I would definitely recommend this book, but would recommend starting with his earlier book, "The Plantagenets", first, as it covers the period before the War of the Roses, and is also a great book. It's also quite funny when you hear Jones' own view of Henry VI come through, which he can barely contain, whom he considers utterly supine and pathetic. It also cites heavily from the various chroniclers, so feels very well researched. The narrative history style gives some great descriptions of key events, and sets the scenes nicely. As such, he reads it with pace and enthusiasm throughout. What makes this audio book great is its read by its author, Dan Jones. The treatment of controversial figures such as Warwick (Neville) and Richard III also feels quite balanced. The author cuts through the centuries-old Tudor propaganda to offer his own explanation for the political turmoil in the 15th century (hint: Henry VI has a lot to do with it). I learned a lot about the War of the Roses from this book, and came away with a much better appreciation of the 15th century in general. With vivid descriptions of the battle of Towton, where 28,000 men died in a single morning, and the Battle of Bosworth Field, at which Richard III was hacked down, this is the real story behind Shakespeare's famous history plays. In the midst this tumult, chivalry was reborn, the printing press arrived and the Renaissance began to flourish.
Some of the greatest heroes and villains in British history were thrown together in these turbulent times: Henry V, whose victory at Agincourt and prudent rule at home marked the high point of the medieval monarchy Edward IV, who was handed his crown by the scheming soldier Warwick the Kingmaker, before their alliance collapsed into a fight to the death and the last Plantagenet, Richard III, who stole the throne and murdered his own nephews, the Princes in the Tower. Finally, the Tudors arrived - but even their rule was only made certain in the 1520s, when Henry VIII ruthlessly hunted down his family's last remaining enemies.
The Hollow Crown completes Dan Jones' epic history of medieval England, and describes how the Plantagenets tore themselves apart to be finally replaced by the Tudors. The 15th century saw the crown of England change hands seven times as the great families of England fought to the death for power, majesty and the right to rule.
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