What do you think?
Rate this book
Ivanhoe: Annotated & Illustrated Edition
Action. Romance. Derring-Do.
Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe has it all—and for more than two hundred years, it’s been hailed as one of the greatest adventure stories ever written. Winston Churchill called it one of the “world’s greatest books,” and Charlotte Brontë famously claimed all novels after Scott’s were “worthless.”
The year is 1194, and England is a kingdom divided. The Saxons smolder beneath the heavy hand of their Norman conquerors. Only King Richard the Lionheart might heal the rift, but he’s far from home, fighting for Christendom in the Third Crusade.
Into the unrest ride Wilfred of Ivanhoe, a disinherited knight, and Rebecca, a courageous maiden whose honor defies the prejudice she faces. Swept into jousts, sieges, and shifting allegiances, they must survive in a realm where ambition is armor and betrayal strikes as swiftly as the sword.
The Renaissance Revival Annotated Edition, meticulously prepared by acclaimed author and educator Erica Abbett, ensures you’ll experience every thrilling moment as Scott intended, without getting lost in archaic language or unfamiliar history.
This special annotated edition
Over 2,000 expertly crafted notes — At the bottom of each page, you'll find the definitions of challenging words, explanations of historical and literary references, and much more.27 authentic period illustrations — Meticulously restored, these illustrations bring jousts, castles, and key moments vividly to life, adding a visual layer to Scott’s rich descriptions.Glossary of terms — A complete glossary of terms ensures that you'll never need to break your concentration to Google an unfamiliar word or phrase.Annotated by an author and teacher - Erica Abbett is the author of two young adult novels and a former teacher of both English and history. Her conversational yet informative tone is the perfect companion to the classics.A powerful resource for students and educators — The Renaissance Revival Annotated Edition of Ivanhoe transforms a challenging classic into an adventure that resonates long after the final page.The Renaissance Revival Annotated Edition of Ivanhoe equips every reader to conquer this classic with confidence, turning a once-daunting tale into an unforgettable adventure.
Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe has it all—and for more than two hundred years, it’s been hailed as one of the greatest adventure stories ever written. Winston Churchill called it one of the “world’s greatest books,” and Charlotte Brontë famously claimed all novels after Scott’s were “worthless.”
The year is 1194, and England is a kingdom divided. The Saxons smolder beneath the heavy hand of their Norman conquerors. Only King Richard the Lionheart might heal the rift, but he’s far from home, fighting for Christendom in the Third Crusade.
Into the unrest ride Wilfred of Ivanhoe, a disinherited knight, and Rebecca, a courageous maiden whose honor defies the prejudice she faces. Swept into jousts, sieges, and shifting allegiances, they must survive in a realm where ambition is armor and betrayal strikes as swiftly as the sword.
The Renaissance Revival Annotated Edition, meticulously prepared by acclaimed author and educator Erica Abbett, ensures you’ll experience every thrilling moment as Scott intended, without getting lost in archaic language or unfamiliar history.
This special annotated edition
Over 2,000 expertly crafted notes — At the bottom of each page, you'll find the definitions of challenging words, explanations of historical and literary references, and much more.27 authentic period illustrations — Meticulously restored, these illustrations bring jousts, castles, and key moments vividly to life, adding a visual layer to Scott’s rich descriptions.Glossary of terms — A complete glossary of terms ensures that you'll never need to break your concentration to Google an unfamiliar word or phrase.Annotated by an author and teacher - Erica Abbett is the author of two young adult novels and a former teacher of both English and history. Her conversational yet informative tone is the perfect companion to the classics.A powerful resource for students and educators — The Renaissance Revival Annotated Edition of Ivanhoe transforms a challenging classic into an adventure that resonates long after the final page.The Renaissance Revival Annotated Edition of Ivanhoe equips every reader to conquer this classic with confidence, turning a once-daunting tale into an unforgettable adventure.
604 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 10, 2025
About the author
Walter Scott
8,225 books2,097 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Sir Walter Scott was a Scottish novelist, poet, historian, and biographer, widely recognized as the founder and master of the historical novel. His most celebrated works, including Waverley, Rob Roy, and Ivanhoe, helped shape not only the genre of historical fiction but also modern perceptions of Scottish culture and identity.
Born in Edinburgh in 1771, Scott was the son of a solicitor and a mother with a strong interest in literature and history. At the age of two, he contracted polio, which left him with a permanent limp. He spent much of his childhood in the Scottish Borders, where he developed a deep fascination with the region's folklore, ballads, and history. He studied at Edinburgh High School and later at the University of Edinburgh, qualifying as a lawyer in 1792. Though he worked in law for some time, his literary ambitions soon took precedence.
Scott began his literary career with translations and collections of traditional ballads, notably in his Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border. He gained early fame with narrative poems such as The Lay of the Last Minstrel and The Lady of the Lake. As the popularity of poetic storytelling declined, especially with the rise of Lord Byron, Scott turned to prose. His first novel, Waverley, published anonymously in 1814, was set during the Jacobite rising of 1745 and is considered the first true historical novel. The success of Waverley led to a long series of novels, known collectively as the Waverley Novels, which blended historical events with compelling fictional narratives.
Over the following years, Scott produced a remarkable number of novels, including Old Mortality, The Heart of Midlothian, and The Bride of Lammermoor, each contributing to the romantic image of Scotland that became popular throughout Europe. With Ivanhoe, published in 1819, he turned his attention to medieval England, broadening his appeal and confirming his status as a major literary figure. His works were not only popular in his own time but also laid the groundwork for historical fiction as a respected literary form.
Scott married Charlotte Genevieve Charpentier in 1797, and they had five children. In 1820, he was granted a baronetcy and became Sir Walter Scott. He built a grand home, Abbotsford House, near Melrose, which reflected his passion for history and the Scottish past. However, in 1825, financial disaster struck when his publishers went bankrupt. Rather than declare bankruptcy himself, Scott chose to work tirelessly to pay off the debts through his writing. He continued to produce novels and non-fiction works at a staggering pace despite declining health.
Walter Scott died in 1832, leaving behind a literary legacy that influenced generations of writers and readers. His works remain widely read and studied, and he is credited with helping to revive interest in Scottish history and culture. Abbotsford House, now a museum, stands as a monument to his life and achievements.
Sir Walter Scott was a Scottish novelist, poet, historian, and biographer, widely recognized as the founder and master of the historical novel. His most celebrated works, including Waverley, Rob Roy, and Ivanhoe, helped shape not only the genre of historical fiction but also modern perceptions of Scottish culture and identity.
Born in Edinburgh in 1771, Scott was the son of a solicitor and a mother with a strong interest in literature and history. At the age of two, he contracted polio, which left him with a permanent limp. He spent much of his childhood in the Scottish Borders, where he developed a deep fascination with the region's folklore, ballads, and history. He studied at Edinburgh High School and later at the University of Edinburgh, qualifying as a lawyer in 1792. Though he worked in law for some time, his literary ambitions soon took precedence.
Scott began his literary career with translations and collections of traditional ballads, notably in his Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border. He gained early fame with narrative poems such as The Lay of the Last Minstrel and The Lady of the Lake. As the popularity of poetic storytelling declined, especially with the rise of Lord Byron, Scott turned to prose. His first novel, Waverley, published anonymously in 1814, was set during the Jacobite rising of 1745 and is considered the first true historical novel. The success of Waverley led to a long series of novels, known collectively as the Waverley Novels, which blended historical events with compelling fictional narratives.
Over the following years, Scott produced a remarkable number of novels, including Old Mortality, The Heart of Midlothian, and The Bride of Lammermoor, each contributing to the romantic image of Scotland that became popular throughout Europe. With Ivanhoe, published in 1819, he turned his attention to medieval England, broadening his appeal and confirming his status as a major literary figure. His works were not only popular in his own time but also laid the groundwork for historical fiction as a respected literary form.
Scott married Charlotte Genevieve Charpentier in 1797, and they had five children. In 1820, he was granted a baronetcy and became Sir Walter Scott. He built a grand home, Abbotsford House, near Melrose, which reflected his passion for history and the Scottish past. However, in 1825, financial disaster struck when his publishers went bankrupt. Rather than declare bankruptcy himself, Scott chose to work tirelessly to pay off the debts through his writing. He continued to produce novels and non-fiction works at a staggering pace despite declining health.
Walter Scott died in 1832, leaving behind a literary legacy that influenced generations of writers and readers. His works remain widely read and studied, and he is credited with helping to revive interest in Scottish history and culture. Abbotsford House, now a museum, stands as a monument to his life and achievements.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
No one has reviewed this book yet.