Sons of Vikings: A Legendary History of the Viking Age

by David Gray Rodgers, Kurt Noer

The Viking Age (793-1066) was an explosive time in history. Scandinavian adventurers carried on sleek dragon-prow ships set out in all directions to explore, trade, war, and make their fortunes. But these men and women were not just opportunists and mercenaries. They would prove to be a transformative force everywhere they went. They founded kingdoms, and new domains formed to resist them. They re-established trade from the Silk Roads to the misty lands beyond the known boundaries of the known world. They changed the very trajectory of history. Sons of Vikings is a different kind of Viking book. This book tells the stories of the Viking Age through the men and women who lived it. You will learn about Ragnar Lothbrok and the dawn of the Viking phenomenon, how Rollo changed France, Alfred's battles for England, the adventures of Ivar the Boneless in Ireland, Floki’s discovery of Iceland, the mystery of Lagertha the Shield Maiden, Olga the Viking mother of Russia, Bjorn Ironside's voyage to the Mediterranean, and much more. Instead of merely presenting facts, chronologies, or geographical data, these stories convey an understanding that will stick with you long after the back cover is closed. Sons of Vikings is meticulously researched from over 100 different works including nearly 40 primary sources. But is also not afraid to challenge conventional beliefs and offer new perspectives. It is the perfect introduction for the casual fan of Vikings in television and popular culture. But it also provides a fresh take for the well-read history enthusiast. From myths, legends, sagas, and stories, to the most recent archeology and DNA research, this book brings the Viking Age to life.

Genres: History

435 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2018

Reviews

[Katie Landry · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were a few parts of this book I skipped over. I simply wasn’t as interested in them as others. It was more towards the end about Olga and the Rus. But the parts about the Viking culture, gods, origins, dragon ships, and people such as Ragnar Lothbrok, Bjorn Ironside, Floki, Ivar the Boneless along with the great heathen army, and Alfred the Great I loved! Honestly, the more I read and learn about Alfred the Great the more I consider him to be a hero of mine. He overcame such overwhelming odds & had he not continued to fight our history may look vastly different. The Vikings were such a force to be reckoned with and changed/shaped the world they lived in. I found it so interesting that even things we say and do today in America stem from Vikings & their culture. In fact, “four days of the week carry the memory of the Norse gods - Tuesday is Tyr’s day, Wednesday is Odin’s day, Thursday is Thor’s day, and Friday belongs to Freya.” I love this excerpt from the last paragraph of book, “Though the Vikings were hard people living in a cruel age, there is much that is noble about them and much that we ourselves can emulate. Their ethos, daring, and complete faith in themselves is as pertinent now as it ever was. The unflinching way in which they faced dangers, adversity, and uncertainties of life, reveling in joys and shrugging off sorrows, is a model for anyone. Perhaps that is why the Vikings still inspire, long after they themselves have found their fate.”

[Shane Findlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

For tyros to experts everywhere. This is a book that covers it all. Written colloquially with a fluid and simple narrative that bursts with intriguing ‘facts’. Highly recommended.

[Neil Lovell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure this is the same book... The one I read is Sons of Vikings: History and Impact of the Viking Age. Same authors. I did scan the barcode and this is what popped up.
If there is a difference in book, don't worry too much about my review.
I don't like their writing style, organization, voice, or history. The more I read it the more I felt like it was not history, rather simple written story telling with a dabble of a fact or two to pretend history. Paragraphs are short, sentences very simple, reasoning is basic. It has potential, but honeslty left me wanting more. Stories are so over the place, chronology confused, and issues that need to be discussed ignored. William the Conqueror's suposoed legitimacy for the Saxon/English throne was completely left out. What??? Don't waste 400 pages without giving the audience some actual history in your supposed "History and Impact." For a non academic (and by that, I mean anyone wanting a mildly deep understanding of the Viking Age) I think you'll be disappointed. Simple story telling if that.

[Alejandro Curiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with high hopes, as I am a Viking fan. This book blew my mind. It's incredibly detailed on years and adventures as well as on what we know for certain and what might be a mith or not. They have so many sources and yet they compiled the vital into one amazing book. Highly recommend it.

[Jesse Mathewson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic and well done

Almost without bias, which is hard when writing anything. This was a fantastic compilation of well thought out approaches giving an open perspective to a difficult conversation. Read it, and understand it is as factual as one can get on a topic based in much misrepresented and some truth over the ages.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid

I enjoyed reading this history of the Vikings. This was an engaging and informative read. I was left wanting more and do think that like many ebooks, this one could use another editorial pass. I recommend this for any history nerd with an interest in the Vikings.

[Sean Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on the history of the Vikings.

[Trace Humphreys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid overview of the impact of the Viking age and the key figures that embodied it.

[Christina L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Viking influence

This book is very informative. I like all the ways is shows the Vikings within the history of other people's and lands.

[James Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a very well written and in-depth history of the Vikings and their continuing impact on the world we live in.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book. If you are a fan of The Vikings show on the History channel then you would like this because it brings the legends of the real characters: Ragnar, Lagertha, Floki, Rollo, and all of Ragnar’s sons. And there is so much more than that to read about. And it doesn’t read like a history book. It’s a reasonable price for a nice thick book full of interesting facts about Vikings and how they are the ones who actually spread their culture all over the world.