Kings & Queens of England

From the age of Anglo-Saxon kings through the dawn of a new millennium, the English monarchy has served as a source of pride, patriotism, and unity, offering moments of high national purpose, plus plenty of political, religious, and military intrigue. Critics dismiss the monarchy as a relic and the world's oldest soap opera, but everyone still seems to love the cast of warriors, scholars, villains, heroes, and occasional incompetents. Providing a brief description of every monarch, and outlining major achievements of each reign, Kings & Queens of England dryly proceeds from Alfred the Great in the 8th century A.D. to Elizabeth II as it traces the major branches of England's royal tree. Two of the greatest monarchs, Elizabeth I and Victoria, were women whose reigns were celebrated as golden ages of literature and exploration. On the other hand, the Scottish Stuarts were a stubborn clan, particularly Charles I, who dissolved Parliament and claimed the divine right of kings to wield absolute authority over his subjects (Charles would lose his head--literally--in 1649, leaving the country without a monarch for several years). With the restoration, the monarchy would rise from the ashes to preside over war, plague, the Great London Fire, and many other challenges (including the country's frustration of having a king, German-born George I, who refused to learn English). The history of England's kings and queens demands an in-depth approach, full of fascinating anecdotes about royalty's human side, which this hurried survey--ultimately neither enlightening, inspiring, nor entertaining--sorely lacks. Reference collections without similar fare will want to consider, but this is otherwise not a necessary purchase. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)