Arthur: The King [Paperback]

Graeme Fife (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1992

The identity of King Arthur is sought in archaeological and literary evidence. The book traces the elevation of this obscure British chieftain into the embodiment of chivalric nobility and assesses the effects of the legend on British culture. The book accompanies a 7-part radio series.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-- A thorough, lively analysis of the themes of the Arthurian cycle. Because the book started out as the script for a BBC series, the language is sophisticated and witty rather than scholarly. Hence, it is eminently readable. There are frequent Briticisms that should delight Anglophiles and enlighten the uninitiated. Fife discusses courtly love, medieval religion, chivalry, the quest for the Holy Grail, and heraldry with erudition and verve. The text is jam-packed with information, and there are plenty of photographs and colorful illustrations to enliven it, as well as a plethora of appropriate quotes. YA researchers will find Arthur the King a book to enjoy even as they learn from it. --Marya Andreen, R. E. Lee High School, Springfield, VA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Sterling Pub Co Inc (April 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806983450
• ISBN-13: 978-0806983455
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 7.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,885,410 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Arthur The King: The Theme Behind the Legends, June 6, 2002

By A Customer

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This review is from: Arthur the King (Hardcover)

From the DJ back cover: "Who was King Arthur? Variously depicted as the boy who drew the sword from the stone, Celtic freedom fighter pitted against the invading Saxons, and refined and noble monarch married to the beautiful Queen Guenever [sic], he has for centuries inspired storytellers of Europe.

Graeme Fife traces the development of Arthurian literature from its emergence in the mist-filled valleys of the Celtic heartlands of Britain to the candle-lit-banqueting halls of the court of Eleanor of Aquitaine. He examines the great Arthurian themes of chivalry, courtly love, hunting, heraldry and pageantry, magic and the Holy Grail and argues convincingly that the rise of the romances was inextricably linked to the development of the Christian Crusading movement. Ever present is the immortal figure of Arthur himself, once and future king.

Just thought you should know something about the book you are thinking about buying.
Actually a very interesting book.