Brothers York

A Royal Tragedy

By: Thomas Penn

Narrated by: Roy McMillan

In early 1461, a 17-year-old boy won a battle on a freezing morning in the Welsh marches, and claimed the crown of England as Edward IV, first king of the usurping house of York. It was a time when old certainties had been shredded: by popular insurgency, economic crisis, feuding, and a corrupt, bankrupt government presided over by the imbecilic, Lancastrian King Henry VI. The country was in need of a new hero. Magnetic, narcissistic, Edward found himself on the throne, and alongside him his two younger brothers: the unstable, petulant George, Duke of Clarence, and the boy who would emerge from his shadow, Richard, Duke of Gloucester.

Charismatic, able, and ambitious, the brothers would become the figureheads of a spectacular ruling dynasty, one that laid the foundations for a renewal of English royal power. Yet a web of grudges and resentments grew between them, generating a destructive sequence of conspiracy, rebellion, deposition, fratricide, usurpation, and regicide. The house of York’s brutal end came on August 22, 1485, at Bosworth Field, with the death of the youngest brother, now Richard III, at the hands of a new usurper, Henry Tudor.

The Brothers York is the story of three remarkable brothers, two of whom were crowned kings of England and the other an heir presumptive, whose antagonism was fueled by the mistrust and vendettas of the age that brought their family to power. The house of York should have been the dynasty that the Tudors became. Its tragedy was that it devoured itself.

©2019 Thomas Penn (P)2020 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

The Wars of the Roses Made Clear

This is the best account of the numerous I have read in explaining the very complex history of the Wars of the Roses and the equally complex characters and their relationships.

Fascinating and entertaining

Any aficionado of English history will love this tome. Super entertaining and interesting, great narration!

Entertaining and informative

Well written. Entertaining and informative at the same time. Well researched and easy to follow.

Great Book. Great Narration.

Reads like a great story, not like a dry textbook. Kept my interest the entire book, and that's hard to do when it comes to history.

History as a Story Worth Listening To

This was so well written, and so well read aloud, that although making accounts of actual history, felt suspenseful and addictively engaging.

Absolute Power

The Brothers York is a wonderful look at the human condition. Pride, greed, and absolute power all being about the downfall of a dynasty, and all ghastly crimes that go along with it. And this is the very start of the Tudor dynasty. It’s a tale as old as time itself. Wonderful narration and told like rich narrative, the action is nonstop and harrowing.

Great book and amazing narration

This history book had me on the edge of my seat. Masterful narration matched with fascinating and compelling history. 5 stars!

another great history book by Mr. Penn

I absolutely loved the Winter King and enjoyed this one even more. Even though this book was over 20 hours I finished it in a weekend and didn't want it to end. Was able to truly visualize the story in my mind with his superb descriptions and as someone who thought they knew all about this time period I was stunned at the behavior of Edward IV at times and came to realize he was a more deeply flawed King then I'd ever realized. Not a terrible King but extremely greedy and I can't help but feel his leadership led to the usurping of the throne by Richard.

All around beautiful audiobook.

Perfect in every way. It was worth my time. I plan to listen to it again in the future.

Fantastic.

An essential addition to your collection of War of the Roses history collection. This book adds so much to the well known story. Recommended!!