Customer Reviews

Viking Weapons & Warfare

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

***REVISION BASED ON 2003 EXPANDED EDITION***

This is easily the best overview of Viking age arms and related implements of war. Covers a wide range of topics seldom if ever covered by similar works, such as period iron smelting techniques (with an emphasis on bog iron, which is very important), details on shields (Viking shields are a neglected subject; while two works exist that cover similar Anglo Saxon shields, nothing gives that level of detail for the Viking material, which does have some differences), and the only dissertation I have ever read specifically on period Viking scabbards. This last was especially valuable, as scabbards are a subject outright ignored by virtually every other author/researcher on the planet, making this chapter alone worth the price of the entire book and then some. Based on this excellent chapter I was able to construct a fairly accurate period scabbard for a rehilted sword of mine.

The book in general is extremely good, and gives an excellent overview of all topics pertaining to Viking Age re-enacting.

The most serious criticism from the previous edition, primarily regarding axes, has been addressed. Hence, this book now rates a "5" rating. I do have a few remaining quibbles: (1) the section on shields is not as complete as one that is available on-line (at www.vikingshield.com, I believe) and also lacks the colour illustrations of the website. Further, I was hoping a little more detail would be available on certain construction details; I am currently building a reproduction shield and tidbits on grip construction, leather covering application, etc. would have been welcomed (assuming such exist, of course) (2) there were a few minor points pertaining to the section on swords that were not quite right - for example, I am not altogether clear on where the illustrated sword hilt types come from; it does not match either the Wheeler or Petersen typologies (though may match Geibig's or Jakobsson's, which I either do not have or have not translated as yet). (3) The section on axes was dismissive of Broad Axes, which may be overstating the case. Keep in mind that re-enactor combat only does so much - one cannot deliberately injure or kill one's opponent, which means we are naturally missing some of what makes a real weapon effective on a battlefield. Just because something doesn't seem effective from a re-enactor's standpoint it does not logically follow that it would not have worked well on the actual battlefield. Finally, (4) there is one glaring though completely forgiveable error. The section on Helmets describes the so called "Kiev" helmet in some detail. Which would be fine except for the fact that recent (~last 2 years or so) scholarship has determined that it is in fact a World War II era German ME-262 jet fighter pilot helmet (which was orginally leather covered when new, but in its present condition does look "Mediaeval")! An understandable mistake, under the circumstances.

The myriad strengths of this excellent book far outway any relatively minor shortcomings, and it is an invaluable addition to the library of any reenactor of this period. I highly recommend it!

Firstly, I'd like to thank the reviewers for their kind words about my book.

Secondly, I'd like you to know that the much revised second edition was published in mid July 2003 and is currently (Sept 2003) available from all good booksellers. Dunno why Amazon are dragging their feet.......

The second edition has about a third more text than the first edition, a new chapter on axes and another on missile weapons and lots of new illustrations and photographs. It has a new cover. The first edition has a green cover with a ship on it, the second is black with warriors.

Lastly, I'd like to thank all those who bought the first edition!

Regards,

Kim Siddorn

This book not only covers the well known bits of lore needed for the re-enactor, but also goes into areas often ignored by historians. There are particular details in this book that the craftsman making a reproduction will find invaluable but that are usually disregarded in historical books as being to insignificant. A must have for any serious delver into the Viking Age.

Not a bad effort. Some aspects are quite good but there are flaws (most notably in the section on bows). These I noticed due to an interest so I therefore dubious of the quality of other information provided by the primary author.

Still it gives a general view although strongly biased towards DA re-enactment in the UK, which is to be expected. It fails to address more recent advances in re-enactment historical combat and instead gives a general view of standard combat with no real genuine insights into the use. This is unfortunately particularly notable in the use of the shield where the reconstruction section give patently false information where the first part of the chapter was superlative. If this book has stuck to such at the first part of the shield chapter, it would have been a great work, but instead it is flawed.

All in all it is certainly better than buying an Osprey book, but be wary of inaccuracies that need to be cross-referenced which is not a bad habit for a re-enactor to get into anway.

Quite simply the best work in its genre, J.K. Siddorn covers the period with intelligence and gusto, attempting to provide an accessible and authorative work for both the relative laymen and the more experienced academic. This stems from the authors 20 or so years in the re-enactment business.As he draws from first hand experience of weapons manufacture and their use in combat situations the reader is able to better understand the period and the lifestyle that they led. Highly recommended.

He is a re-enactor of some repute and knows his subject. A few minor details missing in his captions but, a fantastic start for anyone serious about being a Viking Re-enactor or someone looking for reasonablely accurate details on the Viking warrior.