A Viking Voyage: In Which an Unlikely Crew of Adventurers Attempts an Epic Journey to the New World

by W. Hodding Carter IV

Fascinated since childhood with Leif Eriksson's triumphant sailing voyage a thousand years ago from Greenland to North America, Hodding Carter could not shake his admittedly crazy idea of reenacting Eriksson's epic journey in a precise replica of the precarious Viking cargo ship known as a knarr. This extraordinary book is the account of how he pulled it off. By turns thrilling and slapstick, sublime and outrageous, A Viking Voyage is an unforgettable adventure story that will take you to the heart of some of the most magnificent, unspoiled territory on earth, and even deeper, to the heart of a journey like no other. A celebration of the people and places Carter visits and a treasure trove of fascinating Viking lore, here is an unforgettable story of friendship and teamwork—and the thrill of accomplishing a goal that once seemed impossible.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Adventure, Biography

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

A native of Greenville, Mississippi, W. Hodding Carter attended Kenyon College and spent two years in Kenya with the Peace Corps. He has written for several national magazines, including Esquire, Smithsonian, Newsweek, and Outside. He lives with his family in Rockport, Maine.

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author makes or breaks nonfiction. It's clear from the first two paragraphs that the book is being written by a writer who is also an adventurer, not an adventurer who is going to write the most tedious account of his experience. Thank God.

In the late 90's, Carter had the idea to follow the route Leif Erikson took from Greenland to North America. It quickly grew into a massive plan including building a Viking knarr (aka the Viking ship you're picturing) and eventually included one set of authentic Viking clothing. The team (I think about 9 or 10 men? I can't remember and my book is in another room.) set out one summer, experienced major rudder failure, and had to be rescued. They regrouped and got more prepared, then tried and succeeded the following year.

I enjoyed finding out practical things I have always wondered about, including one of the biggest questions in my life: How did Vikings survive in open boats? What were the logistics of sleeping and going to the bathroom? So those questions were answered. It wasn't a disaster story; they ate well and didn't have any major catastrophes. There was a bit of scary excitement with some polar bears, but mostly it was a sailing story and a story of a random group of people becoming a family.

I love sailing books; the endless talk of bowlines and tacking is strangely endearing. I love that people inevitably go a little nutty out on the water, but come through it to a new spiritual place. It's never hokey spiritual, but something bigger than religion that can't even name God, recognizing something bigger than us and the earth after facing the grandeur of the sea and the natural world.

[S.J. Arnott · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a while since I read this one, but I remember enjoying it.

One thing that sticks out in my mind is the fact that Carter spent most of the voyage dressed in sealskin clothes that were made for him as a present. His intention had been to change these for some synthetic waterproofs, but he found that, while the sealskins let in water, they actually kept him warm.

Carter was constantly damp but warm, while his companions were mostly dry, but periodically squirted by icy seawater when the occasional wave found its way through the fastenings of their modern clothing.

It was an interesting observation, and not something you'd guess at without actually going out there and doing it.

[Breña]

Hodding Carter berichtet von den Vorbereitungen eines sauteuren Projekts, das er ständig fast in den Sand setzt und bei dem Fehler tödlich sein können, und er klingt als würde er über einen verpatzten Käsekuchen schreiben. Offenbar ist es ihm am Ende gelungen, wie ist mir allerdings nach 96 Seiten egal. Das egozentrische Gejammer können auch die wenigen interessanten Fakten nicht aufwiegen.

[AbstractPopcorn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was expecting something along the lines of Tim Moore's books -- hapless guy tries something really hard and despite all the odds succeeds. I guess that's what happens here but the author is infuriatingly indifferent to the danger he is putting his crew in, and incredibly self-centered throughout. The actual voyage itself only makes up about the last 20% of the book, if that. And part of the problem is that his writing about the voyage is boring. "The land was beautiful ..." Uh, and? I didn't get the self-deprecating humor I was expecting with a story like this. Instead, he ignores basic safety precautions, thinks that the captain -- the only person with actual sailing experience -- is an overreacting nitpicker, and takes no time at all to learn the first thing about sailing or navigating. He's a selfish baby, expecting everyone to carry him along but thinking that he's the big guy in charge. I have no idea how he managed to wrangle financing -- he must be a great bullshi**er in person. Too bad that doesn't carry over into his writing.

[Susan Marrier · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a slow starter, but when they finally get underway it becomes quite engaging, as the author tells us not only about the physical difficulties of making the crossing in an open viking-style boat, but also about the interpersonal struggles, and the emotional highs and lows, including his reactions to the stunning beauty of the landscapes they encounter.

[Ami Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very fun read about a group of ordinary men crossing from Greenland to North America. I thought the author was a narcissist and the sailing terms left me confused in many places, but I enjoyed reading it.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned a lot about Vikings, Greenland and Labrador. Interesting take is all the looking inside the team members emotions. Some other adventure stories I’ve read seem to gloss over this. Lots of insight into what makes teams work, or not, under stress.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adventure and lore, what more could one want?

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It started slow, but they I really got interested in the men's lives. Glad I kept reading it!

[Leonel Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best book I opened in a while. Very descriptive of the geography and animals they encountered.

[Joe White · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were a few details regarding boat construction, or historical details that may have made this worth reading. Carter had obviously done a great deal more research than he lets on. Unfortunately the micro-focus on daily BS really dragged this story down. I think that carter went out of his way to try to present a childish lighthearted voyage of a bunch of underachievers in order to try to appeal to readers who don't have the slightest clue of the rigors of outdoor explorations. It also needlessly padded the length of the book. Great boat, great voyage, detailed info about some aspects of the landscape and people, but told in a very depressingly offhanded manner with little concession to ambition, competition, or macho goal directed objectives. I was barely able to finish, and then only by skim reading the last 100 pages.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

A true account by adventurer Carter of a voyage he took from Greenland to Newfoundland, following the route of the Vikings. He and his crew knew too little about sailing and the Viking ship they had had built had structural problems. The first summer’s attempt failed, but after more instruction in sailing and a re-building of the boat, they succeeded the second summer. I think Carter was rather irresponsible to go and leave his wife with young twins and another baby on the way; most of the other men were freer to follow their own way. I like true adventure stories, and this was fun to read, though not as exciting as some I’ve read.

[Virginia Van]

Although he cannot sail, hates cold and panics when lost, Hodding Carter nonetheless decided to spend a fortune to build a Viking boat, collect a group of unlikely sailors, and set off to sail from Greenland to Lanse Aux Meadows to prove it could be done. A fascinating look at what Viking life might have been like and at the Arctic environment told with humour and honesty.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bunch of guys with little or no sailing experience set out to recreate Lief Eriksson's voyage from Greenland to Vinland/Newfoundland. Not just that, but they're going in a replica Viking boat that they built themselves. What's more, the leader of their group wears Viking clothing for most of the trip. Sounds a bit zany, and the book captures the full spirit of the adventure.

[Christopher Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hodding Carter sets off on a intense journey, comisioning a replica of an ancient Viking cargo boat, and then sailing from Greenland to Marksland. A hilarious, inspiring, awesome book. Carter is self depriciative, honest, and accesable, it was a great book.

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

A group of intrepid young men decide to follow Leif Erikson's voyage, using a boat built to the specifications of the one he might have used. Though they encountered some problems at first, they soon were on their way and even found a few surprises along their journey.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read. I liked the details about the boat's construction most -- particularly good fodder for someone who is writing about the tenth century (me). I would have liked even more detail about the construction. It's a fast and light read without a lot of drama.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this years ago when I ran across it at my local library and I remember really enjoying it. I even recommended it to a friend. It's a good read and the author is is an excellent writer who is also funny.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book because I previously read a book by this author and I love his writing style. I'll let you know what I think about this one!

[Mel]

I didn't actually read this, the e book I actually read just isn't listed and I want it to count towards my goal reads.

[Brock Snyder · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great and honest adventure story

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great bit of encouragement for those who get wild ideas in their heads.