
The Red Prince
The Life of John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster
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Narrated by:
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Helen Carr
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By:
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Helen Carr
About this listen
Medieval history from a rising star in the field, this is a biography of one of the most important figures of the age, John of Gaunt.
John Gaunt was the son of Edward III, brother to the Black Prince, father to Henry IV, and the sire of all those Tudors. He has had pretty bad press: supposed usurper of Richard II’s crown and the focus of hatred in the Peasants’ Revolt, as they torched his home, the Savoy Palace.
Helen Carr paints a complex portrait of a man who held the levers of power on the English and European stage, passionately upheld chivalric values, pressed for the Bible to be translated into English, patronized the arts - and, if you follow Shakespeare, gave the most beautiful oration on England: “this sceptred isle...this blessed plot.”
The Red Prince is an engrossing drama of political machinations, violence, romance, plague, revolt, and tragedy played out at the cusp of a new era.
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What listeners say about The Red Prince
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Al
- 07-14-21
Incitefu and Entertainingl
I've always enjoyed the History of John of Gaunt!
His family and descendants make for very Entertaining and Inciteful reading to a Yank. That happens to be an Anglo/Scotophile!
The Narration is Delightful and makes the History flow!
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2 people found this helpful
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- Daniel Vergara
- 11-11-23
Excellent and entertaining work
I thought I knew a lot about this era, but this book told me that I didn’t.
Additionally, if I ever write a book, I’m going to ask Helen Carr to read the audiobook, and I will have to find a way to squeeze Eustace d'Auberchicourt into my narrative just to hear her say the name again.
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- The Louligan
- 08-28-21
A REALLY GREAT READ!
First, I normally HATE authors who narrate their own works unless it’s a very interesting and honest autobiography. (And even then you’d better be as good as Trevor Noah!) I’m especially hard on narrators who think they can pull off masterful performances comparable to pro narrators Simon Vance, Nadia May, Dion Graham, Wanda McCaddon, John Lee, or Simon Prebble. But Helen Carr not only delivers an in-depth historical account about Plantagenet prince John Gaunt, she narrates her well-researched book to perfection. I’m not going into a long discourse here. But if you like well read books about the history of Britain, you can’t go wrong here. ENJOY! 👍🏽
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4 people found this helpful
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- Graham Crackers
- 10-21-21
Red Prince , well read
I have not read much about John Gault and nothing by Helen Carr. I was pleased to make the acquaintance of both. I loved the historical insight and detail and the discovery of a new hustorical source.
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- Elizabeth Eidenier
- 01-22-25
Insight
The general history of this period in English history was familiar to me. I also am appreciative of the related dramatic works of Shakespeare. This book, however, gives great insight into the actual lifeof John of Gaunt and his family.
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- Victoria Labian
- 12-19-22
wonderful history of jonh
narrator would take big loud breathes really bothered me, otherwise was a great listen.
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- awhite79
- 11-04-24
I thought it was a great book
I got this book from the Amazon free catalog. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I loved the narration. This book actually peaked my interest in the history of Medieval English kings. I especially love the history of the Plantagent kings. Thank you Helen Car, for starting me on a journey of learning a subject I didn’t realize I would grow to love !!!
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- Virginia Robertshaw
- 06-10-21
Excellent historical reference
This is an historical reference about John of Gaunt and is meticulous. I have never read much about the subject but for anyone interested in English history I would consider this a good read. John of Gaunt is the figurative father for the War of the roses and the Tudor house. Highly recommend this book.
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7 people found this helpful
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- B. McGee
- 07-18-21
Author Loves Her Subject
Well read. Beautiful voice. Historically significant. My only dilemma is the author's giving John of Gaunt the benefit of a doubt in most questionable situations, which is not the way most historians handle John of Gaunt. Definitely recommended reading.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Runner lady
- 07-13-21
great book.
great well read interesting read good good good informative article great book like it was
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