Henry V

The Astonishing Triumph of England's Greatest Warrior King

By: Dan Jones

Narrated by: Dan Jones

"Ambitious... With meticulous research and in lively style, Jones presents us with the man beyond the Shakespeare character."—The New York Times

“The best biography yet of England’s greatest king."—Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of The Romanovs and Jerusalem

The New York Times bestselling author returns with a biography examining the dramatic life and unparalleled leadership of England's greatest medieval king

Henry V reigned over England for only nine years and four months and died at the age of just thirty-five, but he looms over the landscape of the late Middle Ages and beyond. The victor of Agincourt, he is remembered as the acme of kingship, a model to be closely imitated by his successors. William Shakespeare deployed Henry V as a study in youthful folly redirected to sober statesmanship. For one modern medievalist, Henry was, quite simply, “the greatest man who ever ruled England.”

For Dan Jones, Henry V is one of the most intriguing characters in all medieval history, but one of the hardest to pin down. He was a hardened, sometimes brutal warrior, yet he was also creative and artistic, with a bookish temperament. He was a leader who made many mistakes, who misjudged his friends and family, but he always seemed to triumph when it mattered. As king, he saved a shattered country from economic ruin, put down rebellions, and secured England’s borders; in foreign diplomacy, he made England a serious player once more. Yet through his conquests in northern France, he sowed the seeds for three generations of calamity at home, in the form of the Wars of the Roses.

Henry V is a historical titan whose legacy has become a complicated one. To understand the man behind the legend, Jones first examines Henry’s years of apprenticeship, when he saw the downfall of one king and the turbulent reign of another. Upon his accession in 1413, he had already been politically and militarily active for years, and his extraordinary achievements as king would come shortly after, earning him an unparalleled historical reputation. Writing with his characteristic wit and style, Jones delivers a thrilling and unmissable life of England’s greatest king.

©2024 Dan Jones (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Ambitious... With meticulous research and in lively style, Jones presents us with the man beyond the Shakespeare character."—The New York Times

"Jones is one of our liveliest historians, as well as one of the best informed, and his return to nonfiction after a novel-writing sabbatical elegantly marries the authority and depth of his previous histories with the brio and wit of his fiction. His reappraisal of one of England’s most celebrated but often misunderstood kings is as splendidly readable as ever, full of diverting incident and considered judgment."—The Observer (UK)

"Jones’s prose hums with energy throughout, and his ability to marry realm-scale intrigue with family drama marks this out as narrative history at its best…. He does, indeed, show us Henry’s life from many angles, reaching towards a more complete picture–and the product is an intense, rich account of an 'unusual but utterly compelling' man."—Telegraph (UK)

Brilliant!

I really enjoy Dan Jones’s history books. The author does a great job bringing the medieval age forward for modern ears. This book is slightly different from his other works in that its a biography. His style remains compelling, and the subject warrants the expose.

Fantastic

Dan Jones not only writes wonderfully but his reading performance is way above the norm. The way he paces his reading made for such enjoyable listening. Cannot wait to read the book myself.

Fascinating History!

Author and narrator, Dan Jones did a wonderful job describing Henry V’s life and the era in which he lived. I feel like I have a better understanding for this time in English history. Historical works can sometimes be caught up with so many names, dates, and places that they become analogous to a tangled ball of yarn, hard to follow. This is NOT the case with Mr. Jones‘s effort. Henry V is clear, easy to follow, skillfully written, narrated and interesting!Thank you Mr Jones!

Another brilliant history from Dan Jones

Interesting perspective, packed with first-hand accounts. Jones’ writing is particularly good for a historian, and the result is a near-novel on Henry that helps us understand the drive behind the man.

Amazing Book & Fantastic Storyteller

This audiobook is a wonderful listen for anyone who loves well-researched history, that’s colorfully written and superbly delivered, by someone who clearly loves what he does.

One of Dan Jones’s best

I’ve enjoyed all of Dan Jones’s books and this one in particular stands out as the best so far. Dan Jones is one of those story tellers who can bring a character to life and he doesn’t disappoint in Henry V. Well written, well researched and beautifully narrated by the author.

amazing work

very informative work on someone I knew very little about. well written with what appears to be a pretty even style. doesn't appear to spin too far in either direction. clearly written with enough feeling to make interesting and not like a dry textbook. yet not enough fluff derail the target story and down it out or drag it out longer than necessary

An entertaining and astute evaluation of Henry V

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook, it’s a must listen (or read) for anybody interested in the Hundred Years War.

Reads like a novel

Dan Jones always does an amazing job with his writing and this is no exception! He tells the story as if it were happening in the present tense, something he notes he endeavored to do on purpose. And in its intended way, it deepens the story so much more. Looking forward to more than one listen to this!

A master of narration, storytelling, and medieval history. 10 star book

My favorite book of 2024. Extremely informative, Amazingly narrated superbly entertaining. As always, Dan Jones makes history interesting and Page turning, I finished this book in two days . The summary of his life at the end was spot on. No one does history as well as he. I would give this book a 10 star rating if I could.