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Vikings (2012)

by Neil Oliver(Favorite Author)

3.94 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

0297867873 (ISBN13: 9780297867876)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

George Weidenfeld & Nicholson

review 1: The Viking era is said to have ended with 1066 but it didn't, the Vikings have been portrayed, often very erroneously in popular culture and contemporary and later sources that were also the product of bias, in the latter religious bias. Notwithstanding the Vikings spread wide, as far as to the American Continent according to scientific and archeological evidence, and the reasons for their constant sea-faring was much driven by their sense of adventure as much of their pragmatic attitude. William of Normandy himself "the Conqueror" who conquered England in 1066 and crowned that same year in Christmas, was a descendant of one of these sea-faring peoples who had wrestled Normandy from Charlemagne's grandson centuries before.Yet even before William, the Viking's impact was bi... moreg, they might've no longer been Vikings and pagans but just as they had assimilated into Christian societies (mostly for business purposes as Christianity was a powerful tool) so had many societies that had come into contact with them, most of the words today in the English language are a testament to that. Yet the author doesn't shy away from also laying down the facts from every day Viking society, he doesn't sugar coat them or white wash them. This was a very brutal society they formed part in, much of Europe was the same but the Vikings practiced human sacrifice as the Tollund man may prove, some of their slave women or other chosen slaves were interred with them. Their ships were impressive and were fierce warriors, yet there is a lot of information still missing that the author admits its due largely in part to insufficient written records, what makes up for it is some contemporary sources and archeological evidence but even so, it's very hard to piece everything together and it's one thing I liked in some chapters that the author doesn't tell you what to believe or tries to convince you, but rather he gives his readers the evidence of what is known so far and when he does jump into conclusions he does it without seeming arrogant or judgmental.
review 2: I watched Oliver's documentary that ties in with this book and I wanted to see if his writing style was as personable as his presenting. He writes clearly and intelligently and his enthusiasm for the subject shines through. I learnt a lot more about the Vikings from both the show and the book and I would recommend both. The only reason I didn't give this five stars is because he repeats himself on a couple of occasions. less

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