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Title	:	The Perfect King: The Life of Edward III, Father of the English Nation
Author	:	Ian Mortimer
Book Format	:	Paperback
Book Edition	:	Deluxe Edition
Pages	:	Pages: 560 pages
Published	:	April 5th 2007 by Pimlico (first published March 28th 2006)
Categories	:	History. Biography. Nonfiction. Historical. Medieval. European Literature. British Literature. Medieval History

The Perfect King: The Life of Edward III, Father of the English Nation

Ian Mortimer

Paperback | Pages: 560 pages

Rating: 4.17 | 1682 Users | 143 Reviews

Interpretation Conducive To Books The Perfect King: The Life of Edward III, Father of the English Nation

He ordered his uncle to be beheaded; he usurped his father's throne; he taxed his people more than any other previous king, and he started a war which lasted for more than a hundred years. Yet for centuries Edward III (1327-77) was celebrated as the most brilliant of all English monarchs. In this first full study of his character and life, Ian Mortimer shows how under Edward the feudal kingdom of England became a highly organised nation, capable of raising large revenues and deploying a new type of projectile-based warfare, culminating in the crushing victory over the French at Crecy. Yet under his rule England also experienced its longest period of domestic peace in the middle ages, giving rise to a massive increase of the nation's wealth through the wool trade, with huge consequences for society, art and architecture. It is to Edward that England owes its system of parliamentary representation, its local justice system, its national flag and the recognition of English as the language of the nation. Nineteenth century historians saw in Edward the opportunity to decry a warmonger, and painted him as a self-seeking, rapacious, tax-gathering conqueror. Yet as this book shows, beneath the strong warrior king was a compassionate, conscientious and often merciful man - resolute yet devoted to his wife, friends and family. He emerges as a strikingly modern figure, to whom many will be able to relate - the father of both the English people and the English nation.

Details Books As The Perfect King: The Life of Edward III, Father of the English Nation

Original Title:	The Perfect King: The Life of Edward III, Father of the English Nation
ISBN:	1844135306 (ISBN13: 9781844135301)
Edition Language:	English
Characters:	Isabella of France, Edward III of England, John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March

Rating About Books The Perfect King: The Life of Edward III, Father of the English Nation

Ratings: 4.17 From 1682 Users | 143 Reviews

Column About Books The Perfect King: The Life of Edward III, Father of the English Nation

Relieved to have finally finished this book, which I found pretty tough going. There are interesting historical facts and for that reason I'm glad I read it; otherwise it's mostly dry and choppy. It could have been much improved with a more structured layout.

Often with historical biographies, it is very much the character that drives the quality of the story. This is very much the case here, a fantastic story of a young prince who throws off the shackles of his fathers authority, to become himself a great king. That said, it is all to easy for an author to dull the limelight on even the greatest of stories. Here Mortimer applies a careful touch, never allowing the story to grow stale. One thing of note, perhaps, is that Mortimer's views of Edward II

I really enjoyed this book. In my view, this is the best of the three Ian Mortimer books I have read. While all three of the books have been well researched and full of valuable information, this book really gave me an image of Edward III (who reigned from 327 to 1377) that I could get my teeth into.By no means a perfect man, and not always a perfect king either. But a towering monarhc who oversaw a great number of events and changes to English institutions.Well worth reading!

Very informative, easy to follow and well narrated (Audible edition). A great read for any interested in Edward III and/or the period in general.

The Perfect King is an enjoyable and well written biography of Edward III. Mortimer thoroughly covers both Edward's reign and personal life. The author also offers quite a bit of analysis. This interpretative material is a bit of a double edged sword--some of it is truly fascinating, whereas other portions appear to be little more than educated guesses.

Meticulously researched and very well written indeed. Edward III was one of the most fascinating of all Plantagenet Kings, indeed of all the monarchs of England. Ian Mortimer brings his reign to life. I was particularly interested in the research/review of the life and (non) death of Edward II - he raises interesting points and I hope that this angle will be addressed in a biography of the elder Edward, either by Mortimer or another similarly thorough writer.

Very well written book about the King Edward III and well researched as well