A medieval scholar noted for writing and presenting the BBC Two series The Crusades, Asbridge tells the story of William Marshal, who lived in such harsh times (12th-century England) that he was condemned to the gallows at age five by his father. He went on to become one of the greatest knights in British history, serving four kings, among them Richard the Lionheart. Yes, another BBC documentary is in the offing.

William Marshal (1147–1219), the subject of this title, will be unknown to most readers. However, the men he served are familiar: Henry II, Richard the Lionheart, and King John. The primary source material for this work is a 13th-century biography commissioned by Marshal's son; however, Asbridge (The Crusades) does not rely solely on this biased document and instead weaves a rich and elaborate tapestry from several contemporary accounts. It helps that Marshal knew and served no fewer than five anointed kings and that his movements can be traced through royal chronicles and official documents, including the Magna Carta. On one level, this is the story of how a second son with few prospects rose to the pinnacle of chivalry, later becoming the most powerful man in England. It is also a story about how medieval knighthood worked; the interlocking web of obligation and fealty, friendship and loyalty that created the fairy-tale world of Arthur and Lancelot. Readers seeking a deeper understanding of early tournaments and the origins of chivalry will be pleased. VERDICT This modern biography of Marshal will appeal to history buffs as well as fans of fiction set in the medieval period. [See Prepub Alert, 6/8/14.]—Cate Hirschbiel, Iwasaki Lib., Emerson Coll., Boston