Vladimir the Russian Viking

by Vladimir Volkoff

Vladimir of Russia (960-1015), a prince of Viking origin, founded the Russian State and converted his people to Christianity. This is the first complete biography of his life, based on Russian, Greek, German, Arabic and Icelandic sources. Endowed with exceptional talents as a warrior, diplomat and administrator, Vladimir seized his brother's throne and expanded his rule over the whole of Russia. A shrewd, hospitable and progressive ruler, later to become the benevolent "Red Sun" of Russian folklore, he adopted the Christian faith from the Greeks in 989 and is now recognized as a saint by the Christian churches. Vladimir Volkoff has written several plays and novels and has won the Grand Prix du Roman de l'Academie Francaise, the Prix Chateaubriand and the Prix Jules Verne.

Genres: History, Biography, Russian History, Nonfiction, Russia, Medieval, Ukraine

408 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 1984

About the author

Vladimir Volkoff was a French writer of Russian extraction. He produced both literary works for adults and spy novels for young readers under the pseudonym Lieutenant X. His works are characterised by themes of the Cold War, intelligence and manipulation, but also by metaphysical and spiritual elements.

In the 2000s he returned to his Slavic roots, publishing several texts on Russian history and orthodoxy, and publicly declared his support for Vladimir Putin's policies.

In addition, Volkoff wrote historical biographies such as Vladimir, Le Soleil Rouge (The Red Sun) and Tchaikovsky, and also wrote for the theatre. He was awarded the Grand Prix Jean Giono for his work in 1995 and in the same year was made a Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur.


Also published as Lieutenant X.

Reviews

[Redsteve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, as I don't have much Russian history prior to Ivan IV. This book is as much about the Christianization of Russia as it is about Vladimir himself (including a large section on religious conversion in general and specifically about prince's choice of Greek Orthodoxy as opposed to the other faiths he investigated - including Roman Catholicism, Islam, and Judaism). While well researched, there are sections (early) in the book where the author is somewhat unclear about how speculative he's getting. Generally readable but I found the author's "folksy" presentation of history somewhat irritating in places. I give this a low "3".

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volkoff presents an enjoyable book, although historically caution must be encouraged. Vladimir was Kievan Rus--which is basically a Viking. The name Russia comes from the Scandinavian (Danish) Rus with the usual difficulty of discovering which tribes wandered and/or conquered where. Consider the British with the Anglo-Saxons, the Normans (who were the Norse = Vikings) background. Okay, this reviewer does not want to give the impression of brushing aside the great premise of this book, but does want to open up the slant a bit more.

Volkoff does an excellent job of instilling a visual image of the time-period which Vladimir existed with the sources Christian and Slavic that are available. Kievean Russia is portrayed in a captivating approach to the topic of religion. His dependence on the "The Chronicle of Bygone Years" could be seen as bias, but it is understandable. Historians do need to use what is contemporary and available and although it would be best to interpret the sources in multiple ways, usually biographies are biased---that is the nature of a historian selecting the topic anyway. The Middle Ages cannot be discussed without the religious issue. Vladimir's role in moving the Russian people to Orthodox Christianity is important and the conversion to Christianity by Russia has a big impact on history--contemporary to him and centuries later.

[Wesley H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vladimir, The Russian Viking is a unique biography of the life of Vladimir the Great, Vladimir I of Russia. The book itself deserves a lot of credit for being extremely readable and providing a comprehensive look into the entire life of Vladimir. Many medieval histories are often hard to get through due to the style in which they are written, but this one kept me turning the pages. Its biggest flaw is that the author openly admits in the very first pages his affection for Vladimir I and his desire to continue his legacy versus causing it any harm. Therefore, it is openly biased and does not present any attempt at critiquing the famed Russian's life. However, it still provides a lot of detail about the man who really began the Russian state and turned it into a Christian nation, which was a monumental event in world history. It is definitely worth reading but be mindful of the bias going into it.

[Will Slocum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volkoff’s storytelling of an essential Russian character is nothing short of fantastic. While he does take some creative liberties, it seems he keeps in line with what the sources tell us to paint a vivid, colorful picture of who Vladimir the Great was, and still is. The subject matter itself is inherently interesting; founder of the Russian state, brought Christianity to the Russian people, pagan turned saint, princely politics and wars, all done their justice to the modern audience by Volkoff.

[Terri Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a self studied expert in Russian History. I loved the story of Vladimir. He made so many leaps and bounds in what many would call civilizing the Russian people. He was the one who brought monotheistic religion to his people. He changed the domestic culture of the land. He practiced what he made law. It's a very important link in the story of the history of Russia that explains a lot about the lives and beliefs of the people of that country.

[Aiden]

Page two: "If only father were here! thought the boy."

If only the author hadn't spent the foreward detailing how scant the source material is only to immediately follow it with an interior monologue...from a person who lived a thousand years ago.

Interesting topic, but I can't read a biography in which the author is inventing a narrative.

[Jim Slavinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw the book and thought it would be a good read, wasn't let down! I've been trying to find books on other members of his family as well but haven't had much luck.

[Joshua Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story well told.

[Raughley Nuzzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Volkoff is not shy about the liberties he takes with this hagiography of Saint Vladimir. He points out the shortcomings of the available sources and admits when he editorializes, lauding Vladimir and recognizing that he's doing so. The book covers the first Christian ruler of Kievan Rus in great and entertaining detail. From his life as a rowdy pagan warrior king to his conversion of the whole state to the Orthodox Church, Vladimir's story has a bit of it all.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I took history classes, I would add backstory or make stuff up because the dry stuff they teach in classes isn't always the most scintillating. The problem is as an adult I'll think of Treaty of Versailles for example and what pops into my head is which "character" was having an affair, arguing with his lover, and who wanted to sign and be done. Entertaining, but now I can't always remember what I made up and what's real. It's a blurry, blurry line for me.

That's how this guy wrote his history book. He ascribes feelings to Vladimir that no person on Earth could know. I love it! I'm learning, but entertained as well. I've explained this to many a history professor and the response is one of horror. I usually get a lecture on being faithful to accuracy. To which my retort involves some form of poo-pooing their lecture. I raise my glass to Vladimir Volkoff and his approach to history.

No alcohol was used in the forming of this review. I was just feeling partly loquacious this morning.

[Michael Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

St. Vladimir, prince of Novgorod at the age of twelve and the great-grandson of Rurik, is one of the most influential and most mythologized figures in Russian history. Warlike and ambitious as well as shrewd and progressive, he spread his rule from the Baltic to the Black Sea and from the Dvina River to the Volga. The Orthodox Church regards him as "Equal to the Apostles" and the author, whose books have received a number of distinguished awards, obviously agrees with that judgment. Based on Russian, Greek, German, Icelandic, and Arabic sources, this first-ever complete biography reads quite well, if one works around the sometimes obtrusive religious message.

[Jeremiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

the most well informed book on the history of Kievan Rus that i've read. the author gives a balanced view based on diverse sources (Arabic, Icelandic, Greek, etc.). Mr Volkoff added just enough conjecture to make the story alive.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

The history of how early Russia was formed and by whom. As I knew nothing about this era, I found it interesting.

[فيصل اللنقاوي · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fully informative book on Russia early history

[Cate · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book about Vladimir the Great. There's a book review required for my Russia to 1917 college class, so I will upload that when I'm finished with it.