Helpful Score: 2
Superb. One of the most comprehensive and readable accounts of Vikings I've read. It covers the Viking realms of Denmark, Sweden and Norway, their civilization and cuture and their incredible variety of achievements. The time frame ranges from early origins and legendary pre-history to the milirary triumphs of King Canute (of hold-back-the-tide fame), to the defeat of Harald Hardradi in 1066. Recounts all about wars, exploits, trade, colonization and ventures which took them to the Slav and Muslim worlds, as far as Byzantium. Also includes their voyages of discovery and settlement attempts in Greenland, Iceland and North America. Lots of pix, maps and drawings. In the appendix you'll find short sections on runes, Danelaw, and an excerpt from the eyewitness reports of Ibn Fadlan. Great stuff!
