The Realm: The True history behind Game of Thrones by Ed West

Jason Weisberger 10:57 am Wed Jul 30, 2014

Until I read The Realm by Ed West I had no idea that GRRM's A Song of Fire and Ice/Game of Thrones was so closely based on the history of England. In this Kindle Single, West draws parallels across thousands of years of history, with a focus on the War of the Roses.

I am well aware the Amazon reviews are all over the map for this short read. I have no idea if the history is dead-on-balls-accurate, I doubt it is. I will not likely be found quoting this book at social events and am thus unconcerned with minutia. If, however, what you are looking for a book to share a lot of the history that inspired, or may have inspired, a great book and television series, look no farther. I had a good time reading this.

From Lannister/Lancaster and Stark/York comparisons to Hadrian's Wall, none of these parallels ever dawned on me. I doubt I'd enjoy Ed West's other work, but this book was a lot of fun.

The Realm: The True history behind Game of Thrones by Ed West

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