Search - Two Lives of Charlemagne (Penguin Classics)

Interesting Original Histories of Charlemagne. Gives a good background of what was important in the early middle ages and the relationship of the secular and religious world

Charlemagne, not called "The Great" for nothing, was a learned and wise ruler who made life better for many, and was the founder of a dynasty of rulers. In fiction he has a romantic and exciting reputation, but there was another side. This book talks about both. He was a warrior king, fiercely protective of his realm, determined to hold what he gained and to gain more. Like kings both before and after, there was more than meets the eye on paper, and one has to understand that the writer of this "story" lived by the largesse of their subject, therefore was unlikely to criticize him as murdering despot though that was part of his personality. I'm still intrigued by Charlemagne and enjoyed this book though it is "challenging" and one has to read between the lines.