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A review by nathanjhunt
William III & Mary II: Partners in Revolution by Jonathan Keates
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
This was my 64th book finished in 2023.
I have a fledgling interest in the Restoration Era, having read Samuel Pepys' diary, and a biography on Charles II. I too have an interest in the Georgian Era, having read a biography on George I. But, as the author states, there seems to be this forgotten gap between the two, marking the end of the Stuart era. I know a little about Anne, but what about Mary II and William III? The oldest English coin I own is a William III half penny from the 1690s, but I don't know a thing about the man.
This book serves as a good introduction. Of course this is just a summary of their lives, but it did feel a little fleeting. The book is about 20 pages shorter than others in the series, and I did feel like some things were just glanced over.
Generally, the author's writing style is fine, with nothing too confusing. But I did have to re-read some paragraphs in the opening chapter, as a lot of people had the same name, and it wasn't always obvious who the author was talking about.
To summarise, it's true that their reign was short and quite unremarkable; it seems no wonder British history has mostly forgotten about them. The author does an okay job of keeping the book interesting.
I have a fledgling interest in the Restoration Era, having read Samuel Pepys' diary, and a biography on Charles II. I too have an interest in the Georgian Era, having read a biography on George I. But, as the author states, there seems to be this forgotten gap between the two, marking the end of the Stuart era. I know a little about Anne, but what about Mary II and William III? The oldest English coin I own is a William III half penny from the 1690s, but I don't know a thing about the man.
This book serves as a good introduction. Of course this is just a summary of their lives, but it did feel a little fleeting. The book is about 20 pages shorter than others in the series, and I did feel like some things were just glanced over.
Generally, the author's writing style is fine, with nothing too confusing. But I did have to re-read some paragraphs in the opening chapter, as a lot of people had the same name, and it wasn't always obvious who the author was talking about.
To summarise, it's true that their reign was short and quite unremarkable; it seems no wonder British history has mostly forgotten about them. The author does an okay job of keeping the book interesting.