Product Description

Revolt and upheaval in medieval Britain by a brilliant new narrative historian. 'Summer of Blood' breaks new ground in its portrayal of the personalities and politics of the bloody days of June 1381. Breathing life into one of British history's most colourful yet under-explored episodes, Dan Jones recreates the dangerous world of the fourteenth century: a time when pain, squalor, misery and disease formed the fabric of daily life. Yet this was also an era of humanity, charity and social responsibility, one which people genuinely believed could be made better. Jones shows how this world was both profoundly different and remarkably similar to our own. The Peasants' Revolt of the summer of 1381, led by the mysterious Wat Tyler and the visionary preacher John Ball, was one of the bloodiest events in British history. To finance an unyielding war with France, a reckless and oppressive tax was imposed upon the English lower orders. Ravaged by war, plague and tyranny, England's villagers rose against their masters for the first time in history. Initial resistance in the Essex village of Brentwood swiftly inspired the desire for revenge in other communities. The outcome of their brave and tragic rising changed England forever. At the heart of the story is a fateful collision of servant and master, as the rural general Wat Tyler pitted his wits and ragtag army against the 14-year-old King Richard II and his advisors, all of whom risked their property, their positions and their lives in the desperate battle to save the English crown from destruction. 'Summer of Blood' is the first full popular account in a century of one of the most famous rebellions in history.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #28846 in Books
• Published on: 2009-04-30
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 288 pages

Review
"an alliance of sound scholarship and sexy writing makes this first popular account of our most famous class war essential reading"
--Independent on Sunday, Books of the Year

About the Author
Dan Jones took a first in History from Pembroke College, Cambridge in 2002. He is an award winning journalist and a pioneer of the resurgence of interest in medieval history. He lives in London.

Customer Reviews

Very readable but a little too much guts and not enough information.
This is a very readable and exciting book but at times there's too much action and not enough explanation. Jones never really explains who the so-called peasants were, where they came from, what they did. Although he briefly explains who Wat Tyler and John Ball were he brings Jack Straw into the story without any explanation whatsoever. It wasn't lacking in excitement (plenty of blood and gore) and it's good readable, popular history but it needs just a bit more detail.

A reminder to the governing classes
As a medievalist with a particular interest in the reign of Richard II I approach "popular" books on the period with a sense of doom. How refreshing then to find one that is as well-researched as any academic study yet well-written and completely accessible to the non-specialist reader. This is a cracking story that should be on the summer holiday reading list of every politican to remind them that the people will only be pushed so far! In fact, it should be on everyone's reading list.

Read this. I gaurantee you will not want to put it down!
Summer 1381 has unnerving comparisons to the nearing of Summer 2009! - the commons are still revolted by the parliamentarians!! This book is superbly written and gives a fascinating insight into our tumultuous past. It was a pleasure to read it and there was never a moment when I didn't want to turn a page to find out more! Well Done Dan Jones - I look forward to your next book!