Reviews for History of England for Beginners

The average rating for History of England for Beginners based on 2 reviews is 2 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2017-08-27 00:00:00 Denny Linhorst This is my 3rd of Prescott's histories and, I have to say, it finally is making sense to me why he chose the Maya and Inca as subjects for the other two I've read. This was a fascinating period in history and Ferdinand and Isabella were more than just the bit players I've always understood them to be based on my US-centered education. It prompted me to immediately turn to reading De Las Casas' report of the treatment of native indians in the early period of Spanish colonialism. Prescott has such an amazing touch with historical description. His footnotes are always well worth reading. I didn't grasp them all (many of his sources are quoted in the original 15th-16th century Spanish afterall), but anything where Prescott adds his own commentary is a gem. NOTE: I have no idea how well his histories withstand the test of time and further scholarly research, but I feel like he's done yeoman's work in making these subjects accessible to an English-speaking audience. He's no more a hero-worshipper than he is quick to blame. He seems very even-handed overall.

Review # 2 was written on 2016-03-27 00:00:00 HANITRA RADILIMANANTSOA This edition is abridged from three volumes to one of 294 pages hardback. Missing are Prescott's voluminous footnotes, details of battles and court life, and other matter of little general current interest. Prescott himself began an abridgment due to economic considerations but did not complete it. This is masterly writing of history, comparable to his histories of the conquests of the Aztecs and of the Incas, missing only some of the swashbuckling adventure appearing in those two. With her intelligence and firm dedication to her subjects, Isabella is the finest figure in this period of Spanish history, possibly the best epoch ever for the average Spaniard, despite the great stain of the Inquisition.