in popular works (though the richly detailed descriptions of the age and its nuances present just as compelling a story). This is rather a book for those interested in a comprehensive, historical biography of easily the most fascinating of all Medieval women, and a perceptive glimpse into the forces which surronded her world.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Eleanor (1122-1204), Duchess of Aquitaine in her own rights, Queen Consort of France and England, is stuff for legends. Her life was by any means extraordinary. A ruling duchess and Queen Consort of France should have given her already a dutiful place in history books. She went on a crusade, she divorced her husband and married his biggest rival, the King of England, Duke of Normany and Count of Anjou. She became the mother of three Kings and two Queens: Henry, the young King who never ruled, legendary King Richard the Liionheart and King John Lackland. She was imprisoned by her husband afetr she revolted with her sons, but as Dowager Queen became the real force behind the throne.
Amy Kelly, a Harvard academic and Associate Professor at Wellesley College, published this book shortly before her retirement in 1950th. It was her major work and one feels the passion she put into her work.
As there are many books around Eleanor, from historial novels to serious works I suppose the evaluation of this book depends very much what you are looking for.
Amy Kelly's book is one of the books all the other authors read. It is the base for all those book and studies and already this is remarkable. It is indeed interesting to see what the primary sources actually say about this Queen. Without any doubt it is an important work. Kelly is frank about issues in Eleanor's life that are disputed. It is however a more scholarly approach. This book doesn not seem to be meant for more casual, but for serious mediveal history readers. So it is not that a smooth read, but it not too pedantic for its more casual followers. The language I feel is a bit dated. I still enjoyed reading it as it gave me a deeper understanding of this extraordinary woman and queen. But honestly, I could not get really excited.
Amy Kelly, a Harvard academic and Associate Professor at Wellesley College, published this book shortly before her retirement in 1950th. It was her major work and one feels the passion she put into her work.
As there are many books around Eleanor, from historial novels to serious works I suppose the evaluation of this book depends very much what you are looking for.
Amy Kelly's book is one of the books all the other authors read. It is the base for all those book and studies and already this is remarkable. It is indeed interesting to see what the primary sources actually say about this Queen. Without any doubt it is an important work. Kelly is frank about issues in Eleanor's life that are disputed. It is however a more scholarly approach. This book doesn not seem to be meant for more casual, but for serious mediveal history readers. So it is not that a smooth read, but it not too pedantic for its more casual followers. The language I feel is a bit dated. I still enjoyed reading it as it gave me a deeper understanding of this extraordinary woman and queen. But honestly, I could not get really excited.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Amy Kelly, pioneer of modern Eleanor research
"Eleanor of Aquitaine and the Four Kings" has been an important source book for perhaps the majority of authors who have written about this extraordinary woman during the past six... Read more
Published on 18 Sep 2008 by Robert Fripp
Amy Kelly, pioneer of modern Eleanor research
"Eleanor of Aquitaine and the Four Kings" has been an important source book for perhaps the majority of authors who have written about this extraordinary woman during the past six... Read more
Published on 18 Sep 2008 by Robert Fripp
Amy Kelly, pioneer of modern Eleanor research
"Eleanor of Aquitaine and the Four Kings" has been an important source book for perhaps the majority of authors who have written about this extraordinary woman during the past six... Read more
Published on 3 Sep 2008 by Robert Fripp
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