Anglophiles with a taste for royal history will thrill to read this authoritative illustrated guide to the British monarchy. From the Saxon king Egbert to the long-reigning Elizabeth II, the kings and queens who ruled over eighteen centuries of war, conquest, scandal, and divine rights are all neatly summarized in this compact encyclopedia. Photographs, illustrations, paintings, and artifacts enrich the more than 100 entries, while family trees and maps help to keep the tangle of names (so many Edwards, Henrys, and Marys!) straight. What a fascinating read for history buffs! (KG)