Customer Reviews
An engrossing and very detailed study - By: Andy M, 14 May 2006 
Sumtion's treatment of the 100 years war brings to life a period of history which is frequently dissected by UK students into just the three major pitched battle victories of Crecy, Poitiers & Agincourt. This overlooks the complexity of fourteenth century French regional & national politics & the many twists & turns which characterised this protracted conflict. This book, along with the equally excellent predecessor, puts that right with some considerable flair. The story is alive with memorable characters who are brought vividly to lifein a narrative history which commbines admirable scholarship with a fluid & very readable style. Shelby Foote set the standard of narrative historyin his three volume study of the American Civil war & Sumption is a worthy peer. My only quibble is that at this rate we will have to wait another 40 years for the completion of what is probably a 6 volume series!
Definitive work - By: Andrew Illingworth, 12 Apr 2002 
Vol II of Mr Sumption's history of the Hundred Years War is as much of a delight as its predecessor. His knowledge of his subject is exhaustive, yet he never allows his narrative to become bogged down or convoluted, even when explaining the most intricate political manoeuverings. Clarity & ease of comprehension are obviously two of Mr Sumption's goals, & he succeeds completelyin both respects.
I found the in-depth analysis of the revolt of the Parisian commoners (following the disastrous Battle of Poitiers & the capture of the French King by the English) of particular interest. I have read several one-volume histories of the War & I do not recall any of them making more than passing reference to this episode. Obviously,in a multi-volume history Mr Sumption has more spacein which to fully explain events, yet the revolt is of great importance to understanding the social & economic disasters that befell France as a result of this period of the War. It is also illuminatingin respect to the later history of Paris & that city's "tradition" of revolution. Similarly, the attention to the ravages of the notorious companies brings home forcefully the sufferings experienced by France & her people.
Although this is an excellent book, I could notin good faith recommend it to those who have only a passing interestin the subject - one of the several good one-volume histories would be sufficient to cover the major events of the War. For those who want a more in-depth understanding, however, I do not believe that Mr Sumptions's work has been bettered.
Like the earlier reviewer, I am eagerly awaiting Volume III & sincerely hope that Mr Sumption will not wait so long to produce this next volume as he did between Volumes I & II. I am sure I am not the only person who wishes that he would retire from the Bar & concentrate on history (although our motives are probably different).
Continuing the stunning work of Volume 1 - By: Andrew Howell, 31 Dec 2001 Sumption simply takes off with Volume IIin the same style that one so many admirersin the first volume.
'Trial by Fire' takes us through the lowest ebb of the French crown: John II a prisonerin London; 'companies' of mercanaries terrorising & laying waste to the country. Edward III was probably the strongest monarchin Europe at that time & yet, by the time of his death, had not pressed home his advantagein any kind of decisive manner.
Sumption takes us through the strategy & thinking of the English Crown while also showing how much of the activity donein his name was really beyond his control and, perhaps, notin his long term interest.
This is amazing stuff. Easy to read, informative & exciting.
I can't wait 'till volume III !!!!
