Secrets of the Viking Navigators: How the Vikings Used their Amazing Sunstones and other Techniques to Cross the Open Ocean [Paperback]

Leif K. Karlsen (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0972151508 | ISBN-13: 978-0972151504 | Publication Date: February 25, 2003 | Edition: 1St Edition

How the Vikings used their amazing sunstones and other techniques to cross the open ocean.

Editorial Reviews

Review

If "cutting edge" can be used in relation to Viking navigation, this information is definitely it. -- Kristine Leander, Ph.D. Director, Leif Erikson International Foundation

If "cutting edge" can be used in relation to Viking navigation, this information is definitely it. -- Kristine Leander, Ph.D., Director, Leif Erikson International Foundation

Karlsen has done extensive research on the Viking sunstone and horizon board and explain how they work. -- Dr. Alf Lunder Knudsen, Editor Emerituw Western Viking

Most navigators have heard of Viking sunstones; few realize they are more than legend. Karlsen has brought them to life. -- David Burch, Ph.D. Director, Starpath School of Navigation, Seattle, WA

This is an interesting, valuable, and educational contribution to the understanding of the Vikings’ success as navigators and seamen. -- Dr. Alf Lunder Knudsen, Editor Emeritus Western Viking, The Norwegian Voice of America Since 1889

From the Publisher

Leif K. Karlsen has 45 years of experience at sea, including many years in the North Atlantic where he served as a professional navigator and radio eectronics officer with the U.S. Merchant Marine. His interest in Viking Navigation--how the Vikings did it--lead to his discover of the Icelandic sunstones. After years of research, Leif is considered a leading scholar on the subject of Viking navigation and the use of sunstones.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: One Earth Press; 1St Edition edition (February 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972151508
• ISBN-13: 978-0972151504
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,480,355 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable reconstruction of famous history, April 23, 2009

By 

D. Brown (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Secrets of the Viking Navigators: How the Vikings Used their Amazing Sunstones and other Techniques to Cross the Open Ocean (Paperback)

The book explains the author's hypotheses regarding how the Vikings accomplished their extraordinary open ocean navigation in the North Atlantic, that is, the voyages between Norway, Iceland, Greenland, and of course Vinland on the North American continent. Not discussed are Viking coastal and river voyages throughout Europe.

The author claims that the voyages were made mostly along specific latitudes, using several navigational instruments. The book describes the instruments and their operation. Fascinating is the description of "sunstones", calcite crystals that indicate the direction of the sun even in cloudy or foggy conditions.

What makes the book fun to read is that the author is clearly an accomplished sailor and navigator in high latitudes, and is familiar with the currents and landmarks used by sailors in the region. This is not a book written based only on maps and written documents, it is a book based on real experience at sea.

The appendixes include worked numerical examples of some of the navigation. I wish the underlying equations had been included or at least referenced. A nice bibliography is included, and some entries have useful annotations. I wish that the text did a better job of listing references, so the connection between the text and the bibliography entries would be clearer.

All in all, this is a very unusual and wonderful history book.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating!, June 22, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Secrets of the Viking Navigators: How the Vikings Used their Amazing Sunstones and other Techniques to Cross the Open Ocean (Paperback)

Whether you're a Viking enthusiast or not, you'll find interesting and educational reading in this book. Viking voyages come alive, and navigation by sunstone is described in an easy-to-understand manner. Fascinating reading!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "Must Have" book, June 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Secrets of the Viking Navigators: How the Vikings Used their Amazing Sunstones and other Techniques to Cross the Open Ocean (Paperback)

The story of the Viking journeys across uncertain oceans and their skill in the use of sunstones makes for a fascinating read. This book is not only informative but is beautifully illustrated. Definitely a must read and a book that will find a permanent place on home bookshelves.