Benjamin Merkle's 'The White Horse King' explores the life of Alfred the Great, King of Wessex in the 9th century. If you were expecting a great Tonkeinesque novel, as my uneducated ears would have, this book will disappoint you. Not in the heroic-acts-of-bravery department, nor the twists-in the-plot aisle. This book will disappoint you because it's true.
In saying that it's true, I must confess that the extent of my expertise on the topic of Alfred the Great is the 234 pages of this book. However, I briefly talked to Ben in a queue for a toilet once, and he seemed like the kind of guy who knew what he was talking about. Who better, then, to tell us all the things we never knew, and didn't know we wanted to know, about King Alfred?
Merkle introduces us to Anglo-Saxon Britain at the time when the Vikings began their looting. Soon, we find the young Alfred battling the Vikings and protecting his country. The story of his life is too exciting for me to spoil, but his achievements as a warrior, a law and education reformer and as a Christian make him truly worthy of the title 'great'.
The book is unashamedly written from a Christian worldview, although it is in no sense 'preachy'. Reading, you get the sense that Merkle thinks that we could do a lot worse than have Alfred as our role model.
For me, educated in British history only from 1066 onwards, it was at times difficult to digest all the necessary facts. Thankfully, I carried on reading and it all started slotting into place (and helpful reminders were periodically given).
If you already know plenty about King Alfred, this book will tell you little that you don't already know, although you may find yourself surprised by some of Merkle's takes on the man and the history.
If, like me, you don't know Alfred from Arthur, I strongly recommend this book as enjoyable, educational and inspirational.
In the name of decency, I should add that I got this book free in the www.booksneeze.com review program. But frankly I had no idea that this book would be as fascinating as it is. Two thumbs fresh.
The Book Depository has it for £6.58:
Amazon has it for £9.85:
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