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Now What?!!
The formation of the English people starting with the arrival of the newly confederated Germanic tribes of Engels, Kimbern and Saxons. The story continues through to the arrival of St. Augustine and his 40 monks and their work of converting the early English pagans to Christanity. The story continues to the end of reign of King Alfred the Great.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 23, 2021
1 person is currently reading
1218 people want to read
About the author
Michael G. Kramer
11 books7,185 followersServed Australian army, including war service in the Vietnam War in 1968 - 1969. Came home to public shunning of Vietnam Veterans and discrimination against Vietnam Veterans by potential employers. This resulted in the setting up of the first business, (contract fencing) because I could not get a job. In due course, I studied for Advanced Diploma of Egineering Technology, Associate Degree of Civil Engineering and I am now doing my Arts degree. It was during the study of the arts degree that I became interested in the history of Northern Europe and Germania during the times of Julius and Augustus Ceasar. This led to researching and writing of the second book entitled 'For the Love of Armin'. Currently studying Bachelor of Construction Management.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 14, 2019
This book is packed with historical facts and gets straight into it without any unnecessary pre-amble. I have previously read For The Love Of Armin by Michael Kramer, which is in a similar vein. This book is written in first person narrative (by a ghost!). Now What?!! is like a whole semester of history class condensed into one book – it really brings history to life and makes it accessible and entertaining, almost like being in an immersive role-playing game (not for the faint-hearted!). I don’t know how much is historically accurate and how much is fiction, and where that line blurs, however. I’m also unsure if the characters are (were) actual people or created by the author. One thing is for certain though, you can learn so much from reading this, soaking up the feeling of being alive in another time and place.
December 9, 2018
History made immediate
Australian author Michael Kramer earned degrees in architecture and engineering and now adds the Arts to his arsenal. Michael served in the Australian Army during the Vietnam War in 1968-1969. He has published three books – FULL CIRCLE FOR MICK based on the Vietnam War and its aftermath, ANGLO-SAXON INVASION, and FOR THE LOVE OF ARMIN, the last two examine ancient history with an emphasis on the Roman conquests.
Michael is a fine researcher and in his Introduction he shares some little known facts – ‘After A.D. 449, the original homeland of the Engel Tribe (Angle tribe) was left totally deserted because the entire tribe had gone to Britain as a mass migration, which also left several of their longships which were at various stages of construction behind. It is thought that the difference between the Engel longship and the Danish Viking ones may have been that the Engels used a keel plank, whereas the Viking longship which may have appeared more than 110 years later, had a 'T’ shaped keel which gave it better performance in rough weather. What was the reason the Germanic tribes may have gone to Britain? The actual reason is lost in time, but it may have been that the Saxons could not expand toward the west and south west towards the Rhine because the Franks were there. There was pressure coming from Wends who were also living in the Jutland peninsular at the time and the Danes who also needed to expand. Once the Engels left, so did many of the Kimbern and Saxons, this made the entire Jutland peninsular depopulated, a fact not missed by the Danes who moved in and made use of the deserted country-side. Centuries later, the Germans would take back most of the Jutland peninsular. All three Germanic tribes settled in Britain, with the Engels calling where they settled “Engel-land".
In his usual manner of relating the history of ancient peoples Michael spikes our imagination by including all the incidents and facts that today seem more like fairytales or Marvel comics. Not that he jests; he simply writes this fine history of the Anglo Saxon invasion by the Romans in a way that makes it entertaining as well as instructive.
The synopsis distills the facts – ‘In 449 A.D., The call for help from the king of Britons, called Vortigern was answered by the Germanic tribes of Engels (Angles), kimbern and Saxons. all three tribes operated autonomously, but always under the banner of the Saxons with whom the other had amalgamated. The Saxons were therefore dominant among them. they did as vortigern wanted and stopped the raiding by Picks and Scots. After these successes against the enemies of the Britons, the Germanic tribes bought in their women and families and in due course took over much of the British Islands. in time, these Germanic tribes became the English people.’
Fine writing, well considered research, and a sense of immediacy make this a fine history book. Where will Michael take us next?
Australian author Michael Kramer earned degrees in architecture and engineering and now adds the Arts to his arsenal. Michael served in the Australian Army during the Vietnam War in 1968-1969. He has published three books – FULL CIRCLE FOR MICK based on the Vietnam War and its aftermath, ANGLO-SAXON INVASION, and FOR THE LOVE OF ARMIN, the last two examine ancient history with an emphasis on the Roman conquests.
Michael is a fine researcher and in his Introduction he shares some little known facts – ‘After A.D. 449, the original homeland of the Engel Tribe (Angle tribe) was left totally deserted because the entire tribe had gone to Britain as a mass migration, which also left several of their longships which were at various stages of construction behind. It is thought that the difference between the Engel longship and the Danish Viking ones may have been that the Engels used a keel plank, whereas the Viking longship which may have appeared more than 110 years later, had a 'T’ shaped keel which gave it better performance in rough weather. What was the reason the Germanic tribes may have gone to Britain? The actual reason is lost in time, but it may have been that the Saxons could not expand toward the west and south west towards the Rhine because the Franks were there. There was pressure coming from Wends who were also living in the Jutland peninsular at the time and the Danes who also needed to expand. Once the Engels left, so did many of the Kimbern and Saxons, this made the entire Jutland peninsular depopulated, a fact not missed by the Danes who moved in and made use of the deserted country-side. Centuries later, the Germans would take back most of the Jutland peninsular. All three Germanic tribes settled in Britain, with the Engels calling where they settled “Engel-land".
In his usual manner of relating the history of ancient peoples Michael spikes our imagination by including all the incidents and facts that today seem more like fairytales or Marvel comics. Not that he jests; he simply writes this fine history of the Anglo Saxon invasion by the Romans in a way that makes it entertaining as well as instructive.
The synopsis distills the facts – ‘In 449 A.D., The call for help from the king of Britons, called Vortigern was answered by the Germanic tribes of Engels (Angles), kimbern and Saxons. all three tribes operated autonomously, but always under the banner of the Saxons with whom the other had amalgamated. The Saxons were therefore dominant among them. they did as vortigern wanted and stopped the raiding by Picks and Scots. After these successes against the enemies of the Britons, the Germanic tribes bought in their women and families and in due course took over much of the British Islands. in time, these Germanic tribes became the English people.’
Fine writing, well considered research, and a sense of immediacy make this a fine history book. Where will Michael take us next?
August 20, 2018
"Now What?!!" by Michael Kramer is an intense compilation of historic facts wrapped into a fictionalized story. The depth of knowledge Kramer exhibits is fascinating and truly represents a great deal of well thought out research. We begin with the early years of the Germanic tribes and finish with the earlier English kings. The telling of the story is through a ghost of Horsa, a Kimbern war lord, and through this medium/persona, goes into great detail about the expanding horizons and history of the Engels, Saxons, and others, including the Vikings. Sometimes it's hard to remember this is a fictionalized story, because the facts presented are so daunting and in depth. You can tell the author has a passion for his subject matter. Not a book to be read in one sitting, this book is to be picked up and absorbed slowly, in order to fully glean the knowledge contained within. Highly recommend.
January 22, 2022
A very interesting book and a great outlook on the early Middle Ages and the formation of England! I find the first person perspective a great way to understand what happened however it’s a shame that this doesn’t continue further into the book. I also noticed countless spelling, grammar and duplication errors that was very surprising for a book that’s highly rated.
Overall a great read and would recommend if you want to understand how the Anglo Saxons came to be and shaped England.
Overall a great read and would recommend if you want to understand how the Anglo Saxons came to be and shaped England.
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June 14, 2018In A.D. 449, the king of the Britons was Vortigern and he was needing to obtain help to stop the Picts and Scots from coming though openings in Hadrian's Wall and raiding his people since the Romans left Britain in 417 A.D.. With help not forthcoming, he asked the newly confederated tribes of the Engels, Kimbern and Saxons to come to his aid. They did so, and this resulted in the Saxons settling in Wessex, Essex and other areas, while Engels settled in areas that made up Anglia, East Anglia and Northumbria. The Kimbern, who some people call Jutes, settled in Kent and the Isle of Wright. Together these people formed what woud become the English. I found this research both challenging and satisfying. The story goes as far as the end of reign of King Alfred the Great and includes his fighting of the Danes who were attepting to take his country. After the Death of Alfred, he was succeeded by his son known as Edward the Elder and he completed the defeat of the Danes which his father had started. I think of this as a great read and a help for those who may be studying English history. Kind regards - Michael G Kramer OMIEAust.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2018
"Now What?!!" by Michael Kramer is an intense compilation of historic facts wrapped into a fictionalized story. The depth of knowledge Kramer exhibits is fascinating and truly represents a great deal of well thought out research. We begin with the early years of the Germanic tribes and finish with the earlier English kings. The telling of the story is through a ghost of Horsa, a Kimbern war lord, and through this medium/persona, goes into great detail about the expanding horizons and history of the Engels, Saxons, and others, including the Vikings. Sometimes it's hard to remember this is a fictionalized story, because the facts presented are so daunting and in depth. You can tell the author has a passion for his subject matter. Not a book to be read in one sitting, this book is to be picked up and absorbed slowly, in order to fully glean the knowledge contained within. Highly recommend.
November 27, 2018
This is a lot of Historical facts that are displayed in a pleasant way. I normally do not read this kind of books, but this one surprised me in a positive way. It showed me that the author has used a lot of time for research and has gained a wide knowledge about the topic. I like when authors take their time to make the research. It is a fictional story that goes through a lot of years. But it still is very interesting to follow and read. I think that is because of the depth and writing style the story has.
A big positive surprise and recommadation from me. Not the last book I want to read from this author.
A big positive surprise and recommadation from me. Not the last book I want to read from this author.
December 27, 2018
This is an interesting and pretty ambitious book by Kramer that wraps up historical facts with a great fictional story. Germanic tribes, Saxons, Vikings, warlords, and a ghost called Horsa. There is a lot of detail so you know the author has done his research, and there’s also enough action packed in alongside that I would imagine it will resonate well with the YA readers as well. All in all I really enjoyed this, and will be eager to read more from Kramer in the future.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews