Hastings 1066: The Fall of Saxon England

This book is very helpful for anyone interested in this very significant event in the history of England. The author is a superb authority of this period of time.

The Norman invasion of England has always fascinated me, as it has a great many English-speaking historians. Gravett is a military historian/wargamer, so his approach is very detailed. You can follow the invasion, from the geopolitical rationale behind it to its preparation and the landing at Pevensey, almost day by day, mile by mile. And the culminating battle -- a pretty close thing, actually -- minute by minute and yard by yard. The strategic and tactical maps are excellent and there are also a number of plates displaying typical arms and armor on both sides.