I have been looking for such a book for awhile. I'm an avid reader of historical fiction, especially medieval and Tudor novels. I wanted a resource that gave me quick information about a time period. This book fits my needs very well. In the few times I've used the book, I found it presents information in a non-biased way. With such information, I can put the novel's plot and characters within a framework.I would not buy it "new"; but found a "used" copy in very good condition... for a good price.