[ancapailldorcha]

Originally Posted by Batrachotox

Tracy Borman has one on Henry VIII himself, might be a good place to start. I believe she also has an upcoming book covering all the Tudors.

I bought on specifically about Henry VII Thomas Penn. I prefer to read reign by reign but it might come to that. Most of the Henry VIII books tend to focus on his wives but the Borman book looks like the best option at least until Waterstone's reopens and I might see something on paperback.

[ancapailldorcha]

Originally Posted by ancapailldorcha

This one's a recommendation I think.

I'm going to read Penn's Yorkist book next and his biography of Henry Tudor.

Has anyone here read anything good about Henry VIII? There's a few books focusing on his wives and one by Alison Weir who's not a historian.

Both of Penn's books are must reads IMO, especially The Brothers York. Winter King is a much less fluid read as it handles much less compelling subject matter but Henry VII is a unique character among England's monarchs.

Leaning towards Borman's Henry VIII book. Most of them are concerned with the wives which is irritating. I'm just after a solid narrative biography.

Has anyone read anything good about Elizabeth I?

[silliussoddius]

Any recommendations about the crusades?

[ancapailldorcha]

Originally Posted by silliussoddius

Any recommendations about the crusades?

Yep:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006ZD19...ng=UTF8&btkr=1

It's masterful. I can't imagine there being a better book available.

[Thesiger]

Originally Posted by silliussoddius

Any recommendations about the crusades?

I’ve read Christopher Tyerman’s “God’s War” which is excellent but massive and insanely detailed.

[ancapailldorcha]

Dan Jones also has a recent book on the subject:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crusaders-D...G8Y3EQ11XCM7RK

The Asbridge book I linked to above really was a phenomenal overview. A friend is reading and enjoying the Jones book but I really do think the Asbridge one is the one to go for.

[mustang shelly]

Originally Posted by ancapailldorcha

Dan Jones also has a recent book on the subject:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crusaders-D...G8Y3EQ11XCM7RK

The Asbridge book I linked to above really was a phenomenal overview. A friend is reading and enjoying the Jones book but I really do think the Asbridge one is the one to go for.

I would also look at The Templars: The Rise and Spectacular Fall of God's Holy Warriors also by Dan Jones. I read it during the summer and found it very interesting and insightful.

[silliussoddius]

Originally Posted by mustang shelly

I would also look at The Templars: The Rise and Spectacular Fall of God's Holy Warriors also by Dan Jones. I read it during the summer and found it very interesting and insightful.

Thanks, everyone. I've read a couple of Jones' books in the past and found them accesable, I might give his a shot.

[ancapailldorcha]

Originally Posted by mustang shelly

I would also look at The Templars: The Rise and Spectacular Fall of God's Holy Warriors also by Dan Jones. I read it during the summer and found it very interesting and insightful.

It's on my list. If you enjoyed it I might bump it up as they feature in the Crusades but their end isn't something I know a great deal about.

[Thesiger]

The classic work on the Crusades is Steven Runciman’s 3 volume history. Haven’t read it but it is said to be a great work of literature, but a bit outdated in terms of scholarship on the topic.

Apart from those mentioned above, look for works by Jonathan Riley-Smith and Jonathan Philips.

Also Amin Maalouf’s “The Crusades Through Arab Eyes.”

[bobbyss]

Has anybody read Anne Chambers' Grace O'Malley book?
I tried but just could not get past the first few pages with unrecognizable and unpronucable names. I thought the writer should be aware of how off putting this might be. Surely there's a story to be told? I just wonder if anyone has read this book and their thoughts. Any orher books on her?

[dubhthach]

Originally Posted by bobbyss

Has anybody read Anne Chambers' Grace O'Malley book?
I tried but just could not get past the first few pages with unrecognizable and unpronucable names. I thought the writer should be aware of how off putting this might be. Surely there's a story to be told? I just wonder if anyone has read this book and their thoughts. Any orher books on her?

Having names in the Irish language are off-putting and unpronounceable? jaysuz someone needs to park their colonial mentality. Good luck reading anything on medieval Irish history with that attitude.

[bobbyss]

Originally Posted by dubhthach

Having names in the Irish language are off-putting and unpronounceable? jaysuz someone needs to park their colonial mentality. Good luck reading anything on medieval Irish history with that attitude.

I just want feedback on what people thought of the book.
If you read the book, what did you think of it?

[ancapailldorcha]

Originally Posted by ancapailldorcha

Both of Penn's books are must reads IMO, especially The Brothers York. Winter King is a much less fluid read as it handles much less compelling subject matter but Henry VII is a unique character among England's monarchs.

Leaning towards Borman's Henry VIII book. Most of them are concerned with the wives which is irritating. I'm just after a solid narrative biography.

Has anyone read anything good about Elizabeth I?

The Borman book is excellent. Highly recommended.

[Mick Tator]

Originally Posted by bobbyss

I just want feedback on what people thought of the book.
If you read the book, what did you think of it?

I've read it - ages ago. I recall enjoying it and subsequently being disappointed to learn that some scholars took issue with several of her claims (I think about the meeting with QE1 ??). I've not followed up on that. I've no recollection of the Irish names being an issue and I'm by no means fluent. Chambers' book on the Countess of Desmond is also a good read.