The Viking Ship

by Gareth Williams

The Viking ship is one of the most iconic images of the Viking Age. As well as including well-known vessels such as the spectacular ship-burials from Gokstad and Oseberg in southern Norway, Viking Ships introduces the newly-conserved Roskilde 6 ship from Denmark. Measuring at over 37 metres, this is the longest Viking ship ever discovered and will form the core of the touring exhibition Vikings: life and legend. The Vikings used their shipbuilding skills to command the sea; their famous ships permitted the exploration, colonization and the raids for which they are best known. This book will explore the evolution of their sea-going vessels and celebrate this outstanding feature of the Viking Age

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Art

96 pages, Paperback

First published February 10, 2014

Reviews

[Cath Ennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this for my husband last time I was at the British Museum, as he helped to make the Viking longboats for the movie The 13th Warrior (we have a fantastic photo on our wall of the two boats at dawn on a misty river on Vancouver Island). I was organising my bookshelf the other day and thought I'd give it a shot too. I have very fond memories of the boat race events that form part of the annual Jorvik Viking Festival in my home town, and it was cool to learn more about the history of how the boats were made and used. The book is a little technical, but provides some helpful diagrams and definitions to keep referring back to, and has fantastic photos of preserved boats, reconstructions, and other archaeological finds that depict the boats.

[John Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

4*

A great little book, picked up for a snip in one of the British Museum’s bookshops. An easy and informative read and beautifully illustrated throughout. Here was a sliver of Viking heritage which I must surely share in and hence my enhanced interest.

I now want to get back to Scandinavia and look at 2 or 3 museums mentioned here where I’ll see some of these magnificently beautiful vessels or remnants thereof and much more besides.

[Kerry Hennigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having recently studied the Viking Age with Cambridge University's ICE, I really appreciate this beautiful illustrated guide to the evolution of the ships that made the Scandinavian raiders, traders, and explorers so effective (and feared) in the Early Medieval Period in the Northern Hemisphere.

From early precursors like the Hjortspring boat right up to post Norman conquest warships, this is the best illustrated overview you could ask for.

[Putri Handayani · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to know about the type of viking ships and a bit history behind it, this book is your good start 😸

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great specialist book on Viking Ships and a nice quick read for someone interested in Norse history

[Nicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't know much about boats but I found this an interesting read. I bought this book after my visit to the Viking boat museum in Roskilde. It is amazing that these few Viking boats have survived. Love the photographs.