John King Popular Books
John King Biography & Facts
John (24 December 1166 – 19 October 1216) was the King of England from 1199 until his death in 1216. He lost the Duchy of Normandy and most of his other French lands to King Philip II of France, resulting in the collapse of the Angevin Empire and contributing to the subsequent growth in power of the French Capetian dynasty during the 13th century. The baronial revolt at the end of John's reign led to the sealing of Magna Carta, a document considered an early step in the evolution of the constitution of the United Kingdom. John was the youngest son of King Henry II of England and Duchess Eleanor of Aquitaine. He was nicknamed John Lackland (Norman French: Jean sans Terre lit. 'John without land') because he was not expected to inherit significant lands. He became Henry's favourite child following the failed revolt of 1173–1174 by his brothers Henry the Young King, Richard, and Geoffrey against the King. John was appointed Lord of Ireland in 1177 and given lands in England and on the continent. He unsuccessfully attempted a rebellion against the royal administrators of his brother, King Richard, while Richard was participating in the Third Crusade, but he was proclaimed king after Richard died in 1199. He came to an agreement with Philip II of France to recognise John's possession of the continental Angevin lands at the peace treaty of Le Goulet in 1200. When war with France broke out again in 1202, John achieved early victories, but shortages of military resources and his treatment of Norman, Breton, and Anjou nobles resulted in the collapse of his empire in northern France in 1204. He spent much of the next decade attempting to regain these lands, raising huge revenues, reforming his armed forces and rebuilding continental alliances. His judicial reforms had a lasting effect on the English common law system, as well as providing an additional source of revenue. An argument with Pope Innocent III led to John's excommunication in 1209, a dispute he finally settled in 1213. John's attempt to defeat Philip in 1214 failed because of the French victory over John's allies at the Battle of Bouvines. When he returned to England, John faced a rebellion by many of his barons, who were unhappy with his fiscal policies and his treatment of many of England's most powerful nobles. Magna Carta was drafted as a peace treaty between John and the barons, and agreed in 1215. However, neither side complied with its conditions and civil war broke out shortly afterwards, with the barons aided by Louis VIII of France. It soon descended into a stalemate. John died of dysentery contracted while on campaign in eastern England during late 1216; supporters of his son Henry III went on to achieve victory over Louis and the rebel barons the following year. Contemporary chroniclers were mostly critical of John's performance as king, and his reign has since been the subject of significant debate and periodic revision by historians from the 16th century onwards. Historian Jim Bradbury has summarised the current historical opinion of John's positive qualities, observing that John is today usually considered a "hard-working administrator, an able man, an able general". Nonetheless, modern historians agree that he also had many faults as king, including what historian Ralph Turner describes as "distasteful, even dangerous personality traits", such as pettiness, spitefulness, and cruelty. These negative qualities provided extensive material for fiction writers in the Victorian era, and John remains a recurring character within Western popular culture, primarily as a villain in Robin Hood folklore. Early life (1166–1189) Childhood and the Angevin inheritance John was born on 24 December 1166. His father, King Henry II of England, had inherited significant territories along the Atlantic seaboard — Anjou, Normandy and England — and expanded his empire by conquering Brittany. John's mother was Eleanor, the powerful duchess of Aquitaine, who had a tenuous claim to Toulouse and Auvergne in southern France and was the former wife of King Louis VII of France. The territories of Henry and Eleanor formed the Angevin Empire, named after Henry's paternal title as Count of Anjou and, more specifically, its seat in Angers. The Empire, however, was inherently fragile: although all the lands owed allegiance to Henry, the disparate parts each had their own histories, traditions and governance structures. As one moved south through Anjou and Aquitaine, the extent of Henry's power in the provinces diminished considerably, scarcely resembling the modern concept of an empire at all. Some of the traditional ties between parts of the empire such as Normandy and England were slowly dissolving over time. The future of the empire upon Henry's eventual death was not secure: although the custom of primogeniture, under which an eldest son would inherit all his father's lands, was slowly becoming more widespread across Europe, it was less popular amongst the Norman kings of England. Most believed that Henry would divide the empire, giving each son a substantial portion, and hoping that his children would continue to work together as allies after his death. To complicate matters, much of the Angevin empire was held by Henry only as a vassal of the king of France of the rival line of the House of Capet. Henry had often allied himself with the Holy Roman Emperor against France, making the feudal relationship even more challenging. Shortly after his birth, John was passed from Eleanor into the care of a wet nurse, a traditional practice for medieval noble families. Eleanor then left for Poitiers, the capital of Aquitaine, and sent John and his sister Joan north to Fontevrault Abbey. This may have been done with the aim of steering her youngest son, with no obvious inheritance, towards a future ecclesiastical career. Eleanor spent the next few years conspiring against Henry and neither parent played a part in John's very early life. John was probably, like his brothers, assigned a magister whilst he was at Fontevrault, a teacher charged with his early education and with managing the servants of his immediate household; John was later taught by Ranulf de Glanvill, a leading English administrator. John spent some time as a member of the household of his eldest living brother Henry the Young King, where he probably received instruction in hunting and military skills. John grew up to be around 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) tall, relatively short, with a "powerful, barrel-chested body" and dark red hair; he looked to contemporaries like an inhabitant of Poitou. John enjoyed reading and, unusually for the period, built up a travelling library of books. He enjoyed gambling, in particular at backgammon, and was an enthusiastic hunter, even by medieval standards. He liked music, although not songs. John would become a "connoisseur of jewels", building up a large collection, and became famous for his opulent clothes and also, according to French chroni.... Discover the John King popular books. Find the top 100 most popular John King books.
Best Seller John King Books of 2024
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American Moonshot
Douglas BrinkleyInstant New York Times BestsellerAs the fiftieth anniversary of the first lunar landing approaches, the award winning historian and perennial New York Times bestselling author take...
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Good Neighbors
Sarah LanganCeleste Ng and Liane Moriarty’s enthralling dissection of suburbia meets Shirley Jackson’s creeping dread in this “wickedly funny, unnerving puzzle box of a novel” (Dan Chaon, auth...
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Jesus
Max LucadoDo you ever feel like Jesus couldn’t possibly know what you are going through? He’s the God of the universe after all! Does he really know your daily struggles? The good news is: h...
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King John
William ShakespeareJohn's claim to the English throne is weak and the French king demands his abdication. There follows a dizzying change of alliances, a Papal excommunication and the final poisoning...
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The King of Torts
John Grisham#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER The office of the public defender is not known as a training ground for bright young litigators. Clay Carter has been there too long and,...
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The Answer
John AssarafA key team member behind The Secret and his business partner offer the specific tools and mental strategies to help readers leap ahead in any career or business venture and achiev...
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Across That Bridge
John LewisWinner of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work/Biography in paperback for the first time.In turbulent times Americans look to the Civil Rights Movement as the apoth...
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First Principles
Thomas E. RicksNew York Times BestsellerEditors' Choice New York Times Book Review"Ricks knocks it out of the park with this jewel of a book. On every page I learned something new. Read it e...
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The Green Mile
Stephen KingMasterfully told and as suspenseful as it is haunting, The Green Mile is Stephen King’s classic #1 New York Times bestselling dramatic serial novel and inspiration for the Oscarnom...
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John Adams Under Fire
David Fisher & Dan AbramsLook for Dan Abrams and David Fisher’s new book, Kennedy’s Avenger: Assassination, Conspiracy, and the Forgotten Trial of Jack Ruby.NOW A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER“An exp...
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I Am Number 8
John Gray & Joel OsteenIf God can take David the invisible eighth son of a forgotten family and turn him into a king, just imagine what magnificent plans He has for redeeming your life.David was born a...
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Jackie and Maria
Gill PaulFrom the #1 bestselling author of The Secret Wife comes a story of love, passion, and tragedy as the lives of Jackie Kennedy and Maria Callas are intertwinedand they...
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The Merchant of Venice
William ShakespeareIn The Merchant of Venice, the path to marriage is hazardous. To win Portia, Bassanio must pass a test prescribed by her father’s will, choosing correctly among three caskets or ch...
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His Truth Is Marching On
Jon Meacham & John Lewis#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER An intimate and revealing portrait of civil rights icon and longtime U.S. congressman John Lewis, linking his life to the painful quest for justice in...
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All American Boys
Jason Reynolds & Brendan KielyA 2016 Coretta Scott King Author Honor book, and recipient of the Walter Dean Myers Award for Outstanding Children’s Literature. In this New York Times bestselling novel, two teens...
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The Dead of Winter
Rennie Airth"[Rennie Airth's] meticulously detailed procedural mysteries are beautifully written . . . well worth reading, and rereading."Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review Rennie ...
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The Baxters Take One
Karen KingsburyTwo unknown producers struggle to fulfill their dreams to change lives through the power of film. With millions of investors’ dollars on the line, everything starts to fall apart a...
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Troublemaker
Leah Remini & Rebecca Paley#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER An eyeopening, noholdsbarred memoir about life in the Church of Scientology, now with a new afterword by the authorthe outspoken actress and star...
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Once in a Great City
David Maraniss“A fascinating political, racial, economic, and cultural tapestry” (Detroit Free Press), Once in a Great City is a tour de force from David Maraniss about the quintessential Americ...
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The Secret Soldier
Alex BerensonIn Saudi Arabia, a series of terrorist attacks has put the Kingdom on edge. King Abdullah is losing his hold, and his own secret police cannot be trusted. With nowhere to turn, t...
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The American Story
David M. RubensteinCofounder of The Carlyle Group and patriotic philanthropist David M. Rubenstein takes readers on a sweeping journey across the grand arc of the American story through revealing con...
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25 Ways to Win with People
John C. MaxwellSpecific action steps you can take to develop your business skills by building up others.25 Ways to Win With Peoplebased on John Maxwell's bestselling Winning with People...
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River of Darkness
Rennie Airth"It's the tactics and the terrain, the morale and the characters that make the difference between an average thriller and one as good as this."The New York Times Book ReviewUpon it...
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Camp Zero
Michelle Min SterlingINSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERA Today Show #ReadwithJenna Book Club PickLibby Book Award Winner for Best Diverse Author In a nearfuture northern settlement, the fates of a young...
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Falling
T. J. Newman#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “Terrifying…buckle up for a chilling summer read.” People (Best Books of the Week) “The perfect thriller! A mustread.” Gillian Fly...
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The King of Lies
John HartJohn Hart creates a literary thriller that is as suspenseful as it is poignant, a riveting murder mystery layered beneath the southern drawl of a humble North Carolina lawyer. When...
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Macbeth
William ShakespeareThe authoritative edition of Macbeth from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers.In 1603, James VI of Scotl...
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Chasing the Boogeyman
Richard ChizmarThe acclaimed New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling novel of smalltown evil that “is genuinely chilling and something brandnew and exciting” (Stephen King) and “unforgettable” (...
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The Book of Virtues
William J. BennettResponsibility. Courage. Compassion. Honesty. Friendship. Persistence. Faith. Everyone recognizes these traits as essentials of good character. In order for our children to develop...
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King Lear
William ShakespeareThe authoritative edition of King Lear from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers.Shakespeare’s King Lear ...
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The Blood-Dimmed Tide
Rennie Airth"Unnerving... from [a] richly textured background, Airth draws a vivid cast of fullbodied characters and a plot that satisfies."The New York Times Book ReviewWith the publication o...
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1776
David McCulloughAmerica’s beloved and distinguished historian presents, in a book of breathtaking excitement, drama, and narrative force, the stirring story of the year of our nation’s birth, 1776...
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Me
Elton JohnINSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERIn his first and only official autobiography, music icon Elton John reveals the truth about his extraordinary life, from his rollercoaster lifes...
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Killing the Legends
Bill O'Reilly & Martin DugardIn the next book in the multimillionselling Killing Series, Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard tell the largerthanlife stories of Elvis Presley, John Lennon, and Muhammad Ali.The King...
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Coming Home
Karen KingsburyThe emotional and touching conclusion to the Baxter family series!The Baxters make plans to come together for a summer lakeside reunion, a celebration like they haven’t had in year...
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Legendborn
Tracy DeonnAn Instant New York Times Bestseller! Winner of the Coretta Scott King John Steptoe for New Talent Author AwardFilled with mystery and an intriguingly rich magic system, Tracy Deo...
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Copper Sun
Sharon M. DraperA Time Best YA Book of All Time (2021)In this “searing work of historical fiction” (Booklist), Coretta Scott King Awardwinning author Sharon M. Draper tells the epic story of a you...
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Drowning
T. J. NewmanNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE FROM WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES “Reads like Apollo 13 underwater.” Don Winslow “Masterful.” Patricia Cornwell “A stunn...
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It
Stephen KingIt: Chapter Twonow a major motion picture! Stephen King’s terrifying, classic #1 New York Times bestseller, “a landmark in American literature” (Chicago SunTimes)about seven adults...
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A Time of Torment
John Connolly#1 internationally bestselling author John Connolly delivers a masterful combination of “the hardboiled with the supernatural” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) with this return ...
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Leave No Trace
Mindy Mejia“Dark and atmospheric, with palpably vivid details and complex characters harboring plenty of secrets” (Kimberly Belle, internationally bestselling author of The Marriage Lie), thi...
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The Grace of Kings
Ken LiuOne of the Time 100 Best Fantasy Books Of All TimeTwo men rebel together against tyrannyand then become rivalsin this first sweeping book of an epic fantasy series from Ken Liu, re...
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The Butler
Wil HaygoodThis mesmerizing companion book to the awardwinning film, The Butler traces the Civil Rights Movement and explores crucial moments of twentieth century American history through the...
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NKJV, The MacArthur Study Bible
John F. MacArthur & Thomas NelsonA classic resource, The MacArthur Study Bible is perfect for serious study. Dr. John MacArthur has collected his pastoral and scholarly work of more than 35 years to create the mos...