What I knew about Henry V a week ago: teenage tearaway as depicted in my O Level set text Henry IV, part 1. Also from Shakespeare “Once more unto the breach” as the victor of Agincourt. Now that I have read the excellent Henry V: The Astonishing Rise of England’s Greatest Warrior King by Dan Jones my knowledge is more complete. Turns out that he probably wasn’t a teenage tearaway but the bit about Agincourt was right. Generally he was a good King, but failed in one big important thing. He waited until his 30s to marry and have a child. Which meant that his son was a babe in arms when he died and so all the stability he had created disappeared very quickly.

I thought I ‘knew’ Henry the Fifth having seen the Shakespeare plays at the Globe and watched a film but oh I was wrong. Dan Jones has achieved the feat of making this man who lived and died hundreds of years ago, into a real breathing human being. I applauded his triumphs, shook my head at his failures, and understood a lot more about what life was like at the time.

Henry’s life and his decision making is well explained and laid out and when we get to Agincourt, it’s clear why he goes ahead against incredible odds and why he deserves the ‘win’. When you get to the end of the book, it’s almost a shock to remember he died aged 36. What a life he lived and how successfully Dan Jones has recorded it.

This would make a great gift for the history buff in your life.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley

Lots of interesting history that focuses.on King Henry V. Have learnt much about him in this book.

The author has good footnotes, but some of the description could do with a little more editing; there was one area where he started 3 or 4 sentences in exactly the.same way, one after another.

I received this book from netgalley in return for a honest review.

As you would expect from a Dan Jones book, this was a really accessible and fascinating look at the life of Henry V. I thought the idea to write in the present tense was great as it gave the events a sense of immediacy that I really appreciated. I also enjoyed the structure of the narrative, with an equal amount of time given to Henry's life before he became king, providing a really well rounded look at his life as a whole and not just as a monarch. Overall, I had a great time with this one and will continue to pick up Dan Jones books.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Henry V reigned for a mere nine years and most of our knowledge of him is centred around the battle of Agincourt. Portrayed by Shakespeare as a wild youth forced to become a warrior king, Jones looks more deeply into Henry's background and considers his reign in its totality.
I am a huge admirer of Jones' work as he is able to be an engaging narrator and presenter and yet also very scholarly. Therefore I had anticipated this book with excitement and it does not disappoint. I really admire the fact that Henry's life before he accedes to to the throne is given the detail it deserves, Henry had a tough apprenticeship but this forged his manner as a king. I also like the fact that Agincourt is not made the centre of the story, much has been written about the battle but here it is placed in context and as part of a greater picture. All in all a book to be savoured.

Dan Jones has written a captivating and thoroughly engaging portrait of one of England’s most iconic kings in Henry V. He is known primarily for his victory at the Battle of Agincourt but Jones delves beneath the surface, presenting a multifaceted ruler who was not only a military genius but also a shrewd political leader. I enjoyed the way that Jones has blended detailed historical research with vivid storytelling.
Henry V by Dan Jones is a superb biography that offers an insightful, and highly readable account of one of England’s most formidable kings. He has once again proven his ability to make history come alive, and this book is sure to captivate both history enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Highly recommended.

Another triumph for Dan Jones!
A great book about a great medieval king.
The author masterfully takes us through Henry’s entire life, showing the lessons the young prince learnt from the different leadership styles of Richard II and Henry IV. Then the reader is shown how Henry was implementing those lessons.
As usual, Dan Jones masterfully and with great pizzazz presents us with narrative history in the way that makes the reader relate, sympathise and understand the man we knew very little about.

One of the most famous Medieval kings famed for his victory at the Battle of Agincourt and the wonderful play by William Shakespeare, Henry V is certainly a colourful character. Mix his biography with the arresting writing of historian Dan Jones, it is an exciting prospect. Win-win.

It is a bit of a cliche (yes, I have said this, too) but Jones can make a factual book read like a novel. One way he does this is to use the present tense, a strategy I have not read in a biography. And it works. In part, the successful Medieval monarchs were very skilled in the arts, languages and the intricacies of politics and warfare, therefore they are very interesting to read about. However, I have read so many books on the Plantagenets (Henry V's family) and other Medieval kings, and this book is more akin to Shakespeare than the textbooks. That is not being dismissive of any of the information Jones has researched: this book is an exciting read and I was eager to carry on reading it.

The book naturally follows the chronology of Henry's life, indicating the influence his family has on his upbringing with his remarkably creative mother. It gives a lot of insight to the conditions of life then during the fourteenth century as well as the political situations in England and France. Further along during his military campaigns we learn how the Hundred Years War continued and how Henry helped turn England into the greatest power in Medieval Europe.

Throughout this, Jones makes detailed accounts of battles and conditions of the times without any dry informations dumps. Always engaging, we also see Henry as a human being as well as a warrior, so the complete character is formed. It makes a thrilling read, turns history into a witty and appealing genre and makes a warrior king into something more than the wayward youth from Shakespeare or the bloodthirsty leader at Agincourt.

Dan Jones is the modern historian. He writes for people who previously had no interest in history. And that can't be bad.

Thank you for the ARC to the Publisher, Head of Zeus, received via Netgalley.

“O, for a muse of fire, that would ascend
The brightest heaven of invention,
A kingdom for a stage, princes to act
And monarchs to behold the swelling scene!
” Shakespeare: Henry V, (Chorus, Prologue)

"The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry ‘God for Harry, England, and Saint George!’ "
(Shakespeare: Henry V, King Henry, Act 3 Scene 1)

This has been my first book by Dan Jones and while I've never been a fan of the real Henry V and this book has not changed that (not that it was the intention), but Jones' writing is so good that I got totally immersed in this king's story and I've become a fan of the author. :)

Actually I liked the book so much that I've bought the audiobook and I found that besides being a very good writer, Dan Jones is also a great narrator and it enhanced the whole experience.

"(...) He will be the king who is lionised by the generation who knew him, idolised by those who followed and eventually mythologised by William Shakespeare.
Although Henry V will reign for only nine years and four months, dying at the age of just thirty-five, he will loom over the historical landscape of the later Middle Ages and beyond, remembered as the acme of kingship: the man who did the job exactly as it was supposed to be done.
He will be considered the closest thing his age ever produced to one of the Nine Worthies. A titan. An English Alexander."

As you can see from this quote, this biography has been written in a style that may not be to everyone's taste: talking about the past in the present tense.
I admit that this may be irritating, unless the writer has a very sure hand and the talent to make it work. Dan Jones has both. He makes the story flow smoothly and effortlessly and his style completely drew me in. It was like listening to a captivating docu-drama, seeing it all in my mind's eye. I just did not want it to end.

Also, in the the introduction he admits to an admiration and fascination to Henry V's character, which could lead to a bias at how he portrays his subject. But, this never happens. Throughout the book you get a correct, well-balanced, clear presentation of all information: there isn't a trace of whitewashing or turning a blind eye to any mistake, weakness or ugliness. You get the full picture and Dan Jones never forces you to see things "his way", we are given the maximum choice to draw our own conclusion.

We can follow Henry's life from his birth to his death as thankfully the focus is not solely on the battle of Agincourt, but we are led through the whole of Henry's military campaign and once again we get the gore as well as the glory. Dan Jones never fails to mention the misery Henry's war on top of the mad French King Charles VI reign, the warring factions of the Armagnacs and the Burgundians wreak on the people of France. He also always pay attention to separate facts from fiction and doesn't fall into the Shakespeare-trap.

The only thing I found wanting was more information dedicated to how Henry's reign affected the people of England from a social and economic perspective. Dan Jones was rather closemouthed on that. The dynamic between the monarch and his subjects were mostly described as a financial transaction: Henry asked the Parliament for money and he got it through taxes. He recruited people for his army, they joined and lived or died. These are no revelations of great national prosperity. I mean, nationalism and victories over Jean Foreigner is all very well, but you cannot eat or drink it.

To be fair, we are told time and again that Henry lay great importance on trying to keep law and order and to keep up good relations with the Parliament and the Clerics and his brother, the Duke of Bedford was a good steward when he was away, but the emphasis is on the political and not the economic issues unless it is about financing war.

Despite this latter "shortcoming" this has been a great read and now I'm off to read some more books by Dan Jones and feel very excited about it.

There are few things better than a good biography, a life placed in its time and place. Dan Jones is an excellent storyteller and biographer, and Henry - though in some ways still a mystery - really came to life.

I had little knowledge of the early 15th century English king Henry V, apart from a vague notion of Agincourt. His father Henry IV deposed Richard II to become the first king in the Lancaster-line of the Plantagenets. Henry was groomed to succeed him from a young age.

Among historians, opinions on Henry differ: for some he was cruel and calculating, for others he was a model king given the age he lived in. I can't shake the feeling that Dan Jones falls in the latter category and is a bit of a fan of Henry. His assessment is largely positive, even if he correctly concludes there is little use in judging Henry's personality today. What I am left with is that Henry V was a brilliant commander (he never lost a battle in his life), but that if there is one word to define him with it's 'ambitious'.

But more than that, the book gives a fascinating picture of 15th century life of English nobility.

It also made a really nice pairing with Glen James Brown's Mother Naked, which I read in parallel and highlights the life of 'normal' people.

Dan Jones has done it again. This latest offering is utterly spellbinding. He has a knack for making historical non-fiction as compelling a read as any page-turner in the fiction lists. In his foreword, he invites readers to ‘enjoy the ride,’ which I did wholeheartedly. I completed the book today, on 16 September, coincidentally the day Henry V was born in 1386.

My long-standing youthful (naive) fascination with Henry V, primarily fuelled by Shakespeare, the legendary victory at Agincourt, and his inspirational speeches that echo in modern management, led me to eagerly delve deeper into his life. I was hopeful that Dan Jones would provide a more nuanced and objective portrayal of the King, and he did not disappoint. His book offers a fresh perspective that transcends simple admiration or subjective idolatry.

War, civil conflict, power grabs, revolution, religious extremism and intolerance, egotistical and intransigent leaders, pandemics, and a judiciary operating at the behest of its masters … sounds familiar? Actually, this is a snapshot of life 600 years ago. And what a backdrop for this most pragmatic and chivalrous of kings.

One minuscule point: I had hoped to see confirmation of whether the phrase ‘Tom, Dick, and Harry’ could be attributed to the three traitors discovered on the eve of the French campaign. I’ve always assumed this was why we still use the derogatory phrase to this day to imply ‘nobodies or persons of no significance’ but I have never known for certain.

Suited to the casual reader and academic alike, this book would grace any bookshelf. I will be scouring for a signed hardback copy as soon as possible!

My thanks to NetGalley and, as ever, Head of Zeus for granting this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love Dan Jones' narrative nonfiction. In fact, his decision to write English history as a wild adventure story that puts you right in that time and place is exactly what makes it so accessible and enjoyable. Unlike many others, I wasn't all that interested in Henry V-- largely because I associate him with Agincourt and I don't care for war and battle strategy --but Jones instead took me on a journey through a man's life from start to finish. It was compelling and dramatic, and he made me interested in Henry. I would really love for Jones to continue novelising English history and do the Stuarts and the Hanoverians.

Magisterial and masterful biography of one of England's greatest kings

I saw the word 'magisterial' being used for another history book lately, and that was a superlative far outsized for that book; but Jones's present tense life of one of England's greatest kings is exactly magisterial and masterful. laying out as much detail as possible without the benefit of any of Henry's own internal thoughts. He was a guarded king, the first legitimate royal heir of his usurper of a father, aware that he had to prove himself before and after he became king. Henry demonstrated both a military appetite and a pointed showiness, learnt from his father and Richard II respectively, and wielded both to take wild swings at power both home and abroad, and largely succeeding at them all.

Telling Henry's life from birth to death in the present tense, Jones collapses the centuries between him and us, despite the marked differences in values then and now. The women of the time are given as much time on the page as the men around Henry, making it clear that war is only facet of the man and the king, that he was also a family man, an aesthete and a charismatic, and although luck played a huge part in his life, such as his recovery as a teenager from a deathly arrow to the face, he was able to weld and wield the advantages he and his family forged in the cut-throat business of court and governance.

An incredible five stars: a must read.

Dan Jones' Henry V is an impressive blend of history and narrative that reintroduces one of England’s most iconic kings to modern readers. Henry V is best known for his military prowess and his triumph at the Battle of Agincourt, but Jones paints a far more nuanced picture of the king, balancing his battlefield brilliance with the complexities of his character and the political landscape of his time.

Jones excels in placing Henry V in a broader historical context, weaving the story of his reign into the fabric of late medieval Europe. Readers will gain insight not only into Henry's campaigns but also into his diplomacy, his relationships with his subjects, and the broader consequences of his reign for England and France. Jones' ability to craft a compelling narrative from centuries-old events is a hallmark of his writing, and Henry V is no exception. The book is meticulously researched, providing a depth of information without overwhelming the reader.

What stands out most is Jones’ portrayal of Henry as a man. Instead of focusing solely on his mythic status as a warrior king, the author delves into Henry’s motivations, his religiosity, and the heavy burden of kingship. Jones humanizes Henry, showing that behind his military successes and iconic speeches was a ruler facing immense pressure, often grappling with difficult decisions.

Though Jones clearly admires Henry’s achievements, he doesn't shy away from exploring the more controversial aspects of his reign. The execution of prisoners at Agincourt, the harsh treatment of rebels, and Henry's occasional ruthlessness in pursuit of his goals are all part of the portrait. This balanced approach allows readers to appreciate both the strengths and flaws of Henry V.

The book is also accessible to a broad audience, including those unfamiliar with the intricacies of medieval politics. Jones writes with clarity and avoids academic jargon, making the narrative approachable while still providing enough depth for history enthusiasts.

Overall, Henry V by Dan Jones is a masterful recounting of one of England’s most celebrated monarchs. It offers a well-rounded view of the man, the myth, and the legacy, and will engage anyone interested in English history or medieval warfare. Jones continues to cement his reputation as one of today’s most gifted popular historians with this thoughtful and engaging work.

Brilliant! Did not think a fusty old biography of a medieval king could be so exciting. Writing in the present tense made it much more dramatic and added tension despite knowing all outcomes. Such a good read! Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy.

I've read Dan Jones' work before so I was really excited for this. In 'Henry V', Jones has experimented with the present tense which I think is super effective. It removes the distance that is often felt when reading books about events that happened so long ago. I've studied Henry V before and have read a few books about him but I still learnt so much information from this that I didn't know before. Really accessible but so detailed and informative.

I thought that I knew a lot about the amazing life of Henry V, but this book proves that I am comparatively ignorant!
It's an extremely well-crafted and expertly researched biography of probably, Britain's greatest King. During his short life, Henry was totally immersed in warfare, both in the Kingdom as well as France. He even experienced a grievous, very deep, arrow wound to his head, from which he miraculously survived, especially considering the primitive medical care available at the time.

I loved this book so much, that I intend wading through Dan Jone's other historical books.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for this review.

The author has great enthusiasm for his subject, which is reflected by his engaging writing style throughout this book, which in turn helps make this such an enjoyable read.

The author writes in his introduction;
"I hope you will enjoy, as I have, seeing how Henry tries increasingly to live his life behind a mask that betrays as little of this as possible. And I hope you experience the same thrill that I have of peering behind that mask as was edge as close, psychologically, to a medieval subject as the discipline of history will allow."
And I can honestly say I did honestly enjoy getting to know about the man behind the legend that has built up around him since his untimely death six centuries ago.

Three reasons why I requested this book.
I had a Welsh speaking English teacher, this meant Dylan Thomas and not William Shakespeare. I had no preconceptions about this King.
A trip to France, and a visit to Azincourt meant that the English visitors heard about the defeats inflicted upon us, and the harsh treatments we gave prisoners, very embarrassing.
My late father loved ‘ Old Bolingbroke’, he spoke about his endeavours with pride, and I visited the Castle near Spilsby several times. I wish I had asked him all those years ago the reason why, perhaps, they were fellow yellow bellies.
What a story this is, and such a lot packed into a few years. There was energy, commitment, drive, religious piety and a total un swerving belief in himself and his people. His father, Henry Bolingbroke forced a King to give up his throne and a young Henry never expected to become King, indeed, it was considered more likely he would die as a result of his fathers actions.
Too much research can interrupt the narrative flow, but this author has an easy flowing pace in a modern style. It doesn’t jar with readers, or seem out of place. The descriptions of events are detailed and bloody, whether it be battle scenes, injuries and treatments, the hardships of long days of marching, the noise and smells of Cannon fire, a relatively new experience, and problems of loyalty from his army and knowing who to trust, there were many traitorous acts in those days. We learn that honesty and trust is paramount. Harsh punishments are necessary, and learning how to control men, and look after a neglected Kingdom requires hard work and sacrifices.
A dangerous time to live deserves a special person. Henry the fifth appears to have been that person. A very exciting read.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers Head of Zeus for my advance copy, freely given in exchange for my honest review. A five star read. I will leave reviews to Goodreads and Netgalley UK upon publication.

Dan Jones is, to me, unmatched as an author of historical nonfiction and Henry V more than represents his best work yet. This forms the middle part of a semi-intentional tetralogy with The Plantagenets and The Hollow Crown (which, coincidentally, I read in order). Jones makes the conscious decision to narrate the history of Henry V in present tense to bring history to life, and it works excellently. Every page of this book works towards bringing the 15th century to life in front of your eyes. Absolutely one of my books of the year, and an unmissable read.