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judyward's review against another edition
4.0
An examination of the social, cultural, and political conditions that led to the Peasants' Revolt in England in 1381. Dan Jones wields a deft hand in writing history and engaging readers in an examination of this pivotal historical moment.
ezrafinch's review against another edition
3.0
I really love Dan Jones's ability to take history and present it as a story, rather than in the textbook-style narrative that is too often found in history books. I do prefer his The Plantagenets (much less slow-moving, but I will discuss this later), but overall this was an interesting look into the Peasant's Revolt and its eventual effect on the disposition of Richard II.
I've been wanting to read more about Richard II since I've seen some documentaries about him, and read more Richardian literature that was slightly influenced / mentions the Peasant's Revolt or the King (Gower, Chaucer). I'd thought he was an interesting historical figure, and that's why I picked up this book. I did like Jones's breakdown and presentation of events, but I did find it slow-moving at times (I started this book back in December, and went through a cycle of putting it down and picking it back up until I finished it today - in April).
Of course, I understand that this was his first published book, and so I can't really compare it to his success with The Plantagenets ; the slow-moving factor is also worsened, I think, because he had to include the less interesting aspects, since the book covers a specific event, rather than a dynasty, as in The Plantagenets . Where in this book he had to discuss the specifics, even if they weren't all that memorable, in his latter work, he would be able to pass over these, making for a quicker, more remarkable read.
So, taking that into account, I think it was a very well presented look into the Peasant's Revolt, and into Richard II himself. Jones had some great quotes in there about "Plantagenet vindictiveness" that I found particularly well-worded. This is the third book I've read by Jones, and it certainly won't be my last - looking forward to his next book on The Templars, even if it takes me a few months to get through!
I've been wanting to read more about Richard II since I've seen some documentaries about him, and read more Richardian literature that was slightly influenced / mentions the Peasant's Revolt or the King (Gower, Chaucer). I'd thought he was an interesting historical figure, and that's why I picked up this book. I did like Jones's breakdown and presentation of events, but I did find it slow-moving at times (I started this book back in December, and went through a cycle of putting it down and picking it back up until I finished it today - in April).
Of course, I understand that this was his first published book, and so I can't really compare it to his success with The Plantagenets ; the slow-moving factor is also worsened, I think, because he had to include the less interesting aspects, since the book covers a specific event, rather than a dynasty, as in The Plantagenets . Where in this book he had to discuss the specifics, even if they weren't all that memorable, in his latter work, he would be able to pass over these, making for a quicker, more remarkable read.
So, taking that into account, I think it was a very well presented look into the Peasant's Revolt, and into Richard II himself. Jones had some great quotes in there about "Plantagenet vindictiveness" that I found particularly well-worded. This is the third book I've read by Jones, and it certainly won't be my last - looking forward to his next book on The Templars, even if it takes me a few months to get through!
theblessedeveryday's review against another edition
2.0
Informative, but for me it devolved into a difficult-to-read narration of beheadings.