A great overview
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This is an excellent overview of Alfred's life and the historical written records that can be drawn upon in that era. Many different opinions and arguments are put forward and mentioned, and the bibliography is an excellent aid to those starting to study the period upto undergraduate level.
I enjoyed the work, but found the narrative style a little hindering to considering the serious academic points raised. I would have prefered less linear narrative, more in depth discussion in the first half. But I think that this is precisely what will appeal to the newer entrant to the field.
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Informative but limited
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I found Abels book interesting and useful in the course of writing essays and note taking but the book falls down on its interpretation of Alfred's military successes against the Vikings. The interpretation of strategy is weak and the author's arguments are strongly contradictory. There were too many occasions where Abels strayed from the point and involved weak secondary arguments to try and back up his primary ones.
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informative and clear
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As an 'A' level meideval history student, i was glad to have found this biography on Alfred. Abels analysis is clear, intellectual and informative. This book can satisfy the historian as well as entertain, interest and inform the general reader about the life and times of Alfred. On the downside, I felt that there was too much room given to non essential/important aspects of Alfred's life such as the lengthy attempt at diagnosis of the illness with which he was struck on his wedding night etc. Others may, however, disagree. On the whole, tough, this is the best biography on Alfred I have used, and I would recomend it to all.
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United Kingdom | 
Canada