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Rating: 
Summary: Great medieval sources for Charlemagne
Review: It's really bizarre how this book has gotten all those 1-star reviews. Most of them seem to have read it thinking it was a novel, though considering the book's title they must not be very perceptive. While Einhard's Life is a little dry in parts, I greatly enjoyed Notker's. The translator's notes are very informative, particularly on the battle of Roncevalles, where Charlemagne's general Roland was killed. To someone genuinely interested in learning more about Charlemagne than what is mere common knowledge, I suggest ignoring the bad reviews and get this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Two slightly embellished lives.
Review: The title "Two Lives of Charlemagne" is a bit deceptive. This is not a novel with Charlemagne playing a double role. It is a telling of Charlemagne's life by two authors of his time. The first part of the book is a useful forward. It should be read. It will tell you much of what to expect in the book regarding style and content. The second part of the book is written by Einhard. Einhards main goal seems to have been to write about Charlemagne's life in such a manner as to fit it seamlesly into the "De vita Caesarum" written earlier, so Charlemagne could take his rightful place with the Roman emperors. The third part, written by a monk, focuses on Charlemagne's religious life. As it was written for one of Charlemagne's grandsons, it is of course written in such a way as to make Charlemagne look like a saint. It does stray from time to time to other members of Charlemagne's family. The two lives work well with each other. And while you have to take some of the stories with a grain of salt, the fact that two people could write so highly of the man after his death speaks to his greatness.
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Summary: Charlemagne's amazing double life
Review: Thorpe's compilation of two biographies of Charlemagne is an interesting start to understanding the Emperor's life. The book consists of a lengthy introduction by Thorpe; a biography written by Einhard, a contemporary of Charlemagne's; and a biography by Notker the Stammerer who lived sometime after Charlemagne. Einhard's biography is simpler to read and really more complete although it is much shorter than Notker's. Altogether, both "Lives" were an enjoyable read.
Rating: 
Summary: Two Lives of Charlemagne
Review: Thorpe's compilation of two biographies of Charlemagne is an interesting start to understanding the Emperor's life. The book consists of a lengthy introduction by Thorpe; a biography written by Einhard, a contemporary of Charlemagne's; and a biography by Notker the Stammerer who lived sometime after Charlemagne. Einhard's biography is simpler to read and really more complete although it is much shorter than Notker's. Altogether, both "Lives" were an enjoyable read.
Rating:
Summary: History isn't literature!
Review: Those of you who claimed this book bored you obviously thought you were picking up an Arthurian romance or some kind of fantasy/sci-fi epic. This is history, people, not an adventure story! What's more, it's history from the period in which it happened, what we call a primary source. Of course it's not going to read like a modern novel. People in the Middle Ages wanted solid content, not useless fluff. This work is great for introducing students to the life of a great leader written by someone who was actually there. I use it with my tenth grade students and they love it because it gives you a snapshot of the man under the crown.
Rating:
Summary: History isn't literature!
Review: Those of you who claimed this book bored you obviously thought you were picking up an Arthurian romance or some kind of fantasy/sci-fi epic. This is history, people, not an adventure story! What's more, it's history from the period in which it happened, what we call a primary source. Of course it's not going to read like a modern novel. People in the Middle Ages wanted solid content, not useless fluff. This work is great for introducing students to the life of a great leader written by someone who was actually there. I use it with my tenth grade students and they love it because it gives you a snapshot of the man under the crown.
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