Richard III

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Pushes the Argument too Far, but a Good Corrective - Rated
Richard III, having been vilified for so long, probably did need to be rescued from his defenders when Desmond Seward wrote this book. Seward most certainly tries to do so, and in many respects he carries conviction - particularly since, as he points out, the relatively contemporary sources such as Dominic Mancini and the Croyland Chronicle are hostile as well as the Tudor tradition.

Occasionally, however, you do get the feeling that Seward is trying to validate the Tudor tradition more than trying to get to the truth of the matter. For instance, when talking about the death of Prince Edward of Lancaster, he tells us (in arguing for a serious suspicion that Richard was involved in helping to murder him, rather than having him dead in battle) that "it would be unwise to dismiss the great Victorian's [J.A. Gairdner's] intuition too easily"! He's also, to my mind, often much too inclined to rely on Thomas More's testimony. However, his portrait of Richard - as a ruthless man in a company of ruthless men - is a credible one. It should be remembered that the portrait of him as one of the most maligned English kings would make him one of the most exceptionally virtuous noblemen of the day! Well worth a read.

This is a truly dreadful book! - Rated
This book is described as a 'definitive picture of both the man and his age' when all it is is an apology for the discredited testimony of Thomas More. In roughly 150 pages More is referred (or deferred) to at least 79 times! Although the book boasts an extensive Bibliography, the sources actually quoted are almost exclusively those known to be hostile to Richard III. He acknowledges some of More's most obvious errors and states that his history 'portrays Queen Elizabeth Woodville as a spotless figure when in reality she was a grasping intriguer' and yet swallows some of his most vitriolic passages about Richard, whole...

brilliant - Rated
not really a review just to comment that as a 15thC historian this is prehaps the best referance book i have ever found!! not just for Richard but for the political intregue of this era which is the fundement of its popularity and lasting interest a must have for all serious enthusiasts!!

Well written and researched and highly enjoyable. - Rated
Desmond Seward argues there are three theories of Richard III - the 'white legend', the 'grey legend' and the 'black legend' of Shakespeare. Richard's life and reign are so open to interpretation it is almost impossible to find a totally neutral account of his life. Mr Seward acknowledges this. His solution was to read the original sources. His account,is by his own admission personal, but in my opinion credible. Unlike the historians who promote the white legend, some of the more unpleasant incidents of Richard's reign and the way he rose to power are not glossed over, but examined in context.

However, Mr Seward however appears to make definite statements about Richard's chararacter to argue his case, when surely his character is a matter of interpretation. I could not agree with all of his conclusions, although they are well argued and valid. On the whole the biography is well written and researched. It is a highly enjoyable read. It is one of the best books I have read on the subject

Although it failed to convince me of the black legend, but I found it more persuasive than the white legend accounts. It has inspired to me to read the original sources.

Accurate account of Richard's life by a life-long student - Rated
This book is valuable from the angle that the Author has experienced the story from both sides of the arguement, as a one-time believer in the "White Legend", the conviction of the belief of the "Black Legend" is well voiced. All opposing statements are countered by well balanced and intelligently argued point of view, and there are interesting details included that are not present in other works on the subject.