10,000+ Books 📚 | Overnight NZ Shipping

Christmas Shopping? Try our Gift Wrap Service 🎁

The Burgundians

A Vanished Empire
4.3 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 4,762 ratings, 537 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Burgundians by Bart Van Loo delves into the rich and complex history of the Burgundian state, from its medieval origins to its influence on European culture and politics. The book vividly portrays the ambitious rulers and the vibrant cultural developments that shaped the region's destiny. It's an engaging narrative that brings to life the captivating saga of the Burgundian legacy.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback

Sorry, we're currently out of stock of The Burgundians. Please add this book to your Wishlist and we'll send you an email as soon as it's back in stock.

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're fascinated by medieval European history and enjoy epic tales of war, power, and cultural transformation. Bart Van Loo delves deep into the rich history of Burgundy, offering vivid storytelling and compelling insights.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

The Burgundians

The story of the Burgundian elite and its remarkable court and culture, a medieval and early modern epic of dynastic struggle, artistic achievement and eventual extinction.

The story of the Burgundian elite and its remarkable court and culture, a medieval and early modern epic of dynastic struggle, artistic achievement and eventual extinction.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Burgundians by Bart Van Loo is a brilliantly woven tapestry of history that brings to life the story of the great dynasty of the Netherlands during the Middle Ages. This masterful exploration delves deep into the fabric of a realm that was fabulously wealthy and filled with turbulent affairs, set between the mighty kingdoms of France and Germany and maintaining close ties with England.

As the fifteenth century drew to a close, the independent state of Burgundy was extinguished, splintered by the dynastic struggles that reshaped early modern Europe. This spellbinding narrative recounts how the region, despite its eventual disappearance from the map, became the cradle of the Low Countries, which we now recognise as modern Belgium and the Netherlands.

Van Loo's history is not just a dry recounting of events but a vivid story spanning a thousand years. Through his compelling prose, readers are thrust into a world of ambitious aristocrats embroiled in family dysfunction and treachery, savage battles fought with knightly fury, and the tantalising luxuries and indulgences of a dazzlingly rich duchy. The decline of chivalric ideals gives way to the rise of individualism and the burgeoning growth of cities, all set against the backdrop of intense northern European power struggles.

The book delves into bloody military campaigns and the strategic but often fatally flawed marriages that shaped the destiny of nations. Yet, amidst the chaos, Van Loo provides a remarkable cultural history, showcasing the development of extraordinary art, architecture, and music that blossomed despite—and sometimes because of—the violence and tension among rival dynasties.

The Times, Books of the Year describes The Burgundians as "a sumptuous feast of a book," while the Sunday Times praises it as "thrillingly colourful and entertaining." Simon Sebag Montefiore calls it "a thrilling narrative of the brutal, dazzlingly rich, wildly ambitious duchy," and De Morgen hails it as "a masterpiece." The Daily Telegraph awards it 5 stars, and Le Soir lauds it as "a history book that reads like a thriller."

Whether you're an avid historian or simply someone captivated by the extraordinary tales of the past, The Burgundians offers a rich, enthralling journey into the heart of medieval Europe. Van Loo's skillful storytelling ensures that this is not just a history book, but a gripping, unforgettable narrative.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Burgundians by Bart Van Loo is praised for its energetic and vivid narration of the Burgundian state. The book is celebrated for its engaging storytelling, blending historical accuracy with entertaining asides. Reviewers appreciate the mixture of political drama, cultural insights, and personal tales, making it both informative and a pleasure to read.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781789543445

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 13 October 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Apollo

Illustration: 2 x 16pp col

Contributors:

  • Translated by Nancy Forest-Flier

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 624

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)

About the Author

Bart Van Loo has developed a rare twin talent over the years. While drawing big crowds in the theatre, he is also the author of the universally praised France Trilogy and the bestseller Chanson: A sung history of France. The Burgundians is the first of his books to be translated into English. Nancy Forest-Flier grew up in a Dutch-American milieu in the United States and studied English literature and creative writing at Hope College, Michigan before settling in the Netherlands in 1982. She works as a freelance English-language editor and Dutch-English translator.

More from History & Military

View all

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent specialist on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our cozy 200m2 warehouse in Auckland holds over 10,000 books in-stock so you're not waiting for books to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Pick Ups

Auckland Pick Ups

We're an online-only store but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

Reviews from our customers