This magnificent story of one thousand years of English history is told through the lives and deeds of Kings and Queens, from the Normans to the Windsors. Understand how the power of the crown has changed as a result of both the character and ability of each monarch and evolving historical circumstances. Eight specialist contributors depict the whole spectrum of royal life in a succinct and fascinating way. Newly revised in 1998, this edition offers expanded coverage of the House of Windsor, including recent events that have greatly affected the Royal Family.
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"Wonderful! This was VERY well read (audio book), her accent was great. It was edited by Antonia Fraser (one of my favorite history authors & historian), and each section was written by a (sometimes) well known historian. It was a brief overview of 1000 years of English history, focusing on the highlights of each of the monarchs. Not only a great history, but also a great story."
— Gennielc (4 out of 5 stars)
“The essays are of high quality and blend bare facts and narrative with a judicious amount of atmosphere.”
— Sunday Telegraph (London)“Fascinating and mesmerizing chronology…In [McCaddon’s] commanding voice, this unsurpassable listening experience stirs both mind and imagination.”
— AudioFile" Good for what I used it for: a reminder of which king or queen did what and when. The writing, at times, required previous knowledge of British history, as the information is pretty much ONLY about the kings or queens, not the details of what was going on at the time. "
— Noah, 2/20/2014" Interesting overview but unfullfilling. I wanted and expected more. I bought the book. I wish I had gotten from the library. It gave quick snapshots of people and time, but not as researched as it should have been. "
— Deanna, 2/8/2014" Loved this book. Read the whole thing like it was nothing! "
— Carolyne, 2/4/2014" It is embarassing to admit how many times I have listened to this audiobook. I better not. Then the world will know how weird I truly am. "
— Shauna, 2/2/2014" It's as good as I expected it to be. Basically it's just short snippets of every monarch in English history starting with William the Conqueror. It's good to get information about all of them, but since each section was so short I'd have to hunt down actual novels about any of the kings or queens that peaked my interest. Which I suppose it the purpose. "
— Erica, 1/22/2014" Audiobook. Good basic overview. Not enough information, but that is too be expected in this type of survey. "
— Margo, 1/13/2014" I thought this book was actually by Antonia Fraser, but it's really only edited by her, and all the essays in it are written by men. I was kind of disappointed in it because, of course, the medieval stuff was just about warfare. Because that's all anyone ever did in the Middle Ages - fight wars. Ugh. Anyway, it wasn't terrible, but it wasn't exactly what I was hoping for either. Better luck next time, I guess. "
— Laura, 1/9/2014" Such a great book to have as a reference! Every time I read a book set in England I start thinking, "How did this person fit into history?" It was great to be able to put everyone in a place. I will forget a lot of it now, I'm sure, but I think that's one I'll have to buy. "
— Melissa, 1/5/2014" Endlessly useful for the student of British lit....British anything. "
— Thom, 1/5/2014" I listened to this on CD. It is an overview of the English monarchs since William the Conqueror and helped me to place all the kings and queens in history. Between having visited London recently and reading a variety of books that take place in England, I found it very helpful. "
— Becky, 12/16/2013" I jump around in this book, depending on which English historical fiction I am reading at the time. I need a reference book on Scotland too, and maybe Wales. "
— Jan, 10/29/2013" I really liked this book. It gives a fair amount of general information. Enough to give you an overall picture. If you want more specific info on a monarch get a book on them individually. I do wish it went back a bit further. "
— Garrett, 10/28/2013" I read an earlier Version, Diana was not discussed. But many, many other colorful royals were discussed. "
— Carrie, 10/22/2013" Interesting and well written. Gives a brief overview of the lives of all the English monarchs. "
— Elizabeth, 10/21/2013" This was a thorough over-view of the monarchy and helped me place the various names I am familiar with in a solid context. "
— Cindy, 10/7/2013" I'm not going to fully review this book, but I just wanted to make a note that I found this to be a great reference book for my purposes but it wasn't as unbiased as I hoped it would be nor as rich with historical detail. I have enjoyed dipping in and out of it, though. "
— Emilie, 10/1/2013" Good overview of everybody! Perhaps a little dry, but certainly readable. Helps you keep staight who's who and who came when and how everyone's related. "
— Michelle, 6/21/2013" A great book with 3-4 page synopsis and pictures for each king and queen starting with William the Conquerer. It is a perfect read to get a general background and decide which kings and queens to read more about! "
— Katie, 6/18/2013" This is a great reference book if your interested in the English Monarchy. I reference this book a lot when reading my historical fiction. "
— Shelley, 5/12/2013" A wonderful, concise, informative guide to the monarchs of England. I must buy it because it is wonderful to turn to in order to gain clarification while in the midst of other books. "
— Hannah, 3/20/2013" I found this book to be very interesting nonfiction reading. Each reigning monarch is given a chapter and their story told in an unbiased way. "
— Marianne, 11/18/2012" Excellent book. Brief biographies. Especially helpful when you've forgotten your basic Royal facts. "
— Jeremy, 5/30/2012" A great overview of the personalities of dynasty. "
— Frank, 2/3/2012" Extremely watered down information. The only think I liked was the colorful detailed pictures. "
— Jaymee, 11/25/2011" I read an older version. It still was a good cursory tool about the English Monarchy. . "
— Jennifer, 3/5/2011" A great book with 3-4 page synopsis and pictures for each king and queen starting with William the Conquerer. It is a perfect read to get a general background and decide which kings and queens to read more about! "
— Katie, 1/31/2011" My Bible for personal history and professional classroom use. Perhaps the best collection of concise royal bios and histories ever compiled. "
— Daniel, 1/21/2011" I read an older version. It still was a good cursory tool about the English Monarchy. . "
— Jennifer, 1/11/2011" I listened to this on CD. It is an overview of the English monarchs since William the Conqueror and helped me to place all the kings and queens in history. Between having visited London recently and reading a variety of books that take place in England, I found it very helpful. "
— Becky, 7/19/2010" Good for what I used it for: a reminder of which king or queen did what and when. The writing, at times, required previous knowledge of British history, as the information is pretty much ONLY about the kings or queens, not the details of what was going on at the time. "
— Noah, 6/25/2010" Endlessly useful for the student of British lit....British anything. "
— Thom, 5/27/2010" I found this book to be very interesting nonfiction reading. Each reigning monarch is given a chapter and their story told in an unbiased way. "
— Marianne, 1/26/2010" I really liked this book. It gives a fair amount of general information. Enough to give you an overall picture. If you want more specific info on a monarch get a book on them individually. I do wish it went back a bit further. "
— Garrett, 12/17/2009" It is embarassing to admit how many times I have listened to this audiobook. I better not. Then the world will know how weird I truly am. "
— Shauna, 8/19/2009" A great overview of the personalities of dynasty. "
— Frank, 7/19/2009" I enjoyed Antonia Fraser's Love and Louis XIV so much that I just had to pick this up. <br/>Overall, this book is a wonderful compilation of short histories, and acts as a good jumping off point for further, more detailed research. <br/>Hurrah for history! "
— Simone, 7/18/2009" Interesting and well written. Gives a brief overview of the lives of all the English monarchs. "
— Elizabeth, 3/24/2009" If you want an overview of the British Monarchy from William I in1066 to Elizabeth II, this is the book you should pick up and read. "
— Nancy, 3/1/2009Antonia Fraser is the author of Mary Queen of Scots, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, and Faith and Treason, among other novels. She is also famous for her Jemima Shore series of mysteries. She and her husband, Harold Pinter, live in London.
Wanda McCaddon (d. 2023) narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, sometimes with the pseudonym Nadia May or Donada Peters. She earned the prestigious Audio Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.