One of the great poems in the English language--and certainly a top contender for the greatest narrative poem. A retelling of the Alfred the Great's defeat of Guthrum and the Danes at the Battle of Ethandune (or the victory of the true power of Christianity over the inherent weakness of paganism), written to be read aloud or to oneself (but please do read it aloud). A ranking of ten stars would be more accurate. [This review refers to the first edition.]

The greatest poem ever written! Read it and it will lead you into a high and heroic world and change your life forever!

The greatest poem of the century. The100-page saga of King Alfred the Great's apparently hopeless war against the Vikings is all one dreams poetry might be - stirring the heart and soul, filled with beauty, wisdom and excitement. A timeless message of hope and wonder. A few passages stumble, as is inevitable in a work of this length, but these can be overlooked. Read this wonderful poem and it will lighten and change the world for you. The greatest antidote to depression and despair that I know!

Legends of the Pond is a delightful book filled with incredible short stories of ingenious people that reflects a 300-year span.

As a N.H. native, I found myself reliving the past through the mythical and magical writing ability of the Author. This book created a tremendous imagination allowing me to wander back through the familiar rural towns of N.H. and relive their past, especially among the impressive Abenaki Indians and their culture.

I highly recommend this book as the Author has skillfully written something worth reading for everyone including a chapter on the First American in Space, Alan B. Shepard, Jr. of Derry, N.H.

New England is fancinating and full of stories and legends. This book takes you to that time. The author shares his time consuming research to provide us a glimse of yesterday. Living in New Hampshire myself, I have been to America's Stonehenge. I have seen Big Island Pond and stepped on Escumbuit Island. The author who I have met, is a wonderful individual who cares about detail. If you like legends, if you like history, if you like descriptions of what people did in those times, then I strongly recommend this book.

In New England there is so much history. There are also little no communities' rich in story and this is about some of those towns. The book is set in the small rural areas of New Hampshire called Atkinson, Derry and Hampstead.

Legends of the pond is a collection of stories, poems, letters and so much more about Big Island Pond. The book is well written and I was very impressed with the author ability to make the words come to life.

Covering the time frame from 1692 to the present you'll read stories about rum-running, underground railroads and even John Glenn, who spent 11 years summering on the island. There is bound to be something everyone can enjoy with this book.

One thing I liked about this book is that you do not have to read it in any order, skip around the pages and let history take you on a journey, what you'll find in the pages is pure magic. The author has done a great job and I highly recommend reading this one.

It is the second time I have had the pleasure of reading this novel and weeks later I am still thinking and talking about it. Alfred the Great...what a man! I was so enthralled by the life and times of this English King, his insight, morality and courage, an inspiration thanks to Joan Wolf. Alfred was not expecting to become king of Wessex, one of the four kingdoms in England, with five older brothers. Different to his brothers, Alfred was well educated, sensative and very pragmatic. When the threat of a Danish invasion caught England on the back foot, Alfred united his kingdom and led the only kingdom to withstand the Danes. Entwined with passion, love and heartwrenching suspense, the reader is captured by the characters and their lifestyles. This novel enables the reader to experience the thoughts and issues of the time and gives insight to the only king of England to be called "Great". Do yourself a favour and read to your heart's content, you won't regret it.

Albert The Great..what a man. I have read this novel twice and what a thrill. Albert, the youngest of five princes in line for the throne of Wessex, different from his brothers, being well educated and sensative yet strong and forthright never expected to be king. The tale unfolds as this young, extraordinary man finds himself the leader of a realm threatened by the devastating onslaught of Danish Vikings invading England. These torrid times of the mid to late 9th century are softened by the passionate, accidental union of Albert and Elswyth. Being both down to earth and haughty, Elswyth captivates the reader by her eternal strength and aggressive personality which compliments Albert's thoughtful and assertive nature. Together, they hold the West Saxons together in a totally captivating and heartwrenching read. I was so absorbed in the lives of the charachters and the trials they faced, but Albert, King of Wessex is the most enthralling charachter I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

First off: I have never been to London, at least not yet. I am a tremendous fan of these Knopf Guides, first buying them for some classes I took in travel school. My collection numbers 10.However, London is special. I dream of going there every day--this particular guide transported me there more than my own dreams could. The sections on architecture through the ages, "London Through the eyes of writers", and various other sections are finger-printed and thumbed and dog-eared. That just shows a person how I value the given information within. A MUST BUY!

During my recent visit to London, this book guided me through all the historical and modern architectural sites with accurate detailed information. I wish the author published a millennium issue of it.

Reading Hutton is always interesting, as he is such a pivital individual in fencing's transition from the nineteenth to the twentieth century. "Old Sword-Play" gives us a look at fencing's early stages of develpment. For the fencer, it is good to know one's origins. As the author of "The Art and Science of Fencing," and "The Inner Game of Fencing," and the editor/publisher of FENCERS QUARTERLY MAGAZINE, I recommend this book.

It is absolutely essential that you buy this book. Maestro Martinez' introduction alone merits it, but to be able to drink in Hutton's wisdom on historical fencing... hoo boy!

Dr. Price gives an excellent account (and photos!) of the rare spitfires that you can't find in other books. Great reference for modelers and other enthusiasts. I particularly appreciated the many photos of the "Speed Spitfire" and many interim prototypes not typical to any mark number. (I am referring to the second edition -- the author added new material that had come out of the woodwork after the first edition.) The author is also kind enough to caption photos with the plane's code so that a modeler need not wonder what number is hiding behind a fuel truck, mechanic, parked plane, under a shadow or whatever. Money well spent.

This is by far the most detailed Spitfire book in my collection ( and I have quite a few! ). This excellent work gives a very comprehensive, mark by mark history of the Spitfire's development. Each chapter details the development of a given variant, including the background to that marks genesis, descriptions of combat, and overall impact upon the air war. Moreover, Alfred Price's eloquent text makes for a thoroughly enjoyable read and never makes his subject "dry". Greatest of importance, the appendices following the chapters give by far the MOST detailed performance information I've yet seen in any Spitfire tome ( or any other book on combat aircraft ). The data includes not just the common "top speed" and "rate of climb" information which is so often quoted, but also gives the top speeds and rates of climb at varying altitudes, as well as the critical "time to height" data up to the planes service ceiling. Detailed combat comparisons with various Axis & Allied types are also included! This is the sort of information which the dedicated aviation buff always desires to see in a book of this sort, but all too often we are dissapointed. This is the big exception! An absolute MUST have for any fan of the Spitfire in all it's many guises! The general and WW2 aviation buff should not miss out on this work either. Truely Outstanding!

Most of the short stories in thi s volume are also reprinted in "Virtual Unrealities" but, if you can find this volume, it is much better because of the introductions and essays that Bester wrote. They help to create the feeling that you actually know the man. The stories themselves are among ht ebest science fiction short stories that I have ever read.

I really can't believe there are no reviews for this book. I would have to say it is one of the best I've ever read. I really enjoyed Alfred Bestler's writing in this book, and found the stories highly entertaining. I highly suggest it (although this says it's out of print :).

This book is outstanding. It draw a vibrant picture of a king whose life is otherwise obscured by the mists of time. Duckett presents a picture of a man who is simultaneously legendary and very human. This book is a wonderful choice for anyone interested in medieval times or the roots of British culture. Duckett's writing style is clean and consice, free of the usual scholarly jargon. It is a must for any student of history, amature or professional.

The author of this book (Asser) was a contemporary of King Alfred's and was brought to Wessex (Alfred's kingdom) in the ninth century as part of Alfred's plan to improve education and culture in Anglo-Saxon England. The text is highly readable and gives students an eyewitness account of Alfred's kingship: military successes and failures (esp. fighting the Vikings), advancement of English culture and education, consolidation of the seven kingdoms, and cultivation of Christian kingship in the Early Middle Ages. This kind of book is especially fun for students to read as it shows us "real history," including things such as Alfred's 20-year fight with some sort of intestinal disorder. We see Alfred as a man, not just an aloof, wooden figure that died long ago. This edition also includes maps, geneological charts of the Carolingian (i.e., "French") kings and the English kings up to Alfred, and a 29-page introduction by Simon Keynes and Michael Lapidge, which provides excellent background on the period in which Alfred and Asser lived. Also included are excerpts from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, which was begun in Alfred's reign, extracts of Alfred's own writings and translations, and miscellaneous primary sources such as letters, books, and documents of the era. These items make good backgrounding for teachers. When this biography is read together with the Arthurian legend, it helps students to compare the real and the ideal kings of the Middle Ages.

The Great Philosophers series is generally a mixed bag of accessible and inaccessible or dry material. Their treatment of Ayer is the most engaging and thought provoking of the series, most likely because his Logical Positivist philosophy is not nearly as obtuse as say Bertrand Russell's mathmatical conundrums. This book is highly recommended to both students and casual readers.