出版社周刊评论
University of Winchester emeritus professor Hicks (The Family of Richard III) delivers a rigorous, evenhanded reassessment of the rise and fall of 15th-century English monarch Richard III. Hicks meticulously documents Richard's inauspicious beginnings as the fourth son of a nobleman outside the line of succession and charts his rise to Lord Protector under his 12-year-old nephew, Edward V; his gathering of power among the noblemen of northern England; his seizure of the throne in 1483; and his two-year reign before dying at the Battle of Bosworth Hill in 1485. Hicks seeks to recast Richard from Shakespearean villain (and probable murderer of Edward and his younger brother) to adroit political player and would-be reformer undone by the brevity of his reign, while also acknowledging his conniving nature and tendency to use violence for political gain. The book's scholarly rigor comes at the price of narrative drama, however, as exhaustive lists of office holders, detailed battle logistics, and frequent admissions that historical records are missing or unreliable create obstacles for all but the most dedicated of readers. However, those looking to gain a richer, more nuanced view of the oft-caricatured king will find it in Hicks's circumspect presentation. (Nov)
Choice 评论
Hicks (emer., Univ. of Winchester, UK) has researched and written about the Yorkist era of English history for half a century. Applying his customary careful consideration to the topic at hand, he investigates how a fourth son of the highest aristocracy, Richard III, a man with limited prospects, built up an impressive estate and became king. Among the character traits Hicks notes for Richard's success were being a farsighted administrator who was attentive to details; an intense, cunning, and calculating man with ambitions for self-aggrandizement, aided by skills as a propagandist; a physically vigorous and experienced military commander; and a man with a taste for magnificence in dress, diet, piety, building, music, and celebration. Richard's usurpation of the throne in 1483, together with the unexplained disappearance of his predecessor Edward IV's sons, took him beyond the boundaries of acceptable behavior. Ultimately, Richard's gamble for the throne was drastic enough to incite opposition to his rule, a challenge he had insufficient time to overcome. Hicks has provided an important addition to the history of English monarchs. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers through faculty. --Albert Compton Reeves, emeritus, Ohio University
