This book basically gives very brief accounts of the lives of the kings and queens of England from William the Conquerer to Elizabeth II. Unfortunately, the brevity of each biography leaves the reader feeling like something was missing in each story. It seems like if one is going to create a work that is so comprehensive, it should be contained in several volumes rather than one book. I also believe (not that I'm an expert) that this book may be a bit dated as some of the arguments brought up (the ones including Queen Elizabeth I are the ones I noticed most) have been contradicted or contested in more recent studies. While enjoyable, this book should be treated as an introduction into the lives of various rulers. From these introductions, it would be wise to get a more rounded out and detailed account of that person's life.