Reviews

The Anglo-Saxons: A History of the Beginnings of England by Marc Morris

fe_leitura_123's review against another edition

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challenging dark informative sad slow-paced

3.75

bookandateacup's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

4.5

elizabethtm's review against another edition

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I might come back to this. But I lost interest. 

emz86's review against another edition

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5.0

What an amazing retelling of one of my favourite eras of history. Fabulous!!

ecm1101's review against another edition

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informative reflective slow-paced

3.25

where_sky_and_water_meet's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

3.5

Definitely much easier to digest than most history books.

 I was wary from the introduction claiming that there are no chapters focused on any women as there “isn’t enough evidence to sustain such an extended treatment” and whilst I can understand the lack of evidence it was the wording that concerned me. 
Sadly that is a theme throughout the book, talking about women, poor people and non Christian’s as though they are footnotes. Even in the conclusion he goes from talking about over a 100,000 people dying from starvation to then saying that the aristocracy had it worse. 

Perhaps it’s the narration that enhanced the tone but either way it left a bad taste behind.

bethpaws's review against another edition

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informative slow-paced

4.0

A journey through the Anglo-Saxon period told through a focus in the stories of key personages: Bishop Wilfred,Offa of Mercia famous for his dyke, St. Wilfred, Alfred the Great, Æthelstan, St. Dunstan, Æthelred, Bishop Godwin & some pesky Vikings.
 Throughout the weaknesses/limitations of sources are honestly highlighted & source discrepancies identified.
 I found that whilst this is well written,  my attention did lapse. This may have been better to read rather than listen by audio, which would have allowed me to focus more,  although the narrator had a clear voice, engaging tone and was well-paced.

madhamster's review against another edition

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4.0

Although the author doesn't directly address the appropriation of Anglo-Saxon by white supremacists, he doesn't give them much to work with. Instead, he focuses on the history, and tries to dismantle the myths surrounding them.

bx34949's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

3.75

alecsreads's review against another edition

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informative reflective medium-paced

4.5