Henry V

The Warrior King of 1415

By: Ian Mortimer

Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart

Length: 25 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

This insightful look at the life of Henry V and the Battle of Agincourt casts new light on a period in history often held up as legend. A great English hero, Henry V was lionized by Shakespeare and revered by his countrymen for his religious commitment, his sense of justice, and his military victories.

Here, noted historian and biographer Ian Mortimer takes a look at the man behind the legend and offers a clear, historically accurate, and realistic representation of a ruler who was all too human.

©2013 Ian Mortimer (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A new and convincing likeness of medieval England's most iconic king." ( Sunday Times)

Go for it

Surprise surprise, I watched The King on Netflix and wanted to learn more about the real Henry V - if you’re in the same boat than this is a great place to start. Unique and engaging format and grapples with the difficulties of 15th century life and how we may interpret things today. Ian Mortimer is a great guide for engaging the man behind the myth in an objective and thoughtful way.

Day by day

I purchased this book bc I really enjoyed reading the same author’s book on Henry IV. This book was very different yet still very interesting and engrossing. The author provides extensive details about events and transactions while still telling an interesting narrative illustrating life during these times.

New Insights

I just learned something today after listening to Prof. Mortimer’s audiobook. It relates to the Battle of Agincourt and perceived troop strengths on each side. I will not disclose the exact new kernel of knowledge gained, but listen to this fine audiobook and you may too have an “AHA!” moment like I just did.

This is a very well researched and written book and I am a better person for having bought it. James Cameron Stewart is a narrator of the first water. His pacing is perfect.

Drop the dime. This audiobook is worth your time.

Great, But???

This is very good but very prejudice and opinionated. This is well told and resource with a heavy judgmental personal opinion on this King. This author states so himself. Narration is excellent.

Unusual approach

This is not a biography.

This is a day by day account of the year 1415 covering all events relevant to Henry. The author has his reasons for this approach, and despite its inherent challenges does a good job of keeping up with many different storylines over the course of the year.

Reader was excellent.

Best history book I’ve listened to

This is a must read for anyone who has watched Kenneth Branagh’s Henry V or Netflix’s “the King” to understand the “real” Henry and his times. The day-by-day storyline gives you an insight into Henry’s superpower planning for a war he always said he didn’t want to fight. It appears that the only thing that separated Henry from becoming a footnote in history was luck-particularly that it rained at Agincourt before the battle. Superb narration as well

King Henry V, the man behind the legend.

A in depth detail of the reign of King Henry V during the year of 1415; and the current events of the period. The use of a day by day calender when applicable gave the book an incredible finite detail of contemporary accounts. Quite a dense read which involves an atleast passing understanding of English kingship in the 15th century. Mortimer does his best to paint a honest picture of the man who's legend has outlived his true nature.

Format falls short

Ian Mortimer is a fantastic historian and good story teller. In this book he attempts a new method of storytelling, through a calendar of 1415. This gives the listeners a broader understanding of events, but can be bland and leave the listeners feeling like they are listening to a roll call. The lack of narrative, for me, made getting through the book difficult, and left me feeling that things werent fleshed out.

Love the author & other titles, not this narrator

As a huge fan of Ian Mortimer and his series on English medieval monarchs, the narrator of this specific book is just not for me; too robotic, emotionless, monotonous with overly predicable pausing within the sentence structure, regardless of content. Unfortunate as the content is exceptional.

Comprehensive & Engaging Look at Henry V

I thoroughly enjoyed this true story of the most pivotal year in the reign of Henry V. While an almost daily recounting of what he did and what else was going in Europe at the time (most significantly the Council of Constance which was trying to heal the great Papal Schism and the trial and burning of Jan Huss) may seem boring to some, I found it fascinating & amazing! This was greatly assisted by the articulate narrator, who seemed very passionate about pronouncing every French name correctly! Highly recommended for anyone seriously interested in this historical period!