Enthroned as a baby Henry VI is a weak and powerless king. When his nobles kill his Uncle, the Duke of York, it sets off his demise because York's three remaining sons are out for vengeance. The eldest is Edward, tall, strong and a powerful leader in waiting, who takes the throne after the bloody battle of Towton in 1461. Over the next decade Edward fights to hold onto his throne as the supporters of Henry wage war but Edward has the support of his two younger brothers, Clarence and Richard. Between them these brothers direct the course of English history for a quarter century.
This is a masterly book. There is some criticism of Penn's portrayal of Richard but it is a balanced biography, Richard is shown as a capable administrator and soldier as well as a manipulative uncle. The mercurial nature of loyalties is shown brilliantly and the research is second to none. Unlike many worthy studies Penn has a modern writing style which draws the reader in and, by use of modern idiom, engages. ( )