Latest History Book Review

Robin Hood: The English Outlaw Unmasked by David Baldwin
The story of Robin Hood – the famous outlaw who ‘robbed the rich to give to the poor’ – has delighted people for centuries. The most recent adaptation of the legend, a film by Ridley Scott, is a testimony to Robin’s enduring appeal. But was the legend of Robin Hood inspired by a real man? David Baldwin’s latest book, Robin Hood: The English Outlaw Unmasked, goes in search of the man behind the myth.

Baldwin, of course, is not the first historian to study the origins of the Robin Hood legend: he draws extensively on the work of other scholars – most notably the work of Sir James Holt. In the first instance, therefore, the book offers a synthesis of previous research. However, Baldwin’s account is also informed by his own knowledge of the relevant sources and a broad understanding of medieval society.

Read more »

On My Shelf - Laurence Rees

To mark the recent 70th anniversary, we asked award winning historian Laurence Rees, former Director of History at the BBC and bestelling author of numerous books including Auschwitz, for his definitive book on the Dunkirk evacuation.

"The book I'm pleased to recommend to readers wanting to know more about Dunkirk is Strange Victory: Hitler's Conquest of France by Ernest R May. Whilst not exactly on Dunkirk itself, this book looks at the events leading up to it and the reasons why it happened. It is a terrific read".

Strange Victory is a riveting book about France and Germany in the years leading up to WWII, offering a dramatic new interpretation of the Blitzkrieg that swept the Wehrmacht to Paris in the spring of 1940. Skilfully weaving together decisions of the various high commands with the confused responses from exhausted and ill-informed, or ill-advised, officers in the field, Ernest R May offers many new insights into the tragic paradoxes of the battle for France.

Find it on History Times

Famous Quotes