I had never read anything about Henry V before, nor did I think I was interested. But this book is by Dan Jones, and we’re talking about an author who could make the laundry list of a monastery an interesting read.
It's a fascinating read about a strong and intriguing historical character that lived in a complex time and was complex and contradictory
It's an informative read that keeps you turning pages like a gripping novel and makes you learn a lot as it talks about the king but also about his time and his youth.
Well done, informative and entertaining.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Almost like reading fiction!

In the introduction, Jones writes that he was held off on writing Henry V's story until he felt he could do it justice as a writer. I'll be the first to say, he certainly nailed it! Honestly, I know how good of a researcher Jones is, so it was no surprise to me how comprehensive this book is. And while I've always enjoyed reading Jones' books, this was the first time where I really felt like I could just breeze through the entire thing. So well written, and writing it in the present tense was a masterstroke! I also enjoyed seeing much more of young Hal and digging into the root of Henry as King. I very much recommend this book.

An excellent book i would recommend to anyone interested in factual history. It is well researched with many interesting pieces of information that make it very enjoyable to read.THANKS.

Henry V ruled England but also fought to rule France. This historical biography will detail his life before and after becom8ng king, up to his death. He achieved so much during his reign and understood the need to plan and resource a war not just fight one.

Very well written book that brings Henry to life and not just for his battles. He was learned, loved music and was very religious. He fought believing that God was on his side.

‘In March 1413 Henry ascends to his father’s throne better prepared for rule than any king in living memory.’

Henry V (16 September 1386 – 31 August 1422) reigned over England for only nine years and four months before he died at the age of 35. As the victor at Agincourt, Henry V is considered by many to be England’s greatest medieval king. Both he and his father, Henry IV, were subjects of Shakespearean plays. My studies in history did not include this period of English history, but my studies in English literature included these Shakespearean plays. And most of us know something about the English victory at Agincourt.

I was keen to read this book by Mr Jones: I have read several of his books and find them both interesting and accessible.

Much of this book is written in the present tense and while that reduces the distance between subject and reader, I found it disconcerting initially. And then I was drawn into the narrative. Mr Jones devotes much of the book to the first 26 years of Henry’s life. I enjoyed this: learning more about the man and his preparation for the throne rather than focussing solely on his time as king.

‘What sort of man was Henry?’

Reading this book gave me some idea of the complexity of the man. Henry survived what could have been a fatal wound when, aged 16, he was shot in the face with an arrow. He became both a hardened warrior and an exceptional leader. Henry ascended to the English throne at a time of crisis in both public finance and law and order. And, against the odds, he led the English to victory at Agincourt in 1415.
When Henry died in 1422, his only child, his eight-month-old son became Henry VI.

I finished this book wondering what Henry V’s legacy could have been, had he not succumbed do illness in 1422. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in early 15th century European history.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

The book provided a brilliant insight into the possible motives and mindset of one of England's greatest monarchs.

The decision to write the book from the personal perspective of Henry made for an engaging narrative and a thoroughly enjoyable book.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Henry V is a masterfully crafted portrayal of Englands greatest warrior king. A sobering and nuanced look into a man whos reputation proceeds him and still encourages debate to this day. It raises questions as well as setting out to answer the complexities of his life and reign. How much should we judge historical figures whos lives and politics are inconceivable to our current society?
"Our values are not his. His are not ours. We do not need to pretend otherwise." (LOC 5778)
"Henry is no saint. But nor does he presume to be." (LOC 4065)

Summed up perfectly with quotes and chroniclers (Jean le Fevre, etc al) Henry V comes to life in an explosion of humanity and colour, making the reader confront the person of Henry, rather than the legend cemented as Prince Hal and the exploits of his reign.
"'Endowed [Henry] with a good heart and as much courage as any worldy prince could need'. And he notes that while Henry is capable of making decisions, he is also 'genuinely and graciously willing to be contradicted, and to conform to the wishes of his said council and their ordinance... setting aside his own will'"

This book is a wealth of information and absolutely dripping in imagery and detail. A deeper dive into the life and reign of Henry of Lancaster, King Henry V has yet to materialise. Not only is this accessible to the casual history reader in the easy cadence of the author, but provides a backdrop of information to be explored by people in the area of medieval English history. That is not an easy line to tread. Not to be missed, this will go down as the best biography of a medieval King of England to date. Dan Jones is a master of his craft, the work undertaken for this book does not go unnoticed.

One thing you can count on with Dan Jones books, and a reason I love them so much, is their readability. You truly feel like you’re having a conversation with him, and can feel his enthusiasm for the subject throughout every page.

Henry V, potentially one of England’s most famous Kings thanks to Shakespeare, but also probably one of the most misrepresented Kings of medieval England. When you read of Henry V they will always focus on his deeds, particularly Agincourt, and Jones touches on this during his introduction. Thankfully, in his detailed but endlessly interesting manner, Jones covers the boy and his upbringing that will eventually become the man and King, Henry V. His years as a son of Lancaster and then Prince of Wales, defending his principality are key to understanding Henry, and how he came to be the stalwart King who was able to take on France.

Dan Jones delivers a fresh perspective on Henry’s character and how decisions he made may have led to his ever famous victory at that little town in Normandy in 1415.

I want to thank NetGalley, Head of Zeus and Dan Jones for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. The review is my own opinion and I have given this freely.

If what I am looking in a history book, and especially a historical figure’s biography were a toolbox, Dan Jones’ Henry V would have all the tools in it. It is only missing a few nails here and there.
Henry V is indeed a subject matter that deserves exploration. There is a film - I am not sure if I can mention the name here, but besides Shakepeare’s work and that film, Jones’ book is the only other resource I enjoyed on Henry V and his reign.
I mentioned the film because this book gave me similar vibes.
Might have to do with the ARC, but some parts read better than the others for me, although the difference is only minor.
I hold this book to very high standards, and can’t wait for it to come out. With the maps and all notes included, this will be a completely detailed and well-researched (it already is, but for the reader, these will be more comprehensible, the picture will be complete).

The prose and the content: 4.25

I received a free e-book of this book through NetGalley. The following review is not influenced by the publisher, NetGalley or by the author and consists of my thoughts, and only my thoughts.

I first read Dan Jones' book 'The Plantagenets' quite a few years ago, and once I finished it, I bought the audiobook. I didn't regret getting the book in a different format, and when I did a second reading, I did it through Audible. It was therefore an easy sell for me to purchase another book from him, 'Power And Thrones', and I got it in hardback and as an audiobook. From there, I kept my eyes open and whenever he published another book, I bought it no matter what the subject.

Therefore, it was an easy choice to see if I could get a proof through NetGalley when I learned that Dan Jones was publishing another book, this time centred on one king. I'd have picked it up none-the-less, but by some coincidence I had recently finished a book titled Daughters of Chivalry', on the children of King Edward I. I don't often fixate on any specific time periods of English history, other than Tudor times and pre-1066, but the book on the daughters of King Edward I piqued my interest, and when I was given permission to download the e-book I immediately set upon starting.

One of the best characteristics of a book by Dan Jones is how easy it is to read. He has a conversational tone, and it truly feels as though this is being read to you. It's why I enjoy the audiobooks so much. It doesn't matter how long or short the book is, any amount of time reading/listening, feels as it's time well spent. Despite my hectic life, I found I had to read this longer than an hour a day, so I sacrificed sleep because I couldn't put it down.

Henry V is a fascinating king, especially since he is such a polarising character. As Dan Jones mentions in the book, many swing to him being a mighty king who accomplished so much, in so little, and was the perfect epitome of what a kind should be; or, a ruthless man who pushed England to the edge on his self-serving quest to gain victory in France. But Dan Jones takes this usual assertion from previous biographers of Henry V, and presents both sides. He doesn't shy away from the ruthless side of the king, or, the brilliance of his mind into accomplishing what appeared to be impossible. It's left up to the reader to make up their own mind.

I truly enjoyed this book. I've always liked how Dan Jones tries to be be fair with the subjects in his books. He always tries to be balanced. It doesn't matter if the reader has read books on the subject before, Dan Jones always tells the story in an interesting way. His construction of the story, the way he weaves from one bit of information to the next always flows and even the paragraphs he dedicates to give background on a new character, or, why a person may have acted/spoken this way, doesn't detract. He easily shifts it back to the story at hand every time.

I'd highly recommend this. I have already ordered a physical copy of this, and spent a credit on Audible to get the audiobook as well. He's always a purchase no matter what the subject matter, and he's never let me down. If you have any interest in English history, I'd softly push you into getting this book. This is a historian who is very much an everyman author. You neve need to have previous knowledge of any of his books, and even if you do... You will enjoy the book and probably learn something new.

Five Stars!!

I didn't get to finish this as my phone was stolen and it's taken me over a month to get everything back.
But what I did read, I really enjoyed.
It was an interesting narrative and was very well written. Dan Jones has an ability to flesh out historical facts to make them interesting without losing sight of the point.
Looking forward to buying this book and actually finishing it.

HENRY V is a powerhouse of a biography, digging into the life of a king who looms large over English history - and who has been used as propaganda for various causes over the years.

It's always interesting reading a book about a period I know so much about because it needs to present the information in a new and engaging way (and also not overlook key sources!) This book manages that well, leaning into the narrative element of narrative non-fiction to create a tale that pulls you into this world of uncertainty and betrayal. It is the sort of book that's hard to put down, and I read most of it in the course of a day (thanks to a lot of trains!)

The present tense narration and (in fiction terms) close POV style brings us into the action. If it weren't for the little numbers littering the text to reference which sources these elements are being drawn from, one might be forgiven for thinking they were reading a novel. I liked that this was balanced with a clear discussion of where the potential internal thoughts were derived from - diarists around Henry, his later actions, and so on - given Henry hasn't left us any diaries (if he ever wrote them.)

I particularly liked how much time was spent on his pre-king years. As Dan Jones points out, this is so often overlooked and I agreed with his sentiment that his years as a son of Lancaster and then Prince of Wales are key to understanding who he was. This book showcases exactly why considering those years are so crucial, painting a vivid picture of all the lessons learned in childhood and how they led to his successes as king.

Dan Jones delivers once again. His engaging and accessible narrative style makes history come alive, turning complex events into a compelling story that is hard to put down. As a fan of his previous books, I found this one to be no exception.

Jones’s portrayal of Henry V’s life is both nuanced and thought-provoking. He delves deep into Henry’s actions, presenting a balanced view that often challenges the traditional heroic image often associated with him. The detailed account of Henry’s military campaigns and political manoeuvres left me pondering the same question later posed by the author: “Was he a brilliant king struck down before his time, or a warmonger whose addiction to conquest eventually brought him the end he deserved?”

This fresh perspective on Henry V’s character, early life, and reign is a testament to Jones’s skill as a historian and storyteller.

Overall, Henry V is a must-read for anyone interested in medieval history or looking to gain a deeper understanding of one of England’s most enigmatic kings.

Very readable book describing the life and times of Henry V. It describes the episodes that influenced his later behavior and not just in battle but in ruling his realm in general.
Not dry and simply factual so could be read by other that history buffs to learn about possibly England's greatest king.
If other history books were written in a similar fashion more people would take an interest in history in general.

I've read a few of Dan Jones' books and enjoyed them all, especially The Plantagenets but this one comes a close second. I think because I only really know about Henry V through film or theatre, I based everything I know on a fictionalised version of him; it's easily done. There are lots of books about him but I know Dan Jones writes in a less academic style and is very readable, descriptive and knowledgable. He does his research!
Henry V is certainly a unique man - not interested in bedding lots of women (or men), cerebral, musical, a man who enjoyed some entertainment in his life but was mostly pious, righteous and determined. He was also born to be a soldier - his father's son. He was set into battle at about fifteen years old in Wales and elsewhere in an effort to keep rebels under Henry IV's watchful eye. He was shot in the face with an arrow which lodged under his cheekbone when he was sixteen; England's top surgeon saved his life, removing the arrow whilst also keeping the wound infection free. Henry was made of tougher stuff. His father was determined all his sons (Henry, Thomas, John and Humphrey) would be in service to their country through their military prowess. Only Henry and Thomas succeeded, the other two becoming accomplished politicians and only competent soldiers. Henry V was obsessed with the idea that God had given him a mission to save his father's territories in France and considered those stealing his land as enemies God wanted him to defeat. I read the book pretty quickly, took in all his battles, Agincourt being the most famous. I was astonished both by his military prowess but also his ability to completely ruin not only villages and cities but also all the people in them; including allowing women and children to starve, crops to be destroyed, houses to be burned etc etc. Dan Jones' last chapter basically asks the reader to determine what they really make of Henry V. He offers us contemporary reports of the man, then secondary sources, Medievalist historians et al. I'm still not sure what to make of him. In his own context, he was a good king, a true warrior, a brilliant soldier and maybe it would be unfair to think all the ugliness of his successes - starvation, arson, rape, murder, pillage, theft wasn't just the done thing then. A very interesting book, highly recommended.

I've been a fan of the author's podcasts for a while and found this book to be just as engaging. He has the knack of clearly laying out the story in a straightforward manner while sacrificing none of the labyrinthine detail. He also clearly illustrates the human stakes and brings all the colour of the Mediaeval period to life. A fantastic read.

I love Dan Jones non-fiction history books and this is no exception. I’m not coming to this one as a neophyte, either, knowing a lot about that period of history and Hery himself. Jones gives a balanced portrayal, devoting a good cunk of the book to Henry’s life before he became king. This is a vital look at what shaped him from his father’s complete inability to manage money, despite putting the infrastructure for modern law and order in place, to Henry’s own ability to ‘spit straw into gold’ in the most unpromising of circumstances. There’s a lot more to Henry V than Agincourt and Jones does a brilliant job of depicting this. Highly recommend.

Dan Jones' biography of Henry V was a delightful read that offered a nuanced and balanced portrayal of the monarch, highlighting both the good points of his reign and personality and the bad. It was packed full of detail but, like all Jones' other books, was still an accessible and easy read that didn't feel like a slog to get through. If you are a history fan, this book is one I would highly recommend, especially if you have already enjoyed The Plantagenets and The Hollow Crown. I am giving it 4.5 stars.

Very well researched and very well written I highly recommend this book by Dan Jones who gives us the full story of this warrior king from birth to death. Excellent.
My thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for this eARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

If any king needed a biography, it’s a Henry. Much of that mythos is bound up in Shakespeare, St Crispin’s Day and the idea of England as a lion-hearted country. Jones has form in this area and he takes a masterly, well-researched look at the king.

The inciting incident is The Battle Of Shrewsbury, in 1403. A teenaged Henry is putting down the Welsh rebels, when he takes an arrow in the face. The details of its removal are gory, but nothing in comparison to the grit and gore of medieval England, with burning of heretics, a rebel hanged twelve times in twelve different cities and pregnant woman left for wolves. Faint hearted readers, tread carefully.

The attempt is to reposition Henry as a man, not a warrior. And it succeeds in that, depicting him as someone who loved books and music, not the favourite of his Father, but becomes king of a turbulent England and prosecutes a brutal war with France.

Agincourt is portrayed as the middle; not the end of a campaign. Henry marries Catherine (after being offered her at 7, 9 and 12). He dies at the age of 35, either of smallpox or dysentery. Jones has succeeded in an essay of a man, not a king. It’s published by Head Of Zeus on September 12th and I thank them for a preview copy. #henryv