My dad wrote this book so I have to give it five stars.

This book is fabulous. It really transports you back to the Anglo-Saxon era. I originally read it because I wanted to read about William the Conqueror, but now I'm a huge Harold I "fan."

Tom Pendleton's collection of essays on Shakespeare's "Henry VI" plays provides interesting and helpful commentary on texts unfamiliar to most readers and audiences. Pendleton's introduction offers perceptive discussion of the plays, their place in Shakespeare's canon, their significance in the Elizabethan period, and their critical fortunes over the centuries. The essays that follow examine the plays from a variety of perspectives, perhaps most interestingly in terms of performance, including Pendleton's own interview with a contemporary actor who performed recently in productions of these plays at the New York Shakespeare Festival. But there is also interesting coverage of filmed versions of the plays and of various critical issues surrounding these earliest of Shakespeare's works.

I don't understand why more people don't read Shakespeare's history plays because they are some of his best work, especially the Henry VI trilogy. Shakespeare's interpretation and manipulation of history drive this trilogy forward and create unique opportunities to judge his skill against the "facts." I loved this trilogy! Not only is it an expert study in human nature (which is Shakespeare's trademark), it is action-packed with never a boring moment. Read it!

This book contains much about Sumer and Akkad that is not neccessarily found in any other source. LW King gives credit to the many scholars of his time that contributed to the known history of Sumer. I believe that it is a great and beneficial source for any anceint history buff.

AS aGRADUATE OF ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY IN 1987 AND A PROPONENT OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY I AM A SUPPORTER OF THE TRUTH AND KNOWING THE ROLE MRS CARR AND E.D.NIXON PLAYED IN THE MOVEMENT WAS VERY ENLIGHTENING TO ME I HAVE WRITTEN TO MRS. CARR SEVERAL TIMES IN HOPES OF RECEIVING HISTORICAL INFORMATION FROM HER. I THANK THE BOOK SENDS A MESSAGE THAT YOU HAVE TO GO BEYOND PRINT MEDIA TO GET THE FACTS!

This edition is REALLY Helpful. While assisting to understand the unusual language, it still leaves room for the intelligent reader to figure out the plot without reading a summarry. Large margins are great for taking notes, and the book is very well bound, and is made with high quality paper.

This is the tale of Ralph de Aix of Normandy and of William Rufus-King of England. Ralph is a huntsman who desires knighthood and eventually lands of his own. He finds he cannot achieve his goal anytime soon in Normandy with his present lord and decides to look elsewhere for advancement. Advancement comes in the shape and guise of William Rufus, son of William the Bastard of Normandy. Ralph really cares about Rufus, on a genuine level of friendship, but is willing to do what it takes to succeed at court. Rufus, not known for normal "appetites" is attracted to Ralph and their strange relationship begins. Ralph endures Rufus in the hope of being granted lands after knighthood.

A run down Chenna's Tun is his "reward" for "services rendered." However, he tries to make a go of it and with current knowledge of the god Herne, becomes involved in the Saxon cult where he becomes a "lord" in his own right. There is much action and mystery involved in his life but not much money. He wants a wife and in time finds one who is, in the beginning, reluctant to leave her childhood home. As time goes on, things do not improve. Weather and health disasters are a never ending concern and many people hunt the "royal deer" in order not to starve. This brings about the most important role Ralph will ever play in his life, starring Rufus and Rufus' younger brother Count Henry, soon to become King Henry I of England.

Medieval life is brought realistically back to life as is a lessor known religious cult. Anand's style of writing keeps the reader emeshed in a life of intrigue, mystery, danger, and scandal, in the late eleventh and early twelfth centuries. Many of her novels are out-of-print but are well worth the search! They transport the reader back into time.