Customer Reviews

The World of the Vikings

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There are many survey-type histories of the Viking world, stuffed with pretty pictures. What distinguishes Hall's "World of the Vikings" from the rest is his inclusion of information about relatively new finds, and his ability (in light of his experience with the dig in York) to write about them clearly and concisely for a lay audience. A fine book for the person just learning about the Vikings, and still useful for more knowledgeable persons because of the updated archaeological information.

The World of the Vikings, Richard Hall, Thames&Hudson, is both a well researched work and one with "coffee table" appeal for its great illustrations. It is unusual to find this depth of scholarship combined with illustrations of this quality.

The author brings the Vikings to life again with clear descriptions of the evidence we have about them. You will conclude with the sense that you were there to see them, and you will have plenty of resources to further research any gaps you might feel.

The books reads like a history book but very well written and gives a very good diversity of information. Covers migration paths and major trade cities. The illustrations are awesome and really complement the book.

This book was exactly what I was looking for. I'm writing a screenplay on the Vikings and this was by far, the best resource for background information. I've read a lot of books, but this one was the best. I recommend that you buy this book first.

Not only did I find Hall's 'World of the Vikings' an excellent overview of a world long past but I was intrigued by the new archeologic information that he produced. The book is beautifully edited and organized with excellent photos and diagrams. It is also well written and, because I found it fascinating, I completed the book in three sittings.

This book is by no means a complete history of Viking times but it leaves the reader with a desire to delve more deeply into the subject. Still, the author hints at real mysteries. Why is it that such a small group of people decided to assault the Western World? Why is it that essentially rag-tag groups of warriors proved so successful in raiding/exploring/colonizing Russia, Byzantium, England, Normandy, Greenland, North America, Iceland, Ireland, Scotland and even Spain, Italy and North Africa? What did they have going for them? Yes, they had beautiful warships but the designs weren't inherently superior to those of German, Frisian and English manufacture.

The kingdoms of the British Isles and Continental Europe weren't nearly as centralized as they were in the later middle-ages but still...they were all militarily significant places and should have been able to have fended off all significant Viking attacks.

Were the Vikings--at least during the early years--more dedicated/fanatical than their opponents? I am aware that Viking motives, at least initially, are generally thought to be those of piracy but, is it possible/probable that the initial attacks on monasteries were acts of religious war? Somewhat improbably, the Scandinavians had maintained their pagan religion for two or three hundred years following the total Christianization of Western Europe. It may not be an accident that the initial Viking onslaughts followed hard on Charlemagne's forced conversion [and executions] of Saxons immediately to the South of the Jutland Peninsula. The fate of Christian monks taken by the Vikings is usually thought to be a simple function of Viking brutality...but...it is probably equally likely that the Vikings had a special hatred for these monks.

It is probably no accident that the steam went out of the Viking movement in almost direct proportion to the Christianization of the Northmen. The 'old religion' especially honored the man who fell in battle...Christianity, less so.

Ron Braithwaite author of novels--'Skull Rack' and 'Hummingbird God'--on the Spanish Conquest of Mexico

Over 3 weeks later, I still haven't recieved item. This was supposed to be a birthday gift. Since I did not recieve or get my money refunded, I had to purchase another gift. I am very upset as I was very excited about this book. You provided poor customer service when I made you aware that I still have not received the item.

Excellent illustrations and sweeping insights into the era of the Vikings, and their impact on civilization.