The Ecclesiastical History of the English People/the Greater Chronicle Bede's Letter to Egbert (Oxford World's Classics (Paperback))

Rating:
Summary: A good read a thousand years ago
Review: The Ecclesiastical History is a well written account of the early years of the Britons to around AD 700. Although probably a good read for the time period, it does lack the more flowing style of today's authors. The book works more as a textbook than anything. Bede goes from one historical event to another with detailed description, but lacks any real insight. The piece is essentially religious propaganda that allows for real history when it doesn't interfere with the church. For all this, however, it is worth reading. Bede covers a time in history that is quite often passed over in the chronicles of the middle ages. The book is very telling of the church at the time and of the sort of influences that it had. A must for any history buff, but certainly not for the casual reader.