Henry IV, Makers of History

"Henry IV, Makers of History" by John S. C. Abbott, recounts the dramatic story of Henry IV of France, beginning with his childhood in Navarre and his mother's determination to reclaim lost lands in a France torn apart by religious conflict between Protestants and Catholics during the 16th century. The biography explores how Henry navigated the dangerous political landscape shaped by powerful figures such as Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, who sought to expand their own power at the expense of Navarre. The narrative highlights Henry's evolution from a boy fueled by ambition to a central figure in one of France's most violent periods, guiding readers through his struggles and triumphs as he rises to power and shapes the nation's destiny amid religious wars