Customer Reviews

To the Lands of the Vikings

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.