Arthur's Britain (Classic History) [Paperback]

Leslie Alcock (Author)

Book Description

Series: Classic History | Publication Date: February 26, 2002

We are all familiar with the heroic deeds and enchantments of the legendary tales surrounding King Arthur. But what evidence is there for a real figure beneath the myth and romance?

Arthur's Britain assembles a wealth of information about the history of Arthur by delving into the shadowy period in which he lived. Drawing on evidence from written and archaeological sources, Leslie Alcock, who directed the famous excavation at Cadbury Castle in Somerset, England, sifts history from fiction to take us back to life between the fourth and seventh centuries. He also provides fascinating detail on how the Britons actually lived, worshipped, dressed, and fought to uncover the real world and people behind the Arthurian legends.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Leslie Alcock is an honorary professional research fellow and former professor of archaeology at the University of Glasgow. He is a past president of the Cambrian Archaeology Association and the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.

Product Details

• Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (February 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0141390697
• ISBN-13: 978-0141390697
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.7 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #785,911 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best, September 7, 2004

By 

John E. Mack (New London, Minnesota United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Arthur's Britain (Classic History) (Paperback)

This is one of the finest popular histories I have ever read. Whether it is a book about 5th and 6th century British history using Arthur as a organizing principle, or a book about the "real" Arthur using 5th and 6th century history as a backdrop, this book is wholly convincing concerning the reality of Arthur and the historical context in which he lived. The book may actually be too good. The most convincing evidence it cites -- the so-called British Easter Annals -- appear to have been called into question by subsequent scholarship; and the link between Arthur and Mount Badon is not quite as convicing as it seeme to be when Alcock wrote the book. In short, this masterpiece needs updating. But a masterpiece it is. No one who reads this book with any care can fail to come away from it without a vastly improved understanding not only of the British dark ages, but of the nature of historical evidence, scholarship, and truth. This is a great book.

After posting my original comments, I would still rate this book a "5." But there has been a lot of "water over the dam" since Alcock wrote, and the book was so good it deserves an update. For example, Sykes wonderful "Saxon, Celt, Viking" does a genetic analysis of Great Britain (the technology was not available when Alcock wrote" demonstrating that about 2/3 of what is now England is "Celtic" by the male line and over 3/4 by the female line. So we know there was not a "Germanic replacement," something Alcock suspected but could not prove. And Alcock himself revised his position somewhat:

"In the 'Mortimer Wheeler Archaeological Lecture', given before the British Academy on 13 October 1982, Professor Alcock makes the following statements, re-assessing his position on Arthur's historical reality: "The Arthur of history is another matter. Whatever value my essay in souce-criticism may have had in 1971 [see above], it has largely been swept away by the studies of Drs Dumville, Miller and the late Kathleen Hughes. Largely, I think, but not entirely; and certainly the debate is too large to enter into here. At present, however, my position on the historicity of Arthur is one of agnosticism". While this is not a full recantation, Alcock certainly steps far back from his earlier position."

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book to read, April 8, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Arthur's Britain (Classic History) (Paperback)

I have researched and researched all over the Internet about
King Arthur, Camelot, and his knights. I found many misleading websites that only talked about the fantasies of Camelot and King Arthur. Now, I found this book that tells the "REAL" side of who was King Arthur, Camelot, Merlin, and many others.
It is a "must" for those who want to know the truth, and nothing but the truth. Leslie Alcock has done an excellent job in this book. I highly recommend it.

5.0 out of 5 stars More Arthur information, April 23, 2010

By 

F. D. Hufham - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Arthur's Britain (Classic History) (Paperback)

A great read that takes you back to "Arthurian Days" and fills you in on what happened then. As a matter of fact, it also aids writers to tell their stories by using some of the history as well. Highly recommended.