- Paperback: 222 pages
- Publisher: Quaestor2000 Ltd (15 Nov 2009)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1906836191
- ISBN-13: 978-1906836191
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 13 x 1.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 851,405 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Harald Hardraada is an anachronism. Born two centuries too late for the kind of life he wants to lead, he uses a combination of fighting ferocity and ruthlessness that earns him the by-name Landwaster to rise from mercenary to king of Norway by way of the Kievan Rus, Constantinople's Varanger Guard and various royal beds. He also has a secret weapon of huge value. 'The most dangerous little bugger alive' is how the terrible Landwaster complacently describes his secretary, chief of staff, and general right-handman, the Scraeling. It is no secret that Harald Hardraada died outside York at the hand of one of the three warriors who contended for the English throne in 1066, but the Scraeling's part in that has certainly been overlooked by history. Until now............
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Michael Burr is the kind of author I like to read. He's taken a familiar story, the rise of Harald Hardraada and his part in the momentous year 1066, but he's asked questions (for example, why a man like Harold Godwinson's brother Tostig would appear to betray England and side with a vicious Viking like Hardraada). The answers lie at the end, but the innovative storyline leading up to 1066, ending just before Hastings, builds tension and pace and keeps you guessing, even though you know what happens to Hardraada and Tostig at Stamford Bridge.
`What's more fun than history?' asks Burr in his notes. `Only perhaps history's "what ifs"...' That's what I like. Otherwise you're just retelling what everyone believes happened anyway.
Burr generates this intrigue by creating The Scraeling, a victim of an early Hardraada raid who becomes the Viking's chief of staff while operating in Kiev, Constantinople and back in Norway. This central character is frequently described as `cunning' and, by Hardraada as `the most dangerous little bugger alive'. I would dispute Hardraada's observation, mainly because we grow to like and admire The Scraeling and he gets the girl(s) who fall for the softer side of his nature. Cunning, yes, because he has a plan, also determined -- it's a life's work to achieve his momentous goal, and as the story develops you fear for him.
This is a story of a ruthless man so it's full of savagery, cruelty, rape and pillage, and on top of that there are several explicit sex scenes. These are (mostly) probably true to the times. The English are, of course, generally portrayed as noble and honourable, thus giving the necessary contrasts. A fascinating read, made the more so by Burr's innovative and well thought out "what ifs".
`What's more fun than history?' asks Burr in his notes. `Only perhaps history's "what ifs"...' That's what I like. Otherwise you're just retelling what everyone believes happened anyway.
Burr generates this intrigue by creating The Scraeling, a victim of an early Hardraada raid who becomes the Viking's chief of staff while operating in Kiev, Constantinople and back in Norway. This central character is frequently described as `cunning' and, by Hardraada as `the most dangerous little bugger alive'. I would dispute Hardraada's observation, mainly because we grow to like and admire The Scraeling and he gets the girl(s) who fall for the softer side of his nature. Cunning, yes, because he has a plan, also determined -- it's a life's work to achieve his momentous goal, and as the story develops you fear for him.
This is a story of a ruthless man so it's full of savagery, cruelty, rape and pillage, and on top of that there are several explicit sex scenes. These are (mostly) probably true to the times. The English are, of course, generally portrayed as noble and honourable, thus giving the necessary contrasts. A fascinating read, made the more so by Burr's innovative and well thought out "what ifs".
Format:Paperback
I have picked up the book twice and the subject matter is very much of interest to me, why, oh why do they produce books with such a small font size. It has stopped me continuing as yet, I will read it as soon as I feel I can stand screwing my eyes up for a long period of time.Please make books have more pages and a font size that is easily readable, which will only enhance the enjoyment of the readers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
1066 and all that ... might have been behind it!
12 July 2010
Format:Paperback
Michael Burr is the kind of author I like to read. He's taken a familiar story, the rise of Harald Hardraada and his part in the momentous year 1066, but he's asked questions (for example, why a man like Harold Godwinson's brother Tostig would appear to betray England and side with a vicious Viking like Hardraada). The answers lie at the end, but the innovative storyline leading up to 1066, ending just before Hastings, builds tension and pace and keeps you guessing, even though you know what happens to Hardraada and Tostig at Stamford Bridge.
`What's more fun than history?' asks Burr in his notes. `Only perhaps history's "what ifs"...' That's what I like. Otherwise you're just retelling what everyone believes happened anyway.
Burr generates this intrigue by creating The Scraeling, a victim of an early Hardraada raid who becomes the Viking's chief of staff while operating in Kiev, Constantinople and back in Norway. This central character is frequently described as `cunning' and, by Hardraada as `the most dangerous little bugger alive'. I would dispute Hardraada's observation, mainly because we grow to like and admire The Scraeling and he gets the girl(s) who fall for the softer side of his nature. Cunning, yes, because he has a plan, also determined -- it's a life's work to achieve his momentous goal, and as the story develops you fear for him.
This is a story of a ruthless man so it's full of savagery, cruelty, rape and pillage, and on top of that there are several explicit sex scenes. These are (mostly) probably true to the times. The English are, of course, generally portrayed as noble and honourable, thus giving the necessary contrasts. A fascinating read, made the more so by Burr's innovative and well thought out "what ifs".
`What's more fun than history?' asks Burr in his notes. `Only perhaps history's "what ifs"...' That's what I like. Otherwise you're just retelling what everyone believes happened anyway.
Burr generates this intrigue by creating The Scraeling, a victim of an early Hardraada raid who becomes the Viking's chief of staff while operating in Kiev, Constantinople and back in Norway. This central character is frequently described as `cunning' and, by Hardraada as `the most dangerous little bugger alive'. I would dispute Hardraada's observation, mainly because we grow to like and admire The Scraeling and he gets the girl(s) who fall for the softer side of his nature. Cunning, yes, because he has a plan, also determined -- it's a life's work to achieve his momentous goal, and as the story develops you fear for him.
This is a story of a ruthless man so it's full of savagery, cruelty, rape and pillage, and on top of that there are several explicit sex scenes. These are (mostly) probably true to the times. The English are, of course, generally portrayed as noble and honourable, thus giving the necessary contrasts. A fascinating read, made the more so by Burr's innovative and well thought out "what ifs".
Couldn't Find the In-Print Title Anywhere!
16 Dec 2011
Format:Paperback
Couldn't find this title anywhere; why is it out-of-print? It's listed on Amazon.com but not available. Why even have it on the site then?
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