King John: an Underrated King, Graham E. Seel (Anthem Press, London and New York, 2012) xiv, 230pp., paperback £12.99, ISBN 978 0 85728 518 8

Graham Seel, Head of History at St. Paul's School, London, has produced this very readable account of one of the most controversial figures in English history with his sixth formers in mind.  He explains John's deplorable reputation in the light of the original sources and the historiography of the reign.  He examines the key events and decisions and sets them in the context of contemporary expectations and norms.  This results in a more sympathetic assessment of John which is compelling reading for anyone with a general interest in medieval history and a most useful introduction to the subject.  Each chapter combines narrative and contextual analysis and is prefaced by a timeline of the key events of the period.

The book contains an array of maps and diagrams and a collection of study questions.  An appendix lists over three dozen documentary sources and there are also a bibliography, suggestions for further reading and an index.  A translation of the full text of the Magna Carta is included.  It would be difficult to find a more encouraging introduction to a reassessment of John's reign.