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cernunnos's review against another edition
5.0
A very readable, succinct but scholarly study of this under-appreciated monarch. I was particularly impressed by the breadth of the author's research as outlined in the extensive and useful suggestions for further reading. Mr Holland clearly knows his stuff and communicates it with admirable clarity. An excellent opener in the "Penguin Monarchs" series.
will_foster's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
jaywithwhiskey's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
4.0
This was good to read and understand more about Athelstan specifically and I definitely learned a lot about why Athelstan is considered the first monarch over Alfred. But the book sometimes jumped around what I felt like was a bit too much toward the beginning and it made me feel lost. The family tree is also quite tough to make out, a key guide would be helpful there.
alysmw's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely intriguing. I went into this book without knowing anything about Athelstan and now i feel like a pro. I wouldn't have bought it if it had been a bit longer but having finished it I'm wishing it had been. I absolutely loved the writing style. It was so hilariously pompous and melodramatic that I found myself reading bits out to people and laughing out loud. Honestly I would recommend this to anyone. It was so funny and enjoyable and educational with no prior knowledge required.
millie_yule's review against another edition
5.0
A great introduction to the life of Athelstan as well as the context of the time and lives of his family. I absolutely loved the dramatic writing style as it was far removed from the stuffy and somewhat pompous style of many books written by academic historians. Also very short. Would recommend.
elerireads's review against another edition
funny
informative
fast-paced
3.5
Not so much the story of Athelstan as of his creation of England. Cool to learn some history I literally knew nothing about and the writing was really good - "Men who had thought by means of sorcery to take on the form and ferocity of a wolf pack now themselves wetted lupine jaws" is one of my new favourite sentences ever.
I had this book hyped up to me a lot and whilst I did enjoy it, I don't think it lived up to the hype.
I had this book hyped up to me a lot and whilst I did enjoy it, I don't think it lived up to the hype.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence