History is often written around the politics of the time period or country. But there is more to the history of any nation or time period. To base history on the political events leads to a narrow and biased viewpoint.

Bennett served as Secretary of Education under President Ronald Reagan and was President George H. W. Bush’s drug czar. Although his political life began as a Democrat, in the mid-1980s he switched affiliation to the Republican party. He is well-known for his conservative political and cultural viewpoint. That viewpoint is not missed in A Century Turns.

The chronological listing of events is full of stories, which at times reads as though clipped from newspapers and magazines. Bennett also quotes from memos and correspondences of the people involved. Sometimes there is a lack of connection between incidences that are reported. The text is richly footnoted and there is a lengthy list of the sources of information.

Much of the “history” is a defense of policy decision made by both George H.W. and George W. Bush. While much is made of the misdeeds of President Clinton. This telling centers almost entirely on Washington D.C., with a few ventures out for such “historical” events at the O.J. Simpson trial.

Unlike his previous history books, America, The Last Great Hope Volumes 1 and 2, A Century Turns does not read as a thoughtful piece of writing. Nor does it include pieces of societal and cultural history that add color and depth to a history.

In the Introduction, Bennett writes that he only wrote this book at the continued request of history educators who happen to be using the curriculum that accompanies America, The Last Great Hope. He claims to have tried to fend off the request, but those who urged the next volume “remained persistent and unconvinced.” I suspect many of those who urged this premature volume are disappointed.

Many who consider themselves cultural conservative deride liberal slants to history. With important historical figures and events being written out of school textbooks, the complaint has validity. However, if A Century Turns was written with the intent of also being a textbook, it does the same type of historical re-writing, only from conservative slant.

If a reader is looking for explanations and criticisms of policies of the final three presidents of the twentieth century, this may be the book to read. If a teacher is looking for the narrow telling of history from inside the D.C. Beltway, and from a conservative retelling, this may be the book to use.

But, for the reader who is looking for a readable and interesting historical look at the end of the last century, A Century Turns is not the book to invest in.

A Century Turns: New Hopes, New Fears

William J. Bennett
Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 976-1-5955-5169-6
Hardback
Kindle

Benjamin Merkle provides a compete history of not just the man, but also the culture and society of Britain during the 800s. I learned about Alfred’s family, the conditions of the society, the origins of customs, and origins of words. As a finale to the historical account of Alfred’s life, Merkle carefully traces how Alfred brought education to his country and restored Christianity.

The story of King Alfred exemplifies providential history. Some describe Alfred as an unlikely hero. While that may be true, it’s more accurate to say he was an unlikely king. Although the son of a ruling monarch, Alfred was last in line for the throne. Because of the deaths of his older brothers, Alfred rose to throne.

His childhood didn’t prepare him for ruling the kingdom. Being the youngest, it was thought highly unlikely that he would need that training. Alfred was instead a daydreamer of winning battles, which would account for the description as an unlikely hero.

Alfred also enjoyed a good story and poetry. His mother gave him a small book of poetry, which he could not read. But he was able to commit it to memory by having it read to him. This became the foundation for the revival of education and Christianity he spurred later in life.

It did take me a long time to get through this book, though. Merkle writes as a historian would—like he’s writing a history textbook. There was little action or personality to draw me from one chapter to the next. Although the details of fighting the battles were interesting, the scenes were dry and technical. One explanation of battle strategy would have been enough. More action would have intrigued me more.

Merkle also annoyingly goes off on rabbit trails of information. Interrupting the flow with some detail that would be better suited for an endnote. Sometimes I got the feeling that the author wanted to put every bit of his research in the book, but couldn’t quite figure out how to do it smoothly.

For the romantic, there is none to be speak of. Through tales of Lancelot we’ve come to look for tender romances and marriages for this time period. Merkle squelches that notion with details of planned marriages for the sake of political gain or protection from invading Vikings. Some marriages were arranged with royalty in other countries for monetary benefits. Again, he resorted to little rabbit trails that interrupted what might have been a good story.

The White Horse King is an excellent history book for students studying early British history. Through the life of Alfred much is learned about Britian before the smaller kingdoms became one country. Students will also learn how King Alfred brought stability to all of kingdoms with innovative military strategies. Although written as a historical treatise, it has more detail than a typical history text.

For the reader looking for a creative and exciting story, this book is not the one.

The White Horse King: The Life of Alfred the Great
Benjamin Merkle
Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 978-1595552525
Available for Kindle