King Arthur: Hero and Legend [Paperback]

Richard Barber (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 28, 2004

Who was the real Arthur? Why were his knights so famous? Was he buried at Glastonbury? Richard Barber takes the story from the anonymous 8th century chronicler who first listed his battles to the novelists of the 20th century. A clear and readable account of the development of the stories about Arthur and his court from the earliest times to the present day.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Barber traces the development of Arthur, one of the greatest of all heros, from his actual life, about which we know little, through his remolding into legend by various generations to reflect their culture, to his continuing modern appeal. This book, perhaps the best one-volume survey of the entire Arthurian field (especially of German, French, and English works) for the nonspecialist, provides a good overview of the legend's development as it was told and retold, embellished by other stories. Recommended both for public and academic libraries.Carolyn M. Craft, English, Philosophy, & Modern Language Dept., Longwood Coll., Farmville, Va.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

A welcome paperback re-issue of a much-used edition. --Year's Work in Modern language Studies

`The whole subject is brought up to date- Arthurian buffs will want this book.' --Daily Telegraph

Authoritative but accessible...(an) admirable survey... If you want a reliable overview of this phenomenal figure as he is developed and refurbished, then you can't do much better than this. --Pendragon

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Boydell Press (August 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0851152546
• ISBN-13: 978-0851152547
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,024,135 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars another of Barber's excellent works, November 24, 2003

By 

Deborah MacGillivray "Author," (US & UK) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: King Arthur: Hero and Legend (Hardcover)

I do believe there is not an English monarch or a mover and shaker around them that Barber has not written a book about. I might be wrong, but not by much! His works are wonderfully researched and developed, making them a pleasure to read. While he has written biographies on many different people, he has a vast list of books on Arthur and Grail Lore.

I really like this one, because he looks past the valiant legend and searches out Arthur the man. Arthur - as far back as Longshanks - has been molded and used to their purposes - so it's hard to peel back all the layers and get back to original Arthur.

Barber takes on that chore of removing the many embellishments, in a work that is enjoyable for the average reader as well as the Grail Addicts. Loaded with medieval paintings and woodcuttings this book is a wealth of information.

A must for any Grail Lore Library.

5.0 out of 5 stars The figure of King Arthur throughout history, April 18, 2011

By 

Caleb Hanson (Wilmington, MA, US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: King Arthur: Hero and Legend (Paperback)

Traces the figure of King Arthur over time, from the beginnings as a name in British history of the Dark Ages about whom we know almost nothing for sure, to a figure of legendary history (Geoffrey of Monmouth and all that), to a figure of chivalrous literature (Chrétien de Troyes, Thomas Malory, and all those), through complete obscurity ca. 18th century, to 19th-century idealism (Tennyson, pre-Raphaelites, Wagner, &c.), to the 20th-century explosion including (for the first time) an interest in going back to the beginning and looking for historic origins. Like the book itself.

I love this book; it matches my interest in Arthuriana exactly (the history more than the stories), it's at just the right level of detail for my level of knowledge, and Barber's judgment strikes me as sound (i.e., he can convince me to change my mind about a few things I thought I knew already). And he doesn't just limit himself to the written word: he also makes mention of Arthuriana in painting (colour plates of manuscript illumination, pre-Raphaelites, others) and sculpture (including the famous cathedral in Modena).