What do you think?
Rate this book
Henry V: The Astonishing Rise of England's Greatest Warrior King
Bloomsbury presents Henry The Astonishing Rise of England's Greatest Warrior King, written and read by Dan Jones.
Nominated for Best Non-Fiction at The Speakies (The British Audio Awards)
A brand-new life of England’s greatest king from our bestselling medieval historian
'A historian who writes as addictively as any page-turning novelist.' Observer
Henry V reigned over England for only nine years and four months, and died at the age of just 35, but he looms over the landscape of the late Middle Ages and beyond.
The victor of Agincourt was a model king for his successors. Shakespeare’s version of Henry V saw his youthful folly redirected to sober statesmanship, and in the dark days of World War II, Henry’s victories in France were recounted in British propaganda. Churchill called Henry ‘a gleam of splendour in the dark, troubled story of medieval England’, while for one modern medievalist, Henry was, quite simply, ‘the greatest man who ever ruled England’.
For Dan Jones, Henry is one of the most intriguing characters in all medieval history, but one of the hardest to pin down. He was a hardened, sometimes brutal, warrior, yet he was also creative and artistic, with a bookish temperament. He was a leader who made many mistakes, who misjudged his friends and family members, yet always seemed to triumph when it mattered.
As king, he saved a shattered country from economic ruin, put down rebellions and secured England’s borders; in foreign diplomacy, he made England a serious player once more. Yet through his conquests in northern France, he sowed the seeds for three generations of calamity at home, in the form of the Wars of the Roses.
Dan Jones’s life of Henry V provides unprecedented insight into the critical first 26 years of his life before he became king. Both a standalone biography and a completion of Dan’s sequence of English medieval histories that began with The Plantagenets and The Hollow Crown, Henry V is a thrilling and unmissable life of England’s greatest king from our best-selling medieval historian.
Nominated for Best Non-Fiction at The Speakies (The British Audio Awards)
A brand-new life of England’s greatest king from our bestselling medieval historian
'A historian who writes as addictively as any page-turning novelist.' Observer
Henry V reigned over England for only nine years and four months, and died at the age of just 35, but he looms over the landscape of the late Middle Ages and beyond.
The victor of Agincourt was a model king for his successors. Shakespeare’s version of Henry V saw his youthful folly redirected to sober statesmanship, and in the dark days of World War II, Henry’s victories in France were recounted in British propaganda. Churchill called Henry ‘a gleam of splendour in the dark, troubled story of medieval England’, while for one modern medievalist, Henry was, quite simply, ‘the greatest man who ever ruled England’.
For Dan Jones, Henry is one of the most intriguing characters in all medieval history, but one of the hardest to pin down. He was a hardened, sometimes brutal, warrior, yet he was also creative and artistic, with a bookish temperament. He was a leader who made many mistakes, who misjudged his friends and family members, yet always seemed to triumph when it mattered.
As king, he saved a shattered country from economic ruin, put down rebellions and secured England’s borders; in foreign diplomacy, he made England a serious player once more. Yet through his conquests in northern France, he sowed the seeds for three generations of calamity at home, in the form of the Wars of the Roses.
Dan Jones’s life of Henry V provides unprecedented insight into the critical first 26 years of his life before he became king. Both a standalone biography and a completion of Dan’s sequence of English medieval histories that began with The Plantagenets and The Hollow Crown, Henry V is a thrilling and unmissable life of England’s greatest king from our best-selling medieval historian.
Audible Audio
First published October 1, 2024
1784 people are currently reading
23130 people want to read
About the author
Dan Jones
70 books5,671 followersDan Jones is a NYT bestselling author and broadcaster. His books, which include The Templars, Henry V, The Plantagenets and Powers & Thrones, have sold more than 2 million copies and are published in 23 languages. He is the author of the Essex Dogs novel trilogy. Dan writes and hosts the popular weekly Sony Music Entertainment podcast This Is History. He has presented dozens of television documentaries, including the popular Netflix series Secrets of Great British Castles, and has executive produced and consulted on a number of films and television shows including Anne Boleyn (Channel 5/Sony Pictures Television) and Knightfall (A+E/History). His journalism has appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post; for a decade he was a columnist for the London Evening Standard. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and in 2025 was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Historic Royal Palaces.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 873 reviews
January 12, 2026
Thank you for the ARC to the Publisher, Head of Zeus, received via Netgalley.
“O, for a muse of fire, that would ascend
The brightest heaven of invention,
A kingdom for a stage, princes to act
And monarchs to behold the swelling scene!
” Shakespeare: Henry V, (Chorus, Prologue)
"The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry ‘God for Harry, England, and Saint George!’ "
(Shakespeare: Henry V, King Henry, Act 3 Scene 1)
This has been my first book by Dan Jones and while I've never been a fan of the real Henry V and this book has not changed that (not that it was the intention), Jones' writing is so good that I got totally immersed in this king's story and I've become a fan of the author. :)
Actually I liked the book so much that I've bought the audiobook and I found that besides being a very good writer, Dan Jones is also a great narrator and it enhanced the whole experience.
"(...) He will be the king who is lionised by the generation who knew him, idolised by those who followed and eventually mythologised by William Shakespeare.
Although Henry V will reign for only nine years and four months, dying at the age of just thirty-five, he will loom over the historical landscape of the later Middle Ages and beyond, remembered as the acme of kingship: the man who did the job exactly as it was supposed to be done.
He will be considered the closest thing his age ever produced to one of the Nine Worthies. A titan. An English Alexander."
As you can see from this quote, this biography has been written in a style that may not be to everyone's taste: talking about the past in the present tense.
I admit that this may be irritating, unless the writer has a very sure hand and the talent to make it work. Dan Jones has both. He makes the story flow smoothly and effortlessly and his style completely drew me in. It was like listening to a captivating docu-drama, seeing it all in my mind's eye. I just did not want it to end.
Also, in the the introduction he admits to an admiration and fascination with Henry V's character, which could lead to a bias at how he portrays his subject. But, this never happens. Throughout the book you get a correct, well-balanced, clear presentation of all information: there isn't a trace of whitewashing or turning a blind eye to any mistake, weakness or ugliness. You get the full picture and Dan Jones never forces you to see things "his way", we are given the maximum choice to draw our own conclusion.
We can follow Henry's life from his birth to his death as thankfully the focus is not solely on the battle of Agincourt, but we are led through the whole of Henry's military campaign and once again we get the gore as well as the glory. Dan Jones never fails to mention the misery Henry's war on top of the mad French King Charles VI reign, the warring factions of the Armagnacs and the Burgundians wreak on the people of France. He also always pay attention to separate facts from fiction and doesn't fall into the Shakespeare-trap.
The only thing I found wanting was more information dedicated to how Henry's reign affected the people of England from a social and economic perspective. Dan Jones was rather closemouthed on that. The dynamic between the monarch and his subjects were mostly described as a financial transaction: Henry asked the Parliament for money and he got it through taxes. He recruited people for his army, they joined and lived or died. These are no revelations of great national prosperity. I mean, nationalism and victories over Jean Foreigner is all very well, but you cannot eat or drink it.
To be fair, we are told time and again that Henry lay great importance on trying to keep law and order and to keep up good relations with the Parliament and the Clerics and his brother, the Duke of Bedford was a good steward when he was away, but the emphasis is on the political and not the economic issues unless it is about financing war.
Despite this latter "shortcoming" this has been a great read and now I'm on to read some more books by Dan Jones.
“O, for a muse of fire, that would ascend
The brightest heaven of invention,
A kingdom for a stage, princes to act
And monarchs to behold the swelling scene!
” Shakespeare: Henry V, (Chorus, Prologue)
"The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry ‘God for Harry, England, and Saint George!’ "
(Shakespeare: Henry V, King Henry, Act 3 Scene 1)
This has been my first book by Dan Jones and while I've never been a fan of the real Henry V and this book has not changed that (not that it was the intention), Jones' writing is so good that I got totally immersed in this king's story and I've become a fan of the author. :)
Actually I liked the book so much that I've bought the audiobook and I found that besides being a very good writer, Dan Jones is also a great narrator and it enhanced the whole experience.
"(...) He will be the king who is lionised by the generation who knew him, idolised by those who followed and eventually mythologised by William Shakespeare.
Although Henry V will reign for only nine years and four months, dying at the age of just thirty-five, he will loom over the historical landscape of the later Middle Ages and beyond, remembered as the acme of kingship: the man who did the job exactly as it was supposed to be done.
He will be considered the closest thing his age ever produced to one of the Nine Worthies. A titan. An English Alexander."
As you can see from this quote, this biography has been written in a style that may not be to everyone's taste: talking about the past in the present tense.
I admit that this may be irritating, unless the writer has a very sure hand and the talent to make it work. Dan Jones has both. He makes the story flow smoothly and effortlessly and his style completely drew me in. It was like listening to a captivating docu-drama, seeing it all in my mind's eye. I just did not want it to end.
Also, in the the introduction he admits to an admiration and fascination with Henry V's character, which could lead to a bias at how he portrays his subject. But, this never happens. Throughout the book you get a correct, well-balanced, clear presentation of all information: there isn't a trace of whitewashing or turning a blind eye to any mistake, weakness or ugliness. You get the full picture and Dan Jones never forces you to see things "his way", we are given the maximum choice to draw our own conclusion.
We can follow Henry's life from his birth to his death as thankfully the focus is not solely on the battle of Agincourt, but we are led through the whole of Henry's military campaign and once again we get the gore as well as the glory. Dan Jones never fails to mention the misery Henry's war on top of the mad French King Charles VI reign, the warring factions of the Armagnacs and the Burgundians wreak on the people of France. He also always pay attention to separate facts from fiction and doesn't fall into the Shakespeare-trap.
The only thing I found wanting was more information dedicated to how Henry's reign affected the people of England from a social and economic perspective. Dan Jones was rather closemouthed on that. The dynamic between the monarch and his subjects were mostly described as a financial transaction: Henry asked the Parliament for money and he got it through taxes. He recruited people for his army, they joined and lived or died. These are no revelations of great national prosperity. I mean, nationalism and victories over Jean Foreigner is all very well, but you cannot eat or drink it.
To be fair, we are told time and again that Henry lay great importance on trying to keep law and order and to keep up good relations with the Parliament and the Clerics and his brother, the Duke of Bedford was a good steward when he was away, but the emphasis is on the political and not the economic issues unless it is about financing war.
Despite this latter "shortcoming" this has been a great read and now I'm on to read some more books by Dan Jones.
August 30, 2024
Ever get in a reading rut? You know, that feeling where you read just a little slower or your attention starts to fray just a bit? I felt myself slipping into one and then came across the jolt that is Henry V by Dan Jones. I will make no secret that Jones is one of my favorite writers. That said, even I was a bit taken aback at how seamlessly Jones tells the story of one of England's greatest kings.
Jones even admits in the introduction that he intentionally put off this book because he wanted to be more experienced before he tackled his white whale. (Side note: Dan Jones has sold over one million books. If he is worried about how good he is at his craft, what hope is there for the rest of us?) He also notes an uncommon choice for a history narrative. He wrote the book in the present tense. I have only run into this particular choice once before in Michael Finkel's exceptional The Art Thief. In both books, I found it to be an inspired choice. The story has more propulsion and feels more intimate. Instead of being a passive passenger reading centuries later, each action feels fresh to the reader. It may not work well in other books, but Jones does it masterfully.
As for the subject, Henry V, there is a lot to be said. Jones wanted to create a more full biography of the king as opposed to a rushed narrative barrelling towards Agincourt and immortality in Shakespeare's play. I expected Jones would do a fair bit of editorializing on the way Henry is portrayed in various books/media, but instead he stays laser focused on Henry's life as documented. Mainly, the book is about killing the idea of Hal and Henry as two separate phases of the king's life. The dichotomy being that Hal was a young rapscallion who puts on the crown and becomes the austere and serious Henry by some God given clarity. Instead, Jones posits that they were always one in the same. The difference is the presentation and not the man. Henry was always there, but he was trained perhaps better than any other prince to be king and to project a regal air when his time came.
The book is fantastic and is written so well that I would even recommend it to non-history nerds. A great book is just a great book.
(This book was provided as an advance reader copy by Netgalley and Viking Books.)
Jones even admits in the introduction that he intentionally put off this book because he wanted to be more experienced before he tackled his white whale. (Side note: Dan Jones has sold over one million books. If he is worried about how good he is at his craft, what hope is there for the rest of us?) He also notes an uncommon choice for a history narrative. He wrote the book in the present tense. I have only run into this particular choice once before in Michael Finkel's exceptional The Art Thief. In both books, I found it to be an inspired choice. The story has more propulsion and feels more intimate. Instead of being a passive passenger reading centuries later, each action feels fresh to the reader. It may not work well in other books, but Jones does it masterfully.
As for the subject, Henry V, there is a lot to be said. Jones wanted to create a more full biography of the king as opposed to a rushed narrative barrelling towards Agincourt and immortality in Shakespeare's play. I expected Jones would do a fair bit of editorializing on the way Henry is portrayed in various books/media, but instead he stays laser focused on Henry's life as documented. Mainly, the book is about killing the idea of Hal and Henry as two separate phases of the king's life. The dichotomy being that Hal was a young rapscallion who puts on the crown and becomes the austere and serious Henry by some God given clarity. Instead, Jones posits that they were always one in the same. The difference is the presentation and not the man. Henry was always there, but he was trained perhaps better than any other prince to be king and to project a regal air when his time came.
The book is fantastic and is written so well that I would even recommend it to non-history nerds. A great book is just a great book.
(This book was provided as an advance reader copy by Netgalley and Viking Books.)
November 10, 2024
Having just finished Henry V: The Astonishing Triumph of England’s Greatest Warrior King, all I can say is WOW! This is the first book that I have read by Dan Jones, but it won’t be the last. Now I need to read the two previous books pertaining to this period in history by Dan Jones: The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens Who Made England and The Wars of the Roses: The Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors. The author states that with those two books, he left a gap, that of Henry V. Jones said that the subject of Henry V so fascinated him that he wanted to wait until he was more experienced in his writing to take him on. He considers this book as the final panel in a triptych.
When Henry V ascended to the English throne, his kingdom was hopelessly torn apart by political factions and partisanship. Public finances and law and order were in a state of crisis. Pirates plagued the coast and plots and conspiracies threatened society and they were just recovering from a pandemic. However, in less than ten years this wonder king turned it all around. King Henry V managed to unite the political community behind the crown, renewed the justice system, and revived England’s maritime dominance. And then there were his military achievements in France, the most renowned being his victory at Agincourt. An exceptional leader, Henry V transcends the Middle Ages.
Henry V is an historical titan whose legacy has become quite complicated. Henry V examines his years of apprenticeship when he saw the downfall of one king and the turbulent reign of another. It is in these years that we come to know Henry and his family as well as influences from his schooling and his experiences. This is a tribute to one of England’s most celebrated but often misunderstood kings.
“He will be the greatest king regarded by most generations after him as the greatest medieval ruler England ever had.”
“Although Henry V will reign for only nine years and four months, dying at just thirty-five, he will loom over the historical landscape of the later Middle Ages and beyond, remembered as the acme of kingship: the man who did his job exactly as it was supposed to be done.”
When Henry V ascended to the English throne, his kingdom was hopelessly torn apart by political factions and partisanship. Public finances and law and order were in a state of crisis. Pirates plagued the coast and plots and conspiracies threatened society and they were just recovering from a pandemic. However, in less than ten years this wonder king turned it all around. King Henry V managed to unite the political community behind the crown, renewed the justice system, and revived England’s maritime dominance. And then there were his military achievements in France, the most renowned being his victory at Agincourt. An exceptional leader, Henry V transcends the Middle Ages.
Henry V is an historical titan whose legacy has become quite complicated. Henry V examines his years of apprenticeship when he saw the downfall of one king and the turbulent reign of another. It is in these years that we come to know Henry and his family as well as influences from his schooling and his experiences. This is a tribute to one of England’s most celebrated but often misunderstood kings.
“What sort of man was Henry? Why did God allow him to die so suddenly? Was it sheer bad luck, evidence of divine caprice, or punishment for his misdeeds, as his military ambition outran his original righteous cause? Was he a brilliant king struck down before his time, or a warmonger whose addiction to conquest eventually brought him to the end he deserved? The writers who wrestled with that question at around the time of his death came to very different conclusions.”
August 21, 2025
Astonishing Achievements
Dan Jones is a popular historian of the medieval period and with this book he does not disappoint as he delivers a compelling and fast-paced biography of one of England’s most famous warrior kings, Henry V (1386-1422). As part of Jones’s Plantagenet and Tudor series, the book blends rigorous historical research with an engaging narrative style, making it accessible to both history enthusiasts and general readers. One of the main premises of the book is that Henry was built in the years before he became king and it isn’t just the Shakespearean myth of a waster who grew up when he was crowned. Henry had an interesting and vast story before this.
Jones portrays Henry V as a complex figure—both a pious, disciplined ruler and a ruthless military commander. The book delves into his early life, his rise to power, and his military campaigns, particularly the legendary victory at Agincourt in 1415. Jones also examines Henry’s political acumen, his efforts to consolidate power, and his ultimately unfulfilled ambition of uniting England and France under one crown.
One of strengths of Henry V is Jones’s ability to bring medieval history to life through vivid storytelling. He balances military history with insights into court politics, diplomacy, and the personal struggles that shaped Henry’s reign. While the book doesn’t necessarily break new scholarly ground, it serves as an excellent introduction to Henry V and his era, making it a valuable read for those interested in medieval history. One way this is approached by Jones is through his storytelling style, told in the present to bring Henry to life more. He also gives an excellent conclusion, explaining how Henry was an excellent king based on the standards expected of him at the time, not that of a modern society.
Overall, Henry V is an engaging, well-researched, and highly readable biography that reinforces Dan Jones’s reputation as a master of popular history. He skillfully balances narrative drive with historical depth, making the book both informative and entertaining. While specialists may not find groundbreaking new interpretations, Jones presents a fresh, vivid portrait of Henry as both a brilliant strategist and a deeply ambitious ruler whose reign was shaped by war, diplomacy, and a relentless pursuit of legitimacy. His storytelling approach brings medieval England and France to life, making complex political and military developments accessible without sacrificing nuance. Whether you are a seasoned history reader or just discovering the period, Henry V is a compelling read that captures the drama, intrigue, and significance of one of England’s most famous kings.
Dan Jones is a popular historian of the medieval period and with this book he does not disappoint as he delivers a compelling and fast-paced biography of one of England’s most famous warrior kings, Henry V (1386-1422). As part of Jones’s Plantagenet and Tudor series, the book blends rigorous historical research with an engaging narrative style, making it accessible to both history enthusiasts and general readers. One of the main premises of the book is that Henry was built in the years before he became king and it isn’t just the Shakespearean myth of a waster who grew up when he was crowned. Henry had an interesting and vast story before this.
Jones portrays Henry V as a complex figure—both a pious, disciplined ruler and a ruthless military commander. The book delves into his early life, his rise to power, and his military campaigns, particularly the legendary victory at Agincourt in 1415. Jones also examines Henry’s political acumen, his efforts to consolidate power, and his ultimately unfulfilled ambition of uniting England and France under one crown.
One of strengths of Henry V is Jones’s ability to bring medieval history to life through vivid storytelling. He balances military history with insights into court politics, diplomacy, and the personal struggles that shaped Henry’s reign. While the book doesn’t necessarily break new scholarly ground, it serves as an excellent introduction to Henry V and his era, making it a valuable read for those interested in medieval history. One way this is approached by Jones is through his storytelling style, told in the present to bring Henry to life more. He also gives an excellent conclusion, explaining how Henry was an excellent king based on the standards expected of him at the time, not that of a modern society.
Overall, Henry V is an engaging, well-researched, and highly readable biography that reinforces Dan Jones’s reputation as a master of popular history. He skillfully balances narrative drive with historical depth, making the book both informative and entertaining. While specialists may not find groundbreaking new interpretations, Jones presents a fresh, vivid portrait of Henry as both a brilliant strategist and a deeply ambitious ruler whose reign was shaped by war, diplomacy, and a relentless pursuit of legitimacy. His storytelling approach brings medieval England and France to life, making complex political and military developments accessible without sacrificing nuance. Whether you are a seasoned history reader or just discovering the period, Henry V is a compelling read that captures the drama, intrigue, and significance of one of England’s most famous kings.
February 3, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed this take on Henry V. Narration in present tense is what never bothers me, quite the opposite, I feel closer to characters.
Part One fascinating due to a detailed insight into Henry as a prince, usually he meet him already at Agincourt, don't we?
Dan Jones did it again!
Part One fascinating due to a detailed insight into Henry as a prince, usually he meet him already at Agincourt, don't we?
Dan Jones did it again!
March 22, 2025
Dan Jones is really that guy. He tackles the incredible subject of Henry V with such passion, fun, and the addition of the present tense truly elevated this. I find with DJ's non-fiction I can just breeze through them, fully immersed, fully invested, fully satisfied. He straddles the fine line between entertainment and discovery perfectly.
May 28, 2025
Dan Jones never let's me down. I finished this in-depth, amazing account of Henry V.
I have been fascinated reading history since I finished "See Spot Run"
Born in 1386, Henry was never intended to be crowned. He was only known as Henry of Monmouth.
His father, Henry IV, made sure he became battle seasoned early in life. He sent the young Henry into military campaigns where he learned to kill enemies and break things without hesitation.
At the age of 16 years old, in the battle of Shrewsbury, young Henry took an arrow in the face below his eye, estimated in the records six inches deep. The metal arrowhead was embedded firmly in the bone of his skull.. Did the kid drop?
Nope. He kept on as long as he could. He was like a young medieval Navy Seal.
A creative surgeon forged a metal tool to remove the arrow head embedded in the kids' skull. Using wine,honey, and whatever at hand, he continually cleaned and repacked the wound. All this in a time of no anesthesia or antibiotics.
Henry survived. He became king on his father's death in 1413. He prevailed against all odds at the famous Battle of Agincourt France in 1415.
While proceeding onto another campaign in france, Henry died at the age of 35 from battlefield dysentery.
What would this man have become if he was not struck down so soon?
I have been fascinated reading history since I finished "See Spot Run"
Born in 1386, Henry was never intended to be crowned. He was only known as Henry of Monmouth.
His father, Henry IV, made sure he became battle seasoned early in life. He sent the young Henry into military campaigns where he learned to kill enemies and break things without hesitation.
At the age of 16 years old, in the battle of Shrewsbury, young Henry took an arrow in the face below his eye, estimated in the records six inches deep. The metal arrowhead was embedded firmly in the bone of his skull.. Did the kid drop?
Nope. He kept on as long as he could. He was like a young medieval Navy Seal.
A creative surgeon forged a metal tool to remove the arrow head embedded in the kids' skull. Using wine,honey, and whatever at hand, he continually cleaned and repacked the wound. All this in a time of no anesthesia or antibiotics.
Henry survived. He became king on his father's death in 1413. He prevailed against all odds at the famous Battle of Agincourt France in 1415.
While proceeding onto another campaign in france, Henry died at the age of 35 from battlefield dysentery.
What would this man have become if he was not struck down so soon?
October 12, 2024
4.5 - Jones' choice to write in present tense pulls you into the story and creates an energy about it. His choice to start at Henry V's youth, instead of joining as he's about to become king, gives us tremendous insight into his formative years and helps explain his motivations and beliefs later in life. His editor likely doubted these choices as much as Henry was doubted by his contemporaries, but it really helped the book (and Henry did alright for himself, all things considered).
December 14, 2024
This is an excellent biography. Jones manages to get past both the stereotype of Henry V as an austere conqueror and Shakespeare's fictional party-goer turned responsible monarch to portray a complex multifaceted individual. This achievement coupled with the author's crisp writing and brisk pace make Henry V a truly enjoyable read.
February 1, 2025
Every time I see Dan Jones publish another book, I get concerned that he is going to lose his edge. He is incredibly prolific. His new biography of Henry V is, however, another excellent addition to his history of the Plantagenets. I recommend reading this between 'The Plantagenets' and 'The Wars of the Roses'. Those three books grouped together are a five-star reading experience. Jones is informative but never dull. He toes the line between efficient and rushed. These books tell the story of a real-life 'Game of Thrones' and at times you can hardly believe what you are reading really took place. What a world these men and women experienced. Highly recommended. High four stars.
December 26, 2025
Dan Jones, the popular medievalist, has masterfully executed vast sweeping histories like The Plantagenets and The Wars of the Roses. He has also successfully focused on more contained events, as in Magna Carta and Summer of Blood: The Peasant’s Revolt of 1381. But with Henry V he took on perhaps his greatest challenge — writing a biography of a medieval king who lived six centuries ago.
Jones was largely successful in this endeavor, within certain limitations. Writing about such a remote figure, it’s not really possible to create the psychological profile that is common to most modern biographies. Henry left no diaries or other such personal documents, so most information about him is what can be gleaned from public records. But within these limits, Jones filled out the portrait of the man.
In Henry V Jones gives us a much fuller picture of Henry the man and king. History has usually focused on him as the perfect warrior king, but Jones goes into depth to show his competence at ruling his kingdom as well. He points out that Henry had the longest, most effective apprenticeship for the office, serving his father Henry IV, and for long stretches during his father’s illness, almost ruling the kingdom. He distinguished him from the literary legend that Shakespeare created of Rowdy Prince Hal becoming good King Henry just at the last minute, while showing the possible roots of how that legend may have been generated.
In an epilogue, Jones examines ways in which some have reevaluated Henry over the last couple of centuries. Some, instead of seeing him as the perfect medieval king look on him as a warmonger who was careless of blood and treasure to win self glorifying battles that had little lasting impact. This school of thought finds it beside the point that many medievals found that model to be virtuous kingship. Jones explores this alternative tale enough to allow us to ponder it without passing any final judgement, making for a satisfying coda to a well researched, well written book.
Jones was largely successful in this endeavor, within certain limitations. Writing about such a remote figure, it’s not really possible to create the psychological profile that is common to most modern biographies. Henry left no diaries or other such personal documents, so most information about him is what can be gleaned from public records. But within these limits, Jones filled out the portrait of the man.
In Henry V Jones gives us a much fuller picture of Henry the man and king. History has usually focused on him as the perfect warrior king, but Jones goes into depth to show his competence at ruling his kingdom as well. He points out that Henry had the longest, most effective apprenticeship for the office, serving his father Henry IV, and for long stretches during his father’s illness, almost ruling the kingdom. He distinguished him from the literary legend that Shakespeare created of Rowdy Prince Hal becoming good King Henry just at the last minute, while showing the possible roots of how that legend may have been generated.
In an epilogue, Jones examines ways in which some have reevaluated Henry over the last couple of centuries. Some, instead of seeing him as the perfect medieval king look on him as a warmonger who was careless of blood and treasure to win self glorifying battles that had little lasting impact. This school of thought finds it beside the point that many medievals found that model to be virtuous kingship. Jones explores this alternative tale enough to allow us to ponder it without passing any final judgement, making for a satisfying coda to a well researched, well written book.
June 14, 2025
I'm afraid to say that this is another one of those commercial products where a 'name' is used to shift copies. I'm not questioning Jones' ability, or research or writing. They're all of a high enough quality. But there's nothing new here. The primary sources covering Henry V are surprisingly thin. And all Jones has done is tell the same story in a slightly different way. He claims to have focused more on Henry's early years. But he hasn't really. He's just padded it out. It's all perfectly fine if you've never read a biography of Henry before. But if you have, don't expect any new revelations. Easy enough to read, though.
September 16, 2024
Dan Jones has done it again. This latest offering is utterly spellbinding. He has a knack for making historical non-fiction as compelling a read as any page-turner in the fiction lists. In his foreword, he invites readers to ‘enjoy the ride,’ which I did wholeheartedly. I completed the book today, on 16 September, coincidentally the day Henry V was born in 1386.
My long-standing, youthful (naive) fascination with Henry V, primarily fuelled by Shakespeare, the legendary victory at Agincourt, and his inspirational speeches that echo in modern management, led me to eagerly delve deeper into his life. I was hopeful that Dan Jones would provide a more nuanced and objective portrayal of the King, and he did not disappoint. His book offers a fresh perspective that transcends simple admiration or subjective idolatry.
War, civil conflict, power grabs, revolution, religious extremism and intolerance, egotistical and intransigent leaders, pandemics, and a judiciary operating at the behest of its masters … sounds familiar? Actually, this is a snapshot of life 600 years ago. And what a backdrop for this most pragmatic and chivalrous of kings.
One minuscule point: I had hoped to see confirmation of whether the phrase ‘Tom, Dick, and Harry’ could be attributed to the three traitors discovered on the eve of the French campaign. I’ve always assumed this was why we still use the derogatory phrase to this day to imply ‘nobodies or persons of no significance’ but I have never known for certain.
Suited to the casual reader and academic alike, this book would grace any bookshelf. I will be scouring for a signed hardback copy as soon as possible!
My thanks to NetGalley and, as ever, Head of Zeus for granting this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My long-standing, youthful (naive) fascination with Henry V, primarily fuelled by Shakespeare, the legendary victory at Agincourt, and his inspirational speeches that echo in modern management, led me to eagerly delve deeper into his life. I was hopeful that Dan Jones would provide a more nuanced and objective portrayal of the King, and he did not disappoint. His book offers a fresh perspective that transcends simple admiration or subjective idolatry.
War, civil conflict, power grabs, revolution, religious extremism and intolerance, egotistical and intransigent leaders, pandemics, and a judiciary operating at the behest of its masters … sounds familiar? Actually, this is a snapshot of life 600 years ago. And what a backdrop for this most pragmatic and chivalrous of kings.
One minuscule point: I had hoped to see confirmation of whether the phrase ‘Tom, Dick, and Harry’ could be attributed to the three traitors discovered on the eve of the French campaign. I’ve always assumed this was why we still use the derogatory phrase to this day to imply ‘nobodies or persons of no significance’ but I have never known for certain.
Suited to the casual reader and academic alike, this book would grace any bookshelf. I will be scouring for a signed hardback copy as soon as possible!
My thanks to NetGalley and, as ever, Head of Zeus for granting this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 1, 2024
The Astonishing Rise of England's Greatest Warrior King, as the author named it, and also known as one of the strongest military powers in Europe for his war successes against France. What I think is a little exaggerated compared to Napoleon and Alexander!
It was a great read, fluent and fast! The whole life of Henry V, starting with his childhood, then at the time of her father Henry IV's reign, his marriage to Catherine, daughter of King Charles VI of France, and finally his time over England for a brief period of nine years and four months before dying at the young age of 35.
Thanks to Head of Zeus Audiobooks via NetGalley for allowing me to listen to Henry V, written and narrated by Dan Jones. I have given my honest review. The publishing date will be on 12 September.
It was a great read, fluent and fast! The whole life of Henry V, starting with his childhood, then at the time of her father Henry IV's reign, his marriage to Catherine, daughter of King Charles VI of France, and finally his time over England for a brief period of nine years and four months before dying at the young age of 35.
Thanks to Head of Zeus Audiobooks via NetGalley for allowing me to listen to Henry V, written and narrated by Dan Jones. I have given my honest review. The publishing date will be on 12 September.
October 3, 2024
Unsurprisingly this gets a 5 stars. I love Dan Jones, I’ve read every book he’s released and I pretty much love them all.
Thinking back to when I first read “The Plantagenets” and “The Hollow Crown” I was always confused by the gap in the middle. I am so happy it has been filled and in my opinion it’s been filled with the best book yet. Personally, I think writing fiction has made is writing even better, which I didn’t know what possible!
I loved the prose although I know many won’t. Some will say it’s too subjective and he guesses what Henry is thinking. Personally, I don’t care. I loved it. It brought the story to life. Yes I want historical fact but I also want history to be fun and accessible. I want to feel like the figure is living and breathing with me and that is Dan Jones gift every time. Especially when looking at Henry’s childhood which is so often overlooked.
I also enjoyed how he discussed Henry’s impact today and both sides of the argument. I have always held the opinion Henry was glorified so much because he died in his golden years and didn’t live to see fortunes wheel turn. I have to say after reading this book maybe I was too harsh. He was pretty brilliant wasn’t he! Although I will always be an Edward III girl at heart.
Anyway this book is brilliant. He does it every time and I’m so happy he does because I don’t think I’d love history as much as I do without him. No criticism from me, I’m sure there are problems with it but I enjoyed it too much to care.
I recommend for everyone to read this, especially if you love history. Actually, go and read all 3 in order if you can!!
Thinking back to when I first read “The Plantagenets” and “The Hollow Crown” I was always confused by the gap in the middle. I am so happy it has been filled and in my opinion it’s been filled with the best book yet. Personally, I think writing fiction has made is writing even better, which I didn’t know what possible!
I loved the prose although I know many won’t. Some will say it’s too subjective and he guesses what Henry is thinking. Personally, I don’t care. I loved it. It brought the story to life. Yes I want historical fact but I also want history to be fun and accessible. I want to feel like the figure is living and breathing with me and that is Dan Jones gift every time. Especially when looking at Henry’s childhood which is so often overlooked.
I also enjoyed how he discussed Henry’s impact today and both sides of the argument. I have always held the opinion Henry was glorified so much because he died in his golden years and didn’t live to see fortunes wheel turn. I have to say after reading this book maybe I was too harsh. He was pretty brilliant wasn’t he! Although I will always be an Edward III girl at heart.
Anyway this book is brilliant. He does it every time and I’m so happy he does because I don’t think I’d love history as much as I do without him. No criticism from me, I’m sure there are problems with it but I enjoyed it too much to care.
I recommend for everyone to read this, especially if you love history. Actually, go and read all 3 in order if you can!!
September 18, 2024
4,5
There are few things better than a good biography, a life placed in its time and place. Dan Jones is an excellent storyteller and biographer, and Henry - though in some ways still a mystery - really came to life.
I had little knowledge of the early 15th century English king Henry V, apart from a vague notion of Agincourt. His father Henry IV deposed Richard II to become the first king in the Lancaster-line of the Plantagenets. Henry was groomed to succeed him from a young age.
Among historians, opinions on Henry differ: for some he was cruel and calculating, for others he was a model king given the age he lived in. I can't shake the feeling that Dan Jones falls in the latter category and is a bit of a fan of Henry. His assessment is largely positive, even if he correctly concludes there is little use in judging Henry's personality today. What I am left with is that Henry V was a brilliant commander (he never lost a battle in his life), but that if there is one word to define him with it's 'ambitious'.
But more than that, the book gives a fascinating picture of 15th century life of English nobility.
It also made a really nice pairing with Glen James Brown's Mother Naked, which I read in parallel and highlights the life of 'normal' people.
There are few things better than a good biography, a life placed in its time and place. Dan Jones is an excellent storyteller and biographer, and Henry - though in some ways still a mystery - really came to life.
I had little knowledge of the early 15th century English king Henry V, apart from a vague notion of Agincourt. His father Henry IV deposed Richard II to become the first king in the Lancaster-line of the Plantagenets. Henry was groomed to succeed him from a young age.
Among historians, opinions on Henry differ: for some he was cruel and calculating, for others he was a model king given the age he lived in. I can't shake the feeling that Dan Jones falls in the latter category and is a bit of a fan of Henry. His assessment is largely positive, even if he correctly concludes there is little use in judging Henry's personality today. What I am left with is that Henry V was a brilliant commander (he never lost a battle in his life), but that if there is one word to define him with it's 'ambitious'.
But more than that, the book gives a fascinating picture of 15th century life of English nobility.
It also made a really nice pairing with Glen James Brown's Mother Naked, which I read in parallel and highlights the life of 'normal' people.
May 1, 2025
Why I Picked This Up:
Dan Jones has a way of making so many other (especially older) history books feel a little dull. In his trademark flowing prose, he possesses the flair of a storyteller, weaving events into an exciting narrative.
If Jones can’t convert the uninitiated into enjoying history, nobody can.
When I saw he’d written a book on Henry V, I had to pick this up, especially as to my discredit I didn’t know a lot about his life.
The Good Stuff:
- Present Tense
Jones outlines at the start of the book that he wanted to break away from the conventions of writing history for this book. He explains his decision to use the present rather than past tense as a way to live alongside Henry rather than look back upon him and this is really effective at making you immersed in the narrative style and gives an immediacy to events.
- Style
Even as a fan of history, I can acknowledge that it can get a little dry sometimes, but Dan Jones’ work suffers none of this. He explains with panache the importance and context of various factors and relevant goings on within the timeline of Henry’s life and by the end, you haven’t just got a good idea of how Henry’s life played out, but of the whole country, of France, of the Welsh, of Lollardy and surprisingly, a really thorough examination of his father Henry IV’s rule.
This was really welcome and we even start the book with Richard II reigning. I believe giving this whole life biography of Henry rather than just his reign gives so much background and a sound footing to understand the country and environment at the time of his upbringing and accession.
- Balance
Jones doesn’t write with bias and presents Henry as a complex character, acknowledging that of course elements of this heroic figure from English history have truth but that as with any human, he had flaws – and a lasting legacy.
Things to Know:
Dan Jones (amongst many history books) has actually written popular histories of the time periods after (The Hollow Crown/The Wars of the Roses) and before (The Plantagenets) and this book links the gap between those books. Jones does mention that he was saving a Henry V sized gap for this book and with this release, we now have a concurrent period if you want to do a big binge read (it’s very tempting) of most of the post conquest medieval period in England.
As mentioned, this is popular history aimed at a general audience. This doesn’t mean the book isn’t extensively researched though, and there is a cracking bibliography if you want to find some more academic works. This is still historically responsible; it’s just written in a narrative style which to me makes it much more enjoyable.
Final Thoughts:
Dan Jones is at his peak as a writer of narrative history and it’s so easy to fly through his books because quite simply they read like a good story (that really happened).
I’m really exciting by the current wave of historians such as Dan Jones, Susannah Lipscomb, Janina Ramirez, Cat Jarman, Marc Morris, Helen Carr. We have such a wealth of brilliant writers and Dan Jones is certainly at his peak, consistently delivering fantastic books. Long may it continue.
Thanks to the publisher Head of Zeus for approving my netgalley request. After reading a couple of chapters though, I went ahead and bought the hardback!
Dan Jones has a way of making so many other (especially older) history books feel a little dull. In his trademark flowing prose, he possesses the flair of a storyteller, weaving events into an exciting narrative.
If Jones can’t convert the uninitiated into enjoying history, nobody can.
When I saw he’d written a book on Henry V, I had to pick this up, especially as to my discredit I didn’t know a lot about his life.
The Good Stuff:
- Present Tense
Jones outlines at the start of the book that he wanted to break away from the conventions of writing history for this book. He explains his decision to use the present rather than past tense as a way to live alongside Henry rather than look back upon him and this is really effective at making you immersed in the narrative style and gives an immediacy to events.
- Style
Even as a fan of history, I can acknowledge that it can get a little dry sometimes, but Dan Jones’ work suffers none of this. He explains with panache the importance and context of various factors and relevant goings on within the timeline of Henry’s life and by the end, you haven’t just got a good idea of how Henry’s life played out, but of the whole country, of France, of the Welsh, of Lollardy and surprisingly, a really thorough examination of his father Henry IV’s rule.
This was really welcome and we even start the book with Richard II reigning. I believe giving this whole life biography of Henry rather than just his reign gives so much background and a sound footing to understand the country and environment at the time of his upbringing and accession.
- Balance
Jones doesn’t write with bias and presents Henry as a complex character, acknowledging that of course elements of this heroic figure from English history have truth but that as with any human, he had flaws – and a lasting legacy.
Things to Know:
Dan Jones (amongst many history books) has actually written popular histories of the time periods after (The Hollow Crown/The Wars of the Roses) and before (The Plantagenets) and this book links the gap between those books. Jones does mention that he was saving a Henry V sized gap for this book and with this release, we now have a concurrent period if you want to do a big binge read (it’s very tempting) of most of the post conquest medieval period in England.
As mentioned, this is popular history aimed at a general audience. This doesn’t mean the book isn’t extensively researched though, and there is a cracking bibliography if you want to find some more academic works. This is still historically responsible; it’s just written in a narrative style which to me makes it much more enjoyable.
Final Thoughts:
Dan Jones is at his peak as a writer of narrative history and it’s so easy to fly through his books because quite simply they read like a good story (that really happened).
I’m really exciting by the current wave of historians such as Dan Jones, Susannah Lipscomb, Janina Ramirez, Cat Jarman, Marc Morris, Helen Carr. We have such a wealth of brilliant writers and Dan Jones is certainly at his peak, consistently delivering fantastic books. Long may it continue.
Thanks to the publisher Head of Zeus for approving my netgalley request. After reading a couple of chapters though, I went ahead and bought the hardback!
June 18, 2025
My copy is an ARC, however, I purchased it from ThriftBooks in June of 2025.
I have read many from Dan Jones, and have rated most with 4 Stars prior to Paying-Them-Forward, however, with Henry V, I am keeping for myself, since I know I will Reference, Re-Reference,
Re-Read, etc…
I have read many from Dan Jones, and have rated most with 4 Stars prior to Paying-Them-Forward, however, with Henry V, I am keeping for myself, since I know I will Reference, Re-Reference,
Re-Read, etc…
January 4, 2025
This biography of the English king, Henry V is a very interesting one.
It weaves a tapestry of Henry's gradual apprenticeship that led to his ultimate crowning as King of England. Under the rule of Richard II (Henry's uncle? cousin?) Henry was a thoughtful and contemplative figure whose tutelage in martial matters became more significant when his father, Henry IV claimed the throne. The first half of the book regards Henry's upbringing and includes so many figures of the Medieval world yet it is difficult to keep them straight and Jones's prose can leave some things unclear.
The second half sees Henry rising to the throne and waging constant wars and addressing plots and intrigue even as he seeks to govern both within England and in France. Here we see a figure of deep piety and learning but Jones also paints a figure not without flaws; whose "ends justify the means" may not meet modern sensibilities but led Henry V to become a paragon of the Medieval king.
I appreciate how digestible this book is and that the chapters are very short and broken up well. The most interesting element of the book is Jones's decision to write a nonfiction history book in the present tense. While I applaud the creativity, it does little bring the book to life for me. Instead the book is very terse and often amounts to "Henry rides to a church and prays. He raises taxes to fund a military campaign. He lays siege to a French city." Unfortunately this book felt overrated for me but I'm still glad I read it.
It weaves a tapestry of Henry's gradual apprenticeship that led to his ultimate crowning as King of England. Under the rule of Richard II (Henry's uncle? cousin?) Henry was a thoughtful and contemplative figure whose tutelage in martial matters became more significant when his father, Henry IV claimed the throne. The first half of the book regards Henry's upbringing and includes so many figures of the Medieval world yet it is difficult to keep them straight and Jones's prose can leave some things unclear.
The second half sees Henry rising to the throne and waging constant wars and addressing plots and intrigue even as he seeks to govern both within England and in France. Here we see a figure of deep piety and learning but Jones also paints a figure not without flaws; whose "ends justify the means" may not meet modern sensibilities but led Henry V to become a paragon of the Medieval king.
I appreciate how digestible this book is and that the chapters are very short and broken up well. The most interesting element of the book is Jones's decision to write a nonfiction history book in the present tense. While I applaud the creativity, it does little bring the book to life for me. Instead the book is very terse and often amounts to "Henry rides to a church and prays. He raises taxes to fund a military campaign. He lays siege to a French city." Unfortunately this book felt overrated for me but I'm still glad I read it.
October 18, 2025
I loved this book. It’s so easy to read and follow written in the present tense. . I didn’t know a lot about Henry V but what a warrior. Was he the greatest warrior king many think so. I’m inclined ed to agree. Wounded by an arrow to the face 6 inches he survived , pulled the shaft out and continued to fight with the arrow imbedded into his skull. Holy moly I can’t imagine. He survived the surgery of a superb talented surgeon, what pain he must have endured. 5+ stars in my opinion. Dan jones is such a good writer. Henry died so young. If he had only lived longer English history would have been so different. No war of roses? No Tudors? The possibilities!!! I highly recommend this book. I kept hoping he would live knowing he does not. He had loyal brothers and family which I feel shows his character. He was not suppose to be king but what a king he was. Henry’s father usurped Richard II and Henry wanted to and was buried with his cousin and not his father. No one knows exactly why. I’d like to know !!
March 17, 2025
3.5 stars. I am not rating its scholarship or accuracy which I have no business judging. It was just a tremendously detail heavy book and one I caution anyone to pick up that isn’t going to be enthralled with the subject. It would be for the medieval England geeks and not general enjoyment.
June 25, 2025
Very, very good. The only reason I haven’t given this biography of Henry V five stars, is that I found the author’s decision to write in the present tense to be awkward and off putting, though I got over it enough to thoroughly enjoy this colorful and action packed narrative history. Dan Jones writes thrilling and accessible medieval history that appeals to general readers. In this book that led him to make unnecessary and irritating comparisons to modern cultural trends, in what I suppose was an effort to make the history relatable to the cool kids. That deserves a demerit, too. But enough of my petty bitching. Overall, this is a gripping and exciting read. Jones brings to life in these pages a Henry V who was doggedly ambitious, devoutly religious, exacting, severe, concerned with fair justice for the high and low alike, consistent in his approach to government, and who repeatedly proved his critics and dissenters wrong. He believed he was fully capable of achieving his grandest aspirations, and through military genius and exemplary leadership his conquests across the channel resulted in the establishment of the English kingdom of France. Then he died of dysentery. I’m awed at what Henry V accomplished in the span of his relatively short life and reign. I do highly recommend this book for fans of English history, especially medieval history.
December 14, 2024
A lively, engaging, and very readable biography of Henry.
The narrative is rich, well-written, and compelling, and moves along at a quick pace. Jones does a good job laying out the logistics of medieval warfare. The book is pretty accessible and coherent. The narrative is pretty intimate, and Jones succeeds in making Henry feel like a real human. The writing is vivid and witty, and Jones does a good job parsing through the sources. Jones’ treatment of Henry is balanced, and he effectively shows Henry’s piety and touch for grand gestures, along with his ruthlessness and pragmatism.
Jones writes the biography in the present tense, which may feel a bit annoying at times but doesn’t detract too much from Henry’s story. It does make for somewhat awkward reading at times, especially when Jones engages in a bit of speculation. The maps could also have been more detailed. Some readers may also benefit from a family tree.
A nuanced, insightful and well-researched biography.
The narrative is rich, well-written, and compelling, and moves along at a quick pace. Jones does a good job laying out the logistics of medieval warfare. The book is pretty accessible and coherent. The narrative is pretty intimate, and Jones succeeds in making Henry feel like a real human. The writing is vivid and witty, and Jones does a good job parsing through the sources. Jones’ treatment of Henry is balanced, and he effectively shows Henry’s piety and touch for grand gestures, along with his ruthlessness and pragmatism.
Jones writes the biography in the present tense, which may feel a bit annoying at times but doesn’t detract too much from Henry’s story. It does make for somewhat awkward reading at times, especially when Jones engages in a bit of speculation. The maps could also have been more detailed. Some readers may also benefit from a family tree.
A nuanced, insightful and well-researched biography.
April 7, 2025
While Henry V remains a controversial figure in our day, to the English of his time he was, unquestionably, nobility at its finest. His life forces us to wrestle with a question rooted in presentism: should we judge the past by our current virtues and values? On the one hand, the answer is always yes—for in the present, we naturally see ourselves as more enlightened than those who came before. Yet in like manner, we cannot escape the future, whose people will undoubtedly see themselves as better than we are.
Jones does an admirable job of suspending present-day judgment in order to examine Henry within the context of his own time. Henry was a solid Christian man, one who honored his marriage covenants, administered justice—albeit brutally—but also with a sense of fairness. He had his weaknesses and struggled as any person does, but in his short thirty-five years, he accomplished more than perhaps any other king, past or present. Within the system of monarchy, he stands as a paragon. Outside that system, however, it becomes easy to shift our critique from the man to the institution of kingship itself.
What I learned from Henry is this: you can suffer tragedy and still refuse to be defined by its consequences. Henry doggedly rose above his tragedies. And when all is said and done, we are in the hands of God. Whether it was surviving a near-fatal axe blow or taking an arrow to the face, Henry gave thanks to God and sought to protect Christianity—even when he could have easily turned selfish and had the support of his peers in doing so. Whether he was taken by God or simply succumbed to the brutality of his era, Henry died faithfully. Given the immense opportunities for moral corruption, his actions speak volumes about his character. For that alone, Henry is to be applauded.
Jones does an admirable job of suspending present-day judgment in order to examine Henry within the context of his own time. Henry was a solid Christian man, one who honored his marriage covenants, administered justice—albeit brutally—but also with a sense of fairness. He had his weaknesses and struggled as any person does, but in his short thirty-five years, he accomplished more than perhaps any other king, past or present. Within the system of monarchy, he stands as a paragon. Outside that system, however, it becomes easy to shift our critique from the man to the institution of kingship itself.
What I learned from Henry is this: you can suffer tragedy and still refuse to be defined by its consequences. Henry doggedly rose above his tragedies. And when all is said and done, we are in the hands of God. Whether it was surviving a near-fatal axe blow or taking an arrow to the face, Henry gave thanks to God and sought to protect Christianity—even when he could have easily turned selfish and had the support of his peers in doing so. Whether he was taken by God or simply succumbed to the brutality of his era, Henry died faithfully. Given the immense opportunities for moral corruption, his actions speak volumes about his character. For that alone, Henry is to be applauded.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2025
A big thanks to the publishers here for sending me a proof copy, in return for an honest review.
An effortlessly readable and deeply enjoyable biography from Dan Jones here on the legendary King Henry V. Jones from the outset highlights this as being a complete biography, focusing not solely on his reign ( as histories of the past have tended to do ) but on his younger years and his evolution from young prince to warrior king.
Perfect reading for experts or new readers, Jones gives some fantastic contextualisation to the world young Henry was born into, making sure to pit us right there in the time by, interestingly, using the present text in his history.
My only gripe would be that the book ends all too rapidly. I would have liked to have had more of an examination on the legacy Henry left behind him and perhaps a more well rounded and fleshed out epilogue covering in more detail what went on to happen to those key people he left behind in death.
Overall though a great history, which will undeniably become the new perennial favourite biography on one of Britain’s most interesting monarchs.
An effortlessly readable and deeply enjoyable biography from Dan Jones here on the legendary King Henry V. Jones from the outset highlights this as being a complete biography, focusing not solely on his reign ( as histories of the past have tended to do ) but on his younger years and his evolution from young prince to warrior king.
Perfect reading for experts or new readers, Jones gives some fantastic contextualisation to the world young Henry was born into, making sure to pit us right there in the time by, interestingly, using the present text in his history.
My only gripe would be that the book ends all too rapidly. I would have liked to have had more of an examination on the legacy Henry left behind him and perhaps a more well rounded and fleshed out epilogue covering in more detail what went on to happen to those key people he left behind in death.
Overall though a great history, which will undeniably become the new perennial favourite biography on one of Britain’s most interesting monarchs.
June 26, 2024
Dan Jones' biography of Henry V was a delightful read that offered a nuanced and balanced portrayal of the monarch, highlighting both the good points of his reign and personality and the bad. It was packed full of detail but, like all Jones' other books, was still an accessible and easy read that didn't feel like a slog to get through. If you are a history fan, this book is one I would highly recommend, especially if you have already enjoyed The Plantagenets and The Hollow Crown. I am giving it 4.5 stars.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 26, 2025
History well told! In this biography of Henry V, Jones gives a picture of the real king in both his youth and adulthood. A very different picture than Shakespeare presents in the plays by the same name. I've read many Dan Jones history books, and this one was the best so far. Highly recommended for anyone interested in history!
February 6, 2025
Outstanding history book. Wonderfully readable with great pacing. Felt authoritative without ever feeling like it got into too much detail. There was nothing unnecessary in this book while there was also sufficient amounts that the book is already high on my re-read list.
(Provisional 4Star rating since I haven't read it twice yet.)
(Provisional 4Star rating since I haven't read it twice yet.)
February 7, 2025
A sensitive biography written in a narrative format, which I loved. I love sensitive biographies that put enough research and effort into creating a well-rounded picture of a person. Jones did just that. What a masterpiece.
November 14, 2025
medieval english history has until recently been a bit of a blind spot for me, meaning that while i'd heard of dan jones as a popular historian, i didn't know anything about his work. i read this off the back of helen castor's book on richard ii and henry vi being one of my favourite books of this year. i wanted to read more fifteenth century history and this obviously picks up where castor left off.
i understood pretty quickly that dan jones is a well-known name in historical non-fiction, but in a dan brown kind of way. this felt like the airport book of historical non-fiction writing. there was a point dangerously early on where i realised i was not going to enjoy his writing. and i missed helen. and i started dog-earing the bottoms of certain pages because i knew i'd want to refer back to them for the sake of this review.
the first half of the book covers henry before he is king, meaning it covers the exact same events that the latter portion of castor's book does (didn't mind this, is why i read it). to be honest it just makes me so sad to think anyone might learn about those events from this book rather than the far superior account in hers. less sensational and cheesy, more vivid and engaging. it became the theme of this book to wish that i was reading the story of henry v in her words instead.
obvs the challenge of writing about fifteenth-century figures is that there survives basically no record of their interior lives or a lot of the material you might use to build a nuanced portrait of them. necessarily, then, there's a reliance on their actions and written words in order to gain some sense of the person. i was much more aware of jones struggling with this than i ever was with castor. i could see the gaps around which he was trying to write. one of his solutions is to write in the present tense, to breathe a bit of urgency back into the story (which seems to annoy other reviewers for reasons i cannot comprehend, when there are so many actual problems with this book). his other solution is to kinda make stuff up.
especially in the first half of the book, jones does a lot of guessing at henry's thoughts and feelings. frequently we are told henry is 'probably' thinking about something or 'may well wonder' or 'worry' or be reminded of something. and i mean, yeah, maybe. or maybe not. we don't know, and it felt clumsy to try and pretend that we do - i don't think this was a problem that needed solving, you've got to know what you sign up for when you read a book about people from six hundred years ago. writing about political events during henry's boyhood (which had nothing, directly, to do with him/he was not involved in), jones feels the need to tack on some phrase like 'and henry saw it all...', as if he needs to be hamfistedly inserted into situations he wasn't really a player in (on account of being ten) because his readers are stupid enough either to forget who the book is about, if his name isn't mentioned every ten lines, or to fail to understand the relevance of politics that he himself did not affect.
it was unnecessary, and felt a bit juvenile to me. a personal favourite is the discussion of a 'moral ballad' delivered to henry and his brothers, where jones suggests that rather than being directed at him, henry himself may have arranged for it to be delivered to his more raucous younger brothers, before openly admitting: 'there is no evidence for this beyond speculation' (171).
speculating on a lot of henry's thoughts and feelings is handy for jones in that it allows him to suggest a figure slightly more worthy of the insane hero-worship with which he handles him. its very clear that dan jones loves henry v. he thinks he is so super awesome. its like his jungkook. in the text this manifests in a bias towards him that is overly critical of his opponents and comically mild when it comes to henry's own atrocities. an especially ridiculous example is how jones discusses the incident with the lollard john oldcastle, who he paints as unreasonable for...not believing in transubstantiation? (224: 'whereas oldcastle dreams of ripping up the fabric of english religion, stripping away church property and purging the church of doctrine and liturgy that does not suit his tastes, henry is of a far more traditional reforming bent'). when oldcastle is arrested and told to recant his lollardism or be burned to death, he is 'rude' to the people interrogating him and 'ungrateful' to henry.
it's blatant, and it feels pretty silly. even henry's war crimes, the mass execution of prisoners of war and the starvation of civilians, are described in a far more lenient tone than anyone else is granted. there's a really ridiculous part where he murders ten prisoners of war, to which jones grants that henry is 'no saint' (284). he points out how everyone writing contemporaneously thought it was fine, and didn't blame him, and actually thought it was kinda the fault of the french for not surrendering. i dont say this to try and #cancel a fifteenth-century monarch, war-mongering criminals is the expectation you have when picking up a book on this period, but to make the point that when reading henry's story it was distracting to have to contend with the heavy hand of dan jones (and my god, is it heavy) glorifying him excessively to the point of absurdity. he was an obviously impressive king, he did some evil things...idk man, i think it depends. lets ask the audience.
mostly jones is just a clumsy writer. he overuses phrases, referring to how henry 'cut his teeth' as a soldier in wales no less than three times, and at least twice in near identical language reminding us that he enjoyed a 'deeper apprenticeship to kingship than any other monarch since edward i'. his prose tends towards the melodramatic and cliched, with a passage near the start giving me something near second-hand embarrassment: 'as it happens, nothing comes of this, but the mere mention of it should remind henry of what he is. a boy, yes. flesh and blood and soul. but he is more than that, too' (27). yikes.
maybeee i'm just not a pop historian kind of person. but i don't like the silly quips in the footnotes and the overly-sensational style. i dont know what compelled me to leave the longest review ive ever written for this book. i didnt even hate it (even if i do think dan jones is a terrible writer). its so far from one of the worst things ive read this year. i think its just that id already read a book on this subject that was so much better, that it was so easy to see what was wrong with this. it felt like dan jones believed he was writing for stupid people, that he couldn't let the story speak for itself. the two stars are because it remains a fascinating piece of history, stuck in a not-great book. it was easy to read and obviously accessible, which seems to be what makes dan jones so popular. i really don't know what else it could be.
i understood pretty quickly that dan jones is a well-known name in historical non-fiction, but in a dan brown kind of way. this felt like the airport book of historical non-fiction writing. there was a point dangerously early on where i realised i was not going to enjoy his writing. and i missed helen. and i started dog-earing the bottoms of certain pages because i knew i'd want to refer back to them for the sake of this review.
the first half of the book covers henry before he is king, meaning it covers the exact same events that the latter portion of castor's book does (didn't mind this, is why i read it). to be honest it just makes me so sad to think anyone might learn about those events from this book rather than the far superior account in hers. less sensational and cheesy, more vivid and engaging. it became the theme of this book to wish that i was reading the story of henry v in her words instead.
obvs the challenge of writing about fifteenth-century figures is that there survives basically no record of their interior lives or a lot of the material you might use to build a nuanced portrait of them. necessarily, then, there's a reliance on their actions and written words in order to gain some sense of the person. i was much more aware of jones struggling with this than i ever was with castor. i could see the gaps around which he was trying to write. one of his solutions is to write in the present tense, to breathe a bit of urgency back into the story (which seems to annoy other reviewers for reasons i cannot comprehend, when there are so many actual problems with this book). his other solution is to kinda make stuff up.
especially in the first half of the book, jones does a lot of guessing at henry's thoughts and feelings. frequently we are told henry is 'probably' thinking about something or 'may well wonder' or 'worry' or be reminded of something. and i mean, yeah, maybe. or maybe not. we don't know, and it felt clumsy to try and pretend that we do - i don't think this was a problem that needed solving, you've got to know what you sign up for when you read a book about people from six hundred years ago. writing about political events during henry's boyhood (which had nothing, directly, to do with him/he was not involved in), jones feels the need to tack on some phrase like 'and henry saw it all...', as if he needs to be hamfistedly inserted into situations he wasn't really a player in (on account of being ten) because his readers are stupid enough either to forget who the book is about, if his name isn't mentioned every ten lines, or to fail to understand the relevance of politics that he himself did not affect.
it was unnecessary, and felt a bit juvenile to me. a personal favourite is the discussion of a 'moral ballad' delivered to henry and his brothers, where jones suggests that rather than being directed at him, henry himself may have arranged for it to be delivered to his more raucous younger brothers, before openly admitting: 'there is no evidence for this beyond speculation' (171).
speculating on a lot of henry's thoughts and feelings is handy for jones in that it allows him to suggest a figure slightly more worthy of the insane hero-worship with which he handles him. its very clear that dan jones loves henry v. he thinks he is so super awesome. its like his jungkook. in the text this manifests in a bias towards him that is overly critical of his opponents and comically mild when it comes to henry's own atrocities. an especially ridiculous example is how jones discusses the incident with the lollard john oldcastle, who he paints as unreasonable for...not believing in transubstantiation? (224: 'whereas oldcastle dreams of ripping up the fabric of english religion, stripping away church property and purging the church of doctrine and liturgy that does not suit his tastes, henry is of a far more traditional reforming bent'). when oldcastle is arrested and told to recant his lollardism or be burned to death, he is 'rude' to the people interrogating him and 'ungrateful' to henry.
it's blatant, and it feels pretty silly. even henry's war crimes, the mass execution of prisoners of war and the starvation of civilians, are described in a far more lenient tone than anyone else is granted. there's a really ridiculous part where he murders ten prisoners of war, to which jones grants that henry is 'no saint' (284). he points out how everyone writing contemporaneously thought it was fine, and didn't blame him, and actually thought it was kinda the fault of the french for not surrendering. i dont say this to try and #cancel a fifteenth-century monarch, war-mongering criminals is the expectation you have when picking up a book on this period, but to make the point that when reading henry's story it was distracting to have to contend with the heavy hand of dan jones (and my god, is it heavy) glorifying him excessively to the point of absurdity. he was an obviously impressive king, he did some evil things...idk man, i think it depends. lets ask the audience.
mostly jones is just a clumsy writer. he overuses phrases, referring to how henry 'cut his teeth' as a soldier in wales no less than three times, and at least twice in near identical language reminding us that he enjoyed a 'deeper apprenticeship to kingship than any other monarch since edward i'. his prose tends towards the melodramatic and cliched, with a passage near the start giving me something near second-hand embarrassment: 'as it happens, nothing comes of this, but the mere mention of it should remind henry of what he is. a boy, yes. flesh and blood and soul. but he is more than that, too' (27). yikes.
maybeee i'm just not a pop historian kind of person. but i don't like the silly quips in the footnotes and the overly-sensational style. i dont know what compelled me to leave the longest review ive ever written for this book. i didnt even hate it (even if i do think dan jones is a terrible writer). its so far from one of the worst things ive read this year. i think its just that id already read a book on this subject that was so much better, that it was so easy to see what was wrong with this. it felt like dan jones believed he was writing for stupid people, that he couldn't let the story speak for itself. the two stars are because it remains a fascinating piece of history, stuck in a not-great book. it was easy to read and obviously accessible, which seems to be what makes dan jones so popular. i really don't know what else it could be.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 873 reviews