Review
""Most of us in the western world might enjoy tracing our cultural roots to the classic glories of Greece and Rome. But deep down we suspect that our mythic ancestors are really those so-called barbarians who broke things and created the modern world. With rarely a wasted word Thomas J Craughwell tells the stories of history-changing invasions of the Goths, Vandals, Vikings, Mongols and other marauding bands. He gives us the expected scenes of rape and pillage, but also an appreciation of the invaders' strategy, motives and their often-overlooked gifts and innovations. And he reminds us, with a fine sense of story and anecdote, that "barbarians" are what someone else calls an exotic, dangerous stranger. No one is a barbarian to him-or her-self. Handsomely illustrated with imaginatively selected historical paintings, drawings and maps."
David Willis McCullough, author-editor of "Chronicles of the Barbarians and Wars of the Irish Kings."
Product Description
More than 800 years have past since the last barbarian horde slaughtered and plundered its way across Asia and Europe, yet civilised folk are still fascinated by tales of these half-naked, bloodthirsty savages. The impact they had on world history was truly astonishing: they destroyed the Roman Empire, founded the nations of Europe, and united China into a world power. This narrative will emphasise the dramatic and human element of this period in history - the terror of the barbarians victims, as well as the almost insane pleasure the barbarians themselves took in fighting and pillaging. This highly readable, entertaining, but authoritative book contains actionpacked stories, little-known facts, and information from the latest research on the barbarians and their importance in world history.
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