A well written highly readable book. The author brings a new perspective on the early history of the British Isles focusing particularly on the pivotal part that the growth of Christianity had in transforming the separate Anglo-Saxon kingdoms into the unified nation of the Early English. The author takes time to unpack what this transformative Christian faith actually looked like in these early times and how this new faith was worked out in the real lives of our early national leaders. Key figures of the time are discussed including King Ethelbert and Queen Bertha of Kent, St Augustine of Canterbury, Saint King Oswald of Northumbria, St Aidan and St Cuthbert of the Celtic tradition and King Alfred the Great. In addition the author devotes time to lesser known figures of influence - Queen Bertha's daughter Queen Ethelburgha, St Martin of Tours, Archbishop Theodore to name but a few. Courage, wisdom, self-sacrifice - and Miracles! – characterized these times. Heroes and heroines of faith and leadership – who should be better known – are drawn out of the shadows of our early history. I would encourage anyone interested in our early nation-building history or in how God has worked in our real history in times gone by to read this book.