Four Princes: Henry VIII, Francis I, Charles V, Suleiman the Magnificent and the Obsessions that Forged Modern Europe (Paperback)

Wonderful . . . This was indeed a glorious age and Norwich has made a brilliant decision to study four idiosyncratic rulers as an interacting quartet rather than separately . . . A lively and charming book - THE TIMES

With characteristic deftness of touch, Norwich brings each character vividly to life and skilfully weaves their stories together . . . Norwich introduces a dazzling cast of characters: from Leonardo da Vinci to Martin Luther, Joanna the Mad to Anne Boleyn . . . the portrayal feels entirely fresh and enables the reader to gain new insights into some of history's most familiar characters. It is a genuinely inspired idea for a book, and Norwich executes it with typical aplomb - Tracy Borman, BBC History Magazine

Scholarly and entertaining . . . This book provides a vivid and compelling picture of this turbulent century - BBC History Magazine

Packed with extraordinary figures - not just the four princes, but artists and emperors too . . . a warm, witty and fascinating look at how such dynamic individuals shaped the Renaissance and the Reformation right across Europe throughout the sixteenth century - History Revealed

What makes this such a compelling read is that the author seasons his erudition with a sharp eye for the quirky fact and the sardonic comment . . . a fascinating and compulsive story - John Ure, Country Life

Norwich made a brilliant decision to study them as an interacting quartet, rather than individually, for only in this way can one begin to understand how great events and great personalities were hopelessly entangled . . . charming - Sunday Telegraph