Robin Hood

author: Neil Smith

name: Wayne

average rating: 3.70

book published: 2014

rating: 4

read at: 2014/04/04

date added: 2014/04/04

shelves: non-fiction

review:

Robin Hood by Neil Smith is another great Osprey Publishing short intro title. This time around the origins of the Robin Hood stories are discussed. From the early ballads to the introduction of characters in the Romantic era that weren't part of the original ballads, like Friar Tuck and Maid Marian.



These books pack a lot into a short 80 pages (that also include illustrations!). The first chapter goes through all the original ballads and tells their origin. The second section tells more about Robin Hood's world. The addition of characters like the Bishop, Little John, Allan-a-Dale, Maid Marian, etc. The death of Robin Hood is discussed. The final section talks about who Robin Hood might have been and where he might have actually been. Although Sherwood Forest is where we think, there are other locations in the stories. It finishes with how the modern era has further shaped the story.



The illustrations by Peter Dennis are really great. My review copy only had black and white illustrations, but I'll be heading out to a bookstore to see what the full color ones look like. Neil Smith has definitely done his research. There is a short bibliography in the back. I've been a huge fan of the Robin Hood mythos since I was young and this would be a great addition to my Robin Hood book collection.



I was given a review copy of this ebook by Osprey Publishing and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.





via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1heP8Jo