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ivydally's review
4.0
I am currently researching the migration period in Denmark ca. 5th century. The opening chapters of this book provided a good amount of information on this topic and what came before. In addition, Oliver gives a nice overview of the topography and climate of Scandinavia, and information that helps explain how the Viking worldview was formed.
I only intended to read bits of chapters 2 and 3 since I'm interested in folks who might be considered Proto-Vikings, but was quickly engaged and decided to go back to the beginning. The writing style was informative and easy to understand. Instead of a boring history told in linear fashion, Oliver tells his history in vignettes, describing the landscape, artifacts found by archaeologists, snippets of daily life, and insights from his travels within this world. Some parts of his narrative are quite touching, especially when he describes the remains of the Birke girl. Other times its horrific. The first hand description of a human sacrifice made my stomach turn.
I read more than I needed to for my project (I got through the first half). However, I have a lot of other books I need to get to, as well as my own writing.
I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about the Viking Age or the history of Scandinavia. It is more of a popular history than a textbook, which makes it a good choice for a general audience.
Now I need only need to figure out how to get to Denmark...
I only intended to read bits of chapters 2 and 3 since I'm interested in folks who might be considered Proto-Vikings, but was quickly engaged and decided to go back to the beginning. The writing style was informative and easy to understand. Instead of a boring history told in linear fashion, Oliver tells his history in vignettes, describing the landscape, artifacts found by archaeologists, snippets of daily life, and insights from his travels within this world. Some parts of his narrative are quite touching, especially when he describes the remains of the Birke girl. Other times its horrific. The first hand description of a human sacrifice made my stomach turn.
I read more than I needed to for my project (I got through the first half). However, I have a lot of other books I need to get to, as well as my own writing.
I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about the Viking Age or the history of Scandinavia. It is more of a popular history than a textbook, which makes it a good choice for a general audience.
Now I need only need to figure out how to get to Denmark...
halfmanhalfbook's review
4.0
A comprehensive account of the Vikings travel around the northern hemisphere from the UK, and to Ireland, Iceland, Greenland and into Russia and the med. A well written tie in to the TV series.
Their skill was in the navigation techniques that enabled them to cross the Atlantic ocean and all around the European coast, The Swedish Vikings want along the river systems of the Russian mainland, and formed the Russian state.
Whilst they could be horrifically violent, their primary reason for travel was barter and trade. Where that didn't work, they would reach for the axe to enforce their point of view.
Well worth a read
Their skill was in the navigation techniques that enabled them to cross the Atlantic ocean and all around the European coast, The Swedish Vikings want along the river systems of the Russian mainland, and formed the Russian state.
Whilst they could be horrifically violent, their primary reason for travel was barter and trade. Where that didn't work, they would reach for the axe to enforce their point of view.
Well worth a read
depleti's review
5.0
A really great overview of the Vikings with some really interesting and thought-provoking descriptions. This doesn't just start with the Viking age, either. It starts well before, and it's interesting to read about how different events outside of Scandinavia affected the rest of the world at large, even before the Vikings began raiding and pillaging. A great introduction to the culture and history.
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