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Vikings
Amazing illustrations and a wealth of information transport you to the days when the Vikings ruled the seas!
For more than two hundred years, during the Vikings' heyday, all Europe shivered in fear at their terrifying approach. This lavishly illustrated and fact-filled book explains why. It illuminates every aspect of Viking history and culture, from their legends and lore to their journeys of exploration and their incredible discovery of America five hundred years before Columbus.
For more than two hundred years, during the Vikings' heyday, all Europe shivered in fear at their terrifying approach. This lavishly illustrated and fact-filled book explains why. It illuminates every aspect of Viking history and culture, from their legends and lore to their journeys of exploration and their incredible discovery of America five hundred years before Columbus.
- GenresHistory
205 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2007
7 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 8, 2021
This book disappointed me. It's visually appealing with a pretty cover and full color illustrations, but the information is really lacking. I got the distinct impression that the author(s) is/are biased about the old heathen religion and practices because the pagan customs of pre-Christian Northmen were spoken of with something nearly like disgust while Christianity was spoken of with affection.
The history isn't always accurate, either. I'm not entirely sure what their sources were for some things, but they didn't seem like they were very solid, whatever they were.
The runes are spoken of briefly, and that section may as well be skipped because of the horrible inaccuracy in it. Incorrect meanings are given for several, incorrect uses outside writing for most, and they don't seem to be presented in the correct way for writing, either. For example, runes are used to spell something on the back of the book, but most of the runes used don't seem to be connected to their actual English letter equivalent, so most of them point to a letter that doesn't fit that rune and so the "words" on the back are nonsense gibberish. If you're interested in runes, I suggest looking into books by Edred Thorsson and Freya Aswynn.
I found this book free in a "little library" and thought it would be better based on the visual presentation, but it's really not, and as such I'm really glad I wasted no money on it. If you're interested in the history of the Nordic people and of real vikings, I wouldn't rely on this book to give you the real story. Check more reputable sources.
The history isn't always accurate, either. I'm not entirely sure what their sources were for some things, but they didn't seem like they were very solid, whatever they were.
The runes are spoken of briefly, and that section may as well be skipped because of the horrible inaccuracy in it. Incorrect meanings are given for several, incorrect uses outside writing for most, and they don't seem to be presented in the correct way for writing, either. For example, runes are used to spell something on the back of the book, but most of the runes used don't seem to be connected to their actual English letter equivalent, so most of them point to a letter that doesn't fit that rune and so the "words" on the back are nonsense gibberish. If you're interested in runes, I suggest looking into books by Edred Thorsson and Freya Aswynn.
I found this book free in a "little library" and thought it would be better based on the visual presentation, but it's really not, and as such I'm really glad I wasted no money on it. If you're interested in the history of the Nordic people and of real vikings, I wouldn't rely on this book to give you the real story. Check more reputable sources.
November 17, 2016
I absolutely loved this book!
Now with that out of the way...
Not what I has expected, to say the least. For some reason I thought this would be a novel like Clemens other work and instead I got a nice edition detailing the history of Vikings from the first time they were encountered to the very end of their existence.
Lush illustrations.
Printed paper quality is absolutely amazing.
It was a pleasure just to turn the pages. I know that shouldn't have an effect on the books rating but reading a paper book is an experience in itself. And this was a great experience.
Now I wish there was more information about the Vikings from their perspective but not much exists I supposed from that far back, except the runes they left us with.
One way or another, it is a fantastic general overview of Vikings that will leave you researching for more on topics that interest you most.
Very worth the time!
Roman
Now with that out of the way...
Not what I has expected, to say the least. For some reason I thought this would be a novel like Clemens other work and instead I got a nice edition detailing the history of Vikings from the first time they were encountered to the very end of their existence.
Lush illustrations.
Printed paper quality is absolutely amazing.
It was a pleasure just to turn the pages. I know that shouldn't have an effect on the books rating but reading a paper book is an experience in itself. And this was a great experience.
Now I wish there was more information about the Vikings from their perspective but not much exists I supposed from that far back, except the runes they left us with.
One way or another, it is a fantastic general overview of Vikings that will leave you researching for more on topics that interest you most.
Very worth the time!
Roman
January 25, 2014
If you are not familiar with Viking history this is a good overview. My starting point for further reading...
January 14, 2020
(Tähelepanu, minu raamatul on teine autor, kuigi sama pilt, kaaneinfo jms)
FB Lugemise väljakutse grupi #argoajalugu Jaanuari miniväljakutse.
J. M. Clements Viikingid. Kadunud maailm. 135 lk, Sinisukk 2008.
Puhh... see raamat oli nii halb. Selles oli halba tõlkija-toimetajatööd (no meil ei ole ju Balti meri?!). Selles oli kohutavat anglo-ameerikakesksust - sest noh, viikingiks olemine algab ja lõppeb briti ürikutes mainitud olemisega ja kogu barbaarsed, julmad ja jõhkrad Viikingid käisid "kriminaalseid" tegusid tegemas vagas kristilikus maailmas [öäk]. Ja selles oli kohutavat šovinismi - milline meestekesksus ja milline üleolev suhtumine naistesse.
Suureformaadiline, ilusate piltidega raamat, millel on ka ilmselt suur ja tobe keskkonnajalajälg, sest on trükitud Hongkongis ja kaaneilustusteks on plast-rubiinid.
GR saab siiski 2/5, Ärge lugege, sest noh, tekst on halb, aga vaadake pilte.
[Mõtisklus iseendaga on muidugi ka selline, et milmääral on raamatu rikkunud mu haridus. Aga noh, oluline on siiski see, et tegemist on laste teadusraamatuga ja sellisel kujul on ta allikana ikka väga halb.]
FB Lugemise väljakutse grupi #argoajalugu Jaanuari miniväljakutse.
J. M. Clements Viikingid. Kadunud maailm. 135 lk, Sinisukk 2008.
Puhh... see raamat oli nii halb. Selles oli halba tõlkija-toimetajatööd (no meil ei ole ju Balti meri?!). Selles oli kohutavat anglo-ameerikakesksust - sest noh, viikingiks olemine algab ja lõppeb briti ürikutes mainitud olemisega ja kogu barbaarsed, julmad ja jõhkrad Viikingid käisid "kriminaalseid" tegusid tegemas vagas kristilikus maailmas [öäk]. Ja selles oli kohutavat šovinismi - milline meestekesksus ja milline üleolev suhtumine naistesse.
Suureformaadiline, ilusate piltidega raamat, millel on ka ilmselt suur ja tobe keskkonnajalajälg, sest on trükitud Hongkongis ja kaaneilustusteks on plast-rubiinid.
GR saab siiski 2/5, Ärge lugege, sest noh, tekst on halb, aga vaadake pilte.
[Mõtisklus iseendaga on muidugi ka selline, et milmääral on raamatu rikkunud mu haridus. Aga noh, oluline on siiski see, et tegemist on laste teadusraamatuga ja sellisel kujul on ta allikana ikka väga halb.]
June 2, 2020
De las cosas más rescatable son la preciosidad de imágenes y lo hermoso del libro.
En cuanto a contenido, nosabía casi nada acerca de los vikingos. Es por ello que este libro me ha sido muy útil para aumentar la curiosidad, pero una cosa que no me agradó del todo es que siento la información desordenada. De pronto me perdía, tenía que regresar a páginas anteriores… es un buen libro y es perfecto para las personas que les gustan los libros ilustrados, pero no sé lo recomendaría a alguien que esté inmerso en el mundo vikingo y quiera aumentar sus conocimientos o que, como yo, no sepa absolutamente nada.
Es un buen libro introductorio para quién sabe lo mínimo.
En cuanto a contenido, nosabía casi nada acerca de los vikingos. Es por ello que este libro me ha sido muy útil para aumentar la curiosidad, pero una cosa que no me agradó del todo es que siento la información desordenada. De pronto me perdía, tenía que regresar a páginas anteriores… es un buen libro y es perfecto para las personas que les gustan los libros ilustrados, pero no sé lo recomendaría a alguien que esté inmerso en el mundo vikingo y quiera aumentar sus conocimientos o que, como yo, no sepa absolutamente nada.
Es un buen libro introductorio para quién sabe lo mínimo.
August 3, 2023
Es un libro físicamente grande, totalmente ilustrado y con buenas fotos.
Bastante interesante para jovenes o niños que quieran entender más sobre la historia y la cultura vikinga.
Bastante interesante para jovenes o niños que quieran entender más sobre la historia y la cultura vikinga.
April 17, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The cover and binding are very nice and it looks good on the shelf. The content is very good and the illustrations, pictures, etc. all add to the book, nicely. The mythology section was what I was looking for, and it delivered. I can always do with more stories and lore in that department, so I wouldn't detract from this book based on the amount. It was a solid read with a great amount of information on the subject.
December 25, 2015
I found this on clearance and wasn't sure if I should get it or not, but figured what the hey, I liked the first page. I'm glad I did! It really helped me visualize the time period and connect what I recently learned about the Northumbrians and the Franks with the Nordic/Rus/Salvic peeps. Loved the format and the illustrations. I'm excited to share it with my students.
November 19, 2013
A great book, but the version I have is written by someone named J.M. Clements, and was about 205 pages...but it has the exact same cover and title...how odd.
November 29, 2016
A great introduction about the Vikings.
June 14, 2012
Awesome and interactive. Highly recommend to help educate anyone on Norse mythology.
September 23, 2015
This is a quick read. The information is interesting but basic. This is not an in depth study.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews