Not a lot of people get excited about something that happened nearly 1000 years ago. But if you want to understand the modern world, you have to delve into the ancient world. And if you want to understand modern England, you have to begin with the Norman Invasion of 1066.

David Howarth has written 1066: The Year of the Conquest for a person like me. Easy to read, the book develops the fascinating characters who led the countries involved with the events of 1066. I love how Howarth says up front, “Personally, I think that if I had been around at the time I would have liked King Harold, heartily disliked King Edward the Confessor, felt sorry for Earl Tostig and terrified of Duke William, and found nothing whatever to say to King Harald Hardrada of Norway.” It’s such personal reflections that make the book fun to read and easy to follow. Howarth adds personality to what could be stodgy old characters.

The minor Battle of Hastings — really of no historical meaning from a purely military perspective — shaped the history of one of the great empires. England became what it is today as a result of that moment in 1066. So many things went right for the Normans that any one minor shift would have changed history. For instance, there was no wind for weeks along the French coast, which delayed the Norman fleet from crossing the channel; if they had gone as planned they would have sailed right into well organized defenses. But the wind was delayed, so the fleet was delayed, and when they did finally sail they landed on an undefended coastline with the main army hundreds of miles away and tired from a battle with Vikings from Norway. It’s timing like that which some say is Divinely guided, others say is pure luck. Whatever the case, the history of millions of people has been shaped by it. And it’s details like this that make the book interesting.

This is not a book that a lot of folks will rush out to buy because it is, after all, ancient history. But it’s worth reading all the same.

If you purchase the book by clicking the link above, I’ll give the Amazon commission to PathLight.