The Plantagenet Chronicles

Survey of the first portion of the Plantagenet dynasty, more or less from Geoffrey to John (1128-1216). The portions that are analytical are nicely done, and there are some excellent and instructive maps. For a popular, as opposed to a scholarly, book, the vast quantity of translation from contemporary chronicles was a bit much. It could have been trimmed down substantially without losing the flavour of the original material. It would have made for a more slender, but streamlined, book. An unrelated book, The Tudor Chronicles, did a much better balance with the primary source materials.

A collection of quotes with extensive side-bar material about the royal family, from Henry II down to King John. It is a coherent narrative as assembled and would be a good follow-up to a first survey. I found it by no means definitive, but the bibliography is a good guide to further investigations.

Since I love this period, this book was a must for me. Full of information,

Contemporary chronicles and accounts of the Plantagenet dynasty, presented in illustrated form.

A large, nicely illustrated book. Some contemporary texts included.

Glossy and a bit glitzy coffee-book style book on the Plantagenet Dyasty.

Absolutely wonderful contempory writings and photos.