Wars of the Roses

Rating:
Summary: HIstory That Reads Almost Like a Novel
Review: This is the first book on history I've read for enjoyment, and enjoy it I did. Weir knits the events into a neat and exciting plot that made the reading fun as well as informative. I found myself rooting for the Yorkists throughout the book, but that's not to say that Weir sided with them in her writing.

Like most others that have reviewed this, I too was confused by the naming system used in this book. I assumed it was an inherent problem to all British history (I guess I'll find out if I'm right when I read more) and soon became accustomed to the conventions. Granted, I was throughly confused at first, but halfway through the book I picked it up and hardly noticed it. A second reading will definitely help clear up all confusion.

So, as a first time reader of British history, I recommend this account of The War of the Roses. It was informative as well as enjoyable. Weir does a great job detailing the characters of the period instead of just events and battles. On that note, I would have liked a more in depth ananlysis of battle strategies, tactics, and weapons of the time, as that is what I'm most interested in, but reading about the fire behind Queen Katherine and York's attempts to end her influence was great as well.

I'm definitely picking up The Princes in the Tower, so that should tell you how much I enjoyed this one.

Rating:
Summary: A facinating period and a good read.
Review: This is the third book by Alison Weier that I've read, and the best. First, the period she covers is fascinating, with loads interesting historical figures and conflict. Second, unlike some of her other books, she provides good social and political context for the wars and personalities she describes. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Rating:
Summary: A good portrayal of the Wars of the Roses
Review: Weir does a good job of portraying a complicated period in English history. With that said, following are the main reasons why I did not give this book 5 stars. First, Weir is not consistent in the way that she refers to people. She would do all of her fans a big favor by referring to people by the given names, surnames and titles. This is especially true in a book like this where people's titles changed throughout the book due to their loyalty to one monarch or another, to the death of a father or to their marriage. Second, Weir's sentence structure is overly complicated at times. Third, although Weir includes eight genealogies of the main families involved in the book, they are very difficult to read because they use script for the typeface, rather than a more readible typeface.

She does a masterful job of giving the reader a vivid picture of the personalities of the individuals involved in the Wars. Weir is also careful to point out the differences in opinion held by historians regarding issues like the number of people involved in the battles or the people responsible for deaths of certain individuals such as Henry VI.

For those who are interested in pursuing this period in more detail, I recommend Charles Ross' The Wars of the Roses (an excellent survey of the period) or his biographies of Edward IV and Richard III. Ross is an expert on this period and was a professor of medieval history prior to his death. Although Ross is a traditional historian who uses loads of footnotes, his books are very easy to read.

Rating:
Summary: History not hype
Review: Weir does nothing so well as interpret fact. She succeeds more than most writers in conveying historical context, which is critical for a reader of history. It is almost impossible for us in the 20th century to put ourselves in the places of the people who participated in the Wars of the Roses without the help of someone like her. I especially recommend this book for readers of historical fiction. Weir's prose flows almost as smoothly as any novelist's, but you are left with history (as best as it can presented), not some fantasy.

The Richard III fans out there should read this BEFORE reading the Princes in the Tower. While it is sometimes easier to read history when you already know what happens next, this book will hammer home needed perspective; such as, why kings (and princes) were doomed to death and not just doomed to losing their crowns.

Rating:
Summary: Breezy, Insightful History
Review: Weir's chronicle of the Wars of the Roses is ideal for interested novices who don't mind a little work, and those drawn to the era by Shakespeare's history plays. There's not a great deal of reference material or notes, and in recounting a large stretch of time the author doesn't get much opportunity to dig deep, but this is pleasantly readable history with at least a hint of narrative flair.

The book serves as a good introduction to the conflict, giving the reader enough context for further reading into the many Houses, combatants, and claimants to the throne, and generally keeping its large cast of characters clearly delineated.

On the downside: virtually nothing in the way of maps, which would have helped illustrate the battles, and a curiously unexamined authorial tilt toward the Yorkists, which becomes increasingly jarring as the book progresses.

Rating:
Summary: the Wonders of Wier
Review: Wier is the ideal author for beginning historians. Her writing is easy to read and she tells history as if it were fiction. The War of the Roses is a complex and difficult period in history to study and Wier's confusing account of this time is no exception. However, if you're new to History, and especially new to the War of the Roses, start with Wier's book instead of any other - you'll be glad you did. I suggest reading this book twice, though, just toget all the details straight. Taking notes helps, too.

Rating:
Summary: Alison gets some respect
Review: Zip over to the reviews of Weir's "The Princes in the Tower," and you might come away with the impression that the author is a puppet of a Tudor ghost, being manipulated by corpses.

Oh well. Richard III incites strong opinions, so maybe Weir was asking for it. But with the horse guy a child and teenager for most of this book, she can sidestep controversy and exhibit her real talent for blowing life back into the Middle Ages and illustrating the humanity behind the pomp of manuscripts and proclamations.

The narrative is exciting, the profiles thoughtful and the story holds well together. Sorry, Alison, for all the nastiness the princes are bringing you. This book lets you shine without historical murkiness clouding your sun.