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  • The Perfect King

  • The Life of Edward III
  • By: Ian Mortimer
  • Narrated by: Alex Wyndham
  • Length: 19 hrs and 32 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (20 ratings)

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The Perfect King cover art

The Perfect King

By: Ian Mortimer
Narrated by: Alex Wyndham
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Publisher's Summary

From the best-selling author of The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England comes the story of King Edward III, who - like Elizabeth and Victoria after him - embodied the values of his age, forged a nation out of war and remade England.

Edward’s life is one of the most extraordinary in all English history. He ordered his uncle to be beheaded, he usurped his father’s throne and he started a war which lasted for more than a hundred years. He took the crown when it was at its lowest point and raised it to new heights, presenting himself as a new King Arthur, victorious across Europe. He was the architect of many English icons - from parliamentary rule to the adoption of English as the official language and even the building of a great clock tower at Westminster. Yet behind the strong warrior king was a compassionate, conscientious and often merciful man - resolute yet devoted to his wife, friends and family, and the father of both the English nation and the English people.

©2014 Ian Mortimer (P)2016 Tantor
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Critic Reviews

"An excellent biography; entertaining as well as informative." (Daily Telegraph)

"A fascinating portrait. At times, the reader seems almost able to reach across time and touch this man." (The Economist)

"In producing this fine biography, Mortimer has succeeded magnificently, and has gone a long, long way towards restoring Edward III to his proper place as one of the great makers of this nation." (Daily Mail)

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The roots of the tree of England.

Fabulous research and theory. Ian Mortimer demonstrates that he knows and loves researching past kings, their life, times and peer groups. A wonderful insight into history placing cause with affects, actions with consequences.
I have enjoyed every minute of this audio. Well paced, easy to listen to, totally enjoyable.
Appendix additions are insightful.... intriguing the percentage of the English population that maybe related to King Edward 3rd.

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