The Collins "Gem Guide to Kings and Queens of Britain" is a guide to a major theme in British history: the royal rulers of Britain, from pre-Roman times to the modern era. The book contains biographies of every major ruler, with biographical details and key facts of his or her reign. For example, the entry for William II gives you his nickname Rufus ("the red"), his realm and territorial powers, dynasty, parents, dates of birth and death, succession, coronation, reign, marital status and children (none legitimate). The accompanying key facts describe the major events of his reign and his mysterious death. Copiously illustrated, the work also contains much valuable information that is not easily accessible elswhere, eg on the Danish rulers of England, Irish kings and chieftains, and on regional kingdoms, eg the Anglo-Saxon kings of Mercia. Another valuable feature of the book is a series of clear, easy-to-consult dynastic charts, enabling the reader to identify quickly and place members (legitimate or otherwise) of royal families from the House of Normandy and Blois to Windsor. Whether the reader wishes to browse through the book or wants to look up to a particular fact, he or she will find the "Collins Gem Guide to Kings and Queens of Britain" an invaluable and often highly entertaining companion. The book, prepared by the Diagram Visual Information Group, is ideal not just for students of history at all levels, but will prove extremely useful for writers, researchers and journalists, or indeed for anyone with an interest in the history of these islands.