Kings and Queens (Collins Gem)

Neil Grant

Collins

2004

256 páginas

8h 32m

ISBN-13: 9780007188857

Resenhas (1)

5 (Perfeito)

Finally, a pocket book that actually fits in the pocket!

The British monarchy may not be the oldest in existence, but it is certainly one of the most relevant for the development of the current shape of the world, for all that is bad and good. The current monarch, Elizabeth II, traces her predecessors in an almost unbroken line for hundreds of years, depending where exactly one defines at what point an "England" started to exist.

Therefore, there are dozens and dozens of kings, queens, princes and princesses, earls and dukes and other peers, heirs. Add a number of wars (some of those, civil wars), questions about sovereignty, annulled marriages and legitimatized bastards, a few conquerors... yeah, it's a long list of names. I don't doubt there are a few people that memorized the entire succession line and it's peculiarities. That seems a cool hobby. For all the others, this "Kings and Queens" works wonders for a quick guide of reference.

Maybe my only point of displeasure while reading is the treatment given to Queen Victoria "Munshi", Abdul Karim, virtually erased from the royal archives, said to be "devious" by this guide. Granted, I don't know his whole story and this might actually hold water, but I can't help feeling that this is downright prejudice.

But that's a single point in an otherwise excellent guide of reference. Works wonders as a starting point!