The Real Vikings : Craftsmen, Traders, and Fearsome Raiders [Hardcover]

Gilda Berger (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Most people think of Vikings as fierce and merciless, but is that the whole truth? This beautifully illustrated book now tells the rest of their story, revealing the full range of Viking life and culture. The Bergers present the Vikings’ notable accomplishments as skilled craftsmen, hard-working farmers, prosperous merchants, explorers of faraway lands—and as firm believers in personal independence and democracy. (And they didn’t even wear those funny horned hats!) Readers examine the magnificent sailing ships that enabled the Vikings to rule the seas for more than 300 years, and learn how they traveled throughout Europe, into Russia, to North America, and even to the Middle East, changing the face and civilizations of much of the world. A vivid look at exciting times—and a great resource for school reports!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-Chock-full of color maps and photographs of artifacts and historical locales, this book offers a lively, highly readable introduction to the Vikings, beginning with their attack on Lindisfarne in 793 and ending, in 1066, with William the Conqueror. Myths about the ruthlessness of the Norsemen are dispelled without glossing over the violence that did take place. The lasting impact of Viking culture, including the ideals of equality and democracy, may be surprising to some readers. While covering much the same material as Hazel Mary Martell's What Do We Know about the Vikings? (Peter Bedrick, 1992) and Susan M. Margeson's Viking (DK, 2000), this offering is more fluid. It is a solid springboard to further research.
Rita Hunt Smith, Hershey Public Library, PA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-8. The Vikings were Scandinavian farmers, cooks, craftsmen, merchants, sailors, traders, and explorers as well as infamous raiders of other civilizations. They left few written records, but the Bergers do a more-than-able job of introducing them. Repudiating a negative image with the statement that "most experts now believe that the Vikings were no more brutal or ruthless than other Europeans of the time," the Bergers pay tribute to the Vikings' ideals of freedom and democracy as well as their skills and courage. The many illustrations include maps, drawings, prints, and paintings from many periods in addition to color photographs of Viking artifacts and sites, some reconstructed. Most of the pictures are well chosen and are reproduced with exceptionally fine clarity and rich colors. A time line, source notes for quotations, and lists of books and Web sites conclude the volume. Visually appealing and quite informative, the book will appeal to browsers as well as young researchers. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books (October 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792251326
• ISBN-13: 978-0792251323
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 0.4 x 10.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #74,277 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > Children's Books > History > Medieval

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly researched, engagingly presented text, November 17, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Real Vikings : Craftsmen, Traders, and Fearsome Raiders (Hardcover)

The collaborative effort of Melvin and Gilda Berger, The Real Vikings is an outstanding children's picture book that strives to answer the question of what the Vikings of legend and history were really like? There was a great deal more to the story of the Vikings than their legends of being fierce raiders. Most Vikings were farmers who stayed on the fields in Scandinavia, while others were accomplished explorers. Not all Viking used the seas to raid; some were merchants and traders, while others sought out new lands and navigation routes. Thoroughly researched, engagingly presented text, and filled from cover to cover with magnificent full-color illustrations, The Real Vikings is a very highly recommended addition to family, school, and community library World History collections for young readers.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a good overview for interested kids, November 20, 2006

By 

altcollector (Los Altos, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Real Vikings : Craftsmen, Traders, and Fearsome Raiders (Hardcover)

This book gives a balanced perspective on Vikings culture and living. It shows the influence on European art and nation building. I like the balance of pictures and text.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, November 16, 2010

By 

M. Heiss (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Real Vikings : Craftsmen, Traders, and Fearsome Raiders (Hardcover)

This is a great book. It has a lot of text.

I think it's especially good for showing how people paid Danegeld to the Vikings to prevent invasions, and the maps show Viking territory gains and explorations/settlements. It does a very good job discussing how Vikings governed themselves.