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Rating: 
Summary: marvelous historical
Review: Georgette Heyer is famous for her regency romances but she wrote wonderful historical fiction too and The Conqueror was probably the best of the bunch. It's a thrilling tale of Duke William's climb from an ignoble birth to the king of England. You get paegentry, romance, violence, death and fine writing. I read this book when I was in high school and it remains a favorite of mine.
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Summary: Magnificent! Breathtaking account of the Invasion of England
Review: History textbooks should all be like this! Heyer's lovely potrayal of William the Conqueror is breathtaking, full of magnificence and romance. It is a story of war, a story of friendship and of love and sorrow. A tale set in a time when chivalry was not dead and the sound of the bugle signalled the start of galloping destriers charging to battle. A fine read and I would recommend it to all out there who have ever believed in knights and damsels in distress.
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Summary: One of the best
Review: I first read this book when I was a teenager and I've read it many times since. What a great example of dedication to duty for young people.
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Summary: Heyer doing what she does best!!
Review: It often occurs to me that had Heyer been male these rich historic works would have been more appreciated.
In this piece we trace William from the room of his birth through one of the most significant and enduring "map-changings" of the last millenium. We see reasons for his behaviour, insight into his relationship with Mathilde, and exquisite detail into the times they lived in.
This book is in some ways like My Lord John and An Infamous Army, in that it is so meticulously researched and yet enlivened by personalities, thus saving it from being a boring historic work. Bravo again and again Mme. Rougier! I wish I could have known you and got inside your head.
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Summary: Duke William Hungers for the English Crown!
Review: This novel is set in the time of William the Conqueror. In the beginning he struggles just to stay alive, betrayal and death lurk in every corner and he never knows who to trust. However, he manages to stay alive and because of this his determination to rule over a peaceful duchy and later England drives him. Some of his decisions shock even his most faithful servant and friend, Raoul de Harcourt. Raoul known as "The Watcher" because he sleeps outside William's door at night to protect him, really does save his life more than once. More than once I found myself admiring William for he was a complex ruler and not always ruthless. However, in the end, I still felt for Harold who briefly became King Harold I of England because no matter what novel I have read about the "Oath" made to William by Harold, it always seemed forced. Once you get past the flowery chivalry-type language you find a worthwhile page turning novel! This book was much better than The Golden Warrior by Hope Muntz (which was forgetable!) and was more insightful of William's personality during his eventful life and leadership. It is out-of-print but well worth the time to locate and read! This review refers to the Harcover edition.
Rating:
Summary: Duke William Hungers for the English Crown!
Review: This novel is set in the time of William the Conqueror. In the beginning he struggles just to stay alive, betrayal and death lurk in every corner and he never knows who to trust. However, he manages to stay alive and because of this his determination to rule over a peaceful duchy and later England drives him. Some of his decisions shock even his most faithful servant and friend, Raoul de Harcourt. Raoul known as "The Watcher" because he sleeps outside William's door at night to protect him, really does save his life more than once. More than once I found myself admiring William, for he was a complex ruler and not always ruthless. However, in the end, I still felt for Harold who briefly became King Harold I of England because no matter what novel I have read about the "Oath" made to William by Harold, it always seemed forced. Once you get past the flowery chivalry-type language you find a worthwhile page turning novel! This book was much better than The Golden Warrior by Hope Muntz...and was more insightful of William's personality during his eventful life and leadership. It is out-of-print but well worth the time to locate and read! This review refers to the Hardcover edition.
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