Monday, December 28, 2009

Review of The White Horse King: The Life of Alfred the Great by Benjamin Merkle



The White Horse King: The Life of Alfred the Great by Benjamin R. Merkle is a richly composed work pertaining to this once great King. Thoroughly researching every aspect of the life of Alfred the Great , Merkle combines all of the fascinating knowledge into one book. Not only does Merkle provided us with an in-depth look into Alfred’s life but also the culture in which he lived. Providing the readers with an insight of the events that may have led to the Kings decisions he made. Focusing upon a legendary figure who was not suppose to be king, Merkle sheds new light on the life of Alfred. Showing the many acomplishements that Alfred provided to his kingdom Merkle proves that there was more to the Medieval period than once thought. The period in which this Great King lived was a period in which brutality, hetaeristic values ran rampid there emerged a legendary King who was focus on God and doing right. I think that Merkle has provided us with a very humanistic version of Alfred the Great.


Although Merkle provides us with an in-depth account of the life of Alfred I felt that he left out important information pertaining to the battles I which Alfred fought. The White Horse King: The life of Alfred the Great by Benjamin Merkle brings Alfred to life. As a lover of history myself, I would highly recommend this book.


This book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishing.

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