The Golden Dragon: Alfred the Great and His Times

by Alf J. Mapp Jr. author of Three Golden Ages: Discovering the Creative Secrets of Renaissanc, Bruce Carter (Illustrator)

King Alfred. Everybody knows that he is called “the Great,” but few remember why. Forgetfulness is strange, for few men have led lives so full of physical, mental, and spiritual adventure, or influenced in so many ways the lives of people in every part of the globe. The Golden Dragon is his fascinating and moving story, told afresh with the aid of recent archaeological evidence and research in four languages.

Alfred’s achievements have melted cynicism. Gibbon called him “the greatest of English kings”; Hume, “the greatest man in history.” Voltaire declared, “I know not whether there has ever been a man on earth worthier of posterity’s respect.” When his kingdom was reduced to thirty acres, he fought back with such courage and genius that he expelled the Viking invaders and made possible the saving of Western civilization. His list of accomplishments is transcendent diplomat, Europe’s greatest naval designer, notable architect, law giver, founder of the oldest literary tradition in the Occident, originator of a system of public education, and producer of translations that have endured a thousand years.

The author’s research led him to the conclusion that the ninth-century English kin was the superior of Charlemagne in almost every respect, and indeed was one of the greatest geniuses Western civilization has ever produced. Alfred’s courage, faith, and temperance are enduring examples for modern men.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History

258 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 1974

Reviews

[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was my introduction to the life of Alfred the Great and served, since it covered the history surrounding his life, as a transitional work spanning some of the period between Roman and "Arthurian" Britain which I'd been studying and the medieval period with which I already had some acquaintance.

Mapp is not a specialist in this period, most of his books pertaining to early American history and the European antecedants to colonization. Presumably the material was pretty new to him. Consequently, the book is easily accessible to the beginner.

[Tom K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for a little historical background before I pick up Cornwell's Saxon series.

I did find an error on the first page of this book. A reference is made to French King Louis the Gross. This king was actually known as Louis the Fat (the french word for fat is close to gross). Kind of a big mistake to make on the first page of a book.

In depth discussion of military history and Alfred's campaigns was a bit lacking. Mapp's discussion of Alfred's literary prowess, however, was very strong and saved this book for me.

[Jeremy]

I used this book for my Old English presentation on Alfred the Great (October 2013). The reading was accessible, and I'd like to read the whole thing sometime.