Kings & Queens: The Real Lives of the English Monarchs

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If what you want is a book of short biographies, I think you would be better off to read the (much shorter and less dry) Horrible Histories book Cruel Kings and Mean Kings. In 1999, The Daily Telegraph recorded that he outsold Enid Blyton by four to one and a Libraries survey made him the most-borrowed author of non-fiction in Britain – adult and children’s books. The book describes the most memorable features of the life and times of each king and queen - from Egbert, crowned in 802 and considered the first king of England, to Queen Elizabeth II - as well as accounts of the extraordinary lives of their queens, consorts, mistresses and bastard children. Unfortunately when it comes to the current queen she refuses to identify any weaknesses other than that of her children.

Like many have said already, this book gives a brief but comprehensive general outline of each ruler's background, challenges and reign. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I learned; never did I find the material dry or boring - definitely recommended! The absurdly long reign of Victoria presided over the epoch of the peak in reach of the British Empire. There are random facts and there is a lot of name dropping - duke this, and duke that - as if you should already know who they are and what is their historical importance. This book doesn’t focus on those specific aspects at all, giving only a fun and fascinating run down of each monarch.They did avoid a lot of controversy and tried to see both good and bad in some reigns which I think is just too unbiased. In fact, the text is better suited for young adults versus adults (unless the adult has no previous knowledge on the subject).

The Danish rulers, such as Cnut, were highly influential in the development of what would eventually become England and Britain, and their lives and those of their various family members should not be discounted.

The conclusion is solid stipulating on the future of the royal family while also offering genealogical charts. The noble ones who loved their subjects interspersed with the ones who were power mad, or just mad, and other who only wanted to make and spend their money on luxury or sin.

Each king and queen is subject to a profile of main accomplishments and personality, usually with a choice quote. A bit on the fluffy side, but as always for a book like this you wont get a lot of detail on specific monarchs just a good general picture of their reign. The way it is set up with many photos of the monarchs and artifacts, stories, bios, time lines of important events pertaining to their reign and a brief history for each is outstanding.Overall, “Kings and Queens of England” is a quick, overly simplified introduction to the monarchs of England. A sudden gust of wind sets off a marvellous London adventure for the Queen, the Queen's men and one very special hat.