To the Lands of the Vikings [Paperback]

Trevor Hodgson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 23, 2001

A thousand years ago the Vikings braved uncharted waters to complete the first known crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. Sailing westward from Norway, they settled in Shetland, the Faroes, Iceland, and Greenland before finally reaching North American shores.

The Viking spirit lives on in this exquisitely detailed account of a couple's six-month voyage to trace that historic route. With the Saga of Erik the Red as a guide, Trevor and Lesley Hodgons set sail alone in the 37-foot fiberglass cutter, Symphony, determined to experience the world as the Norsemen first encountered it.

The book can be enjoyed as a journey from the Viking past into the present, and sailing enthusiasts will delight in Trevor Hodgson's day-by-day account of the getting there, as Symphony faces one challenge after another. Through it all, you sense the Hodgsons' love of sailing, their Viking-like resolve to press on despite numerous setbacks. And they are rewarded with great sailing to a world where remnants of the Viking presence can be found everywhere.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Trevor Hodgson was born in Newark-on-Trent, England, in 1941. After graduating from Cambridge University in 1964 he joined a company well known for its chocolate products where he worked on computer systems and marketing. In 1977 he moved to the United States with his wife and five children, settling finally in the rural Sussex County in northern New Jersy.

The Hodgsons took up sailing in the mid 1980s, exploring the waters off the East Coast of the United States from Florida to Massachusetts but spending most of their time in the Long Island Sound and southern New England.

In 1995 Trevor retired in order to spend more time with his family and to indulge his passion for sailing that he shares with his wife. On their first ocean adventure, they sailed Symphony, their 37-foot Tayana cutter, from Newark back to their hometown in England--a "Newark to Newark" voyage.

For many years the Hodgsons have been fascinated by the voyages of the Viking sailors who made the first crossing of the Atlantic from Norway to America. Their dream was to follow their route and to see for themselves where the Vikings had lived and sailed. Symphony left her winter quarters at Hull in May, 1997, and arrived at the Viking site at L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland, at the end of September.

Product Details

• Paperback: 282 pages
• Publisher: Word Association Publishers (May 23, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1891231324
• ISBN-13: 978-1891231322
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,137,509 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars a nice read for sailors, esp. if you like viking history as well, July 16, 2008

By 

P.J.E. (East Coast) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To the Lands of the Vikings (Paperback)

I had the pleasure of meeting the author at a sailing show and had him sign a copy. I read it, enjoyed it, and thinking about it recently made me want to re-read it. With my long book queue, it says something for me to want to read it again. I don't remember any brilliant insights regarding Viking history, it covers the basics of Viking voyaging. He's a sailor first, and the narrative reflects that I think. A great idea for a trip, and quite brave of he and his wife to undertake. If you love sailing, and feel a little Viking in your blood, this book is for you.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Cruising Adventure Book, April 4, 2004

By 

Susan Wagner (Vermilion, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To the Lands of the Vikings (Paperback)

I am not one for cold weather, but I thoroughly enjoyed cruising with you to the lands of the Vikings. Your voyage had a great purpose in tracing the Viking route to North America.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on a great adventure, September 18, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: To the Lands of the Vikings (Paperback)

I thoroughly enjoyed the Hodgson book. It is similar, in some senses, to the recent book by Hal Roth, "We Followed Odysseus". Both present sailors trying to follow historical routes. Of course, Hodgson's historical accounts of the Vikings seem more reliable than Roth's on the far more ancient Odysseus. In general, I think that the Hodgson book compares favorably to Roth's.

Hodgson attempts to interweave three aspects of his voyage: a straight forward sailing adventure, a presentation of Viking history and a travelogue of the places visited. The story of sailing a small boat across the Atlantic rings very true. Many of the difficulties and triumphs described by Hodgson are those experienced by a coastwise sailor. It is simply fascinating to realize that island hopping across the North Atlantic is possible and then to read an account of doing it.

The historical material seems well researched and presented. I enjoyed it quite a bit. It gives a sense of the continuity of the human spirit over the centuries.

The travelogue material may or may not appeal to all readers. I liked it because I had no real idea of what Greenland or Iceland was like. Additionally, it accurately tells what sailors do when they visit a new port: they try to take everything in.

I recommend the book very highly.