Runestone [Hardcover]

Don Coldsmith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1995

The hand-picked crews of two longships set sail from eleventh-century Norway across the great sea to Vinland and the colony of Straumfjord, where they encounter the native peoples of an uncharted continent. 30,000 first printing. $30,000 ad/promo. Tour.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In an epic novel that, with its emphasis on the Plains Indians of the 11th century, can be considered a prequel to his popular Spanish Bit Saga novels (see Child of the Dead, reviewed below), Coldsmith provides a gripping and imaginative account of the earliest days of the Norse exploration of North America. At the same time, he offers an enjoyable examination of the very contemporary issue of cultural diversity. Nils Thorsson, commander of the ship Snowbird, survives an attack by Indians along the St. Lawrence River; the only other survivors are Nils's steersman, Svenson, and an Indian who had joined their band after escaping an enemy tribe that had gouged out one of his eyes. Jeeringly nicknamed after the Norsemen's one-eyed, supreme god, "Odin" has been regarded by the Norse as subhuman, an ignorant barbarian. But Nils and Svenson grudgingly change their opinion as Odin leads them inland, away from their pursuers and to his village. There the two foreigners find themselves in a civilization far different from their own, yet with its own extraordinary attributes. Finally managing to arrange a voyage that he hopes will take him back home, Nils leaves Odin's people only to discover, after great danger, that his heart belongs to his adopted civilization and the family he has established there. Coldsmith weaves a wealth of fascinating historical detail into his narrative, deftly re-creating a long-ago world enlivened by believable characters, realistic (and often witty) dialogue, vivid prose and nonstop action.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Inspired by mysterious runestones found near Heavener, Oklahoma, Coldsmith (Child of the Dead, LJ 2/1/95) offers a rousing tale that shows how the runestones could have ended up in America. Following the lead of Leif Ericson, young Nils Thorsson crosses the Atlantic to Vinland in search of fortune and glory. When the Norsemen attempt to explore the interior, disaster strikes. Nils is left to survive the wilderness with another Norseman and an enigmatic, one-eyed native, jestingly nicknamed Odin. Nils slowly learns more about the mysterious land and natives as he struggles to survive long enough to get back to his own people. Both the story and characters are appealing, and Coldsmith's ideas about what might have happened are certainly plausible. Highly recommended for any collection where good historical fiction is in demand.
Dean James, Houston Acad. of Medicine/Texas Medical Ctr. Lib.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 489 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (February 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553096435
• ISBN-13: 978-0553096439
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,132,941 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Runestone, January 10, 2007

By 

Patricia Coons "Patty" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Runestone (Mass Market Paperback)

I started reading this at the hospital. They had a copy of it. I wanted to be able to finish it. Not too a book.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Vikings in the American midwest!..., March 13, 2002

By 

Sonterro (Lakeland, Florida USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Runestone (Mass Market Paperback)

Could this be a true story? Almost?

This is a great historical account of something that may have actually happened. The runestone does exist. Noone knows how it got there.

Coldsmith wrote an entire story around a possible explaination. And very nicely done I might add. It's a long book, but good reading. Slow at times, but never boring. You always want to find out what is going to happen next.

He has left it open for a follow up book. Hopefully it will be forthcoming.

Definitely worth a read.

5.0 out of 5 stars My mini-vacaton was "runed"!, June 26, 2010

By 

Dave Hensley - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Runestone (Mass Market Paperback)

A few weeks ago my wife and I, along with another couple, stayed in Poteau, Oklahoma and visited area attractions. One was the Heavener Runestone State Park. We enjoyed the beautiful setting and the runestone itself. When I left, I asked the park ranger if there was a historical fiction book that covered the Heavener runestone. He recommended the book by Don Coldsmith.

I ordered the book through Amazon and really enjoyed reading Mr. Coldsmith's work. The author wove an interesting tapestry with threads of history surrounding native indian tribes, daily life, and the possibility of Norse explorers reaching the Heavener area.

Thanks, Amazon and Coldsmith..