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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 )
Product Description
For those living outside Scandinavia, the Viking Age effectively began in 793 with an attack on the monastery at Lindisfarne, a characteristically violent harbinger of what was in store for Britain and much of Europe from the Vikings for the next 300 years, until the final destruction of the heathen temple to the Norse gods at Uppsala around 1090.
Robert Ferguson is a sure guide across what he calls 'the treacherous marches which divide legend from fact in Viking Age history'. His long familiarity with the literary culture of Scandinavia - the eddas, the poetry of the skalds and the sagas - is combined with the latest archaeological discoveries and the evidence of picture-stones, runes, ships and objects scattered all over northern Europe, to make the most convincing modern portrait of the Viking Age in any language. The Hammer and the Cross ranges from Scandinavia itself to Kievan Rus and Byzantium in the east, to Iceland, Greenland and the north American settlements in the west. Beyond its geographical boundaries the book takes us on a journey to a misty region inhabited by Hallfred the Troublesome Poet, Harald Bluetooth, Ragnar Hairy-Breeches, Ivar the Boneless and Eyvind the Plagiarist, in which literature, history and myth dissolve into one another.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is a brilliantly detailed, well researched, a laid out walk through from the earliest stages of the Viking era through to its demise not just at 1066 but in all the countries the Vikings made land fall and settled (England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Iceland, Hebrides, Shetland, Greenland, North America, Istanbul and the Mediterranean, Russia etc) and of course their home nations of Scandinavia.
The brilliant thing about this book besides it great detail, research, anecdotes and use of archeological evidence and up-to-date findings is how Robert Ferguson examines the mythology and pagan religion of this mighty race of people and how it changed and adapted or in most cases became outlawed and faded away with the oncoming of Christianity. You meet the regular famous characters of this era, Ethelred the Unready, Alfred the Great, Guthrum, Ivar and Cnut etc but you also meet many other great historical power heads of the era not just from Britain but in any country that was invaded by the Vikings and their struggle to defeat and convert them from Marangian Kings to Holy Roman Emperors.
If anyone is interested in this era and of the Viking people then this book is for the keen learner and long-term researcher as it is a very long book due to its detail and knowledge but by the end of it you gain a new fascinating indepth insight into the world from so many different points of view.
The brilliant thing about this book besides it great detail, research, anecdotes and use of archeological evidence and up-to-date findings is how Robert Ferguson examines the mythology and pagan religion of this mighty race of people and how it changed and adapted or in most cases became outlawed and faded away with the oncoming of Christianity. You meet the regular famous characters of this era, Ethelred the Unready, Alfred the Great, Guthrum, Ivar and Cnut etc but you also meet many other great historical power heads of the era not just from Britain but in any country that was invaded by the Vikings and their struggle to defeat and convert them from Marangian Kings to Holy Roman Emperors.
If anyone is interested in this era and of the Viking people then this book is for the keen learner and long-term researcher as it is a very long book due to its detail and knowledge but by the end of it you gain a new fascinating indepth insight into the world from so many different points of view.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The latest (when I write this) real info regarding the Vikings, and in such an essential read for anyone with this interest. I am really not fond of the way Vikings and Norse Mythology are becoming regarded as a more of an "Conan-Barberian Fantasy Warrior" type of phenomena, instead of the acrual thing - which is a perfectely fine and exiting culture already! The only thing that could have been better in my eyes, is the prose... a more flowing feel would have added to the experience. I recommend this book!
21 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Whilst we have historical documents that survive long into the future from bygone era's the viewer has to read between the lines to try and gain a glimmer of the truth behind the events within as the whole veracity of the piece is dependent upon the author of the original document.
Perhaps this statement is no truer than for the life and times of the marauders from the North, the Vikings. Yet whilst we all know about their bloodlust as well their love of flighting (basically lying and daring others to challenge their honour), very little is actually known besides the basic history lessons that we're all taught at school
However, what is presented within this offering from Robert Ferguson, is an even handed view of the Norse Culture weighing their own writings against that of their opponents of the day to give the reader a book that is not only hugely engrossing but one that presents the reader with a more even handed representation of the historical context. Well researched, beautifully presented its an offering, that whilst pricey, is something that will be treasured for years by many readers and delved into time and again for either tip bits or inspiration. A great release from Penguin.
Perhaps this statement is no truer than for the life and times of the marauders from the North, the Vikings. Yet whilst we all know about their bloodlust as well their love of flighting (basically lying and daring others to challenge their honour), very little is actually known besides the basic history lessons that we're all taught at school
However, what is presented within this offering from Robert Ferguson, is an even handed view of the Norse Culture weighing their own writings against that of their opponents of the day to give the reader a book that is not only hugely engrossing but one that presents the reader with a more even handed representation of the historical context. Well researched, beautifully presented its an offering, that whilst pricey, is something that will be treasured for years by many readers and delved into time and again for either tip bits or inspiration. A great release from Penguin.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Don`t buy this book--The Vikings deserve better ...
I bought the book ,thinking I will be deligthed by the vikings history .
I fight myself to be motivated to read until page 163 of the 500 hundred pages . Read more
I fight myself to be motivated to read until page 163 of the 500 hundred pages . Read more
Published 15 months ago by Ferreira Pinto
An Engaging History of the Northern Conversion Period
This was a good read and gave succint, engaging explanations about who did what when and why during the Viking Age. Read more
Published on 7 Feb 2010 by Ms. L. E. Spurr
viking history
Very readable but difficult to remember names as they are so alike.
Steve
Steve
Published on 22 Dec 2009 by Sj Collins
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