The Wars of the Roses
by: Alison Weir
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"Weir does a masterful job of leading the layman through the entwined family trees of England's powerful families and the many usurpers to the throne. . . . [She] has perfected the art of bringing history to life."
--Chicago Tribune
Lancaster and York. For much of the fifteenth century, these two families were locked in battle for control of the British throne. Kings were murdered and deposed. Armies marched on London. Old noble names were ruined while rising dynasties seized power and lands. The war between the royal Houses of Lancaster and York, the longest and most complex in British history, profoundly altered the course of the monarchy.
Alison Weir, one of the foremost authorities on the British royal family, brings brilliantly to life both the war itself and the historic figures who fought it on the great stage of England. The Wars of the Roses is history at its very best--swift and compelling, rich in character, pageantry, and drama, and vivid in its re-creation of an astonishing, dangerous, and often grim period of history.
"[A] spellbinding chronicle. . . Weir's dark, glorious pageant restores the personal dimension to an oft-told tale without losing sight of a war that shattered feudalism, paved the way for capitalism and weakened the monarchy."
--Publishers Weekly
"[Weir is] skilled at delineating the many memorable characters of the age. . . . It's a tribute to her skill that she leaves you wanting more."
--The Cleveland Plain Dealer
AN ALTERNATE SELECTION OF THE BOOK-OF-THE-MONTH CLUB
"Weir does a masterful job of leading the layman through the entwined family trees of England's powerful families and the many usurpers to the throne. . . . [She] has perfected the art of bringing history to life."
--Chicago Tribune
Lancaster and York. For much of the fifteenth century, these two families were locked in battle for control of the British throne. Kings were murdered and deposed. Armies marched on London. Old noble names were ruined while rising dynasties seized power and lands. The war between the royal Houses of Lancaster and York, the longest and most complex in British history, profoundly altered the course of the monarchy.
Alison Weir, one of the foremost authorities on the British royal family, brings brilliantly to life both the war itself and the historic figures who fought it on the great stage of England. The Wars of the Roses is history at its very best--swift and compelling, rich in character, pageantry, and drama, and vivid in its re-creation of an astonishing, dangerous, and often grim period of history.
"[A] spellbinding chronicle. . . Weir's dark, glorious pageant restores the personal dimension to an oft-told tale without losing sight of a war that shattered feudalism, paved the way for capitalism and weakened the monarchy."
--Publishers Weekly
"[Weir is] skilled at delineating the many memorable characters of the age. . . . It's a tribute to her skill that she leaves you wanting more."
--The Cleveland Plain Dealer
AN ALTERNATE SELECTION OF THE BOOK-OF-THE-MONTH CLUB
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- What a tangled web we weave
This book is one of the best that I've read.Ms. Weir, once again, brings history to life.It was so clear that in some places I just wanted to smack the different men in the narrative.The senselessness of the constant battles.
The only problem I had was that there were so many Henrys, Richards, and Thomases that I couldn't keep them straight.Perhaps if she had included a play-by-play guide to the main characters; it would have been easier to tell them apart.
Rating: - Weir takes the covoluted and makes sense of it
If I was given the choice of writing a novel on a certain historic event, you can bet the event at the bottom of my list would be The War of the Roses. I don't think I could deal with such a convoluted, tangled story, with an ungodly amount of characters to keep track of...it would likely drive me mad. But, thankfully Alison Weir was of a different mindset and took the monster head on. And what a supurb job she did! Weir merged enjoyment and learning expertly and I can see how it would take a lot ... Read More
Rating: - Medieval Times in plain language
The Wars of the Roses are much spoken of but little understood. Alison Weir captures the age in book after book. This book is no exception. Embroidered with fascinating facts through out a tale of intrigue alongside politial outcomes which affect us today, Ms Weir touches upon the human elements which make her books worth reading.
Rating: - Both detailed and a fascinating read
In this volume, Alison Weir yet again proves her skill and talent in providing a comprehensive history of her subject, while at the same time Engaging the reader with an exciting pleasure to read.
The author proves again and again just how exciting history can be.
Weir sets the scene with a rich social, economic , cultural and politicaldescription of 15th century England .
Weir begins the actual account with the events leading up to the War of the Roses, ... Read More
Rating: 
- Confusing By Its Nature
Mid-15th century European History is a fascinating period.In addition to the War of the Roses, the struggle for the throne of England, western Europe was also in turmoil as the French monarchs battled both the English crown and the Burgundian Dukes.This book details the history of these conflicts.
By its nature, this history can be terribly confusing.Threading your way through the various lines of succesion can leave a reader scratching his/her head in an effort to differentiate the ... Read More
- What a tangled web we weaveThis book is one of the best that I've read.Ms. Weir, once again, brings history to life.It was so clear that in some places I just wanted to smack the different men in the narrative.The senselessness of the constant battles.
The only problem I had was that there were so many Henrys, Richards, and Thomases that I couldn't keep them straight.Perhaps if she had included a play-by-play guide to the main characters; it would have been easier to tell them apart.
- Weir takes the covoluted and makes sense of itIf I was given the choice of writing a novel on a certain historic event, you can bet the event at the bottom of my list would be The War of the Roses. I don't think I could deal with such a convoluted, tangled story, with an ungodly amount of characters to keep track of...it would likely drive me mad. But, thankfully Alison Weir was of a different mindset and took the monster head on. And what a supurb job she did! Weir merged enjoyment and learning expertly and I can see how it would take a lot ... Read More
- Medieval Times in plain languageThe Wars of the Roses are much spoken of but little understood. Alison Weir captures the age in book after book. This book is no exception. Embroidered with fascinating facts through out a tale of intrigue alongside politial outcomes which affect us today, Ms Weir touches upon the human elements which make her books worth reading.
- Both detailed and a fascinating readIn this volume, Alison Weir yet again proves her skill and talent in providing a comprehensive history of her subject, while at the same time Engaging the reader with an exciting pleasure to read.
The author proves again and again just how exciting history can be.
Weir sets the scene with a rich social, economic , cultural and politicaldescription of 15th century England .
Weir begins the actual account with the events leading up to the War of the Roses, ... Read More
- Confusing By Its NatureMid-15th century European History is a fascinating period.In addition to the War of the Roses, the struggle for the throne of England, western Europe was also in turmoil as the French monarchs battled both the English crown and the Burgundian Dukes.This book details the history of these conflicts.
By its nature, this history can be terribly confusing.Threading your way through the various lines of succesion can leave a reader scratching his/her head in an effort to differentiate the ... Read More
