- Hardcover: 25 pages
- Publisher: University of California Press (Jan 1982)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0520045890
- ISBN-13: 978-0520045897
- Product Dimensions: 23.1 x 15 x 3.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
630,580 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #51 in Books > History > Britain & Ireland > British Heads of State > Richard III
- #76 in Books > Biography > Historical > Britain > Norman to Medieval: 1001-1500
- #97 in Books > Biography > Historical > 1001-1500
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Richard III ruled England for a mere twenty-six months, yet few English monarchs remain as compulsively fascinating, and none has been more persistently vilified. In his absorbing and universally praised account, Charles Ross assesses the king within the context of his violent age and explores the critical questions of the reign: why and how Richard Plantagenet usurped the throne; the belief that he ordered the murder of "the Princes in the Tower"; the events leading to the battle of Bosworth in 1485; and the death of the Yorkist dynasty with Richard himself. In a new foreword, Professor Richard A. Griffiths identifies the attributes that have made Ross's account the leading biography in the field, and assesses the impact of the research published since the book first appeared in 1981.
"A fascinating study on a perennially fascinating topic... the base against which will be measured any future research."--"Times Higher Education Supplement " --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Ross' account of the youngest brother of Edward IV is a compelling read. Richard's youth and adolescence are covered in good detail, in particular his formative years - those growing up and fighting alongside his royal brothers.
Also of note is his accurate and enthralling telling of the Anglo-Scots war during the final years of Edward's reign. Richard is portrayed not as the blackened, child-murdering opportunist of Tudor fable, but as a brave and courageous warrior, a loyal and hard-working servant to his brother, and a capable administrator.
Most gripping, of course, are Ross' account of the years of Richard's personal rule, from the death of his brother in April, 1483, through the short but eventful nominal reign of his nephew, Edward V, and Richard's eventual betrayal and death at the hands of Henry Tudor at Bosworth Field.
Ross' writing is both thorough and fluid, combining all the facts available with just enough narrative to bring the characters to life, without slipping into the role of a storyteller.
Finally, I also heartily recommend Ross' biography of Edward IV, a far more in-depth (Richard ruled only two years, Edward over twenty) and conclusive portrayal of one of England's greatest medieval kings.
Also of note is his accurate and enthralling telling of the Anglo-Scots war during the final years of Edward's reign. Richard is portrayed not as the blackened, child-murdering opportunist of Tudor fable, but as a brave and courageous warrior, a loyal and hard-working servant to his brother, and a capable administrator.
Most gripping, of course, are Ross' account of the years of Richard's personal rule, from the death of his brother in April, 1483, through the short but eventful nominal reign of his nephew, Edward V, and Richard's eventual betrayal and death at the hands of Henry Tudor at Bosworth Field.
Ross' writing is both thorough and fluid, combining all the facts available with just enough narrative to bring the characters to life, without slipping into the role of a storyteller.
Finally, I also heartily recommend Ross' biography of Edward IV, a far more in-depth (Richard ruled only two years, Edward over twenty) and conclusive portrayal of one of England's greatest medieval kings.
15 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A well written account - well researched and an enjoyable read. Not quite as in-depth and authoritive as the author's other historian classic(Edward IV) but a strong contender for being one of the better/best books on the reign of this enigmatic ruler.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
7 reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
A Straight Forward Book
18 Nov 1999
Format:Paperback
This book on King Richard III, last of the Plantagenet kings by Ross, as many feel is well balanced. There is no return to the sinister Richard of Shakespeare, but he is not painted as a saint either. It shows his triumps and mistakes clearly and why the times ultimately undid his kingship whether it was fair or not. It seems that he certainly forged his own destiny by the actions he took. I was amazed at the detail in this book, not expecting quite so much, but it is good if you want to understand something intricately which is how it should be if you are reading a biography. This book was easy to understand and unbiased, giving the reader an excellent understanding of a fascinating historical figure.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Scholars take note, but Ricardians beware
10 Oct 2001
Format:Paperback
Charles Ross, one of the most respected historians of later medieval Britain, has produced a fairly standard biography of Richard III that, though more than adequate for scholars doing research, does not compare to his work on Edward IV in the Yale English Monarchs series. Ross is known to be a "traditionalist"--that is, one who views Richard III's guilt in the disappearance of the princes in the Tower as more than probable. This annoys many who sympathize with Richard III (see some of the other reviews). However, far from attempting to prove his contention, he simply states why he believes the scenario is a likely one. Anyone truly interested in the comparative study of Richard III's reputation should contrast this book with the 1956 biography by Paul Murray Kendall.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
This stands tall in a very full field
24 Nov 1998
Format:Paperback
Ross's interpretation on Richard is one of the best sources available for a survey of the man and his age and circumstances-not overly sympathetic, nor vicious. Appendices are also very useful. Readable and well-organized. A great book!
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