If you are history buff, this work tells the story of King Philip's War as no other.

One caveat: As with all histories of the day, it has zero objectivity with regard to the First Nations.

Still, the details this book provides will be found nowhere else.

Reading the accounts in other history books on the era gives you a general idea about particular battles. This book goes into GREAT detail.

It is worth both the price and the wait to have it printed. Superb!

This book was much more fascinating than I thought it would be. The authors thoroughly researched their history and presented a view into the mind and emotions of Phillip II and the other characters which is fascinating. His family history is very interesting. It includes mental illness, psychopathy, and tragic romance. The characters' personalities and emotional functioning come to life in this analysis of the reasons behind their behaviors. It builds to a climactic end. I enjoyed this book very much.

In this book, Barbara Picard retells the stories of three ancient kings. The first is Gilgamesh, king of Erech (Uruk), an ancient city of Mesopotamia; he gained the friendship of Enkidu, fought terrible monsters, and strove for immortality. The second is Hrolf Kraki, king of Denmark; he collected Viking heroes around him and avenged the death of his father. The third is Conary (Conaire), high king of Ireland; rising to kingship he was brought down by a fairy curse laid on his family in the days of his grandfather.

On the surface, these stories do not seem to have any connection, but each is the story of a man who wins the hearts of other warriors, runs afoul of the gods, and is brought to ruin by them. I didn't take this book seriously when I first saw it, but was very pleasantly surprised. The stories are well written, and interesting.

I am very intimate with the story of Gilgamesh, but liked reading it again. The story of Conary I found somewhat depressing. However, the jewel of the book is also the longest, Hrolf Kraki. This story is worth the price of the book. If you like Viking or adventure stories, then you *must* buy this book!

While working on my dissertation, this book was very helpful to me. It also help me to set up a violence program at my school. This book gave me some very good tips th use.

This book is one of those rarities that can delight passionate history buffs, professional historians, serious field explorers, and armchair travelelers alike. The authors have skillfully drawn on nearly every worthwhile source on King Philip's War to create a fascinating and readable text. What's really great, though, is the photos, maps, and place descriptions. You might live over 350 years later and most of a continent away but they still give you a strong sense of "being there" during one of the greatest white-Indian showdowns of American history.

I read the book. Then I read Mr. O'Keefe from Denver's review. The only thing I can think is that Mr. O'Keefe's edition was missing the first 80 pages. Those pages contain the best, most concise and "logical" history of the war available. After that the book becomes a travelogue (Mr. O'Keefe: a "collage") structured geographically that the Boston Globe raved about. All of the "detail" Mr. O'Keefe complained about allowed me to visit a half dozen of the sites that I would never have been able to find otherwise. If you want an unstructured collage beyond most amateur historians, read Lepore's book. If you want to understand King Philip's War, I would recommend this book (Schultz/Tougias) highly.

In living King Philip's war through the words of the author, this book put articulate reality into an historical time while capturing my interest from page 1. This book was well researched and written with a vision that portrayed places and events of no other book I have read. I highly recommend this book - FIVE STARS

American revolution inspired us. Book, I like

Trying to treat bold historical topics is rare amongst today's academic historians except those few who climb the ranks to a select academic elite. More vogue amongst the rank and file historian is the rigourously researched microcosm as representative of a broader historical theme. This book seems to wash somewhere between detailed scholarship of little known events and bold treatment of a historical idea and really is not ultimately effective at either goal. If I had read the draft I would have recommended that the author write three books, one each on the prime topics (or at least one each on King Phillips and Bacon's Revolt) and then a fourth (or third) book that uses the summary view of these key events as the ammunition for a bold historical assertion...that the brothers' monarchy destroyed nascent independence in the colonies and essentially cocked the gun for the revolution of a hundred years later. Together it was simply not as cogent as a single volume should be.

This has to be one of the most enjoyable and challenging history books I've read in many years. Extremely well documented, broad in scope, relevant to contemporary political theory, I hope this gets wide reading.

On the surface, the book seeks to elevate King Phillip's War and Bacon's Revolution from historic footnotes to critical milestones. As one reads more, it becomes clear the story goal is larger. After one starts to make sense of the 1676 war and revolution, the picture of a coherent British-Iroquois imperial plan emerges. Webb makes a very strong case that the 1676 agreement between British and Iroquois, something that I had only vaguely suspected after reading accounts of the French and Indian War, wins North America for the British and thus establishes the foundation for a future United States.

This is challenging version of US history and I suspect many will have a hard time including Iroquois to the list of 'founding fathers,' but the book is so well documented that everyone ought to have a good time chewing on the relevance of this very active and violent year.

Webb goes into detail on four fronts: the revolutionary conflict in Virginia, the reaction in councils of King Charles II, the dynamics of Iroquois imperialism which produced Bacon's revolution and finally the negotiated resolution of British/Iroquois imperial goals. After completing the book, I felt like I knew why New York is called the Empire State. The treaty signing took place in New York.

Webb uses an interesting set of English 'classes' to frame the action. The 'frontier' English (poor to middle class) are converting hunting lands into farms and fighting the local tribes they displace. In Virginia, the local tribes are allied with 'coastal' English colonists, primarily the small group of 'oligarchs' ruling the colony. The oligarchs have large fur trading incomes dependent on commerce with the tribes, so they tend to restrain the 'frontiersmen' rather than defend them. This forces the frontiersmen, led by Bacon, to rebel against the oligarchs. Meanwhile, the King of England is dependent on tobacco custom duties, the primary export of frontier farms. Thus, the British Empire tends to side with the frontiersmen and naturally suspects the oligarchs of cheating on taxes. Of course, everyone is compromised by family ties across class boundaries and the Iroquois have their own imperial agenda.

It gets very interesting.

Geoffrey Parker wrote tight, leaving nothing extra or unneeded in "Philip II" which I rate a very concise story of the man behind the king. Parker drew from good research and could have included other aspects which may and may not have been true but he chose the journalistic route which leaves the reader with a stronger sense of knowing King Philip II, one of the most influential monarchs in the world. Parker's text gives thought to the effects of Philip's daily habits and events in his life which still have an effect in Spain and parts of the then Spanish Empire. Parker's effort reads well and should be included on the list of any serious follower of old or modern Spain, or of any countries effected by its empire. I read through it in four brisk sittings. Mike McIlvain

I am shocked there are not more books about the personal life of this interesting person in history. This book gives a very good picture of Philip II and the forces that shaped him and the religion that governed every aspect of his life, loves and holy causes. Because of his long reign, and dealings with all the important persons of the 16th century, his personal attitudes shaped so much by his childhood, influenced the political, social and religious tide of that time. The conquests of lands in the name of God, influences the geography and history of today

I picked up this book by chance from my father's personal library and found it to be a wonderfully written work on the life of Philip II.

An aspect I like about this book is that the author -- Geoffrey Parker (who at one point taught at Christ's College) -- tries to give as much of an objective account as he can, recognizing that the life of Philip II has been distorted by historians who have had a Protestant bias (and therefore portrayed Philip II as an inflexible tyrant) and who otherwise have not appreciated the cultural contributions of Spain because of what he describes as the "Black Legend" (wherein the Spanish are believed to be "tainted" with Jewish and Moorish blood).

Mr. Parker appears to exonerate Philip II of many simple-minded charges, and portrays him as a very competent and astute ruler with a strong intellectual curiosity who devoted his life to the Catholic Church. Philip II was somewhat of a connoisseur on art, who enjoyed the works of Bosch and Titian, but who happened to overlook the genius of El Greco. Another interesting detail in the book is Philip II's enthusiasm for hunting.

The book gives a good overview on Philip II's numerous wives and children (he was married 4 times and some of his children were stillborn). It also allows one to understand the period under which the Netherlands was ruled by the Spanish as well as of the "taming" of the New World, as well as the aftermath of the Armada disaster.

King Philip II preferred a very centralized government. He was an indefatigable ruler who did an incredible amount of paperwork.

Philip II is portrayed as an enlightened ruler who at times showed incredible mercy to his subjects. He even dressed like the common man and did not require subjects to bow down to him as did other monarchs. This was the quintessence of "Spanish nobility."

Mary Renault was one of the most successful historical novelists of the 20th Century and her Alexander novels were her masterpiece. "Fire From Heaven" is the first of the trilogy that includes "The Persian Boy" and "Funeral Games", and tells us the story of Alexander the Great, one of the most fascinating and complex characters in all history, from early childhood to the age of twenty, when he succeeded his father as king of Macedon. Renault brings us into Alexander's world and presents us to him in all his multifaceted personality: his all-consuming ambition, his sensitivity, his insatiable drive for excellence, and his love-hate relationship with his father (hate inexorably, and inevitably, won out) which was so influential in shaping his character and the course of his life. Renault also brings us into the lives of Alexander's family, especially his mother Olympias, one of the most ruthless and devious characters in ancient history; totally wrapped up in her son and willing to stop at nothing to protect his interests. Olympias might have eaten Alexander alive if it hadn't been for the influence of his friend and lover Hephaistion of whom she was wildly jealous; and Renault narrates the growing affection and love between the two boys as a natural development in their lives. Homosexuality and bisexuality were normal in the ancient world (Julius Caesar himself was described by his contemporaries as "every woman's man and every man's woman") and Renault doesn't flinch at it, and neither should anyone who reads this book. Renault's greatest strength as a historical novelist was her insistence on keeping it real, which was especially difficult in writing about Alexander's early life as almost nothing is known about him before his accession; but her research into the time and the place has the feel and sense of painstaking accuracy. There is only one thing that makes me give this book four stars instead of five, and it's that, unlike her earlier novels, Renault wrote this one in the third person. It doesn't work quite as well. What was so magical about her earlier works was that when you read them in the first person, you don't just read them, you dive right into them and live them; you're right there in the middle of the action and it's totally exhilarating from the first page to the last. Reading "Fire From Heaven" is like watching the action through a clear sheet of plate glass instead of being on the other side where the action is really happening. Renault got it right in her second book, "The Persian Boy", which told about Alexander's life from his accession as king to his death at the age of 32; "Fire From Heaven" is an excellent prequel to what was to come.

Mary Renault's Alexandriad begins with "Fire From Heaven," a novel that encompasses the childhood and youth of Alexander the Great, King of Macedon and Persia. Alexander's character has fascinated historians and novelists from the time of his conquest to the present day. Currently, a movie is in the works that is said to owe much to Ms. Renault's work.

Mary Renault's love of ancient Greek culture was displayed in her previous novels, "The Last Of The Wine" and the Theseus duology, "The King Must Die" and "The Bull From The Sea." Her admiration for Alexander is also on display. Most authors of historical fiction are fond of their subjects, but the reader can tell Renault adored her chosen hero and found in him an ideal that may have been more imagined than real.

Still, Renault's work is superb. She was a master of language and craft, and her novel touches the key points of the Alexander legend without turning them into precious showpieces. (I particularly enjoyed the depiction of the taming of Boukephalos, with various characters facing different outcomes of the horse's purchase). She shines when depicting characters, and offers a fascinating interpretation of the relationship between Alexander, his father King Philip II of Macedon, and his mother, Queen Olympias.

History tells us Philip and Olympias were at war with each other until Philip was assassinated, which Olympias probably had a hand in. The war included their son, who is shown as an intelligent, preternaturally observant child who absorbs his mother's hurts and grievances well before he's old enough to understand them. Alexander is never allowed to be at peace as far as his loyalty to either parent is concerned; torn between a father who resents any resemblance in him to his mother, and a mother who has made him her defender and prize, Alexander's mystical bent is made plausible as the defense of a child who literally had no one else but God (or in his case, the gods) to turn to. A psychiatrist would have had a field day with the entire family, let alone with Alexander himself.

Perhaps Renault wanted to show Alexander as being able to rise above the turmoil his household was in, but she doesn't dwell on his vulnerability. That is a weakness in this book; Alexander is brilliant and bright, but rarely falls or missteps. The one time he makes a true mistake, leading to the arrest of a friend, is a scene of white-hot intensity, including the aftermath of the scene. If Renault had shown more of Alexander's weaknesses--his humanity--this book would have been a scorching testament to the beginnings of this complex man.

It is still a very good novel, particularly when Hephaistion enters Alexander's life. The man who may or may not have been Alexander's lover is portrayed as that by Renault, and her reasons are as good as any to believe the two men were lovers. Hephaistion is written well here, as the person Alexander trusted more than anyone, and who did all he could to deserve that trust. His single-minded devotion is a little annoying--surely Renault could have had him win an argument once instead of always giving in?--but Hephaistion still draws much sympathy, in light of all he goes through in order to remain at Alexander's side.

Renault wrote good battle scenes, and the Battle of Cheironeia (Chaeronea) is one of her best efforts. So, too, are the snippets from the Thracian wars and the Argive revolt in which Alexander saved his father's life (although the language is a little high-flown in the last). She had an eye for telling detail, making the reader visualize an entire scene from one small description. Two wonderful examples would be the aftermath of Cheironeia and the assassination of Philip.

I recommend "Fire From Heaven" because it's a beautifully written book and its history is portrayed with accuracy and skill. It's not quite as good as its successors, "The Persian Boy" and "Funeral Games," but it's like comparing fine apples to equally high-quality oranges. Enjoy it.

Fire from Heaven is the historical novel of Alexander the Great's life from his birth through the death of his father when Alexander was a young man. The focus of the book is on the development of the man's character and skills as a leader, displayed both in the context of his war experiences and his family.

One of the repeating themes in literature and biography is the difficulty that eldest sons have in succeeding in their fathers' eyes. Alexander the Great was a notable historical exception to the usual rule. His father was exceptionally able, and united the Greeks prior to his assassination. Alexander was a greater man, and this book explores the development of their relationship amid the backdrop of court intrigues and Hellenic politics. Plutarch's Lives is the primary source for Fire from Heaven, but Mary Renault has drawn from other post-Alexander sources to weave a compelling historical novel of what it might have been like back in Pella.

The Macedonians had a number of habits that some would be uncomfortable with today. These behaviors included killing as a rite of manhood, slavery, taking physical advantage of weaker people, plundering, polygamy, open bi-sexual relationships, raiding neighbors for pecuniary advantage, and sacrificing of animals to the gods. If any of these things distress you, this may not be the novel for you. These behaviors play a big role in the story.

Alexander's father and mother did not see eye-to-eye. Part of the reason was that his mother was probably overly politically ambitious. Another part of the reason was the his father rarely saw a beautiful young person he did not find attractive, and he was a man to act on his impulses. The book explores how Alexander developed his independence of character and action from both of his parents.

Much of the novel can only be guess-work, but the record is fairly clear that Alexander was able to command respect as a field commander by the time he was only 16. He also displayed a dislike for taking the easy way out, so his many principled stands make sense. The book also looks into his relations with his friends and colleagues, and leaves it open as to whether these were sexually chaste relations or not. The author's note leaves it up to you to decide what his preferences really were.

The book was most appealing to me before Alexander was butting heads with his father. One of the most revealing episodes though is one where Alexander saves his father's life, and his father pretends to be ignorant of the fact. Actually, their relations were probably harmed by this, because it made them into peers before they were ready to accept one another in that way.

If you are like me, you will find it intriguing that it could be difficult to be the son of a successful king, even if you are about to conquer the known world on your own. It was also interesting to read about what it might have been like to have had Aristotle as a tutor. The sections about Demosthenes also added to my appreciation of the role of an orator in Athens at the time.

If you are not fascinated by Alexander, you will probably grade this book down to about three stars. If you would like to understand Alexander a little better, you will find the insights here more accessible than Plutarch's and the novel to be very interesting. If you want to learn about military strategy, this book will be a one star effort for you.

After you finish reading the book, I suggest that you think about what kinds of experiences can help form the character of your children in positive ways. I also hope you will learn from the example here to let the relationship evolve easily as your children become ready for more responsibility.

Help your child create an inner spur to be the finest person of character your child can be!

I enjoyed this book and, unlike some others, was engrossed by the military expeditions of Alfred the Great. The author gives enough information that one can well imagine how incredible it was indeed to fight off the Vikings. Further, the defensive works and the creation of the burghs led to modern economic England, and this point is brought out quite well.

I bought this book on the recommendation of a professor of mine when embarking upon my senior thesis this spring, and though Abel's book did not end up playing a large part in my paper, I went back to this book after the term was over. This book was an easy, quick, and absorbing read, while informative, cohesive, and clear in its aims and the points it was trying to express. My only criticism might be a minor one -- As an English major, I am more interested in the ideological, cultural, or literary influence or views of an individual. Naturally, as a history professor, Abels interests were not the same as mine. He devotes a lot of the book to details of Alfred's battles with the Vikings, and at times, this failed to hold my attention. This criticism, as a result, is only the result of a personal preference.

Alfred, being the only English monarch styled "the Great", is a notoriously difficult subject to write history about. The Victorian cult of Alfred made him a marked man for the debunkers of the Dead White European Male focus of history. Attempts at an even-handed review of the Wessex king's life are fraught with peril.

This book does the job magnificently. Alfred the warrior, ruler, innovator, strategist, and moralist are all presented well within the context of a 9th century Anglo-Saxon world. Alfred the pious and Alfred the ruthless are both shown as parts of the same man.

While concluding that Asser's "Life" is a legitimate source of biography for Alfred, the author does not limit himself. Extensive use and comparison between versions of the "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle" is combined with what limited charter evidence survives, archaeological discoveries and an examination of coinage patterns to round out the picture of Alfred and his times.

One major strength of this work is its very careful comparisons of Alfred and his activities to those of predecessor kings of Wessex and successor kings of the Anglo-Saxons. Alfred's reign is not studied in isolation. How Alfred was both traditional and innovative in contrast to his father and brothers helps place Alfred in the context of his times. The legacy which Alfred left his descendants (to become kings of all England) is given special attention.

The author is circumspect in trying to get inside of Alfred's head. Alfred's physical afflictions are examined with an eye to a modern medical diagnosis and their effects on Alfred's personality. Using the marginalia in Alfred's own translations from Latin into the vernacular, the author tries to see inside Alfred the man - all the while cognizant that such a review is only speculative.

This is a great book and a very good read.

Mansel's biography does an excellent job filling in some blanks in French History; the times from Louis XIV through Napoleon I are very well documented, but so little has been written about the restoration monarchs. This biography is thoughtful and detailed, chronicling a prince who spent the better part of his life waiting in the wings to attain his throne. Mansel does a superb job working with Louis' known words (spoken and written) to reveal the character behind this somewhat elusive figure. A major find!

My only complaint against the book (which brought it from 5 stars to 4) is the author's very annoying insistence on quoting innumerable sources in French and then translating them in full into English. For those who read French, the English translation slows reading (one can't help but compare one's own translation to that of the author); for those that don't, the French is superfluous. This bilingual quotation method is occasionally useful when a critical shade of meaning must be brought across; to do it on virtually every page is just a nuisance.

If the French Revolution is a gulf yawning between the Ancien Regime and the truly modern world, then few kings could have embodied that disjunction better than Louis XVIII. Born in 1755, he lived to see his brother and sister-in-law, Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, guillotined by extreme revolutionaries; the Corsican general Napoleon Bonaparte seize the throne and declare himself emperor; and his country welcome him back after Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo. Bitter memories of his brother's ignominious death encouraged him to steer a course between reactionaries and revolutionaries. Although Louis has often been dismissed as a non-entity, Mansel's eminently readable biography presents a more balanced portrait of this enigmatic survivor.

The brilliance of Philip Mansel shines in Louis XVIII. For some reason history regards his reign as just a footnote, in reality Louis XVIII shines as a much more intelligent and reasonable monarch for his time. I deliberately took my time reading this book, I wanted to savor all the information Mr. Mansel presented so well! A fabulous look into France after the tumult of the revolution and Bonaparte!