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Yale English Monarchs - Henry V | 
 enlarge | Author: C.t. Allmand
Publisher: Yale University Press
Category: Book
Buy Used: $255.83
Used (2) from $255.83
Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 1850140
Media: Paperback
Pages: 504
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.9
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.4
ISBN: 0300073704
Dewey Decimal Number: 941
EAN: 9780300073706
ASIN: 0300073704
Publication Date: October 23, 1997
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Based on primary sources in both English and French archives, this biography depicts the reign of Henry V in the broad European context of the period. It concludes that through his personality the king united the country in war but also provided domestic security and solid government.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Historically complete but dreadfully dull June 19, 2009
D. Burns (Los Gatos, CA United States)
I had some trouble rating this book. As a historical, factual, and detailed record of Henry V's reign, it is excellent. It is an outstanding reference text. However, as an enjoyable read, it's painfully boring. It's obvious from the text, that the author poured over many 15th century documents and he lists many of the facts from those documents in excrutiating detail. For example, listing dozens of the more prominent citizens of the realm, how much each of them contributed in taxes, etc. Imagine a couple hundred pages of that. It's a terrible read - the author is an excellent historian but not a good writer. He brings no life or excitement to the narrative. So four/five stars as a reference text, 2 stars as a history book that I'd actually like to read.
Good, but not great July 6, 2006
M. Richards
3 out of 6 found this review helpful
As mentioned in a previous review, Mr. Allmand's narrative is not strictly chronological. Roughly the first half of the book is the chronology of Henry V's life (yes - Henry dies half way through the book), while the remainder touches on various aspects of royal life and a description of the late 14th and 15th centuries (for example, the second half of the book discusses Henry's military establishment, his relationship with his family, court life, and the Lollard movement).
Personally, I did not care for the bifurcated structure. I believe Allmand could have incorporated the themes from the second half of the book into his chronological life of Henry in a seamless manner. As written, the book is disjointed and can be difficult to follow in some places.
Overall, this is a good read, but not great.
Medieval CEO January 10, 2001
Alex Lukic (Washington, DC)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
As brilliantly portrayed by Mr. Allmand, Henry V personifies not only the fearsome and powerful character of a dark ages monarch, but also that one of a business-sound and strategy-aware leader. Whereas Shakespeare stresses Henry's prowess as a soldier and a hero, Allmand throws in unbeknownst traits: goal-oriented business planner, egalitarian political strategist, tireless academician, merciless warrior and fearing christian. Even though Mr. Allmand's prose teems with passive verbs and endless sentences, sometimes puzzling and even confusing the reader, his book is one of its kind.
 *The* biography on Henry V July 22, 1999
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
Prof. Allmand's biography of Henry V is the first coherent work on the subject for our generation. It is also the best bio on Henry V in the past 60-70 years. Allmand gives a fairly bare-bones analysis of King Henry V's brilliant but short life, and then expands in later chapters on several themes such as the royal family, law + order, and the like. Allmand's work is scholarly but does not drown the reader in details. Is a good read and moves along in a coherent manner. If you are looking to learn more about the man Shakespeare called "the Mirror of all Christian Kings" Allmand's deft work is a good place to start and a valuable resource.
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