Richard III - A Small Guide to the Great Debate

by Annette Carson

Ever since the discovery of his lost grave in Leicester, the eyes of the world have been drawn to the twists and turns surrounding England’s King Richard III…

Annette Carson, acclaimed author and expert on Richard’s reign (and one of the team who found him), has published A Small Guide to the Great Debate, a brief summary of the main arguments concerning his actions and reputation. Carson has researched and written extensively on Richard III. Her book Richard III: The Maligned King (The History Press, 2008) was revised in 2013 and sold out within 3 months. The print edition of A Small Guide was published on 1 July this year and is already stocked, in hundreds, by visitors’ centres at Leicester, Bosworth Battlefield and elsewhere.

Written as a succinct, straightforward summary of the facts, this short handbook outlines how King Richard came to be portrayed as a monster-villain by the Tudors, and how a backlash in later centuries created the ‘Great Debate’ over his reputation, which still rages today. It also analyses the mystery of the ‘Princes in the Tower’, examining what people actually said and did at the time of their disappearance, and who profited from their removal. The book sets out all the main theories and arguments, together with their strengths and weaknesses, in a non-scholarly style, without imposing judgements and conclusions. An invaluable reference resource, it invites readers to weigh up the evidence and make up their own minds.

Recommended for anyone interested in Richard III, for libraries and also as a reference for the media, A Small Guide sticks to the verifiable facts while offering insights you won't find in conventional history books.

Author news

Annette Carson was given Honorary Life Membership of the Richard III Society in 2014 for distinguished services to the Society’s aims.

She featured as the expert witness on BBC Radio 4's series 'Great Lives' when Richard III was nominated by Philippa Langley, 6 January 2015: now available on podcast and iPlayer.

www.annettecarson.co.uk

Press Coverage

APB: All Points Between Science and Literature, 15 February

NetGalley, 15 January

Facebook, 28 November

NetGalley, 18 October

BookTeaCatDog, 9 October

His Story, Her Story, 19 September

Librarything.com, 17 September

Book Lovers Paradise, 13 September

Goodreads, 9 September

Goodreads, 5 September

Book Reviews

rating 5 of 5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed the clarity and readability which I found both massively informative and inspiring. This book is an excellent introduction into a far larger subject. But for those who do not know - and perhaps do not yet want to know - anything of the deeper studies into the life and deeds of Richard III, this small book presents the relevant facts in a wonderfully clear and straightforward manner. The big questions - did this king kill his nephews (the princes in the Tower) and did he usurp the throne - are covered here. Contemporary opinions, genuine facts, and excellent insights are offered. The final decision is left up to the reader - but first we are given all the necessary details and some fascinating explanations. So much we read and think we know today is really just rumour. This extremely enjoyable book cuts through the rumour and wipes away the confusion. It is the best introduction I have ever read into the real situation concerning this newly topical monarch.
I must admit I am extremely confused by the previous review where Bertie seems to muddle up his kings, getting every King Henry into the wrong order - (it was of course Henry VII who won at the Battle of Bosworth and Henry IV, the first Lancastrian king, was nearly a hundred years previous etc..) but this book by Annette Carson certainly clears the muddles away. (less)

by Barbara

I found this book fascinating because the author followed a dream and found a lost king. What an exciting story!

by NetGalley Reviewer

About the Author

Annette Carson

Annette Carson is a freelance writer with a preference for history and biography, and has sold some 50,000 non-fiction books. As Historical Consultant she was a member of the 'Looking For Richard' team that found Richard III in Leicester in 2012. After writing on subjects including aviation (aerobatics) and a biography of rock guitarist Jeff Beck, her first Ricardian book was Richard III: The Maligned King. First published in 2008, it has reached sales of 9,000 and is still regularly updated.

This was followed by Richard III: A Small Guide to the Great Debate. Written as a layman's introduction to the Richard III controversy, it has been described as 'Probably the clearest and shortest and most enjoyable read ever'.

In 2014 she edited, co-authored and co-ordinated publication of Finding Richard III: this is the official account of how the 'Looking For Richard' team independently, and at their own expense, pieced together the historical evidence that indicated the correct location of his grave, and raised the money needed to commission archaeologists to perform the excavation.

Her latest book, published May 2015, reveals new research into the protectorate that preceded Richard III's accession: Richard Duke of Gloucester as Lord Protector and High Constable of England.

These last three are available in print and as Troubador eBooks.