THE EAGLE AND THE HART The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV

Helen Castor delivers political intrigue, dynastic maneuvering, romance, treachery, and war during the reigns of Richard II and his usurping cousin, Henry IV, up to the accession of Henry's son, Henry V. Overall, Castor narrates this historical drama with suitable intensity. Some authorial liberties, such as expressing the inner thoughts of historical personages, blend into the brisk flow of the performance and actually enhance the audiobook's novelistic aspects. Castor's diction is clear, her intonation and emphases match and enhance the text's meanings and nuances, and her pace is perfect for the suspenseful story she delivers of men and women noble, flawed, egotistical, and often tough as nails. The result is a performance both informative and richly entertaining. W.M. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2025]