Kings and Queens. The Story of Britain's Monarchs from Pre-Roman Times to Today - Richard Cavendish, Pip Leahy

Advantages: Fascinating modern adaptation
Disadvantages: Too many cuts

...There are many authoritative versions of Shakespeare's plays, and they are among the more published works in the history of the world. One can get small paperback versions a la Penguin press or part of large, annotated versions like the Riverside Shakespeare. However, one of the more interesting versions to come out in recent times is as the screenplay for the recent portrayal of Richard III in the cinema. Produced by the Overlook Press (1996), it presents the play as it appears in what is likely the most well-known recent production (a translation from the stage production onto film by many of the same people) . Ian McKellen played Richard III on the stage in London, then touring the world, under Richard Eyre's direction and the Royal National Theatre of Great Britain's auspices. Like many great productions of Richard III... Read review

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Advantages: A great collection, fun and easily accessible
Disadvantages: -

..., she does not include Scots or others explicitly as separate entries after 1066, but their stories are woven into the stories. Longford even includes (indeed, begins) with stories of Arthur, whose actual historical existence is still debated as to exactly who it might have been; shorter sections proceed from here through various more certain-historical kings to Harold, whose death is recounted on the Bayeux Tapestry. Longford retells this story, adding little known anecdotes: 'One of the horsemen was said to have hacked off Harold's leg (after he was dead), for which unchivalrous act William dismissed him.... Harold was recognised by some tokens, not by his face, and brought to the duke's camp; the conqueror commanded William Malet to bury the body near to the sea-shore, which in life he had defended so long with his armed forces... Read review

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Advantages: Good writing, good maps, good images
Disadvantages: A bit confusing in some bits

..., who died in 510 BC). These dates and identities are far from uncontroversial, as are the figures who follow. Some consuls, tribunes and other leaders are well-known names because of the significant events and accomplishments with which their names are attached, but the political instability of a growing city-state with (for most of this early history) strict safeguards against tyranny that include one-year, usually non-renewable terms of office make for a confusing narrative. There were more likely more consuls in Rome during any particular century from the end of the kingly era to the time of Julius Caesar than there have been Monarchs of Britain and Presidents of the United States combined. Add to this confusion that they often came from the same inter-related families and thus bore the same names, and one gets a huge task... Read review

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