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Article: Alfred, Arthur and politics.(Book review)
- Article from:
- Quadrant
- Article date:
- April 1, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 Quadrant Magazine Company, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Alfred the Great, by Justin Pollard; John Murray, 2005, $29.95.
The Age of Arthur, by John Morris; Orion, 1993, $39.95.
ALFRED THE GREAT left a warning more than a thousand years ago that Kevin Rudd (and other government leaders) should bear in mind: But even though afflictions teach and instruct him, if he acquire the kingdom, he immediately becomes perverted with pride at the people's reverence for him, and becomes accustomed to flattering praise."
Alfred is the first political leader in the English-speaking world of whom we have detailed knowledge--enough to make a biography possible--and many of the basics of the ruler's life remain. He had ...