Rating: 
Summary: Very well written account of Lancaster vs. York
Review: "The Wars of the Roses" is an altogether fascinating account of what may be, I suspect , a not so well understood era of English medieval history. Alison Weir tells the story of the wars between the Houses of Lancaster and York in 15th century England in a most compelling manner. She allows the reader to get to know such disparate characters as the weak and unstable usurper Lancastrian King Henry VI and his ambitious and ruthless queen, Margaret of Anjou; the Duke of York, who led the fight against the Lancasters, at first attempting to establish good government in England under Henry VI, and later, with an eye toward taking the English throne for himself; and York's son, Edward, conscientious and competent, who, after the Duke's death, picked up his father's fallen banner and deposed Henry VI, becoming King Edward IV, and ultimately ending the Wars of the Roses.Weir weaves personalities and a highly complex series of events into a well organized, easily understandable and highly entertaining narrative. I found "The Wars of the Roses" to be thoroughly enjoyable and very well written indeed.
Rating: 
Summary: A beautifully researched and written book
Review: A superb history of the Wars of the Roses, but don't start your reading of this subject with this book.You need to be familiar with the period to get the best out of this book
Rating:
Summary: A fascinating story
Review: Alison Weir writes history from the point of view of the participants. The characters are real people making fallible decisions that affect the very course of western history. Their personality traits, strengths, and weaknesses make for a fascinating and riveting tale of honor, corruption, greed, and loyalty. The fact that what she writes is historical fact becomes the icing on the cake. Ms Weir has an extraordinary talent for bringing history to life. So much so that this book will be enjoyed simply as a story, regardless of the history lesson it so richly serves up. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is even slightly interested in the history of the western world.
Rating:
Summary: A Facsinating History Un-Tangled
Review: Alison Weir's treatment of the Wars of the Roses is a concise presentation of the causes and effects of that tangled period of English history. Only a serious student of the subject would desire more details, but the aim of the book is to interest and entertain the casual reader, while presenting an accurate un-tangling of the complicated causes and course of this old story. The Wars of the Roses is sure to be a favorite nonfiction title of any fan of historical fiction. Not since the release of "Through a Distant Mirror" has a popular nonfiction title succesfully presented the peculiar politics, pageantry and magnificence of the end of the medieval era. A must-read.
Rating:
Summary: Weir, a superb historian
Review: Allison Weir has shown once again why she is considered one of the foremost English Historians. Her depth of knowledge, sometimes overwhelming, is truly remarkable. The myriad of events surrounding the Wars of the Roses is almost impossible to account for in one novel, however, Weir has made the impossible; possible. Although somewhat confusing at times, due to the complexity of events, she has given every history reader what they look for - the facts. Accompany this deluge of information with a keeen sense for scene-setting and you have a wonderful novel that will bring the reader into history itself. By far, this is the most complete revelation into this period of history that I have read.
Rating:
Summary: Ditto
Review: An entertaining story that tells of the Wars of the Roses from a more personality driven aspect. This book is ann excellent way to learn about this historical period. The only problem I had with the book is that Weir, sometimes switches back and forth between using peoples given names and their titles. I guess this is a difficult think to avoid because first sons were often named after the father and titles were transferred only after the previous holder died. Conveniently, Weir includes a genealogy, but even still it is sometimes difficult to keep track of the characters. The nature of the beast, I guess, I haven't read a royal history yet that I don't get the characters confused halfway thorough.
Rating: 
Summary: Other places to start
Review: As a general outline of the period, the book is tolerable (not even Ms. Weir can get dates wrong). Ms. Weir's noted biases and haphazard use of "facts" would cause me to look elsewhere for a book.
Rating:
Summary: So interesting, I've read it three times so far
Review: As is Weir's strength, she brings the characters of this era to life and let's you empathize with both Lancastrians and Yorkists. Her treatment of Henry V, whom I consider a brutal war criminal even by the standards of the day, is shall we say kind.
One of the strengths of the book is the ability place the Wars of the Roses in the context of preceding events. The recap of the Hundred Years War, the role of Edward III's sons and grandsons and great grandsons is very helpful.
The book does end at an awkward time, as Richard III's assuming the throne is left to "The Princes in the Tower." I view the ending of the Lancastrian and Yorkists disputes finally put to rest in the reign of Henry VIII, rather than at the Battle of Tewkesbury.
All in all, a very good book and the author as always should be thanked for making these historical figures so interesting and accessible.
Rating:
Summary: Rich rewards for the diligent reader
Review: Before you start to read, grab a legal pad and a pencil: you will need both. The story is complex, to say the least, and keeping the Lancaster and York kin straight is the easiest task! You will find Ms. Weir's bias towards a certain color of rose, so, reader beware. Nevertheless, Weir's masterpiece is richly detailed and scholarly, but accessible, and the reader who carefully studies this book will be rewarded with a clear understanding of England's "Cousins War". I give this work my highest recommendation.
Rating:
Summary: Rich rewards for the diligent reader
Review: Before you start to read, grab a legal pad and a pencil: you will need both. The story is complex, to say the least, and keeping the Lancaster and York kin straight is the easiest task! You will find Ms. Weir's bias towards a certain color of rose, so, reader beware. Nevertheless, Weir's masterpiece is richly detailed and scholarly, but accessible, and the reader who carefully studies this book will be rewarded with a clear understanding of England's "Cousins War". I give this work my highest recommendation.
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