Royal Charles [Paperback]

Antonia Fraser (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Doubleday (November 1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385287887
• ISBN-13: 978-0385287883
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,500,520 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Lady Antonia Fraser's best historical biographies, November 6, 2003

By 

Joanna Daneman (Middletown, DE USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Royal Charles (Paperback)

This is possibly one of Fraser's best historical biographies. Charles II, king of the glorious Restoration Period in English history, was a figure of legendary proportions, daring, physically commanding, surviving times of great danger after Cromwell's rule, living in tumultuous times of great scientific discovery, literature and some not-very successful wars against the Dutch.

The backdrop of Restoration society is fascinating, bawdy yet considering Shakespeare's plays too crude, wildly sexual, a time of tremendous change in England after the demise of the Tudors. It was a golden age of art and literature and the King was a dramatic figure, enjoying the embraces of comedian Nell Gwynn as well as a number of other famous mistresses, researching in his own laboratory, hunting, racing and swimming. His death at 55 seems a young age, but for those times, he survived to a respectable age and unlike many other kings, died in his bed. If you are interested in Restoration period literature, this is a fun read to set the backdrop for that interesting and fruitful period of European history.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Royal Treat!, November 26, 1998

By 

"rhbouchard" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Royal Charles (Hardcover)

Royal Charles is a delight to read and Fraser makes reading history enjoyable.