The Vikings: A History - Hardcover

Ferguson, Robert

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0670020796 ISBN 13: 9780670020799

Publisher: Penguin USA, 2009

Synopsis

The Vikings have a kind of dual existence in popular culture, where the Hollywood image of horned helmeted warriors set on rape and pillage has largely been replaced with a less exciting vision of trade and settlement. Robert Ferguson's new interpretation of the Viking Age, whilst rejecting the cliches aims to return some of the violence to the mix. He argues that the Viking raids were qualitatively different than anything that had gone before precisely because of this violence, and his largely narrative account gives plentiful details of battles and conquest alongside evidence for their more peaceful activities. The thread which runs through the account though is the confrontation between a Heathen Scandinavia and the Christian kingdoms to its south and west, and the processes whereby the Viking kingdoms came to be Christianised.

About this title

Review:

Ferguson adds another layer to our perception of our origins in this compelling and often poignant account of a pagan warrior society faced with Christianity on the march (Independent)

From the Back Cover:

Alone in this berth of stones I lie

In the sea-king's raven's hold.

No press of men on the decking.

On the waves' steed I live.

Better for the battle-skilled fighter

Is space than this low companion.

The sea beast is my command.

Long will that stand in man's memory.

A scaldic or 'shield-poem' by an unknown poet from a late thirteenth-century redaction of the Icelandic 'The Book of the Settlements'

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin USA
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0670020796
• ISBN 13: 9780670020799
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 451