The definitive biography of its time - Rated 
Kendall's biography of the most controversial king in English history is a model of careful, balanced research. Although published over 50 years ago, it is still the best book I've read on Richard's whole career. Along with Josephine Tey's Daughter of Time, this is one of the books which leads people to become members of the Richard III Society. Some of Kendall's conclusions have been overtaken by new evidence, but he deals with the available sources impartially. He also gives a wonderfully detailed picture of the times Richard lived in. Particulrly fascinating is his examination of the deaths of the Princes in the Tower, which he leaves to an Appendix so as not to stem the flow of his narrative. He carefully sifts through the evidence on each side and, although he is clearly a Ricardian, he is not so biassed as to discount material unfavourable to his thesis. I don't think a completely objective biography of Richard could be written and I think this is an excellent introduction to a subject which has fascinated me for many years.
Highly biased - Rated 
I have studied a lot of English history and this is one of the most biased books I have ever read. Althougth the writer's intentions are rather good, the result is disappointing. For example, he praises Edward for hiw marriage with Elisabeth but in the process he blames the Woodvilles for all the evil of the English State!!!! How is this possible?
Overall if you want a fictional biography of Richard you can give it a try, however, if you want to read history, stick to the publication of the Yale English Monarch Series. It's very accurate and reliable.
The definitive Ricardian biography. - Rated 
This book is superbly researched and written. Naturally, much of the content of any book on Richard III will always involve an element of conjecture or interpretation of what few facts surrounding the most fiercely debated mystery in English history are actually known. However, this book is written with such a commanding presentation of points and of evidence as to leave the reader with little doubt that it is the definitive book on this most fascinating king.
Despite its thickness, the book never delves into tedium and unlike many other books on the subject is not at all hard work. The chapter on Bosworth is excellent and presents a very detailed anlaysis of both the events and of the military strategies employeed by the three sides (Richard, Richmond and Stanley).
This book is a must have for anyone with aan interest in this subject, it is the biography of Richard against which all others should be judged.
Richard III - the man behaind the myth - Rated 
This is a very thorough biography of England most notorious king, which includes plenty of background detail on the Wars of the Roses - it's hard to study Richard without putting him in this context! This is also a well balanced book in terms of bias, and Kendall explains why he chooses the interpretation he does from the available evidence. There is an interesting chapter on the London of the time, which is helpful in placing characters in period. This book is also extremely well annotated - references are numbered, but there is a star next to the number if there is more information, rather than just source details, in the end notes. This is helpful for the general reader who won't want to check up every reference if it's purely of academic interest. Although this is a fairly recent edition, it was published originally in the 1950's. This only really shows up in Appendix 1 where the Princes in the Tower are discussed, as more modern thinking is obviously not discussed, particularly on the subject of the skeletons. A very plausible case for Buckingham being the perpetrator is made. I like Kendall's idea that Richard became close to Buckingham because of his resemblance in character to his brother Clarence! If you only read one book on Richard III, make it this one. Five stars!
Richard the Third - Exposed in Truth - Rated 
Without a question, an outstanding factual look at the man whose legend was tainted through the centuries.
Kendell demonstrates accurancy and the human factor which allows the reader to experience the drama and tragedy which comprised Richards life.
Finally we have a history based on truth - not a victor's slander.
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