{"id":6,"date":"2016-04-07T13:46:25","date_gmt":"2016-04-07T12:46:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/georgegoodwin.wordpress.com\/?page_id=6"},"modified":"2026-04-20T23:03:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T22:03:51","slug":"quotes-reviews","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.georgegoodwin.com\/?page_id=6","title":{"rendered":"Media\/Reviews"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Covers<\/a><\/p>\n

Broadcast Highlights<\/span><\/h4>\n

BBC Radio 4 \u2018Book of the Week\u2019 (15-19 2016 <\/span><\/span><\/strong>February, with Sunday Omnibus edition on BBC Radio 4 Extra<\/em> and 30 days on BBC i-player<\/em>)<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Podcast: George Washington Library at Mount Vernon — podcast #43<\/strong><\/span> (70-minute in conversation with Dr Douglas Bradburn, the Founding Director of the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington at Mount Vernon)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Podcast: BBC History Magazine<\/em><\/span> (50-minute in-conversation at Benjamin Franklin House, London, with Rob Attar) \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Podcast: Dan Snow’s History Hit <\/em><\/span>(35-minute in-conversation with Dan Snow on the extraordinary Dr Franklin)\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Podcast: Ben Franklin’s World<\/em><\/span> (50-minute in-conversation with Liz Covart about the fullness of Dr Franklin)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

BBC TV<\/strong> Newsnight Scotland<\/strong><\/em> \u2018Flodden Special\u2019<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>\u2013 (background introduction pre-interview of 3 minutes 36 seconds). \u00a0For Fatal Rivalry<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

BBC TV Look North<\/strong><\/span> — (background introduction pre-interview of 2 minutes 50 seconds). \u00a0\u00a0For Fatal Colours<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

BBC Radio 4 Today Programme.<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0For Fatal Colours<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Benjamin Franklin in London<\/em>\u00a0quotes and reviews\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

‘George Goodwin captures as well as any recent biographer just why Franklin’s contemporaries found him so captivating….His narrative moves gracefully from heated confrontations with cabinet ministers to intimate aspects of Franklin’s home life.’ — Professor T. H Breen, Times Literary Supplement\u00a0<\/em> <\/strong><\/p>\n

‘Elegantly written, it serves as an enjoyable introduction to Franklin’s time in the imperial metropolis. Replete with anecdote’ — John Brewer, New York Review of Books<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

‘George Goodwin’s\u00a0Benjamin Franklin in London<\/em> is an engaging and readable account of Franklin’s life until his return to the colonies on the eve of the American Revolution….Goodwin reveals a sensitivity to a range of perspectives on his topic that few biographies\u00a0 designed for general readers possess….Goodwin offers important insights throughout his pages’ — Professor Carla Mulford (author of Benjamin Franklin and the Ends of Empire), Early American Literature<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

‘A sensitive, moving and finely textured account of Franklin’s years in London’ –\u00a0<\/strong> Guardian. \u00a0\u00a0<\/em>Full review \u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

‘<\/i><\/b>An Enthralling Biography’ – BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week<\/em><\/strong>‘<\/p>\n

\n

“In this fascinating history, George Goodwin gives a colorful account of Franklin\u2019s British years” – Smithsonian\u00a0<\/em>Magazine<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

“[An] interesting, lively account of Franklin\u2019s British life . . . a fascinating perspective.”\u2014\u00a0The Wall Street Journal<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2018There are three Benjamin Franklins, the American, the British and the French.\u00a0 The first and the last are famous, the second forgotten\u2026..The British Franklin, the subject of this fascinating and detailed biography by George Goodwin, may well be the real Franklin<\/span>\u2026.The legend of the \u2018first American\u2019 has obscured the story of the last of a particular kind of Briton.\u00a0 George Goodwin\u2019s vividly detailed account presents Franklin as a scientific, sociable Londoner.\u00a0 It was Britain\u2019s loss he could not remain one.\u2019- Dominic Green, Literary Review<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cThe respected British historian and biographer George Goodwin provides us with a thoroughly researched and accessibly written chronicle of that important time of Franklin\u2019s transformation from place-seeking provincial lobbyist to risk-taking revolutionary sparkplug.\u201d\u2014James Srodes, The Washington Times<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

“Readers are treated to\u00a0a colorful and readable account of Franklin’s life” – Read the Revolution<\/em>, the Museum of the American Revolution<\/strong><\/p>\n

‘Wonderful . . . to be reminded of a time when America produced great men who revered science, were sceptical towards religion, eagerly studied philosophy and argued with both wit and wisdom.’\u2014The Times<\/i> (London)<\/strong><\/p>\n

‘A comprehensive account of Franklin’s life. It explores major events, daily life and personal foibles….An immersive biography….It is a meticulous and engrossing book’ —Reviews in History, <\/em>Institute of \u00a0Historical Research, University of London<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Readers looking for a highly-readable synthesis of up-to-date scholarship on Franklin and eighteenth-century London will find the book very rewarding …. As one of the editors of The Papers of Benjamin Franklin<\/em>, it is deeply gratifying to see how carefully Goodwin went through our volumes and that he used them to craft such an accessible and accurate account.” — Philipp Ziesche, Britain and the World<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

“Goodwin presents Franklin’s life in England with such verve that getting lost in it is a pleasure.” –Kathleen McCallister (Tulane University), Library Journal<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

“Goodwin threads Franklin’s way among diverse British-American influences with a light, sure touch and fascinating detail … The British author provides finely textured, subtle shading to a well-known American Founding Father.” — Kirkus Review<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

“George Goodwin demonstrates that Franklin, the iconic American, was probably more at home in London than in any other place and certainly defined himself, for most of his life, as a Briton ….\u00a0 Goodwin’s portrait adds much to our view of this remarkable character.” — Brooke Allen (professor of Literature at Bennington College),\u00a0 <\/strong>Hudson Review<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n

“George Goodwin’s well-written book Benjamin Franklin in London: The British Life of America’s Founding Father<\/em> tackles the longstanding myth that Franklin was a political outsider in this great city. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth.” — Michael Taube, New Criterion<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

“Goodwin writes smoothly and is enthusiastic in recreating Franklin’s everyday London environment.” — Julie Flavell, Journal of British Studies<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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“<\/b>A deeply researched, well-balanced and thoughtfully written book of an American Great living in a rapidly changing, fascinating period of London and world history.” — London Historian<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAn engaging and informative account of Franklin\u2019s experiences in the pivotal period before America\u2019s War of Independence.\u201d\u2014 Professor Glenn C. Altschuler, Tulsa World<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

‘Focuses on Franklin\u2019s London years<\/strong>, which saw the brilliant polymath\u2019s career abruptly ended by the American War of Independence<\/strong>…honest biography’<\/strong> – \u00a0Spectator<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

‘This book is a work of diligent research and context….The furious politicking Franklin engages in, first against the proprietary Penn family, and later with the government, is treated with a mastery of detail’ – Catholic Herald \u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

“A must read for Franklin scholars and students” — Bill Robling, Founding Franklin Newsletter<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

‘George Goodwin is author in residence at Benjamin Franklin Hous<\/strong>e, Westminster \u2014 the only one of Franklin’s homes still standing. His new book Benjamin Franklin In Londo<\/em>n<\/strong>, focuses on this fascinating period, not only in the statesman’s life but \u00a0also one where the future trajectory of Anglo-American relations starts to take root<\/strong>.’ – Londonist<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

‘It is gently witty, it is cooly erudite it is in a word ‘delightful’. I will make no bones about it this book has confirmed and will confirm to anyone else\u2019s suspicion more than ever about what made Benjamin Franklin a great man.’ – Adventures in Historyland<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

‘Remarkable History’ – Radio Times\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

~~<\/p>\n

Pre-publication quotes:<\/strong><\/p>\n

‘Goodwin threads Franklin’s way among diverse British-American influences with a light, sure touch and fascinating detail.<\/strong> Overall, Franklin is shown as an astute player of men who subscribed to his own Poor Richard saying: “Let all Men know thee, but no man know thee thoroughly.”\u00a0 The British author provides finely textured, subtle shading to a well-known American Founding Father.’ – Kirkus<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cImpressive.\u00a0 A real page turner\u201d \u2013Jeremy Black, author of George III: America\u2019s Last King<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe could have no better guide to Ben Franklin and his London than George Goodwin. He shows us both man and city with insight, erudition, verve and wit.\u201d \u2013Jerry White, author of London in the Eighteenth Century: A Great and Monstrous Thing<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cBenjamin Franklin was the leading intermediary in the imperial crisis on the eve of the American Revolution and the best known American in Europe.\u00a0 In Benjamin Franklin in London<\/em>, George Goodwin offers a lively and informative account of his attempted negotiations and their moment\u2019s failure against a vivid backdrop of politics and life in eighteenth century London.\u201d \u00a0–Andrew O’Shaughnessy, author of The Men Who Lost America: British Leadership, the American Revolution, and the Fate of the Empire<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

“Central to understanding Benjamin Franklin is his long, rich and complex life in London.\u00a0 George Goodwin provides essential insight in a carefully researched and engaging contribution to the\u00a0literature.” –M\u00e1rcia Balisciano, Director, Benjamin Franklin House<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

————————————————————————–<\/h3>\n

Fatal Rivalry<\/em> quotes and reviews<\/h3>\n

‘George Goodwin’s Fatal Rivalry – Flodden 1513 <\/em>is about far more than just one battle, significant though it was. In telling the story that led to Flodden, he recreates the Renaissance splendour of the royal courts of England and Scotland. It is not just a clash of kings, but of queens too – Catherine of Aragon and Margaret Tudor play key roles. Goodwin’s narrative results in a hugely enjoyable, enlightening book.’
\nTracy Borman, ‘Book of the Year’, BBC History Magazine<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2018A terrific account of the tragedy of misunderstandings that culminated in the battle of Flodden… Goodwin does a very good job. He\u2019s alive to the human story… the narrative gathers pace and focus as the battle looms \u2019
\nToby Clements,\u00a0Daily Telegraph<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

‘Enjoyable and admirably illustrated…Convincing portrayal of the rivalry between two monarchs.’
\nJenny Wormald, Times Literary Supplement<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

‘A clear account of a great, if doomed attempt by the Scots to free themselves from English domination. Good timing’.
\nDan Jones, Sunday Times<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

‘Fatal Rivalry: Flodden 1513<\/em> provides a welcome antidote to the usual run of work on the period. George Goodwin places the events of 9 September in the context of the two kingdoms and their interrelated royal dynasties over the quarter-century leading up to the battle.’
\nMichael Brown, London Review of Books<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2018Among the books and events marking the 500-year anniversary of this turning point in Anglo\/Scottish relations, George Goodwin\u2019s Fatal Rivalry: Flodden 1513<\/em>, his follow-up to Fatal Colours: Towton<\/em>, is an essential primer. In a brief 230 pages Goodwin explores the events, characters and political ecology that led up to the battle, charting the difference between the Scottish and English cultures exemplified by their respective kings…. James\u2019 mysterious accession following the murder of his father and Henry VIII\u2019s father Henry VII\u2019s mastery of propaganda are curtain raisers after which Goodwin conveys with clarity the rivalry between two young, powerful males wanting to prove virility as men and monarchs.\u2019
\nNeil Norman, Express (Daily and Sunday Express)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

‘Goodwin\u2019s gripping narrative of the clash and its context makes plain that the modern and well-armed Scots, under the charismatic King James IV, might have turned the tide of our history.’
\nIndependent<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

‘Readable and authoritative…..Goodwin’s is a\u00a0traditional narrative, with a strong emphasis on personality….\u00a0 Well researched and comprehensive.’
\nHarry Reid, The Herald<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

‘George Goodwin follows up his acclaimed book on Towton with this spirited and thought-provoking account of Flodden and the events that led up to it.’
\nBattlefield<\/em>, The Magazine of the Battlefields Trust<\/strong><\/p>\n

‘Rich in detail and written to make the subject readily understood by modern readers’
\nMilitary Heritage Magazine<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

‘Goodwin’s detailed account of the events leading up to the clash at Flodden on Sept. 9, 1513, places James at the center of the story, and it provides a fresh and provocative take on the intertwined histories of Tudor England and Stuart Scotland’
\nPublishers Weekly<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

‘Goodwin provides a concise, fast-moving account of the causes, the actual battle, and the aftermath of the conflict… For general readers with at least a rudimentary knowledge of British and European history, this will be both an informative and enjoyable read.’
\nBooklist<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

‘Goodwin demonstrates that he understands that history is much more interesting in small bites….The author’s descriptions of the battle are excellent….A swift enjoyable treatment of one of the most significant battles of the period.’
\nKirkus<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

‘Entertaining, informative account’.
\nEd West, Catholic Herald<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

‘Goodwin presents not just the history of a battle, but, crucially, the history into which the battle fits, making his work a valuable addition to the body of literature discussing 16th century Renaissance kingship and conflict.’ \u00a0 Reviews in History, <\/em>Institute of \u00a0Historical Research, University of London\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Fatal Colours<\/em> quotes and reviews<\/h3>\n

\u201cGeorge Goodwin\u2019s account of the battle combines elegiac commemoration with telling historical insight. The Wars of the Roses have attracted many historians; some deal in the technicalities of military strategy; some analyse structures of power; some chronicle the lives of the chief protagonists. Much rarer is the ability to combine all three \u2013 but Goodwin has pulled it off in this page-turning read.\u201d
\nHelen Castor, Sunday Telegraph<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cCombines a deep understanding of the politics, characters and military strategies of the period.\u201d
\nThe Week<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cEloquent and easily digestible account, told with an eye for the salient detail, and I hope this is the first in a series of histories of this fascinating but poorly served period… you close Goodwin\u2019s wanting to read more.\u201d
\nToby Clements, Daily Telegraph<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cFascinating on medieval battle.\u201d
\nSimon Sebag Montefiore, The Times<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cA medieval masterpiece.\u201d
\nNorthern Echo<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cUsing contemporary sources and modern research, Goodwin brings to life a remarkable cast of strong characters… His eminently readable book gives the battle its rightful place in English history.\u201d
\nGood Book Guide<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHighly Enjoyable.\u201d
\nEd West, Telegraph online<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cNot only marks the 550th anniversary of the battle, but sheds light on a tumultuous period of English history, a stepping stone between a medieval and a modern Britain.\u201d
\nYorkshire Post<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cA fine book… The story has never been told so well or so excitingly.\u201d
\nDesmond Seward, BBC History Magazine<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

‘Fine account’
\nPaul Lay, History Today<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWell recommended.\u201d
\nThe Historian<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAn exciting book of readable yet deeply scholarly history.\u201d
\nAnnual Gazette, Pembroke College, Cambridge<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cHauntingly powerful… A sobering, revealing account of a dreadful day and a dreadful war.\u201d
\nYork Press<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAn admirably lucid account\u2026.. A very useful work of semi-popular scholarship\u201d
\nNorthern History<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cFatal Colours is more than a book about one battle, vivid, humane and superbly researched though it is. It is an account of a moment of profound crisis in English politics.\u201d
\nDavid Starkey, from his Introduction to Fatal Colours<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2018This wonderful book is a fascinating insight into the nature of late medieval warfare, and the farcical\/tragic nature of Henry VI\u2019s reign\u2019.
\nDominic Dromgoole, Artistic Director, Shakespeare\u2019s Globe<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cBrilliantly researched and superbly written, Fatal Colours vividly brings to life one of the most dramatic periods of our history.\u201d
\nTracy Borman, author of Elizabeth\u2019s Women: The Hidden Story of the Virgin Queen<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cFor a nation that is over fond of a bellicose past, it is astonishing that so little is known about this most bloody day in English history. George Goodwin\u2019s emotive account of this half-time mark in the Wars of the Roses is an essential addition to our gory story.\u201d
\nA.A. Gill, Hon. Patron of the Towton Battlefield Society<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWritten with clarity of style, accessible and engaging. A significant addition to the literature on the period.\u201d
\nAnthony Goodman, Professor Emeritus of Medieval History at the University of Edinburgh and author of The Wars of the Roses: Military Activity and English Society, 1452-97<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cA cracking job. A very enjoyable read.\u201d
\nDavid Cooke, Chairman, Yorkshire Branch of the Battlefields Trust<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cUtterly captivating, perfectly balanced between fascinating detail and nail biting narrative. I was particularly struck by the attention given to ordinary soldiers and the way in which George had winnowed out the often poignant stories of their lives from the documentary evidence- it\u2019s a subject which is often overlooked and gave a fresh perspective on the battle.\u201d
\nLisa Hilton, author of Queens Consort<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cFull of fascinating detail. I enjoyed it immensely.\u201d
\nAllan Harley, Secretary of the Wars of the Roses Federation<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI casually opened Fatal Colours<\/em> before lunch on a Sunday; suddenly it was tea-time! Full of intriguing fact and entertaining anecdote, this new narrative on Henry VI and the 1st<\/sup> War of the Roses adroitly establishes just how the ruptured society of 15th<\/sup> century England could lead to the cataclysm of Towton.\u201d
\nJulian Humphrys, author of English Heritage\u2019s Clash of Arms \u2013 Twelve English Battles<\/em> and Development Officer, The Battlefields Trust<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cA really well-researched read.\u201d
\nSouth Wales Argus<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201c{George Goodwin\u2019s} approach is one of setting the scene to explain the peculiar circumstances that led to this catastrophic encounter on Palm Sunday in 1461 and he does it with great style and aplomb\u2026it I exciting to have such a well-researched book released in time for our 550th<\/sup> anniversary.\u201d
\nTowton Herald<\/em> of the Towton Battlefield Society<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThis tour de force political and military history vivifies a pivotal turning point in the War of the Roses.\u201d
\nUS Booklist<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cGoodwin\u2019s descriptions of the battles leading up to Towton, as well as his attention to detail, are impressive.\u201d
\nUS Kirkus<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Broadcast Highlights BBC Radio 4 \u2018Book of the Week\u2019 (15-19 2016 February, with Sunday Omnibus edition on BBC Radio 4 Extra and 30 days on BBC i-player) Podcast: George Washington Library at Mount Vernon — podcast #43 (70-minute in conversation … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"onecolumn-page.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-6","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.georgegoodwin.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.georgegoodwin.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.georgegoodwin.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.georgegoodwin.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.georgegoodwin.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.georgegoodwin.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.georgegoodwin.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}