The World of the Vikings

Science News,  July 21, 2007  

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THE WORLD OF THE VIKINGS RICHARD HALL

The Vikings, author Hall reveals, were much more than the plunderous adventurers of popular legend. In this comprehensive guide, he traces the viking people from their origins in Scandinavia around the first millennium A.D. to their last surviving settlements in 15th-century Greenland. He tells of the rise of various tribes within Scandinavia at the end of the Roman Empire and describes the beginning of the viking Age, traditionally marked by the first documented Viking raid overseas in 793. Scandinavia soon became a hub for international trade. While some enterprising vikings set their sights on seizing foreign wealth, others looked for unexplored lands. Hall also documents the vikings' everyday life and culture. Of key importance was an emphasis on iron mongering and woodworking, which made possible the construction of their famed ships and sparked the birth of the Viking Age. The book documents the major sites occupied by these seafarers, both in Scandinavia and elsewhere. Hall describes the rich history of Vikings as raiders and invaders, profiling their targets and describing in detail the silver hoards they acquired from far-flung societies. Finally, Hall outlines the resurgence of interest in Viking culture that came in the wake of archaeological finds of the 19th century and considers the persistence of the Viking archetype in modern society. Thames & Hudson, 2007, 240 p., b&w and color images, hardcover, $34.95.

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