Overview

An incisive and absorbing biography of the legendary emperor who bridged ancient and modern Europe and singlehandedly altered the course of Western history.  Charlemagne was an extraordinary figure: an ingenious military strategist, a wise but ruthless leader, a cunning politician, and a devout believer who ensured the survival of Christianity in the West. He also believed himself above the rules of the church, siring bastards across Europe and coldly ordering the execution of 4,500 prisoners. Derek Wilson shows how this complicated, fascinating man married the military might of his army to the spiritual force of the Church in Rome, thereby forging Western Christendom. This is a remarkable portrait of Charlemagne and of the intricate political, religious, and cultural world he dominated.

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Praise for Derek Wilson's <i>Charlemagne</i> Wilson interrelates the personal and political. . . with an effectiveness that few other biographers have matched. <i>The Sunday Telegraph</i>(London)</p> Fast-paced. . . . Wilson deftly chronicles Charlemagne's military exploits, political intrigues and religious devotion. <i>Publishers Weekly</i></p> Masterful and lively. . . . [Wilson] writes with great conviction and a breathtaking attention to the kind of personal detail that makes his books such compelling reading. Alison Weir, author of<i>The Six Wives of Henry VIII Brilliant. . . . An utterly captivating and exquisitely written narrative about the rise and fall of the Carolingian empire. . . .<i>Charlemagne</i>is also a timely and provocative essay about the idea of Europe. Donald Yerxa, editor at<i><i>Historically Speaking</i></i></p>

Praise for Derek Wilson's Charlemagne Wilson interrelates the personal and political. . . with an effectiveness that few other biographers have matched. The Sunday Telegraph(London) Fast-paced. . . . Wilson deftly chronicles Charlemagne's military exploits, political intrigues and religious devotion. Publishers Weekly Masterful and lively. . . . [Wilson] writes with great conviction and a breathtaking attention to the kind of personal detail that makes his books such compelling reading. Alison Weir, author ofThe Six Wives of Henry VIII Brilliant. . . . An utterly captivating and exquisitely written narrative about the rise and fall of the Carolingian empire. . . .Charlemagneis also a timely and provocative essay about the idea of Europe. Donald Yerxa, editor atHistorically Speaking

Wilson interrelates the personal and political. . . with an effectiveness that few other biographers have matched. <br>-- The Sunday Telegraph <br> Brilliant. . . . An utterly captivating and exquisitely written narrative about the rise and fall of the Carolingian empire. . . . Charlemagne is also a timely and provocative essay about the idea of Europe <br>--Donald Yerxa, editor, Historically Speaking <br> Fast-paced. . . . Wilson deftly chronicles Charlemagne's military exploits, political intrigues and religious devotion. <br>-- Publishers Weekly <br> Masterful and lively. . . . [Wilson] writes with great conviction and a breathtaking attention to the kind of personal detail that makes his books such compelling reading. <br>--Alison Weir

Wilson interrelates the personal and political. . . with an effectiveness that few other biographers have matched. <i>The Sunday Telegraph</i> Brilliant. . . . An utterly captivating and exquisitely written narrative about the rise and fall of the Carolingian empire. . . . <i>Charlemagne </i>is also a timely and provocative essay about the idea of Europe Donald Yerxa, editor, <i>Historically Speaking</i> Fast-paced. . . . Wilson deftly chronicles Charlemagne's military exploits, political intrigues and religious devotion. <i>Publishers Weekly</i> Masterful and lively. . . . [Wilson] writes with great conviction and a breathtaking attention to the kind of personal detail that makes his books such compelling reading. Alison Weir

Author Information

Derek Wilson graduated from Cambridge in 1961. He spent several years traveling and teaching in Africa before becoming a full-time writer and broadcaster. His bestselling and award-winning books include Rothschild: A Story of Wealth and Power, Hans Holbein: Portrait of an Unknown Man, and Tudor Tapestry: Men, Women and Society in Reformation England. He has also written and presented numerous radio and television programs. Wilson is married and lives in Devon, England.

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