Customer Reviews

Kings, Queens, Bones and Bastards

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The book is entertaining but if your goal is the study of history, do not buy this book. It is, as another reviewer pointed out, full of mistakes. The first one I found (that stood out) was on page 10. The author states that Mary II (of William III and Mary II) was the sister of James II. She was, in fact, James II's daughter. William's mother, Mary, was the sister of James II and Charles II.

I also found that Hilliam's method of tracing the lines of descent of the various royal houses of Great Britain seemed designed to confuse, rather than enlighten, the reader. I think that it even confused the author himself(see page 10).

On the plus side, the sections on Bones and Bastards are entertaining to read, if you don't plan on using this book for research purposes.

For any anglophile, this book would be a worthwhile investment. It contains clear and accurate representations of all nine dynasties of the English Monarchy as well as sections referencing Kings, Queens and Consorts,and resting places of the monarchs. There is also a rather delightful section about the skeletons in each king's closet! I am very glad I purchased this book and would encourage others interested in British history to do so as well.

Honestly, people - calm down. Did any of the previous readers/reviewers honestly expect a book with the title "Kings, Queens, Bones and Bastards" to be a flawless description of centuries of English history ? And that with scholarly accuracy and intellect ? Take it for what it is worth. Read the "Oxford Illustrated History of the British Monarchy" if you want accuracy. This book is a highly entertaining, easy read. I highly recommend it for its amusing anecdotes and enjoyable style.

After just a quick glance through this book, I found it full of mistakes that any sort of historian or biographer of the English royal families from Egbert through Elizabeth II should NEVER make. References to the Earl of Stanley, and to Anne Neville ending up married to Richard III through her father's machinations (when her father was long dead by the time Richard III married her) are inexcusable. I have to say that I was VERY disappointed in this book and deeply regret the money I spent to buy it.

There is a lot of history in this book. Over 1500 years is covered. The author digs deep into history to give us the histories of the people that became the Kings and Queens of England from the reign of Egbert in the 800's to Queen Elizabeth II who is currently reigning.

The book is broken down into sections. The first section details the lives of the King or Queen in question. The next details the people that they married. The next is how the person died and where they are buried. The next section details wither the King or Queen had any illegitimate children.

Very informative book for people who are interested in the royal family or just want to learn more. It also has a family tree that connects the first King of England to Queen Elizabeth-fascinating stuff!

The title gives it away: brief but sometimes slightly irreverent (drily humorous) biographies of the monarchs of England, their consorts and their children. Each "little bit" is seldom more than a page (often less) but provides a fascinating insight into the life and actions of the King or Queen. Separate sections are devoted to the monarch, the consort(s), illegitimate offspring and their fates, and details of demise. Witty and entertaining without being snide - a great book to pick up and read over and over, especially for a British history buff.

This is a fun book that gives interesting and little known facts occuring in the royal history of England. It ties together many unions, births, deaths and other important events of English royalty and lesser royals. It is an easy read and a great reference for understanding the royal succession.

A very informative book; well written and researched.Reading it is enjoyable and interesting to read how this class of people lived.

I did not pick up on the errors, but I certainly enjoyed the stories. It's not likely that my life or reputation will ever depend on historic accuracy of my knowledge of the English monarchy, but if I find that it does, I'll be sure to consult another source. It's great fun, though, and that is, after all, why I bought it - for all those silly little stories that rarely make it into the more reliable accounts.

This book is fascinating and you will not be able to lay it down until you have read the entire book.