This week, we feature a classic Arthurian legend about a knight honoring a deadly promise and an authoritative joint biography on two British kings and their legacies.
History
‘The Eagle and the Hart: The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV’
By Helen Castor
Richard of Bordeaux and Henry of Bolingbrook were first cousins, grandsons of England’s Edward III. Both became King of England—Richard II and Henry IV, respectively—with Henry usurping Richard when both were 33. This joint biography of the two kings explores their reigns, and the influence their reigns had on British constitutional law. A fascinating and compelling book with a textured look at leadership in a turbulent time. It offers a study of the limitations of power and ambition.
Simon & Schuster, 2025, 576 Pages
Fiction
‘Theo of Golden’
By Allen Levi
This rare gem of a novel keeps the pages turning while lifting the spirit, even when tragedy strikes. Octogenarian mystery man Theo—he politely declines to tell anyone his full name—appears in the Southern town of Golden, becomes fascinated by pencil portraits of locals on the walls of a coffee shop. He purchases them one at a time and gives them, with surprising results, to their subjects. A fantastic story of the power of love, community, and generosity. A keeper of a book. Highly recommended.
Atria Books, 2025, 400 pages
Military History
‘Iron and Blood: A Military History of the German-Speaking Peoples Since 1500’
By Peter H. Wilson
To suggest that the German military has impacted the world over the past two centuries would be a gross understatement. When the German military is mentioned, one typically thinks of the country’s militarism from Bismarck to Hitler. But these are misconceptions, according to Wilson, and ones that must be challenged. To make these necessary challenges and shed light on Germany’s war machines, Wilson treks through five centuries. An exhaustively researched and brilliant book.
Belknap Press, 2023, 976 pages
Fantasy
‘Cat’s Paw: A Novel of the King of Cats’
By Robert A. Hoyt
At the end of the universe is a mountain. Every 1,000 years, a bird flies to strop its beak on that mountain. When the mountain is worn to nothing, the universe ends. It is now a few grains of sand. Unless the bird is stopped, its next passage will be the last and the universe will end. Only Tom, an alcoholic alley cat, can stop oblivion. This book is really a heroic epic, with anthropomorphic animals playing valiant knights, fair damsels, and evil magicians. Tom is Dumas’s Athos in feline form.
Independently published, 2022, 222 pages
Classics
‘Sir Gawain and the Green Knight’
By Anonymous, Translated by Simon Armitage
At Yuletide, a Green Knight arrives in Arthur’s court and challenges any knight to strike him with an ax under oath that the knight will appear the next year at the Green Knight’s court to receive an identical blow. Sir Gawain swings the ax and the Green Knight departs, head in hand, gaily reminding Gawain of his promise. Not exactly a cheery Christmas tale, but a grand look at courtly honor. This version offers readers the Middle English and Armitage’s energetic rendition of that verse.
W. W. Norton & Company, 2008, 208 pages
For Kids
‘How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World’
By Marjorie Priceman
Making an apple pie sounds simple enough, if you’ve got the right ingredients. But, what if your market is closed? Then you’ll have to source your ingredients more directly. That’s the predicament our young narrator finds herself in—nothing a quick trip around the world can’t solve. Imaginative and educational, this story may lead to baking.
Dragonfly Books, 1996, 40 pages
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