THE EAGLE AND THE HART

The author of She Wolves chronicles the lives and reigns of Richard II and Henry IV two cousins whose rivalry brought their nation to the brink of disintegration and back again LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN S PRIZE FOR NON FICTION 2025 SHORTLISTED FOR THE ELIZABETH LONGFORD PRIZE FOR HISTORICAL BIOGRAPHY 2025 THE TELEGRAPH S BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024 A glorious work of history a gripping and haunting tragedy There was no book published this year novels included that I found richer in character no plot more taut Tom Holland The Spectator A dazzling tour de force of epic royal history a compulsive unputdownable real life thriller a gripping portrait of ruthless power politics and a study of British tyranny written with the delicacy and elegance of one of Britain s most brilliant historians at the top of her game Simon Sebag Montefiore If ever a book of history was blessed with contemporary relevance this one is The dumbfounding delusional narcissistic King Richard the white knuckle ride of Henry IV dogged all the way by notions of illegitimacy I feel these men could have been ripped from today s headlines The book s great achievement is in the storytelling the unfolding drama the secrets of power and ambition so beautifully controlled