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The Scandinavian Aggressors
An offbeat odyssey into the freezing heart of the modern Northlands
The Scandinavian Aggressors chronicles Rowdy Geirsson's tireless quest to uncover the secret history of the early 21st century's resurgence of authentic viking activity known as the Modern Viking Movement.
Along the way he meets modern viking luminaries such as Trond "Troll-Breath" Trondsen, who successfully raided a historic monastery's gift shop in England; Björn Svensson, who habitually recited classic rock lyrics at the site of each of his infamous berserkings; and Ingrid Törnblom, who founded an elite warrior sisterhood that drew comparisons to the Spartans of ancient Greece, the Samurai of feudal Japan, and perhaps most flattering of all, the Jedi Knights of the Intergalactic Republic. Encounters with additional Neo-Norse individuals augment the journey, revealing long-hidden details about the slaying of a creepy troll in Beowulf's homeland, the brewing of craft beer from within pagan burial mounds, and the suffering of horrendous digestive problems amidst the breathtaking natural beauty of Iceland's remarkable landscape.
Topical, informative, and highly insightful, The Scandinavian Aggressors not only provides essential reading for anyone with even a remote interest in the Modern Viking Movement, but also spins a darn good yarn about the fragility of the Scandinavian condition.
The Scandinavian Aggressors chronicles Rowdy Geirsson's tireless quest to uncover the secret history of the early 21st century's resurgence of authentic viking activity known as the Modern Viking Movement.
Along the way he meets modern viking luminaries such as Trond "Troll-Breath" Trondsen, who successfully raided a historic monastery's gift shop in England; Björn Svensson, who habitually recited classic rock lyrics at the site of each of his infamous berserkings; and Ingrid Törnblom, who founded an elite warrior sisterhood that drew comparisons to the Spartans of ancient Greece, the Samurai of feudal Japan, and perhaps most flattering of all, the Jedi Knights of the Intergalactic Republic. Encounters with additional Neo-Norse individuals augment the journey, revealing long-hidden details about the slaying of a creepy troll in Beowulf's homeland, the brewing of craft beer from within pagan burial mounds, and the suffering of horrendous digestive problems amidst the breathtaking natural beauty of Iceland's remarkable landscape.
Topical, informative, and highly insightful, The Scandinavian Aggressors not only provides essential reading for anyone with even a remote interest in the Modern Viking Movement, but also spins a darn good yarn about the fragility of the Scandinavian condition.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
310 pages, Paperback
Published June 8, 2022
12 people are currently reading
2200 people want to read
About the author
Rowdy Geirsson
3 books42 followersRowdy Geirsson is the author of The Scandinavian Aggressors and the translator of The Impudent Edda. His writing has appeared in Scandinavian Review and the Sons of Norway's Viking Magazine. He's also a regular contributor to McSweeney's Internet Tendency and a slew of other humor websites.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 15, 2024
Out of work and pulled at by the Modern Viking Movement despite it being "the world's most obscure natural phenomenon," Rowdy Geirsson narrates his journey into Scandinavia and all things Scandinavian. It's part earnest travel guide, and part tongue-in-cheek commentary on modernity versus a sense of the viking past. If you've ever wanted a tour of the modern Norse world accompanying the Old Norse version, this is your book.
The modern skald Bjorn Svensson turns out to be Plagiarism-Bjorn, supposedly inspired by Odin's single eye, but not the one you're thinking of. He spouts classic rock lyrics as modern viking poetry. Termed a "cover-skald," as Geirsson is nothing if not gracious about his subjects. Except for Olafur Shitty-Pants and Agneta of Geithus, neither of whom deserve any niceness anyway.
An implicit call for more cardamom buns in the USA flows seamlessly into the interview with the modern shieldmaiden. You'll learn why it's good to drink the troll-snot schnapps, very good to drink the undead beer-bro's homebrew while playing foosball with him, but warned of the tragic consequences of eating the heart of a dumb dragon.
Leprechaun enslavement and the beheading of Ariel the Little Mermaid are teased. Like the Modern Viking Movement itself, one might hear about such things and ask "Why?" And like most answers involving the MVM, there is always an answer, but it almost always amounts to some variant of "it seemed like a good idea at the time."
The modern skald Bjorn Svensson turns out to be Plagiarism-Bjorn, supposedly inspired by Odin's single eye, but not the one you're thinking of. He spouts classic rock lyrics as modern viking poetry. Termed a "cover-skald," as Geirsson is nothing if not gracious about his subjects. Except for Olafur Shitty-Pants and Agneta of Geithus, neither of whom deserve any niceness anyway.
An implicit call for more cardamom buns in the USA flows seamlessly into the interview with the modern shieldmaiden. You'll learn why it's good to drink the troll-snot schnapps, very good to drink the undead beer-bro's homebrew while playing foosball with him, but warned of the tragic consequences of eating the heart of a dumb dragon.
Leprechaun enslavement and the beheading of Ariel the Little Mermaid are teased. Like the Modern Viking Movement itself, one might hear about such things and ask "Why?" And like most answers involving the MVM, there is always an answer, but it almost always amounts to some variant of "it seemed like a good idea at the time."
September 18, 2022
Funny - but Scandinavian funny.
This is a combination epic saga mixed with a travel guide to Scandinavia’s capital cities and the in between. Written by a Scandinavian American , I’m sure for other Scandinavian Americans (we few), poking gentle fun of our ancestors, myths, and current conditions in our ancestral homeland. I really enjoyed reading it and look forward to more from Rowdy Geirsson.
This is a combination epic saga mixed with a travel guide to Scandinavia’s capital cities and the in between. Written by a Scandinavian American , I’m sure for other Scandinavian Americans (we few), poking gentle fun of our ancestors, myths, and current conditions in our ancestral homeland. I really enjoyed reading it and look forward to more from Rowdy Geirsson.
March 1, 2025
The Scandinavian Aggressors is a mockumentary travelogue, in a Louis Theroux-type style, where the author travels the Scandinavian countries seeking out and interviewing those people involved in the "Modern Viking Movement".
Firstly (and to get it out of the way), I have to say that I tend to find the mockumentary style as supremely cringe - it is not for me; I cannot stand the television show The Office. When I started reading this book and realised where it was going, I rolled my eyes, but resolutely carried on.
The first half does seem quite staid but the further you get, the more this book shines. It edges slowly and surely towards farcical (which is more my thing) until eventually you get to the point where modern Viking warrior maidens, draugrs (zombies) with underground breweries, and naked Scandinavian fishermen trying to sun themselves on a frozen beach, almost seem realistic.
Although I found this book to be a little slow going at the time of reading, it feels better on reflection; there is definite situational humour contained within it that I think (for me) may have worked better with a different style. Having said that, I think mockumentary lovers will have a great time reading this.
Many thanks to the author for the complimentary copy on which this review is based.
Firstly (and to get it out of the way), I have to say that I tend to find the mockumentary style as supremely cringe - it is not for me; I cannot stand the television show The Office. When I started reading this book and realised where it was going, I rolled my eyes, but resolutely carried on.
The first half does seem quite staid but the further you get, the more this book shines. It edges slowly and surely towards farcical (which is more my thing) until eventually you get to the point where modern Viking warrior maidens, draugrs (zombies) with underground breweries, and naked Scandinavian fishermen trying to sun themselves on a frozen beach, almost seem realistic.
Although I found this book to be a little slow going at the time of reading, it feels better on reflection; there is definite situational humour contained within it that I think (for me) may have worked better with a different style. Having said that, I think mockumentary lovers will have a great time reading this.
Many thanks to the author for the complimentary copy on which this review is based.
May 6, 2025
1.5/5 ⭐
October 31, 2023
Thanks to the Author for this Goodreads Giveaway. It was different.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews