The Vikings: Wolves of War

by Martin Arnold

This concise and balanced history traces the 300-year saga of the pirates and warlords who poured out of Scandinavia between the eighth and eleventh centuries, terrorizing, conquering, and ultimately settling vast tracts of land throughout Europe. Undaunted by the might of the Arab caliphates and the Byzantine Empire, they founded Russia, originated the bloodline that came to rule France, and created a North Sea empire that included England. They also established settlements across the North Atlantic, notably in Iceland and Greenland, and their adventurous spirit and extraordinary seafaring skills led them to explore and briefly build colonies in North America. These were the Vikings, initially ferocious pagan warriors seeking land and booty under the banners of their gods, but eventually belligerent Christian kings commanding vast armies.

Martin Arnold provides a lively and accessible account of the early medieval period that became known as the Viking Age. Drawing on rich literary and archaeological source material, the first half of the book focuses especially on Viking culture, religious beliefs, and battle tactics and weaponry. The second half ranges over the four main theaters of Viking activity―the British Isles, Western Europe, the Slavic regions, and the North Atlantic settlements. Arnold vividly illustrates the two faces of the Vikings: on the one hand, savage, greedy, and implacable; on the other, adventurous, innovative, and artistic.

Genres: History

168 pages, Paperback

First published December 28, 2006

Reviews

[Graham]

Just finished:

Latham, MD: Rowman & Littlefielrld Publishers, Inc., 2007.

This book was okay, it didn't wow me. That said, it wasn't terrible either. The biggest portion of the book focused on England. The back of the book listed the author as a senior lecturer of early medieval literature at the University of Hull, which makes sense.

The author also described the viking movements in Europe and Russia. The vikings also had an active trade with Arabs to obtain silver.

To me, the most interesting part of the book was the viking presence in Greenland and North America.

Do what you want with this review.

[Kathryn]

Wonderful review/storytelling of viking culture and expansion throughout the known world.

[Riversue]

A very brief history - light but entertaining. Not fo rthose who are looking for real history with lots of detail.

[Louise]

He writes in a very engaging and non judgemental way about the Vikings, who were basically a race of entrepreneurs, as far as I can tell. Rather violent ones, when they weren't farming. It's fairly short, so obviously there's detail lacking, but for an overview of who they were, their expansion, culture and the (sometimes scarily violent) change from paganism to Christianity, it's very good.

[Eleanor Kos]

I ain't done yet, jeez, gimme a chance!

[Allison]

This book is a great introduction/brief glimpse into the world of the Vikings. This is a great book for anyone interesting in starting a foundation of knowledge on the Vikings.