A witty and concise look at the beginnings of English history, when the nation consolidated after clashes between the Saxons and invading Vikings.In 871, three of England’s four kingdoms were overrun by Vikings, the ruthless, all-conquering Scandinavian raiders who terrorized early medieval Europe. With the Norsemen murdering one king with arrows and torturing another to death by ripping out his … by ripping out his lungs, the prospects that faced the kingdom of Wessex were bleak. Worse still, the Saxons were now led by a young man barely out of his teens who was more interested in God than fighting. Yet within a decade Alfred—the only English king known as the Great—had driven the Vikings out of half of England, and his children and grandchildren would unite the country a few years later. This period, popular with fans of television shows such as Vikings and The Last Kingdom, saw the creation of England as a nation-state, with Alfred laying down the first national law code, establishing an education system and building cities.
Saxons vs. Vikings also covers the period before Alfred, including ancient Britain, the Roman occupation, and the Dark Ages, explaining important historical episodes such as Boudicca, King Arthur, and Beowulf.
Perfect for newcomers to the subject, this is the second title in the new A Very, Very Short History of England series. If you’re trying to understand England and its history in the most informative and entertaining way possible, this is the place to start.
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The emphasis in this book is how Alfred the Great and his successors created the kingdom of England in the decades when the Island of Britain was being continually attacked by pirates and warriors from Scandinavia. Alfred was a visionary rulers whose views were centuries ahead of his time. I wish I were able to remember what I read more clearly, but as in Ed West’s other histories, .there are so many details packed tightly together that my memory flags.
This is a great book if you are interested in British history. It’s short, compact and easy to read. The author makes it easy to follow and understand how all the tribes came together and eventually became Britain. It’s a good starting point if you wish to delve deeper into Viking history or early British history. However, it is perfect if you want an overview of the history of that period and stands on its own if you don’t care to expand your knowledge past what it presents. I look forward to reading the sequel. I enjoy this author’s writing style very much and appreciate his dry wit.
This is an intentionally and thoughtfully brief overview of a portion of English history poorly represented in popular literature, written with engagingly curmudgeonly humour. It is so accessible to an American that I am proud to use the Brittish spelling of humour in the review! I was bored beyond tears, to a dry eyed stae requiring pharmaceutical intervention, when studying this period of history in university. Suffered a serious relapse when studying this period in English literature. This book has redeemed half of a millennium for me. My thanks to the author!
This was a relatively quick and very enjoyable read about a seminal time in early English history. The subject is serious, but the history is laced with humor and wit. I cannot recall ever laughing so much as I read a tale of largely consisting of misery, terror, and woe. Nevertheless, I left the book with an immense appreciation for the Dark Ages and the accomplishments of the only English monarch to carry the title “Great”—Alfred, first King of England. Highly recommended for amateur historians with an interest in this period (650-1000 AD).
writer had no knowledge of Saxons or Vikigs
Some was a bit confusing. Too little info about characters just mentioned.
West brings a great sense of humor as well as insights to the story of Alfred the Great and his kin. Must read for any fans of The Last Kingdom series.
An informative but witty and readable narrative of the period between the end of Roman occupation of England and the Norman Conquest.
Light-hearted but accurate recounting of early English history. Helps in understanding our crazy language and culture. Very much worth while, an outstanding work.
Ed West writes the most entertaining versions of history
I found the Discovery of Middle Earth to be a very interesting and readable history of Anglo-Saxon/Viking interaction in England. The author writes with a sense of humor very much like that of Douglas Adams. I’ve read a lot of history and Mr. West hits a sweet spot, being both entertaining and informative.
If Ed West writes a history book, I’m going to read it! He’s informative as well as entertaining.
For those who want to. Read about the real history of england
Easy approach to a very complicated subject.
A great summary of a difficult time.
Well written. I enjoyed this book. Very interesting.
Decently accurate history written in an entertaining and witty way.
I didn’t finish this book. It didn’t grab me and life is to short to spend reading a good that doesn’t move you in the first few pages. There is so little time and so many books
An fun run through some of the early history of our inherited culture and language.
Interesting and very educational. Written in a fairly entertaining manner for a history book.