This work, by an author who has written several volumes on the medieval period, is a short but informative account of the brief reign of Henry V of England. Although neither a biography nor a work of military history, the author provides a broad description of the military campaigns and several of the battles of one of history's most successful commanders. Few details are provided about the life of Henry, but his life provides a framework for a chronicle of the period's events. Henry V, believed that he should be king of England and France. The king's unshakable goal of adding France to his realm forms the theme of this volume. The book contains a helpful chronology and glossary of medieval terms as well as a detailed "tree" showing the Lancastrian and Yorkist lines that descended from King Edward III. The author has also included several helpful maps that show the period duchies and kingdoms. Seward's description of the political intrigues and the military struggles between the English and French during a portion of the Hundred Years War forms the books focus. He does an excellent job of capturing a glimpse of the major events that helped shape this tumultuous time in history. An excellent read for anyone interested in the history of the English and French crowns, medieval history, or the Hundred Years War. ( )