Robin Hood the life and legend of an outlaw is a very well researched and a nice easy read. It is in depth and links professionally researched facts to the historical poems and stories across the centuries.

The author starts with researching who Robin hood might have been and his reasoning behind it, he then explores the stories of historians as Robin and his merry men’s memory starts to become legend. Exploring the stories behind the poems and songs and how they change over the eras.

It is a wonderful tribute to the man and the outlaw; this is how to put flesh on the bones of the past.

Tastes Through Time website

Stephen Basdeo cuts through centuries of conflicting versions of the legend in Robin Hood: The Life & Legend of an Outlaw. The book -- concisely, but with a great deal of detail -- examines the earliest records of the Robin Hood tale, discusses the similarities and differences among disparate renditions of his story and explores the many ways in which Robin Hood's legend evolved through the years.

I learned a lot about the legend that I didn't know before -- and there are books and movies out there that I never knew existed and now have to find. Good job, Stephen -- this is a truly valuable addition to my Robin Hood library.

Rambles

Here we learn not only about a national hero but also about our rich heritage of literature and while not particularly easy to read, this really is a worthwhile book, rich in facts and nicely illustrated.

If you are interested in literature, history and legends, this book is for you.

Yorkshire Gazette and Herald, 22nd January 2020 - reviewed by Bill Spence

As featured on Radio Out There

Radio Out There

The great power of entertainment of his stories remains that thanks to this book can be traced and appreciated in its origin and evolution.

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Old Barbed Wire Blog

The author does a wonderful job of showing how a legend is shaped over centuries. Recommended.

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The Miniatures Page

This was such a fun and insightful book to read. Basdeo is able to combine the history of each century with how that changed the Robin Hood narrative and a light, readable writing style. This book feels like you are having a casual conversation with Basdeo about Robin Hood, Maid Marian, the merry men, and the numerous opponents Robin fought. If you want a book that gives great insight into the legend of Robin Hood and how it came to be, I highly recommend you read, “Robin Hood: The Life and Legend of an Outlaw” by Stephen Basdeo.

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Adventures of a Tudor Nerd

This was an interesting insight into the mystery and myth which surrounds the man. The quantity of material that mentions Robin Hood was impressive. However, as the author goes on to make clear, it is hard to determine what is fact and what is fiction. It was interesting to see how the story around Robin Hood changed through different periods of history, as it reflected political and social fashions.

As with most non-fiction I found certain parts more interesting than others. The book has a section filled with reprints of many illustrations that surround Robin, which was an added delight and a break from the narrative that I appreciated. Overall, if you have an interest in the man known as Robin Hood, it is definitely worth a read.

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Rosie Amber, Blogger

An impressively researched, exceptionally well written, and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "Robin Hood: The Life and Legend of an Outlaw" is an extraordinary combination of biography and cultural history. An inherently fascinating and informative read from beginning to end.

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Midwest Book Review

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Village Link, July/August 2019

Author interview with Bold Outlaw

Bold Outlaw