An excellent and engaging dive into the period of history roughly spanning the fifteenth century, from Henry V all the way to Henry VIII (and a whole lot in between). Constituting a break-down in political stability following a weak Henry VI, the book traces the various battles and people that make up the so-called "Wars of the Roses", a dynastical fight for the throne of England that saw the "fall" and "rise" of various houses.

Jones' subtle use of adjectives adds a good bit of humor throughout the book, but it also reinforces that this is a subjective view and should be perceived as such. Adding to this, there are also some gaps in the story as presented. I was familiar with Richard III, but got some whiplash at his swift transformation from a seemingly magnanimous and loyal brother to a ruthless and kin slaying king. There are some pieces like this lost when compressing this century long conflict into three hundred and forty pages.

It was also interesting to see the security state of England change throughout the years., From Henry VI's lax rule to Henry VII and Henry VIII's paranoid security state that also saw a transformation in England's relation with the Pope and Catholicism.

It is also key to note - as Jones does - that the reason the wars ended was largely because there was practically no one left to kill. Henry VIII killed the last of the rivals that could claim royal blood, to the point the enemies had to rely on pretenders to make their schemes. Gone is the charade of divine rule, of descending from the original conquerors. Henry Tudor (Henry VII) may be so far removed from the line of succession that his rule only became viable on the back of decades of death and destruction.