[.ca] 1066 - The Battles of York, Stamford Bridge & Hastings (ISBN 0850529530)

Good Book, lots of useful diagrams and photo's:
Peter Marren contributes to the 1066 body of literature by giving us this nice concise book. This book can be used as a deeper introduction to people vaguely familiar with the events or to those who wish to have a more pictorial view of the sites. He publishes some (currently) new insight on the Battle of Hastings, showing Harold may not have been the passive commander most writers of that battle have accused him of being. Interesting material to anyone who's read the more well known books. My feeling is that Tetlow's "Enigma of Hastings" has probably the best but this is a great companion, especially to those who are planning a visit. He gives the reader more insight to the Battle of York (aka Battle of Fulford Gate) that affects the Battle of Stamford Bridge much the same way Stamford Bridge affected the Battle of Hastings. He gives insight to the weaponry used and tries to give insight to the personalities involved. I also like that he publishes the names of all those who are documented to have fought in the Battle of Hastings. I visited the battlefields in the past year and Mr. Marren includes some great, accurate diagrams and photos of the sites. I wish I'd had this book with me. They represent the areas very well and this book would be an enormous help to those planning a visit. He includes photo's of battles re-enactors whose physical appearance... well, you can tell they're not professional soldiers. In fairness they're included to show the probable battledress. Marren doesn't bog the story down with too many details and while that's a strength it's probably the biggest weakness too. You want to know more. But, unfortunately there just isn't much source material and that which is available does not have the Anglo-Saxon point of view. Marren also doesn't delve too much in the political aftermath of Hastings but that's fine in this context. Marren also states that had Harold won Hastings, England would have had serious problems due to the enormous loss of life in the three battles. Excellent point that leaves the reader believing another invading force would have had it easy. This is a good book.