- Hardcover: 193 pages
- Publisher: Alfred a Knopf (Mar 1976)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0394494008
- ISBN-13: 978-0394494005
- Product Dimensions: 21.1 x 14.2 x 2.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,646,234 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
It is 922 A.D. The refined Arab courtier Ibn Fadlan is accompanying a party of Viking warriors back to the north. Fadlan belatedly discovers that his job is to combat the terrors in the night that come to slaughter the Vikings--but just how he will do it, Fadlan has no idea....
From the Trade Paperback edition.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
From the Back Cover
In A.D 922 Ibn Fadlan, the representative of the ruler of Bagdad, City of Peace, crosses the Caspian Sea and journeys up the valley of the Volga on a mission to the King of Saqaliba. Before he arrives, he meets with Buliwyf, a powerful Viking chieftain who is summoned by his besieged relatives to the North. Buliwyf must return to Scandinavia and save his countrymen and family from the monsters of the mist.
Eaters of the Dead is a stunning adventure in the tradition of Beowulf, taking the reader to a mysterious land where the day's length does not equal the night's... where after sunset the sky burns in streaks of colour... where Buliwyf and his band of brothers must lock in mortal combat with the dark, hairy brutes who threaten to empty the land...
'Crichton certainly has the Midas touch'
Spectator
'A giant of a writer'
Daily Express
--This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
'Eaters of the Dead' is often overlooked because as it is quite short, it didn't get much publicity as it was not deemed to be of sufficient length to be a bestseller novel. This is a pity as I think this ranks right up there with Crichton's best work.
The only problem with this book is that it is too short! The story is intricately weaved around a group of wonderfull characters explored in depth by Michael Crichton. As the basis of this story is the legend of Beowulf, if you are intrested in Norse myth and traditions this is a really fascinating read.
A very well written book, its just a pity so few people know about it.
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a slim book - almost as slim as my copy of Beowulf, the Anglo-Saxon poem composed towards the end of the first millennium AD, that recounts the adventures of a great hero of the Geats, upon whom Buliwyf, the hero in Eaters of the Dead, is based. Michael Crichton wrote this book to prove to a college tutor friend of his, that Beowulf was not a boring tale but an exciting and heroic adventure. In my opinion he has succeeded. The original poem seems to have been viewed more as a dusty old heirloom than a gripping story over the years, because it's very old and written in a style and language that is difficult and unfamiliar. As usual, Michael Crichton has gone to considerable lengths to make the story seem as authentic and convincing as possible. The narrator of the story is Ibn Fadlan, an actual historical figure from Baghdad, who travelled North and left documentary evidence of his encounter with the Vikings. Crichton has written Eaters of the Dead in the style of Ibn Fadlan's manuscript. There are scholarly footnotes to add to the sense of authenticity. The footnotes are so convincing that the author even confused himself about which ones he'd made up and which were based on real historical data. It's really very well done.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I decided to read this book after watching the flawed but fun film The 13th Warrior which was based on Crichton's book. Crichton's book is, of course, based on the slightly tall tales of Ahmed ibn Fadhlan and the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf. Confused? Don't worry, it's better than it sounds as Crichton weaves his clever web of comradeship, heroism, faith and cannibalism where his central character swallows his pious pride to take up arms alongside pagan barbarians to fight a savage, relentless and unnameable enemy. Make no mistake, this isn't one of Crichton's usual techno thrillers as there's not an atom of scientific hokum in it, which might explain its comparative brevity, but the reader is plunged headlong into the scrapping and skullduggery.
A cracking yarn that would be ideal reading for dark winter nights to give you a scare or two and make you think twice before mentioning the Wend-... no, I won't say it in case I summon them up. Go on, read it if you dare.
A cracking yarn that would be ideal reading for dark winter nights to give you a scare or two and make you think twice before mentioning the Wend-... no, I won't say it in case I summon them up. Go on, read it if you dare.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Not long enough
I bought this after watching the film the 13th warrior which is based on the book that is in turn based on the real life travels of a medieval Arab traveller,mixed with the authors... Read more
Published 6 months ago by monstermart
Short and Sweet
I have seen the film and it really does not do justice to the book. I read it in 3 days, and loved every minute of it!!!
Published 12 months ago by H. Ahmed
SENSATIONAL BOOK!
This is a very unusual book, and how wonderful that you were able to source it and rush it to me! Thanks! Read more
Published 17 months ago by Ms Wes Healey
Eaters of the Dead
I loved the movie and now I love the book! Its amazing at how a great movie can come from such a small book. Read more
Published on 25 Mar 2010 by J. L. Rice
Crichton Fakes His History, But How!
Back when this was released it created a stir as many people assumed Crichton had discovered more about the travels of Ibn Fadlan than had been discovered before. Read more
Published on 18 July 2009 by Filthy Raider
And it went downhill from here ..
I have always considered this to be Michael Crichton's best work (and his first published full length novel). A good story, excitingly told.
Published on 1 May 2009 by Dick Pearson
Surprisingly good
The book was one that I purchased on a whim, but am glad to have done so as it was a enjoyable read. Read more
Published on 3 Jan 2009 by Christian
Nothing Like 13th Warrior
Yes, 13th Warrior was based on this book, but don't expect them to be the same. In fact, if you saw the movie before you read this book, you may be shocked by the differences. Read more
Published on 24 Oct 2008 by Ursula K. Raphael
Fiction Presented as Fact
This book presents itself as a historical account from translations of the adventures of one Ibn Fadlan a Muslim living in Bagdad in AD 921. Read more
Published on 3 July 2007 by Evergreen
A lot of action, adventure, horror, and sex!
It is the year 922 and Ahmad Ibn Fadlan, the Caliph of Bagdad's ambassador to the King of the Volga Bulgars, finds himself practically shanghaied by a group of Norse Rus, and sent... Read more
Published on 18 Oct 2005 by Kurt A. Johnson
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