Customer Reviews

Saga of the Jomsvikings

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This was the first of the Viking sagas I read and I almost didn't make it to the saga part of the book. The introduction reads as a very scholarly, ponderous doctoral thesis (which I think it was). Not knowing what to expect from a Viking saga, wading through this over-written deconstruction was not a promising start. I had visions of the saga itself being much the same--a chore to read rather than a pleasure.

Fortunately I skipped ahead to the actual saga. The translation was bright and crisp, very well done, very readable. The story was excellent. This turned out to be a splendid Viking story that led me into all the others (the Paulson and Magnussen translations are equally good). The Saga of the Jomsvikings was exciting as an adventure story and fascinating as a look at the culture and thought processes of these people at this time (the beheading scene is particularly noteworthy).

This was only my second saga so I can't really compare it to many others. Having said that, this is a great saga to start out with. As expressed in previous reviews, "The Testing of the Jom'svikings" (chapter 23) is a great example of courage; men are able to face death completely void of all apparent fear, without so much as flinching at the blow of the sword. The excitement level is kept up very well throughout the story, especially for a tale which jumps around from different generations and countries as much as this. I never felt bored or that the book was slow moving. In other words, there was no constant strain for action. While it may be hard for the novice of the saga to get used to the long range of generations throughout the story, once you become used to it it becomes natural and easlily comprehensible.
Although many have expressed in previous reviews that the introduction was boring, I found it not too different from many other critical introductions I have read before. The introduction does what it needs to do, gives the reader an insight and an overview of the material that is to be read.

...And I'm not kidding.

The Saga of the Jomsvikings is just about the best of the sagas (with the exception of, perhaps, the Laxdale Saga). The action is almost non-stop (once you get through the ponderous, but still interesting, introduction) and gives you a good idea about what the 12th-14th century poets/historians thought 9th-10th century exploits.

The most compelling chapter is chapter 23 where, as stated in the introduction, the author shows us the face of "...Men who know how to die." There is no hyperbole in this statement, and has, I'm sure, been the impetus for more than one writer/screenwriter (insert sly sidewise look toward Michael Crighton here).

The Saga of the Jomsvikings begins, as most sagas do, several generations before the main events of the saga. After recounting the origins of the main figures in the saga, the story kicks into high gear as alliances are made and broken, feud breaks out, and--in the saga's thrilling centerpiece--a massive sea battle is fought at the mouth of Hjorunga Bay. The story is strong enough that I don't think it'll ruin it to tell you that the Jomsvikings are defeated and mostly destroyed. The story is exciting and easy to follow, with several major characters who are easy to tell apart (unlike some sagas).

Not only is the saga exciting, Lee Hollander's translation is easy to read and has some good notes clarifying issues that may confuse those new to the sagas. An introduction is included but it's not necessary to read it to understand the saga--I actually skipped it and read it afterward, and the introduction added nothing new to my experience of the saga. And finally, this book is very short. The saga itself is 89 pages--89 small pages. The book is very small, which leads in part to my only complaint about it--why is it listed at $15 (mercifully reduced to around $10 here on Amazon)?

I wish I'd read this saga a long time ago--it's a great example of the beauty and action that characterize the Icelandic sagas, and as such, I recommend it to anyone with an interest in medieval literature, Vikings, or good literature in general.

Highly recommended.

A common theme in the Nordic sagas, was the formation of a close-knit band of Vikings, sworn to a particular task or mission. The Jomsvikings were very likely the most legendary group such as this. They were a collection of elite mercenaries from all over the Scandinavian lands, mostly from Norway. Their mission, to restore a king to the throne of Norway. Those who would join the organization had to pass an initiation phase, where their skills and endurance as warriors were tested. They had a charter of rules and standing orders, and operated out of a fortified island base on Jomsborg. In short, they were very much an early medieval special-operations unit. Sadly, they were defeated in the final battle at the end of the saga, but not without causing grievous damage to the opposing force. Most telling, is the valiant conduct of the Jomsvikings taken prisoner at this battle, and their reversal of a truly dismal fate! This scene alone is Viking valor at its highest! Even in defeat, they acquire glory, with a good ending for all.

This is my first saga so I didn't really know what to expect from it but I found it to be enjoyable. I did have a little problem with remembering who was related to who because they go through so many generations of people with strange names and some of the people have the same name but I got used to it after a while.

The first part of the book quickly goes through a few generations of vikings until it gets to the forming of the Jomsvikings who are the best of the best viking warriors who fear nothing. During a feast many of them make an oath to go to Norway and help take the crown so thats what they go do then a major sea battle takes place. After the battle some of the Jomsviking get captured then they are killed one at a time after telling their captures that they don't fear death but welcome it, which is the best part of the book.

I was able to read through this book without much difficulty in a very short time and I would recommend it to anyone who like viking sagas about fearless warriors.

Although this saga is quite short (including the introduction, it's 114 pages), this is one of the most literary of the sagas I have ever read (it ranks up there with the Laxdaela Saga and Njal's Saga, and is shorter than either). It's easy to read and quite interesting on a number of levels. The anonymous author had a real flare for the dramatic, and a great literary sense.

The saga was written to tell the story of the defeat of Danish raiders by Earl Hakon. The story is the story of the Danish raiders through the eyes of medieval saga writers (sort of like historical novelists). It's the story of the Jomsvikings, based in Jomsborg, their rise and eventual fall. It's also a story about intrigue in the Danish court. The action rarely pauses.

The introduction is also quite valuable for those who want to study instead of merely read the sagas. If you just want a good read, skip it. If you want more information on the story and its background, read it.

I will not write further to avoid too many spoilers.

For such a small book the price might seem a bit steep, but this is one of the best sagas I have ever read and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys this type of literature.

"....But you, Thorkel, will live with shame."

As another reviewer pointed out, the intro is killing, and unless you are really into the scholarly points it can be skipped. The saga is a quick read. They were a fascinating group of vikings, and the hardest things about the saga, for me, is the lack of additional detail which the skalds denied us (or was it the Christians who transcribed it??).

If the saga is to be taken at face value, then the Jomsvikings built a warrior society for men 18-50 years old which grew into a rather large private army. I have a very tough time accepting that no women were allowed in Jomsborg, because for one it is not the hard Viking way and I just can't picture these men doing all the chores.

While chapter 23 "The Testing of the Jomsvikings" following the great battle of Hjorunga Bay is correctly famous as a test in courage rivaled perhaps only by the "47 Ronin" story, there is quite a bit of note beyond it. If I had to pick a favorite, I would say chapter 12 "The Founding of Jomsborg". P62:

"And soon Palnatoki had a great and strong fortification made. A part of it jutted out to sea, and in that part there was a harbor, big enough to accommodate 300-warships, so that the ships could be locked within the fortification. With great skill a portal was designed with a stone arch above it and before it an iron portcullis which could be locked from inside the harbor. And on top of the stone arch there was a great stronghold and within the stronghold were catapults. The whole fort was called Jomsborg."

Can't think of anything quite like it? These vikings who built Jomsborg were very wealthy from raiding, but its still hard to imagine such a complex feat of engineering. Jomsborg must have been an awesome sight. The chapter continues to cover the laws of Jomsborg. I found these very interesting and they reminded me of Samurai regulations.

Reading a saga can be challenging at times, but if any of the above excites you then I recommend it. Enjoy!

A good study in how historical fact becomes transmuted into legend. The scene in which the Jomsvikings face death unflinchingly makes for powerful reading.