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Alfred P. Smyth (1942–2016)

Author of King Alfred the Great

11 Works 224 Members 2 Reviews 1 Favorited

Works by Alfred P. Smyth

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Common Knowledge

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This is an excellent work of scholarship; very thorough and detailed examination of the historical record. However, the writing is very academic/scholarly -- not light reading. I learned a lot about medieval English history, the Viking's effect on England and continental Europe (Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France), and medieval Christianity. As a work of scholarship, I give it five stars; as pleasure reading, 2 stars.
 
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SplendorofDelight | Jun 8, 2015 |
This book won the 1985 Spring Book Award for Literature from the Scottish Arts Council, and one can see why. A wide-ranging, enthusiastic and scholarly work, it covers a great deal of ground with a surprising amount of detail for its size. Although some of the archaeological conclusions have changed in the intervening thirty years, this is still a good introduction to the period and good value for money. Topics include: Roman Britain, the Picts, St. Columba, Adomnan, Vikings, the orgins of medieval Scotland, and the conquest of the southern uplands.

The author shows an impressive ability to look at the larger picture while not losing sight of details, an ability which allows him to combine seeming isolated facts into interesting combinations. Whether or not you agree with all of his conclusions, you will find many that are thought-provoking. An example is his dating of the final collapse of the British kingdom of Rheged by the series of entries in the Irish Annals of Ulster regarding the presence of roving bands of British warriors in Ireland between 682 and 709.
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gwernin | Mar 7, 2008 |

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Statistics

Works
11
Members
224
Popularity
#100,172
Rating
4.0
Reviews
2
ISBNs
16
Favorited
1

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