The Vikings (Living History) (Paperback)

~ John Clare (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The new Living History series uses computer technology in an innovative manner--color images of live actors, scale models, sets and stock photos are combined to recreate scenes from history. Thus readers see Columbus confronting the Tainos, view the construction of the pyramids and witness a Viking duel. The result is mixed at best. Action scenes generally have a posed feel, like dioramas in a museum. And some details jar: contemporary faces peer out from under period wigs and haberdashery; heavily made-up Britons make unconvincing Egyptians. Further adding to the discordancy is the fact that while the texts are in past tense (somewhat diminishing the topics' immediacy), the photographic captions are in present tense. Each volume does provide overviews of the latest scholarship, much detail of everyday life, a useful "How Do We Know?" end note, and a timeline and map as end-papers. But the subjects--traditional, all--are presented in a flat textbook-like manner. Clare also aims for even-handedness, on issues, succeeding mainly in losing a consistent focus, for example "balancing" Columbus's life with a token two pages on the Taino people. The technology's possibilities aren't realized here, and these books seem unlikely to generate the intended enthusiasm for history. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

A close-up look at the world of the Norsemen examines the social and cultural conventions of the Vikings, their shipbuilding techniques and voyages, their explorations in Greenland and North America, and other aspects of their society. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Gulliver Green (March 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152013091
• ISBN-13: 978-0152013097
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,258,661 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great resource for the classroom!, April 5, 2000

By A Customer

As an elementary education major I believe The Vikings is an excellent resource to use in the upper elementary and middle school world history classroom.The text is rather advanced for elementary school children and some middle school children. However,the text contains interesting information that may not be contained in the child's social studies book. The photos are excellent! They depict living people dressed as vikings, in the viking setting, using viking tools,etc. The photos are very realistic. The photos alone are an excellent resource for the classroom. I highly recommend this book for teachers and students alike.