Robin Hood is the subject of enduring legends that have stood the test of time ... but, as even a casual dabbler in the subject can tell you, there is no clear consensus on who Robin Hood was, what circumstances made him an outlaw, when he lived or if he even existed at all.

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.

When, for instance, did the outlaw of the stories change from being a yeoman to a noble, and why? At what times was he viewed as a hero, and when was he considered a villain? Who made him the flag-bearer for Anglo-Saxon pride? Was he really a Saxon at all? When did Marian enter the mix, and was she always Robin Hood's one true love? What about his companions, such as Little John, Alan-a-Dale and Friar Tuck? What influences did he have on other outlaws and archers through the ages?

I've enjoyed Robin Hood stories since my youth. (The wise-cracking outlaw stands second only to Arthur in my esteem for British heroes.) And I've read plenty of books and watched many screen adaptations of his life in the decades since I was a child. In this book, Basdeo sorts through all of the early ballads and poems that survive, the novels and plays that came later, and many of the recent novels, TV shows and movies (even Disney's light-hearted fox and Kevin Costner's unusual interpretation of the legend) and describes how the story developed over time.

It's an easy read, but interesting. 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.