Richard III: A Ruler and his Reputation - Hardcover

Modern histories are more understanding, and this includes this thoughtful biography by "Times Literary Supplement "history editor Horspool (Alfred the Great, 2014, etc.), who stresses that Richard (1452-1485) was a man of his times, although they were nasty times. Among the better histories on this subject . . . delivering a densely detailed account of a man who was no more villainous than the average 15th-century baron. "Kirkus Reviews"

"Excellent . . . this unbiased and scholarly work makes a fine contribution to the historical record." "Publishers Weekly"

"[R]eaders have a great guide to the issues in historian Horspool. Steeped in the sources . . [an] intelligent, judicious examination of Richard III." "Booklist"

"[A] refreshing, incisive and fluent biography that is laced with that skepticism demanded by his subject. This is an intelligent person s life of Richard, strong in ascertainable fact . . . [w]ith characteristic precision and a pinch of droll humour." "The Times"

"David Horspool examines all aspects of Richard III's life with a view to impartiality and truth as far as it can be discovered centuries after the death of the monarch. Instead of painting Richard III as a villain or a victor, Horspool reviews the facts and provides readers with plausible insights into the personality and life of a fascinating figure of British history. In these pages, we are treated to a complete picture of Richard III beginning with his birth at Fotheringhay Castle to his death in the Battle of Bosworth Field." "Bookreporter.com""

Modern histories are more understanding, and this includes this thoughtful biography by Times Literary Supplement history editor Horspool (Alfred the Great, 2014, etc.), who stresses that Richard (1452-1485) was a man of his times, although they were nasty times. Among the better histories on this subject . . . delivering a densely detailed account of a man who was no more villainous than the average 15th-century baron. Kirkus Reviews

"Excellent . . . this unbiased and scholarly work makes a fine contribution to the historical record." Publishers Weekly

"[R]eaders have a great guide to the issues in historian Horspool. Steeped in the sources . . [an] intelligent, judicious examination of Richard III." Booklist

"[A] refreshing, incisive and fluent biography that is laced with that skepticism demanded by his subject. This is an intelligent person s life of Richard, strong in ascertainable fact . . . [w]ith characteristic precision and a pinch of droll humour." The Times

"David Horspool examines all aspects of Richard III's life with a view to impartiality and truth as far as it can be discovered centuries after the death of the monarch. Instead of painting Richard III as a villain or a victor, Horspool reviews the facts and provides readers with plausible insights into the personality and life of a fascinating figure of British history. In these pages, we are treated to a complete picture of Richard III beginning with his birth at Fotheringhay Castle to his death in the Battle of Bosworth Field." Bookreporter.com

"Modern histories are more understanding, and this includes this thoughtful biography by Times Literary Supplement history editor Horspool (Alfred the Great, 2014, etc.), who stresses that Richard (1452-1485) was a man of his times, although they were nasty times. Among the better histories on this subject . . . delivering a densely detailed account of a man who was no more villainous than the average 15th-century baron." --Kirkus Reviews

"Excellent . . . this unbiased and scholarly work makes a fine contribution to the historical record." --Publishers Weekly

"[R]eaders have a great guide to the issues in historian Horspool. Steeped in the sources . . [an] intelligent, judicious examination of Richard III." --Booklist

"[A] refreshing, incisive and fluent biography that is laced with that skepticism demanded by his subject. This is an intelligent person's life of Richard, strong in ascertainable fact . . . [w]ith characteristic precision and a pinch of droll humour." --The Times

"David Horspool examines all aspects of Richard III's life with a view to impartiality and truth as far as it can be discovered centuries after the death of the monarch. Instead of painting Richard III as a villain or a victor, Horspool reviews the facts and provides readers with plausible insights into the personality and life of a fascinating figure of British history. In these pages, we are treated to a complete picture of Richard III beginning with his birth at Fotheringhay Castle to his death in the Battle of Bosworth Field." --Bookreporter.com

For many, Richard III is an obsession--the Richard III Society has a huge membership, and Shakespeare's Histories have contributed to, if not his popularity, certainly his notoriety. Now, with the discovery of Richard III's bones under a parking lot in Leicester, England, interest in this divisive and enigmatic figure in British history is at an all-time high. It is a compelling story to scholars as well as general readers, who continue to seek out the kind of strong narrative history that David Horspool delivers in this groundbreaking biography of the king.

Richard III dispassionately examines the legend as well as the man to uncover both what we know of the life of Richard, and the way that his reputation has been formed and re-formed over centuries. But beyond simply his reputation, there is no dispute that the last Plantagenet is a pivotal figure in English history--his death signaled the end of the War of the Roses, and, arguably, the end of the medieval period in England--and Horspool's biography chronicles this tumultuous time with flair.

This narrative-driven and insightful biography lays out a view of Richard that is fair to his historical character and to his background in the medieval world. Above all, it is authoritative in its assessment of a king who came to the throne under extraordinary circumstances.