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Richard III

The Self-Made King

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Richard III

By: Michael Hicks
Narrated by: Matthew Waterson
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About this listen

The definitive biography and assessment of the wily and formidable prince who unexpectedly became monarch - the most infamous king in British history

The reign of Richard III, the last Yorkist king and the final monarch of the Plantagenet dynasty, marked a turning point in British history. But despite his lasting legacy, Richard only ruled as king for the final two years of his life. While much attention has been given to his short reign, Michael Hicks explores the whole of Richard's fascinating life and traces the unfolding of his character and career from his early years as the son of a duke to his violent death at the battle of Bosworth.

Hicks explores how Richard - villainized for his imprisonment and probable killing of the princes - applied his experience to overcome numerous setbacks and adversaries. Richard proves a complex, conflicted individual whose Machiavellian tact and strategic foresight won him a kingdom. He was a reformer who planned big changes, but lost the opportunity to fulfill them and to retain his crown.

©2019 Michael Hicks (P)2019 Tantor Europe Great Britain Historical Medieval Military & War Politicians Politics & Activism Royalty England Middle Ages Tudor War United Kingdom
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I am far from being a Richardian but even I can see that this book is extremely biased. For example: if there was an implication that Richard is said to have perpetrated some misdeed with no proof, the authors accepts it into his narrative as fact. Conversely, if he is discussing a deed of ‘good’ the author states that no proof can be found and therefore untrue.

Strangely, he accepts Moore’s blatantly Tudor propagandist treatment of history as fact... I do not know of any historian whether for or against Richard III to do this! Extraordinary!

Overall disappointing but held together by a good performance by the narrator and some factual documentation thrown in.

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