King Arthur

Goodrich provides evidence that King Arthur had life beyond the myth, based on Medieval documents, her knowledge of Middle-Ages languages, and present-day Ordinance maps. In conjunction with her works on Merlin, Guenievere, and The Holy Grail she documents his life and times and is most persuasive. She cites research by Marie of France, Eleanore of Aquitane's daughter, and the story that one written account was lost by Richard the Lionheart in a card game. This dense-with-information study takes dilligence -- I'm a college graduate with an English minor and it's the hardest book I ever read. But well worth it.

I found it well-researched and extremely well written. Ms. Goodrich's arguments differ considerably from orthodox, academic views, which perhaps explains the marked and mean-spirited hostility which has greeted this book in some quarters. That hostility is very much in contrast to Ms. Goodrich's tone, which I found quite polite and low key. At any rate her argument that Arthur wasn't really medieval, but was instead the 'last of the Romans' is reasonable and very well argued. If it turns out in the long run that she is incorrect, then she will have at least introduced an extraordinarily interesting theory to the current mix. If on the other hand it turns out that she is right, then her sharp critics will have some nasty words to swallow. Perhaps these defenders of orthodoxy are feeling threatened?

Dr. Goodrich gives a wonderful look at the life and actions of King Arthur. She has done numerous amounts of research in order to prove that this once great King did in fact exist, but she refuses to leave it at that. She goes on to discuss such subjects as the abduction of Arthur's queen and where his body lay after death. If ever you are interested in, and open-minded about, King Arthur and his life pick up this book. It will be worth your while.

Anyone who subscribes to the romance and mystery of the Arthurian legends will be upset and confused by this book. Those who have open minds and have not been blinded by what has been written centuries before, will apppreciate Ms. Goodrich's dilligent efforts. Modern man and woman have had the wool pulled over their eyes too many years where Arthur and Camelot have been concerned. It's time that the story be told correctly!

When people come to me looking for references on King Arthur, Norma Lorre Goodrich's book is the first place I send them. She also has these wonderful titles on Guinevere and Merlin (books by those titles also). She has done so much research it's pathetic. She manages to keep the flavor of the mythology while also making you think and helping you sort through the details. An Arthur researcher who is familiar with this many of the old languages? You just don't find this. My original copies of the books are long gone from giving them to people who needed them. Start here on your Arthur reading, then include T.H. White's Once and Future King and Robert Nye's Merlin (I believe that's the guy's name). You really need nothing else to get acquainted. Beats the heck out of all that bad Celtic fan writing out there. Just do it right, guys!