The man behind the myth
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Justin Pollard's strength is the canny way he brings ancient stories to life by focussing on the human, emotional drivers that set his protagonists into action. The social and political context of Alfred's world is dealt with sensitively and non-judgmentally, leaving the reader to draw his/her own conclusions with the assistance of Pollard's meticulous research.
An excellent work: a readable and informative benchmark for the subject matter. Pollard's thesis, that Alfred was the greatest Englishman, is highly persuasive.
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Even "Greater than Great"
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Perhaps only in England, could such a truly Giant of history, be almost ignored and taken for granted , and shunted down the cul-de-sac of being a cake burner ! Alfred's achievements are staggeringly important and impressive, well nigh impossible even.
This book does an excellent job in re-establishing Alfred in our minds, as the only one of all our monarchs to be labelled "The Great".
The book is quite detailed, but not dry or too academic. It is well paced and very readable, doing it's subject great justice. Highly recommended.
Thing is, we should have Alfred as our patron saint, rather than the ridiculous one we have at present......now that would give England some interest and national pride, to rival the other Home Countries.
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