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Ancient Civilisations: life, myth and art #5
The Vikings: Life, Myth and Art
Viking artifacts discovered across a vast extent from Russia to Greenland and North America bear witness to an artistic legacy that astonishes with its wealth and diversity—and gives life to the popular misconception of the Vikings as a seafaring horde of barbarous plunderers.
The Vikings is a richly illustrated introduction to this extraordinary culture, presenting an art of immense sophistication, with artifacts ranging from exquisite gold jewelry to superbly decorated weapons, and vividly incised and painted runestones.
This book covers themes that have long preoccupied the popular imagination, including: the restless spirit of the Norsemen and their extraordinary voyages in quest of adventure, booty, conquest, glory—and simply trade; the mighty gods and goddesses such as Odin, Freyja, Thor, and the mischief maker Loki; the mysteries of the afterlife; and the ceremonies and sacrifices that accompanied the burials of the Viking rulers and aristocracy in their magnificent longships.
Superb landscape photography adds an enthralling atmosphere of place when juxtaposed with close-up views of art, artifacts, and decorative details. An elegant showcase for the glories of the Viking world, this exploration into the life and art of the legendary adventurers capture the achievements of a lost culture.
After studying history at Oxford, Tony Allan was for many years a writer and editor with Time-Life Books, serving as Series Editor of the Time-Life History of the World. He subsequently contributed chapters to the Lost Civilisation series, covering archeological themes, and worked as an author and consultant on Myth and Mankind, a 20-volume study of comparative mythology. His own books include Americans in Paris, a study of American artists and writers in 1920s Paris, and , for younger readers, a re-telling of Edgar Allan Poe stories that was nominated for the 1996 Birmingham Children's Book Award.
The Vikings is a richly illustrated introduction to this extraordinary culture, presenting an art of immense sophistication, with artifacts ranging from exquisite gold jewelry to superbly decorated weapons, and vividly incised and painted runestones.
This book covers themes that have long preoccupied the popular imagination, including: the restless spirit of the Norsemen and their extraordinary voyages in quest of adventure, booty, conquest, glory—and simply trade; the mighty gods and goddesses such as Odin, Freyja, Thor, and the mischief maker Loki; the mysteries of the afterlife; and the ceremonies and sacrifices that accompanied the burials of the Viking rulers and aristocracy in their magnificent longships.
Superb landscape photography adds an enthralling atmosphere of place when juxtaposed with close-up views of art, artifacts, and decorative details. An elegant showcase for the glories of the Viking world, this exploration into the life and art of the legendary adventurers capture the achievements of a lost culture.
After studying history at Oxford, Tony Allan was for many years a writer and editor with Time-Life Books, serving as Series Editor of the Time-Life History of the World. He subsequently contributed chapters to the Lost Civilisation series, covering archeological themes, and worked as an author and consultant on Myth and Mankind, a 20-volume study of comparative mythology. His own books include Americans in Paris, a study of American artists and writers in 1920s Paris, and , for younger readers, a re-telling of Edgar Allan Poe stories that was nominated for the 1996 Birmingham Children's Book Award.
144 pages, hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
3 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Tony Allan
132 books9 followersAfter studying History at Oxford, Tony Allan worked for the British Broadcasting Company and as a magazine editor before turning to book publishing, including the Myth and Mankind series.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 3, 2020
(I have read the Norwegian translation by Berit Nøkleby)
This is a great introduction into the Viking era for children and those who knows very little about the Viking era to begin with. It leaves out the sordid aspects, it is well researched which means there are no loosely based guesswork in this book. I really appreciated that there are a lot of information from before year 1000 which is rarer to come by.
The illustrations was fabulous.
With that said, this is getting old in the sense that a lot of new discoveries have been made the last twenty years and this book is from 2002.
This is a great introduction into the Viking era for children and those who knows very little about the Viking era to begin with. It leaves out the sordid aspects, it is well researched which means there are no loosely based guesswork in this book. I really appreciated that there are a lot of information from before year 1000 which is rarer to come by.
The illustrations was fabulous.
With that said, this is getting old in the sense that a lot of new discoveries have been made the last twenty years and this book is from 2002.
March 25, 2019
A good solid beginners guide to the Vikings, beautifully illustrated.
May 23, 2018
This is a good overview of the Viking period. The book is well laid out and has a beautiful design, including lots of lovely pictures.
November 27, 2013
Nothing wildly revolutionary about the information found in this book. If you know your Vikings then you probably know most of what is written here already.
The best thing about this book is not the information - which is perfectly appropriate for the reader who has limited knowledge on Vikings and wants to learn more (it is perfect for that) - no, the best thing is the collation of photos and images. A great collection of artefact and archaeological images put together in a nice tactile book.
The best thing about this book is not the information - which is perfectly appropriate for the reader who has limited knowledge on Vikings and wants to learn more (it is perfect for that) - no, the best thing is the collation of photos and images. A great collection of artefact and archaeological images put together in a nice tactile book.
January 9, 2020
Minu arvamuse leiab blogist https://triinuraamatud.wordpress.com/...
June 6, 2017
Perhaps this book is aimed at a readership of school aged students rather than old Celts like myself. It generally covers a wide range of aspects of the Norse world, the geographical spread, art, trading links, mythology, culture, sagas, their period in history and their terrifying raiding through north west Europe.
The informative text is accompanied with many illustrations and great photographs. Sadly, my copy is a local library book and as I discovered at the end of my read, is missing the last thirty pages! I went berserk.
However I certainly prefer the Vikings presented by Tony Allen than those of Tony Curtis.
The informative text is accompanied with many illustrations and great photographs. Sadly, my copy is a local library book and as I discovered at the end of my read, is missing the last thirty pages! I went berserk.
However I certainly prefer the Vikings presented by Tony Allen than those of Tony Curtis.
September 21, 2016
Es la segunda vez que leo este libro y me encanta. Es una historia resumida sobre el mundo vikingo, tanto de sus costumbres, sus creencias, la política, la guerra... es muy completo y lo he disfrutado mucho.
July 25, 2017
Drage ću volje popiti pivo
Visoko gore s obitelji Aesir
Moji dani na zemlji su odbrojani.
Smijem se dok umirem.
March 16, 2025
Tony Allan wrote dozens of fine introductions to several mythological and historical subjects, and this book is another good example of that. It’s important to notice that this edition isn’t the first. It was already published under several other names, but it’s the same work. So if you already have or read “Vikings: the Battle at the End of Time” or “The Vikings; Life, Myth, and Art” you probably shouldn’t buy this product (it’s the same material).
With amazing photographs of artifacts, architecture, woodcarving and landscapes, you will get a sense of wonder and interesting information related to the Viking expansion (both the Danish conquests in the south, the Swedish settling and commerce in the east and the impressive Norwegian and Icelandic explorations and settlements.
The psychology of the Nord is well explored, including their myths and beliefs with the major legends visited and interpreted. After you read this introduction you will want to read a few more books advised in the further reading section.
With amazing photographs of artifacts, architecture, woodcarving and landscapes, you will get a sense of wonder and interesting information related to the Viking expansion (both the Danish conquests in the south, the Swedish settling and commerce in the east and the impressive Norwegian and Icelandic explorations and settlements.
The psychology of the Nord is well explored, including their myths and beliefs with the major legends visited and interpreted. After you read this introduction you will want to read a few more books advised in the further reading section.
June 8, 2025
“The Vikings” has been a great treat for me! Allan’s writing is spot on, both witty and comedic, where it counts. This book teaches amateur audiences about the life, times, gods, culture, and of course, long ships, of the Viking age. I very much enjoyed learning from this book and it has kindled my desire to research Viking culture, berserkers, longships, and art. I hope anyone who reads this enjoys it as much as I did.
December 1, 2018
A thorough introduction to Viking culture. Easy to follow for kids, but still interesting.
Included several great photos of artifcats, but also some terrible qulaity photos that added nothing to book.
Included several great photos of artifcats, but also some terrible qulaity photos that added nothing to book.
March 11, 2020
Interesting but I wish there was more about women.
January 12, 2025
This is a good overview of the Viking age and culture. This is surprisingly dense for a shorter book with a lot of pictures.
March 24, 2017
Good summary of the Viking way of life.
December 24, 2014
This was a very interesting read, made better with photos and illustrations. I believe this was not an excellent source of information though because certain terms, for me: the average person, was uncomprehending. Many times I read repetitions and I just was not entirley focused for the most part. It does, however, guarantee a basic background of Vikings and the Norse mythology, that I think any myth geek will appreciate. A nice, quick fix of knowledge.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! ^^
Gén
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! ^^
Gén
December 23, 2012
Another overview of Viking equipment, beliefs, culture, etc.
If you want a quick read to get broad ideas about what made the Vikings who they were, read this book. The pictures, maps, and descriptions are enough to whet your appetite. Just don't expect extraordinary detail.
If you want a quick read to get broad ideas about what made the Vikings who they were, read this book. The pictures, maps, and descriptions are enough to whet your appetite. Just don't expect extraordinary detail.
October 22, 2012
I read this book for some research for a novel I'm working on. Lots of great information, good maps, lots of great pictures showing examples of art styles and other good information. I learned a lot.
February 14, 2015
Interessante inleiding in de geschiedenis van de Vikingen. Veel mooie afbeeldingen, maar had iets beter vertaald mogen worden.
March 14, 2016
Everything was covered, quite educational
February 12, 2021
God innføring i vikingene, som er en stolt del av norsk historie.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews