Few are those that have not heard of the fearsome Vikings and their daring exploits. These Northern seafarers, the scourge of the Middle Ages, left their mark on the world’s history in a grand fashion. Courageous, defiant, and driven by the desire for exploration, the Norsemen were the most feared of all Medieval conquerors. Many thought them invincible, and they held many struggling Christian nations in their sway. From Scotland, England, France, and Ireland, down to the shores of Spain and the Baltic, the Vikings left their undeniable mark. Brutal conquest was not the only tool of their these men were able seafarers and great explorers. Vikings discovered and established colonies in the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, and North America. Many agree that they were the first to set foot in the land we know today as Canada. All in all, the Vikings hold a vital role in the history of the world. Who knows how our world would look today if it weren’t for these grand Norsemen?
This is a nice overview of the Viking Age. I liked how the chapters were divided because the information came in related morsels. I was unaware that the Vikings were ancient ancestors of the Russian people. The difference between this book and some others is that these authors delved into the successes and challenges these voyagers encountered during their time. It gives a well-rounded view of remarkable people.
This is a quick snap shot in to the History of Vikings. It is extremely insightful and knowledgeable. I enjoyed it and gleamed a bit of history and the vast ways they impacted others, developed and more.
Everyday finding more and more ‘Vikings’ around the world.
One part was extremely disgusting I’ll let you tell me where you think I’m referring… how did they come up with the idea, I sure would like to know. Sounds more like African apes.
If you’re looking for a scholarly work, this is probably not for you. There are some discrepancies with writing tense that pulled away my attention from the information presented. The information, while abbreviated, was interesting and engaging. I could have done without the details around the death ritual, but you can’t deny historical facts just because they’re uncomfortable.
I honestly enjoyed this book. I highly encourage you to read it, while listening to the audiobook version if you can. The names of the towns and people can be challenging, and the narrator is fantastic with them. But, this book is filled with information and a great history of the Viking people. I will definitely follow up with future volumes to come. I appreciated that it is not like a typical fiction story of the Vikings, that only focuses on their brutality. This delves into their successes, humanity, and intelligence.
This book is a great reference as well, for any fan of history or Viking lore. I plan to keep it in my library to read again at some point.
I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntatrily leaving a review.
This was a fascinating "Reader's Digest version" of the Vikings - who they were, where they went, and why. I learned a lot and am very glad I listened to it. Now, since I'm a red-haired granddaughter of Swedes, I want to see if I have Viking blood!
I love reading and learning more about the History of Vikings. I enjoyed reading this book and learning more about this subject. It is easy to read. Well written. I can't wait to read more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.