Jacob Abbott (1803-1879) was an American writer of childrens books. He was a prolific author, writing juvenile fiction, brief histories, biographies, religious books for the general reader, and a few works in popular science. His Rollo Books, such as Rollo at Work (1837) and Rollo at Play (1837) are the best known of his writings, having as their chief characters a representative boy and his associates. His other works include: The Teacher; or, Moral Influences Employed in the Instruction and Government of the Young (1833), Rollo on the Atlantic (1853), Rollo in Paris (1854), Rollo on the Rhine (1855), Georgie (1855), Rollo in Holland (1856), Rollo in Rome (1858), Rollo in Switzerland (1858), Rollo in the Woods and Peter the Great.

This book is a nice easy read for a little William 101. I picked this as my first book to learn the actual story of William the Conqueror. The text is easy yet very informative. This is a good starter book before moving into a more detailed biography. Jacob Abbott gives a short intro into William's Viking ancestors who were the first Dukes of Normandy. Then we get a chapter on William's father, Duke Robert who named his illegitimate son heir. From their William had to overcome his mark of birth and assert himself as a worthy heir to Normandy. William was always proving himself as he grew into a great warrior and leader. He fights off would be relatives who seek to take his throne and even challenges the King of France. Mr. Abbott explains how he came to be named heir to the English throne by his cousin Edward, Saxon King of England. Then we have the build up and ultimate crossing of the English Channel and the battle of Hastings in 1066. Finally we move to the beginning of his reign of England and the "Normanization" of Britain begins. Ultimately his death is caused by his oldest son being in constant rebellion and William is wounded on campaign. Although his end was not glorious, his legacy lives on in Britain today. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn about William, Normandy and the Battle of Hastings.