The Way of King Arthur: The True Story of King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table (Adventures in History) [Paperback]

Christopher Hibbert (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0743498356 | ISBN-13: 978-0743498357 | Publication Date: June 29, 2004

The romances about King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table are probably the best known legends in the Western world. The true fascination of the Arthurian legend lies in the fact that their hero is not a myth but an actual historical figure who lived in a time full of danger and intrigue. With the crumbling of the Roman Empire, the people of Britain found themselves conducting a desperate defence of their island against barbarian invaders. Author Christopher Hibbert brings those troubled times vividly to life, building a fascinating picture of the sixth century British warrior who was to become the legendary King Arthur.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: I Books (June 29, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743498356
• ISBN-13: 978-0743498357
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,107,972 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars LookingThe Way of KIng Arthur, September 29, 2004

By 

Edward Rubins "Eddie" (Ketchikan, AK USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Way of King Arthur: The True Story of King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table (Adventures in History) (Paperback)

Though the book provides an intresting look at ideas concerning Arthur and his possible origins it provides no expansion on therories already proposed by other historians. I found the Chapters on the Medieval mindset about Arthur fascinating but over all there was no definite conclusions. The book lacks a cohesive form and near the end is nearly entirely given to speculative archeology. Finishing up with an amazingly lacking Bibliography the book provides very little in the way of expanding the field of history. It is best left to the amature historian or curious lay person.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A King who sought peace for his people, July 18, 2004

By 

Theodore A. Rushton (PHOENIX, Arizona United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Way of King Arthur: The True Story of King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table (Adventures in History) (Paperback)

This beautiful and eloquent search for the kernel of truth that gave birth to the glorious legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table is probably the finest and most cogent account available.

Hibbert understands two elements needed to make sense of the Arthurian legend -- the factual basis of history, and the enduring significance of what develops when fact grows into an expression of the ideals of a people. Originally published in 1969, this somewhat typographically sloppy edition looks to have been hastily re-issued to cash in on the publicity for the much derided 2004 film version of King Arthur.

"The search for the man himself has become a continuing quest for what lies hidden in the hearts of all men," writes Hibbert, the perfect guide to legend and fact. It's a concise book, less time to read than attending the film, but of far more value and meaning.

His closing tribute is to T. H. White's masterful "Once and Future King", in which King Arthur was "not a distressed Briton hopping about in a suit of woad in the fifth century" but a true knight with "an open face, with kind eyes and a reliable or faithful expression, as though he was a good learner who enjoyed being alive . . . . ." Like White, he fully understands the significance of the legend.

So, who was Arthur? Well, legends are expressions of the ideals a society want to attain. In today's world, President George Bush wants to be "a war president." In contrast, King Arthur was a leader who defeated the ruthless terrorists of his time and sought to be known as a man who brought peace to the English people. The Round Table was an expression of the equality of all who upheld, in the words of White, "the idea that force ought to be used, if it is used at all, on behalf of justice, not on its own account."

Hibbert leaves no doubt that a real Arthur once existed, but he is not so foolish as to proclaim any specific legend or locale as the true Camelot or any specific man as the original Arthur. He carefully illustrates how church and civil authorities have used the legend to bolster their own selfish causes. It is a marvelous exercise in the study and application of history, illustrating the contrast between legend, fact and what we know to be true. After reading this book, even the movie may make sense as more than a woad and weird action adventure.

"But the quest for Arthur of Britain never can destroy the beauty of the works that his legend has inspired or the fascination of the legend itself," Hibbert writes. This book is a perfect introduction to those ideas and ideals. You won't do better, even though you may later plunge into the wonderful depth and detail of other accounts of the Arthurian legend.

It is a great book. Anyone interested in anything from early England to Camelot will love it.

4.0 out of 5 stars Simple but well done, September 22, 2004

By 

S. E. Kennedy "ocinnedeagh" (Minnesota, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Way of King Arthur: The True Story of King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table (Adventures in History) (Paperback)

In this book the author searches for the beginnings of the King Arthur legend and trys to determine if there is any actual historical basis for the character of Arthur himself. The book is short - only a bit more than 100 pages and my copy is in what looks to be 14 point type - so BIG PRINT. It reads VERY fast. I finished it on a flight from Minneapolis to Detroit with time to spare.

I'm a HUGE King Arthur fan and I found myself very intrigued. However, don't let this be your only reference into the legend - there are many many versions of the legend (as the author freely admits). If you have read an Arthurian legend or two and wonder about the history of the tale - this will quickly turn you onto other sources for further research. If you are well versed in the legend already - look for something more in-depth. This is really for an Arthurian beginner.