Great Tales from English History Paperback – Illustrated, November 12, 2007

This book is such an enjoyable read that it truly EARNS the adjective so frivolously showered on other works - ADDICTIVE. This triumph is due to its two basic qualities: 1.) The gripping interest of the subject matter and 2.) Lacey's lively, sparkling prose punctuated with his gamin wit. It was, for me, a thrilling romp to go through what I learned in history classes as a schoolboy (We had to memorise those family trees of the houses of Plantagenet, York, Lancaster, Tudor, Stuart, Hanover and Windsor provided by Lacey at the outset here.) presented in such an anecdotal, jaunty manner. I say "addictive" because the idiosyncratic chapters of 2-7 pages covering "The Cheddar Man" to Watson and Crick are so enticingly titled - complete with odd little drawings underneath the date, duly explained in the next few pages, but passing strange-looking if you don't know (or, ahem, can't quite recall) the story - will keep the reader turning the pages from chapter to chapter long after he/she promised him/her self to turn out the light.Another reviewer has provided many of the quotes I thought I might include to bait the reader with a sampling of what is offered here. But he missed one I think will appeal to prospective readers on both sides of the pond, from the chapter "`Spoilt Child' And The Pilgrim Fathers" - final paragraph:"We should also, perhaps, revise our image of the Pilgrim Fathers all wearing sober black costumes with white collars and big buckles on their shoes. Shoe buckles did not come into fashion until the late 1660s, and, as far as the colonists' costumes, as inventoried on their deaths by the Plymouth plantation court, they sound more like those of pixies than pilgrims: Mayflower passenger John Howland died with two red waistcoats in his travelling chest; William Bradford also owned a red waistcoat, along with a green gown and a suit with silver buttons, while the wardrobe of William Brewster, the former postmaster of Scrooby, featured green breeches, a red cap and a fine `violet' coat." P.252It makes one picture the first Thanksgiving in a rather more colourful light!That's it. Have fun, learn or relearn many a thing, and don't stay up too late.

I ordered this book before we took a trip to the UK this summer. It is very easy to read and gives interesting details from well-known to more obscure facts about English history in 3-5 page chapters. The chapters are in historical chronological order. I took the book with me and referred back to it multiple times as I would tour each place of interest. I even read it aloud to my husband and kids so they could learn more and they found it fascinating as well. Had it not been for this book, we would not have gone with nearly the knowledge that we did and would have missed out on some of the background information at each site. I highly recommend this to anyone who needs to brush up on English history, is taking a class in English history, or is traveling to England. Thank you Robert Lacey for enhancing our vacation and educating some Americans!

I bought all three books and they are great. I don't understand why the first book was SO MUCH more than the others and is the same make of of the other two and I just found that I could have had all three for a lot less. The first book cost $50.00 same quality as the others so beware. KD

Quick reference of hx, interesting.

Robert Lacey turns the old drum-and-bugle-corps approach to history into a fascinating narrative of the entwined lives of the great and the humble. It's not dry and discouraging reading. On the contrary, I am finally getting all the Henrys straight, understanding the Wars of the Roses, and mastering the inside view of Dick Whittington's cat and Dr. Johnson's dictionary. The excursions into lesser tales and debunking of myths are as much fun as the tales of the mighty, and the whole is woven into a wonderful Cloth of Historical Gold. If you enjoy English History but could never abide the dusty tomes offered in school classes, this book is for you. The research is impeccable, proving you can both get it right and make it enjoyable.

This was my first exposure to Robert Lacey, but I'd like to read more. He's in that select group of historians who bring the past to life. Blame me for that cliche, not him. Even if you never had an interest in history (much less ENGLISH history), you'll probably be sucked in by his unpretentious style. Events that took place hundreds (even thousands) of years ago (and thousands of miles away, from Americans, at least) are made relevant and exciting. What more can one ask for? (More "serious" readers are pointed to more extensive and "traditional" sources -- as well as less traditional ones, including the Internet -- in his Bibliography and Source Notes). One can't help but wonder how different we (and, perhaps, the world) would be if we had all had history teachers like Robert Lacey.

I first got this book at the library. I wanted to read the tale about Richard III and his two nephews. It was so well written that I wanted to read more. About half way through the book I decided that I wanted to own it so that I could refer to it anytime. So, I bought it from Amazon. What a great buy-the price is very reasonable and the book is so well written that it reads like a novel. And since I read it, I have noticed that when this category comes up on Jeopardy, I can answer all the questions! I can't say enough good things about this book. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the real life stories of the English Monarchy.