Description
Book SynopsisTake a cast of archaeologists and historians who inhabit different worlds. Add a medieval king who died in battle, and was revived by Shakespeare as the ultimate anti-hero. Throw in a forensic quest with almost unbelievable twists, and a theatrical modern burial with no parallel, and you have the material for an irresistible story for our times.
Trade Review'An utterly compelling read ... a book which tells us as much about modern archaeology and the personalities of those who found Richard, as it does about a long dead king. By the end you may well be dusting down your trowel and setting out for the nearest dig' - Will Gore, Independent on Sunday
'This book is about far more than the mere killing of a king. It’s about life, discovery and death … original and intriguing … as good as being there' - BBC History Magazine
'The vivid tale of a king, his demise, and the thrilling rediscovery of his remains … an insider’s account of how modern archaeology really works, and how it was used to piece together the mystery of Richard’s resting place' - Military History
'Not so much a who-dunnit, as a what- why- and how-dunnit: history’s most remarkable cold case, and a fascinating glimpse into the 21st-century world of faith, science and publicity. Compulsively readable' - David Miles, former Chief Archaeologist at English Heritage
'Spellbinding … Pitts’s narrative gives us changing moods, exact dialogue, expressions on faces - and mounting amazement as the uncovering of the skeleton proceeded' - British Archaeology
'An entertaining, knowledgeable and forensic examination of one of the most extraordinary archaeological digs ever' - Sir Tony Robinson, actor and amateur historian
'Pitts arguably puts forth the most balanced, unbiased account of the discovery' - Smithsonian
Table of ContentsPrologue • Act I: England, 1452–85 • Act II: Looking for Richard III • Act III: Excavation in 2012 • Act IV: An Autopsy • Act V: An Inquest
