Government of Philip Augustus: Foundations of French Royal Power in the Middle Ages

This is an amazingly thorough description of the hover/administrative policies, and their evolution over the 35 years of the king's reign, of Philip Augustus. It is very well organized and the author has a brilliant knowledge and command of his sources. Perhaps the following criticism is unjust as the book is specifically entitled "The Government of Philip Augustus." However the king himself remains a very shadowy figure throughout. Some speculation about his personality and motivations and some conclusive summary of what he was like as a person would have been most welcome.