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The Anglo-Saxons: A History of the Beginnings of England: 400 - 1066 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Marc Morris (Author), Roy McMillan (Narrator), Brilliance Audio (Publisher)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 3,127 ratings
Editors' pick Best History
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A sweeping and original history of the Anglo-Saxons by national best-selling author Marc Morris.

Sixteen hundred years ago Britain left the Roman Empire and swiftly fell into ruin. Grand cities and luxurious villas were deserted and left to crumble, and civil society collapsed into chaos. Into this violent and unstable world came foreign invaders from across the sea, and established themselves as its new masters.

The Anglo-Saxons traces the turbulent history of these people across the next six centuries. It explains how their earliest rulers fought relentlessly against each other for glory and supremacy, and then were almost destroyed by the onslaught of the vikings. It explores how they abandoned their old gods for Christianity, established hundreds of churches, and created dazzlingly intricate works of art. It charts the revival of towns and trade, and the origins of a familiar landscape of shires, boroughs, and bishoprics. It is a tale of famous figures like King Offa, Alfred the Great, and Edward the Confessor, but also features a host of lesser known characters - ambitious queens, revolutionary saints, intolerant monks, and grasping nobles. Through their remarkable careers, we see how a new society, a new culture, and a single unified nation came into being.

Drawing on a vast range of original evidence - chronicles, letters, archaeology, and artefacts - renowned historian Marc Morris illuminates a period of history that is only dimly understood, separates the truth from the legend, and tells the extraordinary story of how the foundations of England were laid.

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  1. Listening Length
    13 hours and 18 minutes
  2. Author
    Marc Morris
  3. Narrator
    Roy McMillan
  4. Audible release date
    May 25, 2021
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Brilliance Audio
  7. ASIN
    B09251KMQ2
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 13 hours and 18 minutes
Author Marc Morris
Narrator Roy McMillan
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date May 25, 2021
Publisher Brilliance Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B09251KMQ2
Best Sellers Rank #6,712 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#8 in England History
#16 in Great Britain History (Audible Books & Originals)
#27 in Anthropology (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
3,127 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and easy to read. They appreciate the clear, vivid writing style that makes difficult concepts understandable. The history is well-researched and provides a good overview of England's origins. Readers appreciate the author's insights into sources and how they are used. The book includes outstanding color images and maps that provide a balanced picture of the period.

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ReadabilityWriting styleHistoryEncyclopedia contentImage quality
45 customers mention "Readability"45 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and well-researched. They appreciate the early chapters that describe how we know what we do about the period. The book is well-written, thorough, and accurate. Readers enjoy the interesting stories and details of 700+ years of British history.

"...This book reads like a masterpiece. I found it helpful to take lots of notes and highlight many of the names and locations as there are quite a few..." Read more

"...He lays out the confusing procession of kings and kingdoms very well and much more clearly than anything I have ever found...." Read more

"...I enjoyed this book, it filled a gap in my knowledge, as history, while giving some play to Alfred the Great, Harold Godwinson and Harold Hardrata,..." Read more

"...wince at all the similar names you will read, and be prepared for a good read. The centuries gallop by all too fast." Read more

38 customers mention "Writing style"36 positive2 negative

Customers find the book's writing style engaging and clear. They describe it as an easy read with a chatty, open-handed style that is accessible. The author skillfully presents history in an understandable way.

"...Marc Morris is extremely gifted at relating history in an understandable and engaging manner...." Read more

"...But it is what I would term an "easy read" and certainly a great choice for someone interested in this era...." Read more

"...The author does so with some clarity but without making overbroad claims for developments accomplishments and significant historical events as he..." Read more

"...The writing style is engaging and takes a subject which has potential to be very dry to a very realistic and human place...." Read more

19 customers mention "History"19 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's history. They find it an excellent account of England's origins, providing a good summary of the period and main events. The author is described as an expert on the period and a great choice for someone interested in this era.

"...It brings the story into context at the click of an icon. My kindest regards to the author...." Read more

"...what I would term an "easy read" and certainly a great choice for someone interested in this era...." Read more

"...It gives a clear view of the history and the underlying politics, of which there was much, but thee are some areas that out of necessity were..." Read more

"...Loved the history and now feel that I have such a better understanding of the spanning period...." Read more

17 customers mention "Encyclopedia content"17 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the encyclopedia's content. They find it well-researched, informative, and fact-based. The writing style is clear and compelling, with insights into what sources the author relies on. Readers appreciate the references to archeological and written sources throughout the book, providing evidence and context. Overall, the book gives a great sense of the bigger picture with just enough detail for context.

"...It gives a great sense of the bigger picture with just enough detail for context." Read more

"...Telling the history of 100 years is hard enough but to get this much detail and so many interesting stories of 700 plus years of British history was..." Read more

"...But at the same time it delves into all sorts of details that you may not have heard before...." Read more

"Very thorough, & very accurate it seems against what I have studied in the past, within this context...." Read more

9 customers mention "Image quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's images and maps. They find the color images outstanding and the maps useful. The writing is clear and convincing, with vivid descriptions. Readers appreciate the balanced and realistic portrayal of the Irish Catholicism-Irish Protestant dichotomy.

"...This book has many outstanding color images and quite a few usable maps that are well appreciated...." Read more

"...He captures well the dichotomy and competition between Irish Catholicism and Catholicism imported from the continent, the split between monks and..." Read more

"...and takes a subject which has potential to be very dry to a very realistic and human place...." Read more

"...Color photos are appreciated as well...." Read more

Outstanding Research, Outstanding Book
5 out of 5 stars
Outstanding Research, Outstanding Book
The Anglo-Saxons: A History of the Beginnings of England: 400 –1066This book reads like a masterpiece. I found it helpful to take lots of notes and highlight many of the names and locations as there are quite a few to remember, sometimes in triplicate from the various time periodsI read this for a better understanding of what lead up to the Norman Conquest and the history that followed.This book seemed like a perfect way to achieve that goal and a necessary step to do so. It is a complex history that the author managed to outline very wellMarc Morris is extremely gifted at relating history in an understandable and engaging manner. His writing style draws you in to the next chapter, one after another. The manner in which he laid out nearly 700 years of history is simply incredibleThis book has many outstanding color images and quite a few usable maps that are well appreciated. It brings the story into context at the click of an icon.My kindest regards to the author. I look forward to reading his books The Norman Conquest, King John and King Edward l as well. Marc Morris is very good at outlining history in a wonderful format.As a side note, it helped me greatly to know the word Æthel means "noble". "It is frequently attested as the first element in Anglo-Saxon names, both masculine and feminine, e.g. Æthelhard, Æthelred, Æthelwulf; Æthelburg, Æthelflæd, Æthelthryth", etcetera
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Rey Mundo Magnus
    5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Research, Outstanding Book
    Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The Anglo-Saxons: A History of the Beginnings of England: 400 –1066

    This book reads like a masterpiece. I found it helpful to take lots of notes and highlight many of the names and locations as there are quite a few to remember, sometimes in triplicate from the various time periods

    I read this for a better understanding of what lead up to the Norman Conquest and the history that followed.
    This book seemed like a perfect way to achieve that goal and a necessary step to do so. It is a complex history that the author managed to outline very well

    Marc Morris is extremely gifted at relating history in an understandable and engaging manner. His writing style draws you in to the next chapter, one after another. The manner in which he laid out nearly 700 years of history is simply incredible

    This book has many outstanding color images and quite a few usable maps that are well appreciated. It brings the story into context at the click of an icon.

    My kindest regards to the author. I look forward to reading his books The Norman Conquest, King John and King Edward l as well. Marc Morris is very good at outlining history in a wonderful format.

    As a side note, it helped me greatly to know the word Æthel means "noble". "It is frequently attested as the first element in Anglo-Saxon names, both masculine and feminine, e.g. Æthelhard, Æthelred, Æthelwulf; Æthelburg, Æthelflæd, Æthelthryth", etcetera
    Customer image
    Rey Mundo Magnus
    5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Research, Outstanding Book
    Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2023
    The Anglo-Saxons: A History of the Beginnings of England: 400 –1066

    This book reads like a masterpiece. I found it helpful to take lots of notes and highlight many of the names and locations as there are quite a few to remember, sometimes in triplicate from the various time periods

    I read this for a better understanding of what lead up to the Norman Conquest and the history that followed.
    This book seemed like a perfect way to achieve that goal and a necessary step to do so. It is a complex history that the author managed to outline very well

    Marc Morris is extremely gifted at relating history in an understandable and engaging manner. His writing style draws you in to the next chapter, one after another. The manner in which he laid out nearly 700 years of history is simply incredible

    This book has many outstanding color images and quite a few usable maps that are well appreciated. It brings the story into context at the click of an icon.

    My kindest regards to the author. I look forward to reading his books The Norman Conquest, King John and King Edward l as well. Marc Morris is very good at outlining history in a wonderful format.

    As a side note, it helped me greatly to know the word Æthel means "noble". "It is frequently attested as the first element in Anglo-Saxon names, both masculine and feminine, e.g. Æthelhard, Æthelred, Æthelwulf; Æthelburg, Æthelflæd, Æthelthryth", etcetera
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    14 people found this helpful
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  • Susan Mayfield
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well put together and a great read.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I am a retired history enthusiast and am particularly fond of the early story of Britain (up to The Conquest). I bought this book based on reviews and recommendations that are already on site. I have found the narrative easy to follow, unlike so many other books I have read. I am in no way a scholar or historian, and I can't comment in any way on the accuracy of the book. But it is what I would term an "easy read" and certainly a great choice for someone interested in this era. He lays out the confusing procession of kings and kingdoms very well and much more clearly than anything I have ever found. So, if you are looking for a good read and have an interest in this era of history, I would highly recommend this book. It is a page turner in the best senses.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • WPE
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very Readable
    Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This author and book progresses through the Anglo - Saxon kingdoms and kings, the bloody revolts, tumult and falls of the many kings from the 5th century to the 11th century. The author does so with some clarity but without making overbroad claims for developments accomplishments and significant historical events as he progresses through history. He captures well the dichotomy and competition between Irish Catholicism and Catholicism imported from the continent, the split between monks and clerics--many of these conflicts carried into more modern history and helped shape the religious landscape of England to the present (spoiler: the Irish and the monks lost). I enjoyed this book, it filled a gap in my knowledge, as history, while giving some play to Alfred the Great, Harold Godwinson and Harold Hardrata, largely jumps from the fall of Rome to William the Conqueror. This history even informed my own genealogical studies (my family starts in Whitby). I was surprised that the epithet Aethelred the Unready may mean something different than we think. A kings list added as an appendix might have been useful, otherwise a good read.
    20 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars immensely readable
    Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This book provided insights that I, as an Englishman (maybe more appropriately a Briton), found engaging and fascinating. I had no idea that there were three successful invasions of England - Roman and Norman, and a third I will let the readers discover. It gives a clear view of the history and the underlying politics, of which there was much, but thee are some areas that out of necessity were overlooked or reduced. The two areas I would like to understand better are the conquests of the Britons, and the level of artistry shown by the artifacts from those days. I could not reconcile the level of sophistication of the books and jewelry with the often dangerous times they lived in. But perhaps that is for another book. As for this one, grab your favorite drink, be prepared to wince at all the similar names you will read, and be prepared for a good read. The centuries gallop by all too fast.
    21 people found this helpful
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  • ELS
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. The first book I have read by Marc Morris and it will not be the last! The writing style is engaging and takes a subject which has potential to be very dry to a very realistic and human place. Loved the history and now feel that I have such a better understanding of the spanning period. I wish I had learnt more of this at school, and can’t understand why we only really did the Normans onwards! Would love to have Morris write something that was more social history based, what was life like for everyday people during this period, although not sure if there is enough evidence for that! Highly recommend the book, I could not put it down.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • Happy Pilgrim
    5.0 out of 5 stars I didn't know that!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Fills in the gap between Roman occupation and the Norman Conquest in a very accessible style. It gives a great sense of the bigger picture with just enough detail for context.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Andrew Sacks
    4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent 700 years
    Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this book! Telling the history of 100 years is hard enough but to get this much detail and so many interesting stories of 700 plus years of British history was a page turner for sure. By the end of the book I was happy William invaded and set up the next 1000 years of mostly idiotic kings and queens. Not that most of the Kings in his book were so great. I think about 3 in 700 years were great.
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Mountains are it!
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent history
    Reviewed in Canada on January 5, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I am already half way through, and I can say this is well written and entertaining to read! A great purchase!
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  • Thiago Chaves de Souza Leão
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ótimo trabalho
    Reviewed in Brazil on August 20, 2024
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    Conteúdo de excelência!
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  • John flynn
    5.0 out of 5 stars middle ages
    Reviewed in Spain on January 4, 2025
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    Very easy to read and very interesting!
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  • MF
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting
    Reviewed in Germany on December 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Very, very interesting. Thank you!
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  • Ale
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tutto ok
    Reviewed in Italy on December 17, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Arrivato in pochi giorni
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