King Arthur: Hero and Legend

Traces the figure of King Arthur over time, from the beginnings as a name in British history of the Dark Ages about whom we know almost nothing for sure, to a figure of legendary history (Geoffrey of Monmouth and all that), to a figure of chivalrous literature (Chrétien de Troyes, Thomas Malory, and all those), through complete obscurity ca. 18th century, to 19th-century idealism (Tennyson, pre-Raphaelites, Wagner, &c.), to the 20th-century explosion including (for the first time) an interest in going back to the beginning and looking for historic origins. Like the book itself. I love this book; it matches my interest in Arthuriana exactly (the history more than the stories), it's at just the right level of detail for my level of knowledge, and Barber's judgment strikes me as sound (i.e., he can convince me to change my mind about a few things I thought I knew already). And he doesn't just limit himself to the written word: he also makes mention of Arthuriana in painting (colour plates of manuscript illumination, pre-Raphaelites, others) and sculpture (including the famous cathedral in Modena).