The Viking Age: A Reader

Readings in Medieval Civilizations and Cultures #14

by Angus A. Somerville (Editor), R. Andrew McDonald (Editor)

By assembling, translating, and arranging over one hundred primary source readings, the authors of this extremely popular book have successfully illuminated the Vikings and their world for a modern audience. The diversity of the Viking Age is brought to life through the wide range of both historical and literary sources; the book also provides insight into the remarkable geographical and chronological expanse of the Viking Age. The Norse translations, many of them new to this collection, are straightforward and easy to read, and the chapter introductions contextualize the readings while allowing the sources to speak for themselves. Reorganized into fourteen chapters, the second edition includes twenty new readings, incorporating material on children, games and entertainment, and runic inscriptions.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Read For School, Archaeology, School

497 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2010

Reviews

[Shane Findlay · Rating 3 out of 5]

The editors will warn you before each chapter. ‘So and so may not be fact.’ ‘So and so may be embellished.’ ‘So and so may have never happened.’
You get the point. If you are looking for ‘facts’, this is not the book. Mildly entertaining with the theme - ‘Oh, you’re not Christian? Convert! Now! Or I’ll kill you!’. Such was organized religion.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really enjoyable compilation of readings covering every dimension of The Viking Age. Angus Somerville was one of my uni profs and I could hear his voice reciting the words in my head at times in the sections he translated.

[Claire Gagnon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reader publishes multiple primary source translations to help readers gain a sense of what the Viking Age is. Spans from its beginning to its revival movements through WWII (the latter is not for the faint hearted…).

[Carissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good primary sources for Viking Age texts.

[PJ Pfeiffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean it's a very comprehensive history of Vikings, what their life was like, etc. It took me a while to read but did not hate it. Except there were too many poems.

[Lauren Shackelford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I basically read this whole thing for class which means I get to count it

[Avani · Rating 4 out of 5]

An expansive look into the Viking Age, chock full of a wide variety of primary sources.