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A review by nathanjhunt
William III & Mary II: Partners In Revolution by Jonathan Keates
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
This was my 66th and last book finished in 2023.
I have a fledgling interest in the Restoration Era, having read Samuel Pepys' diary, and a biography on Charles II. I too have an interest in the Georgian Era, having read a biography on George I. But, as the author states, there seems to be this forgotten gap between the two, marking the end of the Stuart era. I know a little about Anne, but what about Mary II and William III? The oldest English coin I own is a William III half penny from the 1690s, but I don't know a thing about the man.
This book serves as a good introduction. Of course this is just a summary of their lives, but it did feel a little fleeting. The book is about 20 pages shorter than others in the series, and I did feel like some things were just glanced over.
Generally, the author's writing style is fine, with nothing too confusing. But I did have to re-read some paragraphs in the opening chapter, as a lot of people had the same name, and it wasn't always obvious who the author was talking about.
To summarise, it seems true that their reign was short and quite unremarkable; no wonder British history has mostly forgotten about them. The author does an okay job of keeping the book interesting.
I have a fledgling interest in the Restoration Era, having read Samuel Pepys' diary, and a biography on Charles II. I too have an interest in the Georgian Era, having read a biography on George I. But, as the author states, there seems to be this forgotten gap between the two, marking the end of the Stuart era. I know a little about Anne, but what about Mary II and William III? The oldest English coin I own is a William III half penny from the 1690s, but I don't know a thing about the man.
This book serves as a good introduction. Of course this is just a summary of their lives, but it did feel a little fleeting. The book is about 20 pages shorter than others in the series, and I did feel like some things were just glanced over.
Generally, the author's writing style is fine, with nothing too confusing. But I did have to re-read some paragraphs in the opening chapter, as a lot of people had the same name, and it wasn't always obvious who the author was talking about.
To summarise, it seems true that their reign was short and quite unremarkable; no wonder British history has mostly forgotten about them. The author does an okay job of keeping the book interesting.