Solid

You can hear Marc Morris talking about King John on the BBC History Today podcast. He's an engaging speaker with a PhD in medieval history so I decided this was worth a listen. What you get is a nuts and bolts life of John which comes to life when Morris uses his in-depth knowledge of life in medieval Britain to show how a strange alliance of nobles from East Anglia, the north of England, Wales and Scotland collaborated with the sharp witted merchants of London to create Magna Carta. He goes on to make the case that John was just as bad as his subsequent reputation suggests.

Morris is too disciplined a historian to offer similar character portraits of other characters in the story. That's an understandable choice but John Julius Norwich's "Shakespeare's Kings", which tackles similar material was fun because he was interested in characters and willing to stick his neck out. So at times this suffered a little for me by being a slightly flat retelling of events. In addition to that, the narrator adopts a slightly irritating tone of archness throughout so just three stars for him.

However, overall it's worth a listen on the basis of an interesting life illuminated by many interesting details of medieval life alongside a fascinating dissection of magna carta

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41 people found this helpful

Interesting Book

Well read, however quite a few chapters are in the wrong order which was annoying as I had to keep going back to the contents and wait for the narrator to state the dates covered by that chapter before deciding which chapter to read.

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1 person found this helpful

The story jumps about between time periods.

Very thorough, however, a bit confusing which time period he is talking about as it jumps about.

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Fascinating!

One of the most timely, well written and well researched history books I've heard!

Excellent book, great narrator!

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Wonderful

Such a detailed and complicated part of our history that was explained with finesse and clarity and with great entertainment. A job well done indeed

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A great take on a well known story

Really enjoyed this retelling of the story of King John, an in depth and fascinating insight into one of England's more controversial Kings. From his relationship with his brothers to his various and ultimately disasterous campaigns in Europe and closer to home. Far more than just Magna Carter a great way to learn about a underated period of England's history.

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Excellent treatment of this pivotal period

Well-written & researched, with alternative chapters looking at King John's reign from different periods - a truly dynamic approach!

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Superb history of King John

I really enjoyed this book and learning more about a King I didn't know a lot about initially. The narrator was engaging and did a good job.

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Recommend

I can't recommend this audiobook highly enough for anyone who wishes to learn about John. The style is clear, uncomplicated, and though it doesn't provide any deep analysis (that isn't the purpose of the book), gives a very good overview of this often overlooked monarch.

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A man of many faces.

A beautifully written telling of the infamous John the 1st. Massively fascinating how often we see the potential and capabilities of John, even far before he has any real powers, and then see the many sides of his cruel, vindictive, egocentered and treasonish ways, shaping the picture we today see when talking about Ol’ John.
I will say at times, no matter the informations of his wrong you receive, you cant help but feel for him. He clearly tried, and had his moments, but the shadow of his father and older brothers was too much.

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