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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2121326 in Books
• Published on: 1997-10-23
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 504 pages

From Library Journal
In this volume, we are presented with an in-depth and generally balanced portrait of the monarch who is best remembered for his success at the Battle of Agincourt (1415). However, as Allmand (Univ. of Liverpool) shows, Henry V was a versatile, capable ruler whose achievements in many areas were of lasting significance. Like most of its predecessors in the "English Monarchs" series, this work is written in a style designed to appeal not only to scholars but to general readers. Undergraduate students of British history, in particular, will be beneficiaries of this work. Deeply researched and well written, this is now the standard biography of Henry V.
- James A. Casada, Winthrop Univ., Rock Hill, S.C.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
Christopher Allmand is Professor of History at the University of Liverpool. His previous books include Lancastrian Normandy, 1415-1450 and The Hundred Years War.

Customer Reviews

*The* biography on Henry V
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.

Medieval CEO
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.

Historically complete but a dull read
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. The author follows the same course on many other topics in order to paint a complete picture of Henry's reign and to describe certain historical trends. The book is complete and informative, but it's not an enjoyable read. The author is an excellent historian but not a great 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.