Great Tales from English History (Book 2): Joan of Arc, the Princes in the Tower, Bloody Mary, Oliver Cromwell, Sir Isaac Newton, and More [Hardcover]

Robert Lacey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2, 2005

The greatest historians are vivid storytellers, Robert Lacey reminds us, and in Great Tales from English History, he proves his place among them, illuminating in unforgettable detail the characters and events that shaped a nation. In this volume, Lacey limns the most important period in England's past, highlighting the spread of the English language, the rejection of both a religion and a traditional view of kingly authority, and an unstoppable movement toward intellectual and political freedom from 1387 to 1689. Opening with Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and culminating in William and Mary's "Glorious Revolution," Lacey revisits some of the truly classic stories of English history: the Battle of Agincourt, where Henry V's skilled archers defeated a French army three times as large; the tragic tale of the two young princes locked in the Tower of London (and almost certainly murdered) by their usurping uncle, Richard III; Henry VIII's schismatic divorce, not just from his wife but from the authority of the Catholic Church; "Bloody Mary" and the burning of religious dissidents; Sir Francis Drake's dramatic, if questionable, part in the defeat of the Spanish Armada; and the terrible and transformative Great Fire of London, to name but a few. Here Anglophiles will find their favorite English kings and queens, villains and victims, authors and architects - from Richard II to Anne Boleyn, the Virgin Queen to Oliver Cromwell, Samuel Pepys to Christopher Wren, and many more. Continuing the "eminently readable, highly enjoyable" (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) history he began in volume I of Great Tales from English History, Robert Lacey has drawn on the most up-to-date research to present a taut and riveting narrative, breathing life into the most pivotal characters and exciting landmarks in England's history.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Acclaimed historian Lacey's second volume on English history opens in 1348, the year of the Black Plague, which wiped out half of England's five million people, and proceeds through the astonishing scientific discoveries of Sir Isaac Newton in 1687. Along the way, we meet characters as diverse as Chaucer, Richard II, Henry IV, William Caxton, Guy Fawkes, Richard Whittington, Lady Jane Grey and Titus Oates. In lively vignettes, Lacey (The Year 1000; Majesty) also regales us with such events as the Puritan civil war, the London fire of 1666 and Sir Walter Raleigh's voyages to the New World. Political and religious dissent dominate these tales. Lacey captures the humor inherent in the evolution of England's history; thus, he includes the story of the first modern water closet, invented by Queen Elizabeth's godson, Sir John Harrington. In addition, Lacey briefly chronicles the British attraction to the rare and the exotic in the tale of John Tradescant's opening to the public in the 1630s of his collection of artifacts and curiosities—England's "first museum." Lacey's animated prose, energetic storytelling and spirited approach to British history bring the past to life. 51 b&w illus., 2 maps. (June 2)
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About the Author

Robert Lacey is the coauthor of the history classic The Year 1000, and the author of such bestselling books as Majesty, The Kingdom, Ford: The Men and the Machine, Sotheby’s: Bidding for Class, and The Queen Mother’s Century. He lives in London.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (June 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031610924X
• ISBN-13: 978-0316109246
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #171,246 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"It's all here," says Tom Brokaw " - Islam, the family tree, a sea of oil and money to match, palace intrigue and the place of Osama Bin Laden. This is high drama and an epic tale. Dazzling - on every level". Robert Lacey is an historian and biographer whose research has taken him from the Middle East ("The Kingdom: Arabia and the House of Saud") to America's Mid-West ("Ford: the Men and the Machine"). "Majesty", his pioneering biography of Queen Elizabeth II, is the definitive study of British monarchy - a subject on which Robert lectures around the world, appearing regularly on ABC's Good Morning America and on CNN's Larry King Live. To research and write his latest book, "Inside the Kingdom", he went to live in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for three years. You can read more about Robert's new book - and also view his acclaimed TV film report for PBS NOW on Saudi extremists - on his website www.insidethekingdom.net

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TALES WELL TOLD, August 24, 2005

By 

E. E Pofahl (HUNTINGTON, WV USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Great Tales from English History (Book 2): Joan of Arc, the Princes in the Tower, Bloody Mary, Oliver Cromwell, Sir Isaac Newton, and More (Hardcover)

The author Robert Lacey, writes "Our first historians were storytellers-our best still are.... " In GREAT TALES From ENGLISH HISTORY-Book 2 Lacey demonstrates that he is among the best, both as a historian and a storyteller. Book 2 begins in 1387 with short comments on Geoffrey Chaucer and ends in 1687 with a brief account of Isaac Newton and his principles of the universe.

Religious and political dissent, dominate this period of English history. The text succinctly covers a multitude of interesting English historical characters such as monarchs Richard II, Richard III, Henry IV, Henry V, Henry VI (the youngest ever King of England), Henry VII, Henry VIII, Bloody Mary, Elizabeth I, William of Orange, etc. plus other important personage such as Oliver Cromwell, Guy Fawkes, Joan of Arc, etc. Also, the Wars of the Roses, the Puritan Civil War and the 1666 London fire are given brief but interesting coverage. The narration of the reign of Elizabeth I is short but well covered. Her reign saw the creation of England's first stock exchange and her attempt at a tolerant middle way came to define a certain strand of Englishness (that still exists). Lacey concludes that "Elizabeth I, Queen of Shakespeare, Ralegh, Drake and the Armada, had presided over one of the most glorious flowering of English history and culture."

Many of Lacey's comments are intriguing. He notes "Henry V's own patriotism was deeply infused with religion. Dreaming of England and France unified beneath God...." Regarding Oliver Cromwell, the author postulates "....has a claim to being England's most remarkable man." The text notes that, with the exception of Goeffrey of Lynn's book Promptorium Parvulorum, "Medieval books were for grown-ups...." No Harry Potter type books for Medieval children. He states Henry V III "....was a great one-arguably England's greatest ever king. Take virtue out of the equation, and his accomplishments were formidable." He notes that "Many Elizabethan amusements were brutal by our taste" observing that "There were several gallows in London. Twenty to thirty offenders were hanged every day the courts sat...." Adults and their children rushed to view the executions.

Book 2 also briefly narrates other important English events such as the defeat of the Spanish Armada, noting that contrary to myth Sir Francis Drake did not lead the Royal Navy in the defeat of the Armada. Succinctly narrated are Sir Walter Raleigh's trips to the New World. Most fascinating is the account of the English village of Eyam whose residents in 1665, after twenty-eight "black plague" deaths, choose not to flee the village and risk spreading the plague around the district. "This clearly, was to risk their own lives in an act of extraordinary self-sacrifice." More than 260 inhabitants (three-quarters of the village's population) died from the plague. It is impossible to conceive of a similar act in today's society.

This is a very easy/enjoyable book to read. Both English history buffs, and those totally unfamiliar with the topic, will enjoy this work. It is sincerely hoped that Robert Lacey will write a third book on the subject.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Nightstand History of England, August 30, 2005

By 

The Sanity Inspector (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Tales from English History (Book 2): Joan of Arc, the Princes in the Tower, Bloody Mary, Oliver Cromwell, Sir Isaac Newton, and More (Hardcover)

A second collection of vignettes from English history by Robert Lacy, pithy and enjoyable. The drawings and layout give the book a cozy, old-fashioned feel. The stories are presented simply and clearly, and make the book an ideal choice for bedtime reading.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Follows In The Footsteps of The First Volume, June 4, 2005

By 

Alan Beggerow (Sterling, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Great Tales from English History (Book 2): Joan of Arc, the Princes in the Tower, Bloody Mary, Oliver Cromwell, Sir Isaac Newton, and More (Hardcover)

This book picks up where Volume One left off. It begins with Chaucer and ends with Sir Isaac Newton.

The style of the first book is continued, as most chapters are 3-4 pages long. A most enjoyable read for any history buff. Books such as these are a wealth of historical tid-bits that are presented in an easily read style. The author continues to shed new light on old tales by including reecent findings on the subjects covered. A must-read for anyone interested in history, particularly English history.

Highly recommended, along with Volume One.