This was a great review and it reminds me first, how things never change because human nature is constant. Second, how the position of king is totally illegitimate; no human has the authority to determine who should live or die based on a whim with zero regard to justice. And third, though rapacity and mendacity will always propel those who grab for power, many folks in ages past had a lot more intelligence than many of the movers and shakers of today. Thanks for your insights!
"Henry is the poster child of a walking disaster and yet it’s everyone else’s job to go around repainting and patching holes in the HMS Henry." And then Joe Biden knocked Henry off his poster perch and took his place.
Sounds like Cromwell and Machiavelli had lunch and agreed on a few things.
Great review, fascinating how well Cromwell is presented as a character here. He truly was a complex man, and Anne Boleyn was honestly no less complex a figure historically.
My knowledge of French kings is woefully small, so feel free to recommend any books/podcasts/websites on the subject.
As for Augustus, I think his contributions to culture and the arts is impressive and good (hello, aqueducts). I don’t know enough about his personality to make a judgment, but like most emperors/kings, it seems like he did both good and not so good things.
Alright then, I’ll dig up my old research notes, or it might be easier to do it one chapter at a time of the book the Capetians by Jim Bradbury. It’d be the fastest way to do it.
I’d have to read that book and others for a series of podcasts anyways I have planned. So you'd get 2 for the price of 1.
This was a great review and it reminds me first, how things never change because human nature is constant. Second, how the position of king is totally illegitimate; no human has the authority to determine who should live or die based on a whim with zero regard to justice. And third, though rapacity and mendacity will always propel those who grab for power, many folks in ages past had a lot more intelligence than many of the movers and shakers of today. Thanks for your insights!
Even with all the evidence from history, it’s impressive that people are still making the same mistakes today. Thanks for reading!
"Henry is the poster child of a walking disaster and yet it’s everyone else’s job to go around repainting and patching holes in the HMS Henry." And then Joe Biden knocked Henry off his poster perch and took his place.
Sounds like Cromwell and Machiavelli had lunch and agreed on a few things.
Great review, fascinating how well Cromwell is presented as a character here. He truly was a complex man, and Anne Boleyn was honestly no less complex a figure historically.
I think complex/misunderstood historical figures are as fascinating as the heroic ones. Thanks for reading!
They indeed are, I agree. What are your thoughts on two other figures? Augustus Caesar and the likes of Philippe le Bel (Philip IV of France)?
My knowledge of French kings is woefully small, so feel free to recommend any books/podcasts/websites on the subject.
As for Augustus, I think his contributions to culture and the arts is impressive and good (hello, aqueducts). I don’t know enough about his personality to make a judgment, but like most emperors/kings, it seems like he did both good and not so good things.
You got it in one on Augustus, perfect! X)
As to Philippe, hmm there’s no English podcasts, I’ll have to write one up and record it for you.
Consider me all ears for a podcast!
Alright then, I’ll dig up my old research notes, or it might be easier to do it one chapter at a time of the book the Capetians by Jim Bradbury. It’d be the fastest way to do it.
I’d have to read that book and others for a series of podcasts anyways I have planned. So you'd get 2 for the price of 1.