Scan barcode
takumo_n's review against another edition
4.0
Really good, readable account of the viking mindset and dark but somewhat childish sense of humor (basically every hero in the Sagas is in an epic, mythological dick measuring contest). The author, at the beginning, goes through some Sagas to set the attitudes of Scandinavians of that era, then he goes on a more historical explanation of what those writings (poems, written and oral stories) could mean, and if anything of the sort happened, or could've happened. From interpretations of poems and stories, archeological findings, and other historian books Tom Shippey lays the reasons of why those Scandinavians travel so far for so long, with good to disastrous results, and it's a pretty compelling argument.
gamato's review against another edition
5.0
Passion for the subject, clarity in explaining its complexities, and often a bit of humor make Shippey's work so readable. Here the dense and difficult are accessible, often accompanied by the cultural references more readers will be familiar with. So you haven't read Gongu-Hrolf's Saga, but you have seen Vikings? That's not a problem, there are plenty of fantasy elements with a hint at a real person in both. Shippey's description between the popular culture references (Vikings, Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings) are both relevant and welcome as markers most readers will recognize.
But even if it were dense and difficult in style, this book would still be worth reading for the insights. Norse sagas are notoriously difficult to understand, both in terms of the conversations they describe and the actions people take. What were the values these people had? Sagas almost never discuss emotion or thought process. Internal dialog is anathema to those stories. Shippey takes his knowledge of the language, culture, and history, and contextualizes many of the most difficult scenes. As well as he can, and he's very clear on the limitations, this a series of case studies on viking psychology.
If you've read the sagas already, this book is a great companion. If you haven't you still get a great introduction to some of the most famous Old Norse characters.
*Shippey also coauthored a three-book series about vikings (The Hammer and the Cross) with Harry Harrison under the pseudonym John Holm. Highly recommended if you like alternate history or Norse mythology.
But even if it were dense and difficult in style, this book would still be worth reading for the insights. Norse sagas are notoriously difficult to understand, both in terms of the conversations they describe and the actions people take. What were the values these people had? Sagas almost never discuss emotion or thought process. Internal dialog is anathema to those stories. Shippey takes his knowledge of the language, culture, and history, and contextualizes many of the most difficult scenes. As well as he can, and he's very clear on the limitations, this a series of case studies on viking psychology.
If you've read the sagas already, this book is a great companion. If you haven't you still get a great introduction to some of the most famous Old Norse characters.
*Shippey also coauthored a three-book series about vikings (The Hammer and the Cross) with Harry Harrison under the pseudonym John Holm. Highly recommended if you like alternate history or Norse mythology.
booknerd85's review against another edition
De auteur klonk vrij arrogant in de inleiding en lijkt neer te kijken op academici die andere gedeeltes van het Vikingtijdperk interessant vinden dan degene die hij interessant vind. Gebaseerd op de achterflaptekst verwachtte ik een geschiedkundige behandeling van het materiaal, maar de auteur blijkt meer van de literatuurkant van de wetenschap te zijn. Toen de auteur bronnen die honderden jaren na de gebeurtenissen geschreven waren door afstammelingen van de hoofdpersonen betrouwbaar noemde, wist ik dat dit boek niets voor mij was.
More...