Customer Reviews

Warwick the Kingmaker

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As one of the two best biographies of Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick, this book enables one to understand the complexities. He was not the "Last of the Barons" - especially since he was an earl ;-), as Shakespeare made him out, but rather a betrayed and fair person who did not want power, but rather good government. The book brings out the trials of a man betrayed and finally defeated, but his ideals lived on. A Warwick! A Warwick!

Excellent reading which you won't want to put down. Traces the life of THE KINGMAKER as he is buffeted by the winds of fortune, endlessly rising and falling until meeting his death at Barnet Field. Will make you feel Warwick's surging energy as he carries the fortunes of the White Rose on his back. His self contemplation before the Battle of Barnet is powerful stuff.

A very balanced biography of this enigmatic figure. It presents his intense energy and desire for good government, but also as an extremely ambitious, proud man who allowed himself to be caught in the web of the great Spider King, Louis XI of France. I wish Kendall had not included his periodic flights of fancy (imaginary dialogue, going into the mind of a man long dead), but this is a highly readable and detailed book.