Customer Reviews

Charles V: The World Emperor

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Right from the beginning I wasn't sure what to make of this biography. Kleinschmidt doesn't try to make the story of Charles V more accessible. Rather, his story reads like a recital of facts. There isn't much to the author's writing style, which is much to be desired. Additionally, there isn't as much of Charles V as you would imagine.

Where you would think Charles would be the central theme he is relegated to nothing more than the common thread, sometimes only being mentioned in passing in order to justify that section being mentioned. Most of chapter 2 is spent talking about the various maps that were drawn from the end of the fifteenth century to the middle of the sixteenth century. Perhaps this would be more interesting in a book about maps, but it doesn't belong in a biography of a Holy Roman Emperor. Throughout the book there are sections like this that branch off into philosophical meanderings or useless descriptions that seem to only be there in order to meet the quota of pages.

That being said, what was mentioned of Charles was interesting to read. Seeing him come into power and battling Francis I, the Turks, or the Lutherans helped breathe some life into the biography despite the dry nature the facts were presented. The last chapter was written with the most life as the author summarized the end of Charles' life and future of the Habsburgs.

I am on the fence on whether I would recommend. I am sure there is another more focused and interesting biography on this profound ruler and so would probably not recommend because of this.

2.5 stars.