Richard III
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Product Description
From the Back Cover
The story of the most vilified English king, from model of nobility to murdered and monster.
Richard III has been written off in history as one of England's evil kings. His usurpation of the throne from his nephew, the story of the 'Princes in the Tower' and generations of pro-Tudor historians ensured his fame as the disfigured murderer portrayed in Shakespeare's eponymous play.
Then, in the twentieth century, Richard III found his apologists - those who regarded him as more sinned against than sinning. The process of rehabilitation had begun.
This study by an acclaimed scholar of Richard III strips away the propaganda of the centuries to rescue Richard from his critics and supporters alike. Analysing contemporary evidence and recreating the course of Richard's life in its fifteenth-century context. Michael Hicks reveals a complex and powerful figure and charts Richard's bewildering transformation in his own lifetime from a model of nobility, via kingship, to tyrant and monster. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Michael Hicks is Professor of History at King Alfred's College, Winchester. He has written extensively on Richard III and his other books include, Richard III and His Rivals; Who's Who in Late Medieval England and Warwick the Kingmaker.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This one is for the reader who doesn't mind somewhat dry writing and who really wants to get to know about this mysterious king in much more than a superficial "was he a villain or wasn't he?" kind of level. It is detailed but does not grab the reader. I am an avid fan of anything Ricardian but at times I felt like giving up and referring back to more..., well, exciting accounts. On the plus side, I give it four stars because for those who are willing to stay the course, it offers much insight into the 15th Century politics and society. Quite predictably it follows the generally established view of most books on Richard that he was a low down, conniving and evil monster, the "facts" as presented here would suggest this but don't believe the "facts", there is a fast growing pro-Richard movement which counters strongly the views held in such books as this one, therefore read this as only PART of the overall picture of the last British die in battle, not the full story.
24 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Michael Hicks' no-nonsense account of England's most controversial ruler is likely to divide its readership. His conclusions about Richard are emphatic - I won't spoil the read by telling you which side he takes - but compelling. This is a sensible, balanced account, which cuts through much of the nonsense and spurious evidence previously used to judge Richard's character and career.
Stylistically, this is not the most readable book on Richard but it is definitely one of the best-informed. Hicks spends little time on the factual details so familiar to scholars of Richard's reign. He assumes a level of knowledge in his readership and therefore has produced a concise account.
In summary, this is probably not a book for someone reading their first biography of Richard. Instead, Hicks has chosen to redress the balance of many recent historical works in his concentration on the facts as we know them.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Although Hicks writes well and knows his stuff this is an exceptionally biased book. It's the sort of extremism the Ricardians are normally accused of, but in this case he's as anti-Richard as they come. It is important for an historian to remain objective, despite their personal views, and Hicks fails abjectly to do this. To be honest in his biography of Anne Neville he carries his loathing of even Richard further by tarring Anne in similar vein. I expect better of a top historian, particularly one taught by Ross. If you love to hate Richard you will love this. If you love to love him you'll want to jump up and down on it and scream.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
the questions Hicks never thinks to ask says it all
After reading Hick's effort at a biography about Anne Neville I thought perhaps this "leading" scholar of the period would be on firmer ground with Richard, for whom there is no... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Beth E. Williams
Another far too opinionated book on Richard III
Firstly I'll explain that I am neither anti or pro Richard III. You cannot be either. There are undisputed facts which do not prove a theory but unfortunately are used to back up... Read more
Published 5 months ago by K. J. Greenland
Nothing new I'm afraid. A real disappointment.
This book was such a disappointment. Hicks is supposed to be one of our better medieval historians and yes he can certainly wade in with all the research but it is clear that he... Read more
Published on 19 Sep 2007 by Thomas York
Detailed but dry
Considering the events which shaped Richard III's life and reign, this isn't the most exciting re-telling. Read more
Published on 23 Aug 2004 by C. Winston
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