This is a deeply researched and well-written biography of Aethelstan, grandson of Alfred the Great and son of Edward the Elder. Author Sarah Foot makes the case that he should be considered the first king of England as it was only under Aethelstan that the whole island was united after he defeated a combined Scottish and Viking force at the Battle of Brunanburh in 937. Foot doesn't tell Aethelstan's story in a chronological way; instead she focuses on a series of themes that highlight different aspects of his life and reign: family, court, church, kingdom, war, death, etc. It's an interesting and effective way of tackling a life that has to be pieced together from archaeological evidence and many accounts written after the fact. The one issue I have with this book is that the only version still in print was a trade paperback and the 16 pages of plates were printed on the same quality of paper as the text and they are very dark and hard to discern. The page of photographs of coins is practically useless. The e-book version available through my university didn't seem to have any illustrations at all (perhaps a rights issue?). I will have to try to get my hands on a print copy of the hard cover to see if the illustrations are better.
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