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Henry V: The Astonishing Triumph of England's Greatest Warrior King
Henry V reigned over England for only nine years and four months and died at the age of just thirty-five, but he looms over the landscape of the late Middle Ages and beyond. The victor of Agincourt, he is remembered as the acme of kingship, a model to be closely imitated by his successors. William Shakespeare deployed Henry V as a study in youthful folly redirected to sober statesmanship. For one modern medievalist, Henry was, quite simply, “the greatest man who ever ruled England.”
For Dan Jones, Henry V is one of the most intriguing characters in all medieval history, but one of the hardest to pin down. He was a hardened, sometimes brutal warrior, yet he was also creative and artistic, with a bookish temperament. He was a leader who made many mistakes, who misjudged his friends and family, but he always seemed to triumph when it mattered. As king, he saved a shattered country from economic ruin, put down rebellions, and secured England’s borders; in foreign diplomacy, he made England a serious player once more. Yet through his conquests in northern France, he sowed the seeds for three generations of calamity at home, in the form of the Wars of the Roses.
Henry V is a historical titan whose legacy has become a complicated one. To understand the man behind the legend, Jones first examines Henry’s years of apprenticeship, when he saw the downfall of one king and the turbulent reign of another. Upon his accession in 1413, he had already been politically and militarily active for years, and his extraordinary achievements as king would come shortly after, earning him an unparalleled historical reputation. Writing with his characteristic wit and style, Jones delivers a thrilling and unmissable life of England’s greatest king.
For Dan Jones, Henry V is one of the most intriguing characters in all medieval history, but one of the hardest to pin down. He was a hardened, sometimes brutal warrior, yet he was also creative and artistic, with a bookish temperament. He was a leader who made many mistakes, who misjudged his friends and family, but he always seemed to triumph when it mattered. As king, he saved a shattered country from economic ruin, put down rebellions, and secured England’s borders; in foreign diplomacy, he made England a serious player once more. Yet through his conquests in northern France, he sowed the seeds for three generations of calamity at home, in the form of the Wars of the Roses.
Henry V is a historical titan whose legacy has become a complicated one. To understand the man behind the legend, Jones first examines Henry’s years of apprenticeship, when he saw the downfall of one king and the turbulent reign of another. Upon his accession in 1413, he had already been politically and militarily active for years, and his extraordinary achievements as king would come shortly after, earning him an unparalleled historical reputation. Writing with his characteristic wit and style, Jones delivers a thrilling and unmissable life of England’s greatest king.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2024
1482 people are currently reading
21478 people want to read
About the author
Dan Jones
58 books5,398 followersDan Jones is a historian, broadcaster and award-winning journalist. His books, including The Plantagenets, Magna Carta, The Templars and The Colour of Time, have sold more than one million copies worldwide. He has written and hosted dozens of TV shows including the acclaimed Netflix/Channel 5 series 'Secrets of Great British Castles'. For ten years Dan wrote a weekly column for the London Evening Standard and his writing has also appeared in newspapers and magazines including The Sunday Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Wall Street Journal, Smithsonian, GQ and The Spectator.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 725 reviews
September 6, 2025
Thank you for the ARC to the Publisher, Head of Zeus, received via Netgalley.
“O, for a muse of fire, that would ascend
The brightest heaven of invention,
A kingdom for a stage, princes to act
And monarchs to behold the swelling scene!
” Shakespeare: Henry V, (Chorus, Prologue)
"The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry ‘God for Harry, England, and Saint George!’ "
(Shakespeare: Henry V, King Henry, Act 3 Scene 1)
This has been my first book by Dan Jones and while I've never been a fan of the real Henry V and this book has not changed that (not that it was the intention), Jones' writing is so good that I got totally immersed in this king's story and I've become a fan of the author. :)
Actually I liked the book so much that I've bought the audiobook and I found that besides being a very good writer, Dan Jones is also a great narrator and it enhanced the whole experience.
"(...) He will be the king who is lionised by the generation who knew him, idolised by those who followed and eventually mythologised by William Shakespeare.
Although Henry V will reign for only nine years and four months, dying at the age of just thirty-five, he will loom over the historical landscape of the later Middle Ages and beyond, remembered as the acme of kingship: the man who did the job exactly as it was supposed to be done.
He will be considered the closest thing his age ever produced to one of the Nine Worthies. A titan. An English Alexander."
As you can see from this quote, this biography has been written in a style that may not be to everyone's taste: talking about the past in the present tense.
I admit that this may be irritating, unless the writer has a very sure hand and the talent to make it work. Dan Jones has both. He makes the story flow smoothly and effortlessly and his style completely drew me in. It was like listening to a captivating docu-drama, seeing it all in my mind's eye. I just did not want it to end.
Also, in the the introduction he admits to an admiration and fascination with Henry V's character, which could lead to a bias at how he portrays his subject. But, this never happens. Throughout the book you get a correct, well-balanced, clear presentation of all information: there isn't a trace of whitewashing or turning a blind eye to any mistake, weakness or ugliness. You get the full picture and Dan Jones never forces you to see things "his way", we are given the maximum choice to draw our own conclusion.
We can follow Henry's life from his birth to his death as thankfully the focus is not solely on the battle of Agincourt, but we are led through the whole of Henry's military campaign and once again we get the gore as well as the glory. Dan Jones never fails to mention the misery Henry's war on top of the mad French King Charles VI reign, the warring factions of the Armagnacs and the Burgundians wreak on the people of France. He also always pay attention to separate facts from fiction and doesn't fall into the Shakespeare-trap.
The only thing I found wanting was more information dedicated to how Henry's reign affected the people of England from a social and economic perspective. Dan Jones was rather closemouthed on that. The dynamic between the monarch and his subjects were mostly described as a financial transaction: Henry asked the Parliament for money and he got it through taxes. He recruited people for his army, they joined and lived or died. These are no revelations of great national prosperity. I mean, nationalism and victories over Jean Foreigner is all very well, but you cannot eat or drink it.
To be fair, we are told time and again that Henry lay great importance on trying to keep law and order and to keep up good relations with the Parliament and the Clerics and his brother, the Duke of Bedford was a good steward when he was away, but the emphasis is on the political and not the economic issues unless it is about financing war.
Despite this latter "shortcoming" this has been a great read and now I'm on to read some more books by Dan Jones.
“O, for a muse of fire, that would ascend
The brightest heaven of invention,
A kingdom for a stage, princes to act
And monarchs to behold the swelling scene!
” Shakespeare: Henry V, (Chorus, Prologue)
"The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry ‘God for Harry, England, and Saint George!’ "
(Shakespeare: Henry V, King Henry, Act 3 Scene 1)
This has been my first book by Dan Jones and while I've never been a fan of the real Henry V and this book has not changed that (not that it was the intention), Jones' writing is so good that I got totally immersed in this king's story and I've become a fan of the author. :)
Actually I liked the book so much that I've bought the audiobook and I found that besides being a very good writer, Dan Jones is also a great narrator and it enhanced the whole experience.
"(...) He will be the king who is lionised by the generation who knew him, idolised by those who followed and eventually mythologised by William Shakespeare.
Although Henry V will reign for only nine years and four months, dying at the age of just thirty-five, he will loom over the historical landscape of the later Middle Ages and beyond, remembered as the acme of kingship: the man who did the job exactly as it was supposed to be done.
He will be considered the closest thing his age ever produced to one of the Nine Worthies. A titan. An English Alexander."
As you can see from this quote, this biography has been written in a style that may not be to everyone's taste: talking about the past in the present tense.
I admit that this may be irritating, unless the writer has a very sure hand and the talent to make it work. Dan Jones has both. He makes the story flow smoothly and effortlessly and his style completely drew me in. It was like listening to a captivating docu-drama, seeing it all in my mind's eye. I just did not want it to end.
Also, in the the introduction he admits to an admiration and fascination with Henry V's character, which could lead to a bias at how he portrays his subject. But, this never happens. Throughout the book you get a correct, well-balanced, clear presentation of all information: there isn't a trace of whitewashing or turning a blind eye to any mistake, weakness or ugliness. You get the full picture and Dan Jones never forces you to see things "his way", we are given the maximum choice to draw our own conclusion.
We can follow Henry's life from his birth to his death as thankfully the focus is not solely on the battle of Agincourt, but we are led through the whole of Henry's military campaign and once again we get the gore as well as the glory. Dan Jones never fails to mention the misery Henry's war on top of the mad French King Charles VI reign, the warring factions of the Armagnacs and the Burgundians wreak on the people of France. He also always pay attention to separate facts from fiction and doesn't fall into the Shakespeare-trap.
The only thing I found wanting was more information dedicated to how Henry's reign affected the people of England from a social and economic perspective. Dan Jones was rather closemouthed on that. The dynamic between the monarch and his subjects were mostly described as a financial transaction: Henry asked the Parliament for money and he got it through taxes. He recruited people for his army, they joined and lived or died. These are no revelations of great national prosperity. I mean, nationalism and victories over Jean Foreigner is all very well, but you cannot eat or drink it.
To be fair, we are told time and again that Henry lay great importance on trying to keep law and order and to keep up good relations with the Parliament and the Clerics and his brother, the Duke of Bedford was a good steward when he was away, but the emphasis is on the political and not the economic issues unless it is about financing war.
Despite this latter "shortcoming" this has been a great read and now I'm on to read some more books by Dan Jones.
November 10, 2024
Having just finished Henry V: The Astonishing Triumph of England’s Greatest Warrior King, all I can say is WOW! This is the first book that I have read by Dan Jones, but it won’t be the last. Now I need to read the two previous books pertaining to this period in history by Dan Jones: The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens Who Made England and The Wars of the Roses: The Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors. The author states that with those two books, he left a gap, that of Henry V. Jones said that the subject of Henry V so fascinated him that he wanted to wait until he was more experienced in his writing to take him on. He considers this book as the final panel in a triptych.
When Henry V ascended to the English throne, his kingdom was hopelessly torn apart by political factions and partisanship. Public finances and law and order were in a state of crisis. Pirates plagued the coast and plots and conspiracies threatened society and they were just recovering from a pandemic. However, in less than ten years this wonder king turned it all around. King Henry V managed to unite the political community behind the crown, renewed the justice system, and revived England’s maritime dominance. And then there were his military achievements in France, the most renowned being his victory at Agincourt. An exceptional leader, Henry V transcends the Middle Ages.
Henry V is an historical titan whose legacy has become quite complicated. Henry V examines his years of apprenticeship when he saw the downfall of one king and the turbulent reign of another. It is in these years that we come to know Henry and his family as well as influences from his schooling and his experiences. This is a tribute to one of England’s most celebrated but often misunderstood kings.
“He will be the greatest king regarded by most generations after him as the greatest medieval ruler England ever had.”
“Although Henry V will reign for only nine years and four months, dying at just thirty-five, he will loom over the historical landscape of the later Middle Ages and beyond, remembered as the acme of kingship: the man who did his job exactly as it was supposed to be done.”
When Henry V ascended to the English throne, his kingdom was hopelessly torn apart by political factions and partisanship. Public finances and law and order were in a state of crisis. Pirates plagued the coast and plots and conspiracies threatened society and they were just recovering from a pandemic. However, in less than ten years this wonder king turned it all around. King Henry V managed to unite the political community behind the crown, renewed the justice system, and revived England’s maritime dominance. And then there were his military achievements in France, the most renowned being his victory at Agincourt. An exceptional leader, Henry V transcends the Middle Ages.
Henry V is an historical titan whose legacy has become quite complicated. Henry V examines his years of apprenticeship when he saw the downfall of one king and the turbulent reign of another. It is in these years that we come to know Henry and his family as well as influences from his schooling and his experiences. This is a tribute to one of England’s most celebrated but often misunderstood kings.
“What sort of man was Henry? Why did God allow him to die so suddenly? Was it sheer bad luck, evidence of divine caprice, or punishment for his misdeeds, as his military ambition outran his original righteous cause? Was he a brilliant king struck down before his time, or a warmonger whose addiction to conquest eventually brought him to the end he deserved? The writers who wrestled with that question at around the time of his death came to very different conclusions.”
August 30, 2024
Ever get in a reading rut? You know, that feeling where you read just a little slower or your attention starts to fray just a bit? I felt myself slipping into one and then came across the jolt that is Henry V by Dan Jones. I will make no secret that Jones is one of my favorite writers. That said, even I was a bit taken aback at how seamlessly Jones tells the story of one of England's greatest kings.
Jones even admits in the introduction that he intentionally put off this book because he wanted to be more experienced before he tackled his white whale. (Side note: Dan Jones has sold over one million books. If he is worried about how good he is at his craft, what hope is there for the rest of us?) He also notes an uncommon choice for a history narrative. He wrote the book in the present tense. I have only run into this particular choice once before in Michael Finkel's exceptional The Art Thief. In both books, I found it to be an inspired choice. The story has more propulsion and feels more intimate. Instead of being a passive passenger reading centuries later, each action feels fresh to the reader. It may not work well in other books, but Jones does it masterfully.
As for the subject, Henry V, there is a lot to be said. Jones wanted to create a more full biography of the king as opposed to a rushed narrative barrelling towards Agincourt and immortality in Shakespeare's play. I expected Jones would do a fair bit of editorializing on the way Henry is portrayed in various books/media, but instead he stays laser focused on Henry's life as documented. Mainly, the book is about killing the idea of Hal and Henry as two separate phases of the king's life. The dichotomy being that Hal was a young rapscallion who puts on the crown and becomes the austere and serious Henry by some God given clarity. Instead, Jones posits that they were always one in the same. The difference is the presentation and not the man. Henry was always there, but he was trained perhaps better than any other prince to be king and to project a regal air when his time came.
The book is fantastic and is written so well that I would even recommend it to non-history nerds. A great book is just a great book.
(This book was provided as an advance reader copy by Netgalley and Viking Books.)
Jones even admits in the introduction that he intentionally put off this book because he wanted to be more experienced before he tackled his white whale. (Side note: Dan Jones has sold over one million books. If he is worried about how good he is at his craft, what hope is there for the rest of us?) He also notes an uncommon choice for a history narrative. He wrote the book in the present tense. I have only run into this particular choice once before in Michael Finkel's exceptional The Art Thief. In both books, I found it to be an inspired choice. The story has more propulsion and feels more intimate. Instead of being a passive passenger reading centuries later, each action feels fresh to the reader. It may not work well in other books, but Jones does it masterfully.
As for the subject, Henry V, there is a lot to be said. Jones wanted to create a more full biography of the king as opposed to a rushed narrative barrelling towards Agincourt and immortality in Shakespeare's play. I expected Jones would do a fair bit of editorializing on the way Henry is portrayed in various books/media, but instead he stays laser focused on Henry's life as documented. Mainly, the book is about killing the idea of Hal and Henry as two separate phases of the king's life. The dichotomy being that Hal was a young rapscallion who puts on the crown and becomes the austere and serious Henry by some God given clarity. Instead, Jones posits that they were always one in the same. The difference is the presentation and not the man. Henry was always there, but he was trained perhaps better than any other prince to be king and to project a regal air when his time came.
The book is fantastic and is written so well that I would even recommend it to non-history nerds. A great book is just a great book.
(This book was provided as an advance reader copy by Netgalley and Viking Books.)
August 21, 2025
Astonishing Achievements
Dan Jones is a popular historian of the medieval period and with this book he does not disappoint as he delivers a compelling and fast-paced biography of one of England’s most famous warrior kings, Henry V (1386-1422). As part of Jones’s Plantagenet and Tudor series, the book blends rigorous historical research with an engaging narrative style, making it accessible to both history enthusiasts and general readers. One of the main premises of the book is that Henry was built in the years before he became king and it isn’t just the Shakespearean myth of a waster who grew up when he was crowned. Henry had an interesting and vast story before this.
Jones portrays Henry V as a complex figure—both a pious, disciplined ruler and a ruthless military commander. The book delves into his early life, his rise to power, and his military campaigns, particularly the legendary victory at Agincourt in 1415. Jones also examines Henry’s political acumen, his efforts to consolidate power, and his ultimately unfulfilled ambition of uniting England and France under one crown.
One of strengths of Henry V is Jones’s ability to bring medieval history to life through vivid storytelling. He balances military history with insights into court politics, diplomacy, and the personal struggles that shaped Henry’s reign. While the book doesn’t necessarily break new scholarly ground, it serves as an excellent introduction to Henry V and his era, making it a valuable read for those interested in medieval history. One way this is approached by Jones is through his storytelling style, told in the present to bring Henry to life more. He also gives an excellent conclusion, explaining how Henry was an excellent king based on the standards expected of him at the time, not that of a modern society.
Overall, Henry V is an engaging, well-researched, and highly readable biography that reinforces Dan Jones’s reputation as a master of popular history. He skillfully balances narrative drive with historical depth, making the book both informative and entertaining. While specialists may not find groundbreaking new interpretations, Jones presents a fresh, vivid portrait of Henry as both a brilliant strategist and a deeply ambitious ruler whose reign was shaped by war, diplomacy, and a relentless pursuit of legitimacy. His storytelling approach brings medieval England and France to life, making complex political and military developments accessible without sacrificing nuance. Whether you are a seasoned history reader or just discovering the period, Henry V is a compelling read that captures the drama, intrigue, and significance of one of England’s most famous kings.
Dan Jones is a popular historian of the medieval period and with this book he does not disappoint as he delivers a compelling and fast-paced biography of one of England’s most famous warrior kings, Henry V (1386-1422). As part of Jones’s Plantagenet and Tudor series, the book blends rigorous historical research with an engaging narrative style, making it accessible to both history enthusiasts and general readers. One of the main premises of the book is that Henry was built in the years before he became king and it isn’t just the Shakespearean myth of a waster who grew up when he was crowned. Henry had an interesting and vast story before this.
Jones portrays Henry V as a complex figure—both a pious, disciplined ruler and a ruthless military commander. The book delves into his early life, his rise to power, and his military campaigns, particularly the legendary victory at Agincourt in 1415. Jones also examines Henry’s political acumen, his efforts to consolidate power, and his ultimately unfulfilled ambition of uniting England and France under one crown.
One of strengths of Henry V is Jones’s ability to bring medieval history to life through vivid storytelling. He balances military history with insights into court politics, diplomacy, and the personal struggles that shaped Henry’s reign. While the book doesn’t necessarily break new scholarly ground, it serves as an excellent introduction to Henry V and his era, making it a valuable read for those interested in medieval history. One way this is approached by Jones is through his storytelling style, told in the present to bring Henry to life more. He also gives an excellent conclusion, explaining how Henry was an excellent king based on the standards expected of him at the time, not that of a modern society.
Overall, Henry V is an engaging, well-researched, and highly readable biography that reinforces Dan Jones’s reputation as a master of popular history. He skillfully balances narrative drive with historical depth, making the book both informative and entertaining. While specialists may not find groundbreaking new interpretations, Jones presents a fresh, vivid portrait of Henry as both a brilliant strategist and a deeply ambitious ruler whose reign was shaped by war, diplomacy, and a relentless pursuit of legitimacy. His storytelling approach brings medieval England and France to life, making complex political and military developments accessible without sacrificing nuance. Whether you are a seasoned history reader or just discovering the period, Henry V is a compelling read that captures the drama, intrigue, and significance of one of England’s most famous kings.
February 3, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed this take on Henry V. Narration in present tense is what never bothers me, quite the opposite, I feel closer to characters.
Part One fascinating due to a detailed insight into Henry as a prince, usually he meet him already at Agincourt, don't we?
Dan Jones did it again!
Part One fascinating due to a detailed insight into Henry as a prince, usually he meet him already at Agincourt, don't we?
Dan Jones did it again!
March 22, 2025
Dan Jones is really that guy. He tackles the incredible subject of Henry V with such passion, fun, and the addition of the present tense truly elevated this. I find with DJ's non-fiction I can just breeze through them, fully immersed, fully invested, fully satisfied. He straddles the fine line between entertainment and discovery perfectly.
May 28, 2025
Dan Jones never let's me down. I finished this in-depth, amazing account of Henry V.
I have been fascinated reading history since I finished "See Spot Run"
Born in 1386, Henry was never intended to be crowned. He was only known as Henry of Monmouth.
His father, Henry IV, made sure he became battle seasoned early in life. He sent the young Henry into military campaigns where he learned to kill enemies and break things without hesitation.
At the age of 16 years old, in the battle of Shrewsbury, young Henry took an arrow in the face below his eye, estimated in the records six inches deep. The metal arrowhead was embedded firmly in the bone of his skull.. Did the kid drop?
Nope. He kept on as long as he could. He was like a young medieval Navy Seal.
A creative surgeon forged a metal tool to remove the arrow head embedded in the kids' skull. Using wine,honey, and whatever at hand, he continually cleaned and repacked the wound. All this in a time of no anesthesia or antibiotics.
Henry survived. He became king on his father's death in 1413. He prevailed against all odds at the famous Battle of Agincourt France in 1415.
While proceeding onto another campaign in france, Henry died at the age of 35 from battlefield dysentery.
What would this man have become if he was not struck down so soon?
I have been fascinated reading history since I finished "See Spot Run"
Born in 1386, Henry was never intended to be crowned. He was only known as Henry of Monmouth.
His father, Henry IV, made sure he became battle seasoned early in life. He sent the young Henry into military campaigns where he learned to kill enemies and break things without hesitation.
At the age of 16 years old, in the battle of Shrewsbury, young Henry took an arrow in the face below his eye, estimated in the records six inches deep. The metal arrowhead was embedded firmly in the bone of his skull.. Did the kid drop?
Nope. He kept on as long as he could. He was like a young medieval Navy Seal.
A creative surgeon forged a metal tool to remove the arrow head embedded in the kids' skull. Using wine,honey, and whatever at hand, he continually cleaned and repacked the wound. All this in a time of no anesthesia or antibiotics.
Henry survived. He became king on his father's death in 1413. He prevailed against all odds at the famous Battle of Agincourt France in 1415.
While proceeding onto another campaign in france, Henry died at the age of 35 from battlefield dysentery.
What would this man have become if he was not struck down so soon?
October 12, 2024
4.5 - Jones' choice to write in present tense pulls you into the story and creates an energy about it. His choice to start at Henry V's youth, instead of joining as he's about to become king, gives us tremendous insight into his formative years and helps explain his motivations and beliefs later in life. His editor likely doubted these choices as much as Henry was doubted by his contemporaries, but it really helped the book (and Henry did alright for himself, all things considered).
December 14, 2024
This is an excellent biography. Jones manages to get past both the stereotype of Henry V as an austere conqueror and Shakespeare's fictional party-goer turned responsible monarch to portray a complex multifaceted individual. This achievement coupled with the author's crisp writing and brisk pace make Henry V a truly enjoyable read.
February 1, 2025
Every time I see Dan Jones publish another book, I get concerned that he is going to lose his edge. He is incredibly prolific. His new biography of Henry V is, however, another excellent addition to his history of the Plantagenets. I recommend reading this between 'The Plantagenets' and 'The Wars of the Roses'. Those three books grouped together are a five-star reading experience. Jones is informative but never dull. He toes the line between efficient and rushed. These books tell the story of a real-life 'Game of Thrones' and at times you can hardly believe what you are reading really took place. What a world these men and women experienced. Highly recommended. High four stars.
June 14, 2025
I'm afraid to say that this is another one of those commercial products where a 'name' is used to shift copies. I'm not questioning Jones' ability, or research or writing. They're all of a high enough quality. But there's nothing new here. The primary sources covering Henry V are surprisingly thin. And all Jones has done is tell the same story in a slightly different way. He claims to have focused more on Henry's early years. But he hasn't really. He's just padded it out. It's all perfectly fine if you've never read a biography of Henry before. But if you have, don't expect any new revelations. Easy enough to read, though.
September 16, 2024
Dan Jones has done it again. This latest offering is utterly spellbinding. He has a knack for making historical non-fiction as compelling a read as any page-turner in the fiction lists. In his foreword, he invites readers to ‘enjoy the ride,’ which I did wholeheartedly. I completed the book today, on 16 September, coincidentally the day Henry V was born in 1386.
My long-standing, youthful (naive) fascination with Henry V, primarily fuelled by Shakespeare, the legendary victory at Agincourt, and his inspirational speeches that echo in modern management, led me to eagerly delve deeper into his life. I was hopeful that Dan Jones would provide a more nuanced and objective portrayal of the King, and he did not disappoint. His book offers a fresh perspective that transcends simple admiration or subjective idolatry.
War, civil conflict, power grabs, revolution, religious extremism and intolerance, egotistical and intransigent leaders, pandemics, and a judiciary operating at the behest of its masters … sounds familiar? Actually, this is a snapshot of life 600 years ago. And what a backdrop for this most pragmatic and chivalrous of kings.
One minuscule point: I had hoped to see confirmation of whether the phrase ‘Tom, Dick, and Harry’ could be attributed to the three traitors discovered on the eve of the French campaign. I’ve always assumed this was why we still use the derogatory phrase to this day to imply ‘nobodies or persons of no significance’ but I have never known for certain.
Suited to the casual reader and academic alike, this book would grace any bookshelf. I will be scouring for a signed hardback copy as soon as possible!
My thanks to NetGalley and, as ever, Head of Zeus for granting this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My long-standing, youthful (naive) fascination with Henry V, primarily fuelled by Shakespeare, the legendary victory at Agincourt, and his inspirational speeches that echo in modern management, led me to eagerly delve deeper into his life. I was hopeful that Dan Jones would provide a more nuanced and objective portrayal of the King, and he did not disappoint. His book offers a fresh perspective that transcends simple admiration or subjective idolatry.
War, civil conflict, power grabs, revolution, religious extremism and intolerance, egotistical and intransigent leaders, pandemics, and a judiciary operating at the behest of its masters … sounds familiar? Actually, this is a snapshot of life 600 years ago. And what a backdrop for this most pragmatic and chivalrous of kings.
One minuscule point: I had hoped to see confirmation of whether the phrase ‘Tom, Dick, and Harry’ could be attributed to the three traitors discovered on the eve of the French campaign. I’ve always assumed this was why we still use the derogatory phrase to this day to imply ‘nobodies or persons of no significance’ but I have never known for certain.
Suited to the casual reader and academic alike, this book would grace any bookshelf. I will be scouring for a signed hardback copy as soon as possible!
My thanks to NetGalley and, as ever, Head of Zeus for granting this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 1, 2024
The Astonishing Rise of England's Greatest Warrior King, as the author named it, and also known as one of the strongest military powers in Europe for his war successes against France. What I think is a little exaggerated compared to Napoleon and Alexander!
It was a great read, fluent and fast! The whole life of Henry V, starting with his childhood, then at the time of her father Henry IV's reign, his marriage to Catherine, daughter of King Charles VI of France, and finally his time over England for a brief period of nine years and four months before dying at the young age of 35.
Thanks to Head of Zeus Audiobooks via NetGalley for allowing me to listen to Henry V, written and narrated by Dan Jones. I have given my honest review. The publishing date will be on 12 September.
It was a great read, fluent and fast! The whole life of Henry V, starting with his childhood, then at the time of her father Henry IV's reign, his marriage to Catherine, daughter of King Charles VI of France, and finally his time over England for a brief period of nine years and four months before dying at the young age of 35.
Thanks to Head of Zeus Audiobooks via NetGalley for allowing me to listen to Henry V, written and narrated by Dan Jones. I have given my honest review. The publishing date will be on 12 September.
October 3, 2024
Unsurprisingly this gets a 5 stars. I love Dan Jones, I’ve read every book he’s released and I pretty much love them all.
Thinking back to when I first read “The Plantagenets” and “The Hollow Crown” I was always confused by the gap in the middle. I am so happy it has been filled and in my opinion it’s been filled with the best book yet. Personally, I think writing fiction has made is writing even better, which I didn’t know what possible!
I loved the prose although I know many won’t. Some will say it’s too subjective and he guesses what Henry is thinking. Personally, I don’t care. I loved it. It brought the story to life. Yes I want historical fact but I also want history to be fun and accessible. I want to feel like the figure is living and breathing with me and that is Dan Jones gift every time. Especially when looking at Henry’s childhood which is so often overlooked.
I also enjoyed how he discussed Henry’s impact today and both sides of the argument. I have always held the opinion Henry was glorified so much because he died in his golden years and didn’t live to see fortunes wheel turn. I have to say after reading this book maybe I was too harsh. He was pretty brilliant wasn’t he! Although I will always be an Edward III girl at heart.
Anyway this book is brilliant. He does it every time and I’m so happy he does because I don’t think I’d love history as much as I do without him. No criticism from me, I’m sure there are problems with it but I enjoyed it too much to care.
I recommend for everyone to read this, especially if you love history. Actually, go and read all 3 in order if you can!!
Thinking back to when I first read “The Plantagenets” and “The Hollow Crown” I was always confused by the gap in the middle. I am so happy it has been filled and in my opinion it’s been filled with the best book yet. Personally, I think writing fiction has made is writing even better, which I didn’t know what possible!
I loved the prose although I know many won’t. Some will say it’s too subjective and he guesses what Henry is thinking. Personally, I don’t care. I loved it. It brought the story to life. Yes I want historical fact but I also want history to be fun and accessible. I want to feel like the figure is living and breathing with me and that is Dan Jones gift every time. Especially when looking at Henry’s childhood which is so often overlooked.
I also enjoyed how he discussed Henry’s impact today and both sides of the argument. I have always held the opinion Henry was glorified so much because he died in his golden years and didn’t live to see fortunes wheel turn. I have to say after reading this book maybe I was too harsh. He was pretty brilliant wasn’t he! Although I will always be an Edward III girl at heart.
Anyway this book is brilliant. He does it every time and I’m so happy he does because I don’t think I’d love history as much as I do without him. No criticism from me, I’m sure there are problems with it but I enjoyed it too much to care.
I recommend for everyone to read this, especially if you love history. Actually, go and read all 3 in order if you can!!
May 1, 2025
Why I Picked This Up:
Dan Jones has a way of making so many other (especially older) history books feel a little dull. In his trademark flowing prose, he possesses the flair of a storyteller, weaving events into an exciting narrative.
If Jones can’t convert the uninitiated into enjoying history, nobody can.
When I saw he’d written a book on Henry V, I had to pick this up, especially as to my discredit I didn’t know a lot about his life.
The Good Stuff:
- Present Tense
Jones outlines at the start of the book that he wanted to break away from the conventions of writing history for this book. He explains his decision to use the present rather than past tense as a way to live alongside Henry rather than look back upon him and this is really effective at making you immersed in the narrative style and gives an immediacy to events.
- Style
Even as a fan of history, I can acknowledge that it can get a little dry sometimes, but Dan Jones’ work suffers none of this. He explains with panache the importance and context of various factors and relevant goings on within the timeline of Henry’s life and by the end, you haven’t just got a good idea of how Henry’s life played out, but of the whole country, of France, of the Welsh, of Lollardy and surprisingly, a really thorough examination of his father Henry IV’s rule.
This was really welcome and we even start the book with Richard II reigning. I believe giving this whole life biography of Henry rather than just his reign gives so much background and a sound footing to understand the country and environment at the time of his upbringing and accession.
- Balance
Jones doesn’t write with bias and presents Henry as a complex character, acknowledging that of course elements of this heroic figure from English history have truth but that as with any human, he had flaws – and a lasting legacy.
Things to Know:
Dan Jones (amongst many history books) has actually written popular histories of the time periods after (The Hollow Crown/The Wars of the Roses) and before (The Plantagenets) and this book links the gap between those books. Jones does mention that he was saving a Henry V sized gap for this book and with this release, we now have a concurrent period if you want to do a big binge read (it’s very tempting) of most of the post conquest medieval period in England.
As mentioned, this is popular history aimed at a general audience. This doesn’t mean the book isn’t extensively researched though, and there is a cracking bibliography if you want to find some more academic works. This is still historically responsible; it’s just written in a narrative style which to me makes it much more enjoyable.
Final Thoughts:
Dan Jones is at his peak as a writer of narrative history and it’s so easy to fly through his books because quite simply they read like a good story (that really happened).
I’m really exciting by the current wave of historians such as Dan Jones, Susannah Lipscomb, Janina Ramirez, Cat Jarman, Marc Morris, Helen Carr. We have such a wealth of brilliant writers and Dan Jones is certainly at his peak, consistently delivering fantastic books. Long may it continue.
Thanks to the publisher Head of Zeus for approving my netgalley request. After reading a couple of chapters though, I went ahead and bought the hardback!
Dan Jones has a way of making so many other (especially older) history books feel a little dull. In his trademark flowing prose, he possesses the flair of a storyteller, weaving events into an exciting narrative.
If Jones can’t convert the uninitiated into enjoying history, nobody can.
When I saw he’d written a book on Henry V, I had to pick this up, especially as to my discredit I didn’t know a lot about his life.
The Good Stuff:
- Present Tense
Jones outlines at the start of the book that he wanted to break away from the conventions of writing history for this book. He explains his decision to use the present rather than past tense as a way to live alongside Henry rather than look back upon him and this is really effective at making you immersed in the narrative style and gives an immediacy to events.
- Style
Even as a fan of history, I can acknowledge that it can get a little dry sometimes, but Dan Jones’ work suffers none of this. He explains with panache the importance and context of various factors and relevant goings on within the timeline of Henry’s life and by the end, you haven’t just got a good idea of how Henry’s life played out, but of the whole country, of France, of the Welsh, of Lollardy and surprisingly, a really thorough examination of his father Henry IV’s rule.
This was really welcome and we even start the book with Richard II reigning. I believe giving this whole life biography of Henry rather than just his reign gives so much background and a sound footing to understand the country and environment at the time of his upbringing and accession.
- Balance
Jones doesn’t write with bias and presents Henry as a complex character, acknowledging that of course elements of this heroic figure from English history have truth but that as with any human, he had flaws – and a lasting legacy.
Things to Know:
Dan Jones (amongst many history books) has actually written popular histories of the time periods after (The Hollow Crown/The Wars of the Roses) and before (The Plantagenets) and this book links the gap between those books. Jones does mention that he was saving a Henry V sized gap for this book and with this release, we now have a concurrent period if you want to do a big binge read (it’s very tempting) of most of the post conquest medieval period in England.
As mentioned, this is popular history aimed at a general audience. This doesn’t mean the book isn’t extensively researched though, and there is a cracking bibliography if you want to find some more academic works. This is still historically responsible; it’s just written in a narrative style which to me makes it much more enjoyable.
Final Thoughts:
Dan Jones is at his peak as a writer of narrative history and it’s so easy to fly through his books because quite simply they read like a good story (that really happened).
I’m really exciting by the current wave of historians such as Dan Jones, Susannah Lipscomb, Janina Ramirez, Cat Jarman, Marc Morris, Helen Carr. We have such a wealth of brilliant writers and Dan Jones is certainly at his peak, consistently delivering fantastic books. Long may it continue.
Thanks to the publisher Head of Zeus for approving my netgalley request. After reading a couple of chapters though, I went ahead and bought the hardback!
June 18, 2025
My copy is an ARC, however, I purchased it from ThriftBooks in June of 2025.
I have read many from Dan Jones, and have rated most with 4 Stars prior to Paying-Them-Forward, however, with Henry V, I am keeping for myself, since I know I will Reference, Re-Reference,
Re-Read, etc…
I have read many from Dan Jones, and have rated most with 4 Stars prior to Paying-Them-Forward, however, with Henry V, I am keeping for myself, since I know I will Reference, Re-Reference,
Re-Read, etc…
September 18, 2024
4,5
There are few things better than a good biography, a life placed in its time and place. Dan Jones is an excellent storyteller and biographer, and Henry - though in some ways still a mystery - really came to life.
I had little knowledge of the early 15th century English king Henry V, apart from a vague notion of Agincourt. His father Henry IV deposed Richard II to become the first king in the Lancaster-line of the Plantagenets. Henry was groomed to succeed him from a young age.
Among historians, opinions on Henry differ: for some he was cruel and calculating, for others he was a model king given the age he lived in. I can't shake the feeling that Dan Jones falls in the latter category and is a bit of a fan of Henry. His assessment is largely positive, even if he correctly concludes there is little use in judging Henry's personality today. What I am left with is that Henry V was a brilliant commander (he never lost a battle in his life), but that if there is one word to define him with it's 'ambitious'.
But more than that, the book gives a fascinating picture of 15th century life of English nobility.
It also made a really nice pairing with Glen James Brown's Mother Naked, which I read in parallel and highlights the life of 'normal' people.
There are few things better than a good biography, a life placed in its time and place. Dan Jones is an excellent storyteller and biographer, and Henry - though in some ways still a mystery - really came to life.
I had little knowledge of the early 15th century English king Henry V, apart from a vague notion of Agincourt. His father Henry IV deposed Richard II to become the first king in the Lancaster-line of the Plantagenets. Henry was groomed to succeed him from a young age.
Among historians, opinions on Henry differ: for some he was cruel and calculating, for others he was a model king given the age he lived in. I can't shake the feeling that Dan Jones falls in the latter category and is a bit of a fan of Henry. His assessment is largely positive, even if he correctly concludes there is little use in judging Henry's personality today. What I am left with is that Henry V was a brilliant commander (he never lost a battle in his life), but that if there is one word to define him with it's 'ambitious'.
But more than that, the book gives a fascinating picture of 15th century life of English nobility.
It also made a really nice pairing with Glen James Brown's Mother Naked, which I read in parallel and highlights the life of 'normal' people.
March 17, 2025
3.5 stars. I am not rating its scholarship or accuracy which I have no business judging. It was just a tremendously detail heavy book and one I caution anyone to pick up that isn’t going to be enthralled with the subject. It would be for the medieval England geeks and not general enjoyment.
June 25, 2025
Very, very good. The only reason I haven’t given this biography of Henry V five stars, is that I found the author’s decision to write in the present tense to be awkward and off putting, though I got over it enough to thoroughly enjoy this colorful and action packed narrative history. Dan Jones writes thrilling and accessible medieval history that appeals to general readers. In this book that led him to make unnecessary and irritating comparisons to modern cultural trends, in what I suppose was an effort to make the history relatable to the cool kids. That deserves a demerit, too. But enough of my petty bitching. Overall, this is a gripping and exciting read. Jones brings to life in these pages a Henry V who was doggedly ambitious, devoutly religious, exacting, severe, concerned with fair justice for the high and low alike, consistent in his approach to government, and who repeatedly proved his critics and dissenters wrong. He believed he was fully capable of achieving his grandest aspirations, and through military genius and exemplary leadership his conquests across the channel resulted in the establishment of the English kingdom of France. Then he died of dysentery. I’m awed at what Henry V accomplished in the span of his relatively short life and reign. I do highly recommend this book for fans of English history, especially medieval history.
January 4, 2025
This biography of the English king, Henry V is a very interesting one.
It weaves a tapestry of Henry's gradual apprenticeship that led to his ultimate crowning as King of England. Under the rule of Richard II (Henry's uncle? cousin?) Henry was a thoughtful and contemplative figure whose tutelage in martial matters became more significant when his father, Henry IV claimed the throne. The first half of the book regards Henry's upbringing and includes so many figures of the Medieval world yet it is difficult to keep them straight and Jones's prose can leave some things unclear.
The second half sees Henry rising to the throne and waging constant wars and addressing plots and intrigue even as he seeks to govern both within England and in France. Here we see a figure of deep piety and learning but Jones also paints a figure not without flaws; whose "ends justify the means" may not meet modern sensibilities but led Henry V to become a paragon of the Medieval king.
I appreciate how digestible this book is and that the chapters are very short and broken up well. The most interesting element of the book is Jones's decision to write a nonfiction history book in the present tense. While I applaud the creativity, it does little bring the book to life for me. Instead the book is very terse and often amounts to "Henry rides to a church and prays. He raises taxes to fund a military campaign. He lays siege to a French city." Unfortunately this book felt overrated for me but I'm still glad I read it.
It weaves a tapestry of Henry's gradual apprenticeship that led to his ultimate crowning as King of England. Under the rule of Richard II (Henry's uncle? cousin?) Henry was a thoughtful and contemplative figure whose tutelage in martial matters became more significant when his father, Henry IV claimed the throne. The first half of the book regards Henry's upbringing and includes so many figures of the Medieval world yet it is difficult to keep them straight and Jones's prose can leave some things unclear.
The second half sees Henry rising to the throne and waging constant wars and addressing plots and intrigue even as he seeks to govern both within England and in France. Here we see a figure of deep piety and learning but Jones also paints a figure not without flaws; whose "ends justify the means" may not meet modern sensibilities but led Henry V to become a paragon of the Medieval king.
I appreciate how digestible this book is and that the chapters are very short and broken up well. The most interesting element of the book is Jones's decision to write a nonfiction history book in the present tense. While I applaud the creativity, it does little bring the book to life for me. Instead the book is very terse and often amounts to "Henry rides to a church and prays. He raises taxes to fund a military campaign. He lays siege to a French city." Unfortunately this book felt overrated for me but I'm still glad I read it.
December 14, 2024
A lively, engaging, and very readable biography of Henry.
The narrative is rich, well-written, and compelling, and moves along at a quick pace. Jones does a good job laying out the logistics of medieval warfare. The book is pretty accessible and coherent. The narrative is pretty intimate, and Jones succeeds in making Henry feel like a real human. The writing is vivid and witty, and Jones does a good job parsing through the sources. Jones’ treatment of Henry is balanced, and he effectively shows Henry’s piety and touch for grand gestures, along with his ruthlessness and pragmatism.
Jones writes the biography in the present tense, which may feel a bit annoying at times but doesn’t detract too much from Henry’s story. It does make for somewhat awkward reading at times, especially when Jones engages in a bit of speculation. The maps could also have been more detailed. Some readers may also benefit from a family tree.
A nuanced, insightful and well-researched biography.
The narrative is rich, well-written, and compelling, and moves along at a quick pace. Jones does a good job laying out the logistics of medieval warfare. The book is pretty accessible and coherent. The narrative is pretty intimate, and Jones succeeds in making Henry feel like a real human. The writing is vivid and witty, and Jones does a good job parsing through the sources. Jones’ treatment of Henry is balanced, and he effectively shows Henry’s piety and touch for grand gestures, along with his ruthlessness and pragmatism.
Jones writes the biography in the present tense, which may feel a bit annoying at times but doesn’t detract too much from Henry’s story. It does make for somewhat awkward reading at times, especially when Jones engages in a bit of speculation. The maps could also have been more detailed. Some readers may also benefit from a family tree.
A nuanced, insightful and well-researched biography.
April 7, 2025
While Henry V remains a controversial figure in our day, to the English of his time he was, unquestionably, nobility at its finest. His life forces us to wrestle with a question rooted in presentism: should we judge the past by our current virtues and values? On the one hand, the answer is always yes—for in the present, we naturally see ourselves as more enlightened than those who came before. Yet in like manner, we cannot escape the future, whose people will undoubtedly see themselves as better than we are.
Jones does an admirable job of suspending present-day judgment in order to examine Henry within the context of his own time. Henry was a solid Christian man, one who honored his marriage covenants, administered justice—albeit brutally—but also with a sense of fairness. He had his weaknesses and struggled as any person does, but in his short thirty-five years, he accomplished more than perhaps any other king, past or present. Within the system of monarchy, he stands as a paragon. Outside that system, however, it becomes easy to shift our critique from the man to the institution of kingship itself.
What I learned from Henry is this: you can suffer tragedy and still refuse to be defined by its consequences. Henry doggedly rose above his tragedies. And when all is said and done, we are in the hands of God. Whether it was surviving a near-fatal axe blow or taking an arrow to the face, Henry gave thanks to God and sought to protect Christianity—even when he could have easily turned selfish and had the support of his peers in doing so. Whether he was taken by God or simply succumbed to the brutality of his era, Henry died faithfully. Given the immense opportunities for moral corruption, his actions speak volumes about his character. For that alone, Henry is to be applauded.
Jones does an admirable job of suspending present-day judgment in order to examine Henry within the context of his own time. Henry was a solid Christian man, one who honored his marriage covenants, administered justice—albeit brutally—but also with a sense of fairness. He had his weaknesses and struggled as any person does, but in his short thirty-five years, he accomplished more than perhaps any other king, past or present. Within the system of monarchy, he stands as a paragon. Outside that system, however, it becomes easy to shift our critique from the man to the institution of kingship itself.
What I learned from Henry is this: you can suffer tragedy and still refuse to be defined by its consequences. Henry doggedly rose above his tragedies. And when all is said and done, we are in the hands of God. Whether it was surviving a near-fatal axe blow or taking an arrow to the face, Henry gave thanks to God and sought to protect Christianity—even when he could have easily turned selfish and had the support of his peers in doing so. Whether he was taken by God or simply succumbed to the brutality of his era, Henry died faithfully. Given the immense opportunities for moral corruption, his actions speak volumes about his character. For that alone, Henry is to be applauded.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2025
A big thanks to the publishers here for sending me a proof copy, in return for an honest review.
An effortlessly readable and deeply enjoyable biography from Dan Jones here on the legendary King Henry V. Jones from the outset highlights this as being a complete biography, focusing not solely on his reign ( as histories of the past have tended to do ) but on his younger years and his evolution from young prince to warrior king.
Perfect reading for experts or new readers, Jones gives some fantastic contextualisation to the world young Henry was born into, making sure to pit us right there in the time by, interestingly, using the present text in his history.
My only gripe would be that the book ends all too rapidly. I would have liked to have had more of an examination on the legacy Henry left behind him and perhaps a more well rounded and fleshed out epilogue covering in more detail what went on to happen to those key people he left behind in death.
Overall though a great history, which will undeniably become the new perennial favourite biography on one of Britain’s most interesting monarchs.
An effortlessly readable and deeply enjoyable biography from Dan Jones here on the legendary King Henry V. Jones from the outset highlights this as being a complete biography, focusing not solely on his reign ( as histories of the past have tended to do ) but on his younger years and his evolution from young prince to warrior king.
Perfect reading for experts or new readers, Jones gives some fantastic contextualisation to the world young Henry was born into, making sure to pit us right there in the time by, interestingly, using the present text in his history.
My only gripe would be that the book ends all too rapidly. I would have liked to have had more of an examination on the legacy Henry left behind him and perhaps a more well rounded and fleshed out epilogue covering in more detail what went on to happen to those key people he left behind in death.
Overall though a great history, which will undeniably become the new perennial favourite biography on one of Britain’s most interesting monarchs.
June 26, 2024
Dan Jones' biography of Henry V was a delightful read that offered a nuanced and balanced portrayal of the monarch, highlighting both the good points of his reign and personality and the bad. It was packed full of detail but, like all Jones' other books, was still an accessible and easy read that didn't feel like a slog to get through. If you are a history fan, this book is one I would highly recommend, especially if you have already enjoyed The Plantagenets and The Hollow Crown. I am giving it 4.5 stars.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 6, 2025
Outstanding history book. Wonderfully readable with great pacing. Felt authoritative without ever feeling like it got into too much detail. There was nothing unnecessary in this book while there was also sufficient amounts that the book is already high on my re-read list.
(Provisional 4Star rating since I haven't read it twice yet.)
(Provisional 4Star rating since I haven't read it twice yet.)
February 7, 2025
A sensitive biography written in a narrative format, which I loved. I love sensitive biographies that put enough research and effort into creating a well-rounded picture of a person. Jones did just that. What a masterpiece.
December 7, 2024
Mr. Jones has written an autographical account of Henry V; it has nothing to do with Shakespeare's Henry V.
Extensive historical research has gone into this outstanding book about England's Warrior King. For those readers who find English History a worthy topic, then "Henry V: The Astonishing Triumph of England's Greatest Warrior King" is a must read.
Extensive historical research has gone into this outstanding book about England's Warrior King. For those readers who find English History a worthy topic, then "Henry V: The Astonishing Triumph of England's Greatest Warrior King" is a must read.
November 17, 2024
Dan Jones is a born storyteller, an enthusiastic historian and this biography of Henry V puts him in my top ten non-fiction writers.
From beginning to end (Henrys youth until his death) I felt as though I travelled the medieval world. It is amazing what Jones packed into a mere 361 pages, which goes to show you what a stellar storyteller he is. Not a wasted word, nothing dull or boring to just fill pages.
His apprenticeship has been longer, more testing, and rounder in its demand than any other English king since Edward I inherited the crown in 1272. It has nearly killed him. It has exposed his faults and demanded that he recognize and learn to control them. It has hardened him....In March 1413 Henry ascends his fathers throne better prepared than any king in living memory.
A truly readable story. You either love or hate Henry at the end. For the era in which he ruled I would have been on the side of this King. Proud and fascinated with him.
If the time period, history of England, interests you I highly recommend this book abd author
May 11, 2025
“ By our standards, Henry was a cruel zealot quick to judge and fight, frigid and stiff neck, impatient, exacting, unforgiving, largely sexless and mostly humorless. Seen from the perspective of an age that positively embraces vulnerability, Henry can be hard to like or even to admire. Our values are not his. His are not ours. We do not need to pretend otherwise.”
This is one of the best biographies I’ve ever read. The way Dan Jones writes just sucks you in almost as if it was a fiction book. I knew nothing about Henry V other than he was shot in the face with an arrow and survived. Well lo and behold he went on to open up a can of whoop ass on France, heretics, and attempted usurpers to his throne.
His vision was to unite Britain and France and then take back the holy land from the Muslims. He was extremely devout and brave which I admired reading about. Yes he was ruthless but you had to be to stay in power in his day. A must read!
This is one of the best biographies I’ve ever read. The way Dan Jones writes just sucks you in almost as if it was a fiction book. I knew nothing about Henry V other than he was shot in the face with an arrow and survived. Well lo and behold he went on to open up a can of whoop ass on France, heretics, and attempted usurpers to his throne.
His vision was to unite Britain and France and then take back the holy land from the Muslims. He was extremely devout and brave which I admired reading about. Yes he was ruthless but you had to be to stay in power in his day. A must read!
October 12, 2024
A good book, reasonably well written. A lot of the action takes place before he becomes king and definitely before the most renowned achievement of the campaign in France which includes Agincourt. It makes the book seem quite slow since it is many examples of the same tales of battles, rebellions, counter rebellions. After Agincourt the rest of the book speeds along like a runaway train. I think more should have unquestionably have been given to describing the legacy of Henry has been used. Not just Agincourt, although the only reference to the famous 1944 film is a caption to a still from the film at the end of the book. The way the image, the situation in which it was deployed and the enduring iconic of it could have added to the book. The author also makes reference to Henry's legacy has suffered in the light of his treatment of the French captives at Agincourt, but there are no examples of the legacy being tested or criticised thus. On several occasions the author mentions that Henry was more cultured than his legacy allows, being a keen reader, a harpist, interested in the arts and music. However there are no examples of this being anything other than a result of a royal upbringing. No examples that he avidly interested himself in musical and the contemporary trends or poetry and its changing trends.
Overall the book does satisfy as reminding us of a glorious king, placed firmly in many people's imagination as a great Englishman, probably for some rather unsavoury ultra nationalist reasons, to this day
Also the present tense is absolutely no issue for me. It seems perfectly OK to write in that tense even when referring to the past. At university when confronted by people questioning their pet thesis academics often come out with a stupid lie "people thought differently" or "people did things differently in those times". People did things for the exact same reasons as now, Greed, power, weakness, stupidity, faith avarice, fear.....it's just that the circumstances that led them to the specific decision were different. To read in the present tense makes it more apparent of this fact.
Overall the book does satisfy as reminding us of a glorious king, placed firmly in many people's imagination as a great Englishman, probably for some rather unsavoury ultra nationalist reasons, to this day
Also the present tense is absolutely no issue for me. It seems perfectly OK to write in that tense even when referring to the past. At university when confronted by people questioning their pet thesis academics often come out with a stupid lie "people thought differently" or "people did things differently in those times". People did things for the exact same reasons as now, Greed, power, weakness, stupidity, faith avarice, fear.....it's just that the circumstances that led them to the specific decision were different. To read in the present tense makes it more apparent of this fact.
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