Viking Longship (New Vanguard) [Paperback]

Keith Durham (Author), Steve Noon (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: New Vanguard | Publication Date: February 25, 2002

Viking longships evolved from one-man canoes of the Scandinavian Stone Age, through wood-built-ships of c. 200 BC into the recognisable longboats of the 4th century AD. From this point, the Viking Longship developed into the pre-eminent raider and trader in the North Sea and Baltic, venturing as far afield as the Mediterranean, North Atlantic and modern-day Russia. Keith Durham uses reconstructions, original sources, translations and archaeological evidence to render a vivid picture of the vessels that dominated the seaways of Scandinavia, founded colonies on Iceland, Greenland and the New World and terrorised the coastlines of northern Europe. Also covered are Norman vessels, including the invasion fleet of William the Conqueror.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The unrivalled illustrated reference on fighting vehicles, transport and artillery through the ages. Each volume is illustrated throughout, making these books uniquely accessible to history enthusiasts of all ages.

About the Author

Keith Durham is the author of Men-at-Arms 279: ‘The Border Reivers’. He is also a skilled and respected figure sculptor who has produced models for a number of companies including Border Miniatures.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (February 25, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841763497
• ISBN-13: 978-1841763491
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.2 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #187,286 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #34 in Books > History > Europe > Scandinavia

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Detailed, informative and well-illustrated - an excellent introduction, November 15, 2008

By 

The Wanderer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Viking Longship (New Vanguard) (Paperback)

The Osprey range of military history titles has an excellent reputation for detail and historical accuracy, and "Viking Longship" by Keith Durham is one of its finest examples. The longship is one of the most distinctive and popularly-known features of the Viking era, and it is only right that it should receive a book-length treatment of its own. Although the book that is only 48 pages long, the author has nevertheless managed to fill it with a wealth of information.

Durham charts the evolution of the longship from its earliest antecedents in the Bronze Age through to the Norman Conquest and beyond, to c.1100. His focus, however, is on the early medieval period, between AD 350 and 900, for which he uses a number of case studies of recovered ships. In doing so he recognises that not all were necessarily constructed for the same purpose, and describes in detail the differences in design depending on whether a vessel was essentially coastal/riverine or sea-going, and whether it was built for war or trade or even (as suggested by the Oseberg ship) as a pleasure craft. He also notes the useful research that has in recent times come out of experimental archaeology - modern reconstructions of longships. Furthermore, it is important to note that while most of the examples Durham describes originated in Scandinavia, that the same technologies and principles were in use across northern Europe during this period, and that much of what is described also applies to Anglo-Saxon and indeed Norman vessels.

The text is supplemented on every page with black-and-white photos and diagrams depicting the available archaeological and pictorial evidence for the period, as well as more modern reconstructions of longships. There are also 7 pages of colour artist's impressions, provided by Steve Noon, of which the standout piece is a part cut-away depiction of an 11th-century cargo vessel or 'knarr', with each of its component parts annotated on a separate page. The rest of the illustrations are similarly clear, although it would have been useful to have a summary diagram showing the main developments in ship construction during this period. At the back of the book a glossary is provided, although (perhaps for reasons of space) it is quite short and omits a number of terms which are used in the main text. It is disappointing also that, unlike many other titles in the Osprey range, there is no list of further reading.

In all, however, "Viking Longship" is an excellent and highly accessible introduction for anyone with an interest in naval technology in the early medieval period, or in the Anglo-Saxon or Viking era in general. As someone who is currently writing a historical novel in this period, I have found it to be a highly informative and indeed invaluable guide.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Everything you need to know the construction of Viking ships, August 21, 2007

By 

Tim Martin (South Bend, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Viking Longship (New Vanguard) (Paperback)

This is a great little book about the details of how Viking ships were constructed. It goes through the history of the development of Viking longships and describes (in great detail) how they were constructed. Thankfully, there is a glossary in the back for us landlubbers. Mr. Durham does a great job of conveying how magnificant these vessels were. The craftsmanship and lore that went into building these longships was, quite simply, amazing. There are numerous detailed drawings and the paintings are quite good (something you can't say for all the books in this series). After reading how these boats were constructed, it is easy to understand how the Vikings were able to be the force that they were. The best indication of this is the Peacock that was discovered in the ship-burial from 1000 AD. Imagine what that Peacock went through to end up in Norway! This book is strictly about how Viking longships were built and does get a bit technical. It is worth reading if you are curious about Vikings and their seafaring ways!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super Ships - The Viking Ships, May 29, 2009

By 

Bill Foster "monsterteacher" (presently in Vermont) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Viking Longship (New Vanguard) (Paperback)

Although the book is not lengthy it really presents an excellent OVERVIEW of the evolution of the water-craft we all have in mind when anyone says "viking ship." This book is an excellent starting place for anyone who seriously wants to learn the detailed history of the water craft that began to evolve more than 8000 years ago in northern Europe. And, if one wants to stop after reading just this book, you have a decent idea as to how viking ships came into being. And, a pretty good understanding of the "working models" largely built in recent years in Denmark. However, if you're looking for detailed and very sophisticated extended presentations, then a good idea would be to get in touch with the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, Denmark. These folks are easy to work with, take credit cards, and have a myriad of books on viking ships written in english. I will say that some of these books are a challenge (unless you happen to be a shipwright). Closer to home, one might contact Scandinavia House on Park Avenue in New York City to check them out.