Last Apocalpyse

by James Reston Jr.

Enter the world of 1000 A.D., when Vikings, Moors, and barbarians battled kings and popes for the fate of Europe.

As the millennium approached, Europeans feared the world would end.  The old order was crumbling, and terrifying and confusing new ideas were gaining hold in the populace.  Random and horrific violence seemed to sprout everywhere without warning, and without apparent remedy.  And, in fact, when the millennium arrived the apocalypse did take place; a world did end, and a new world arose from the ruins.

In 950, Ireland, England, and France were helpless against the ravages of the seagoing Vikings; the fierce and strange Hungarian Magyars laid waste to Germany and Italy; the legions of the Moors ruled Spain and threatened the remnants of Charlemagne's vast domain.  The papacy was corrupt and decadent, overshadowed by glorious Byzantium.  Yet a mere fifty years later, the gods of the Vikings were dethroned, the shamans of the Magyars were massacred, the magnificent Moorish caliphate The sign of the cross held sway from Spain in the West to Russia in the East.

James Reston, Jr.'s enthralling saga of how the Christian kingdoms converted, conquered, and slaughtered their way to dominance brings to life unforgettable historical characters who embodied the struggle for the soul of Europe.  From the righteous fury of the Viking queen Sigrid the Strong-Minded, who burned unwanted suitors alive; to the brilliant but too-cunning Moor Al-Mansor the Illustrious Victor; to the aptly named English king Ethelred the Unready; to the abiding genius of the age, Pope Sylvester II--warrior-kings and concubine empresses, maniacal warriors and religious zealots, bring this stirring period to life.

The Last Apocalypse is a book rich in personal historical detail, flavored with the nearly magical sensibility of an apocalyptic age.


James Reston, Jr., is the author of ten previous books, including A Life and Sherman's March and Vietnam.   He has written for The New Yorker, Esquire, Vanity Fair, Time, Rolling Stone, and many other publications.  His television work includes three "Frontline" documentaries, including "Eighty-Eight Seconds in Greensboro." The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars provided him with a Visiting Fellowship during the course of his work on this book.  Reston lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Medieval, World History, Religion, Medieval History, Historical

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

James Reston Jr. was an American journalist, documentarian and author of political and historical fiction and non-fiction. He wrote about the Vietnam war, the Jonestown Massacre, civil rights, the impeachment of Richard Nixon, and the September 11 attacks.

Reviews

[Steven Harbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was an excellent well written book about an extremely interesting period of history, the the decades up to and immediately after the year 1000 C.E. or A.D. Reston, Jr. is a good writer who covers a variety of subjects, the Viking raids and conquests, the conflict between the Moors and Christians in Spain, and the Byzantine influence on eastern Europe, among other things.
If you enjoy this book I would recommend also checking out
The Long Ships, a historical novel by Frans Gunnar Bengtsson set during the period as well as The Year 1000: What Life Was Like at the Turn of the First Millennium by Robert Lacey and A.D. 1000: A World on the Brink of Apocalypse by Richard Erdoes.

Notes:Started reading on 02-02-2011, had to return to library on 03-15-2011. I've actually read portions of this book before, and even owned a copy at one time before I sold it / traded it in at a used bookstore. Not sure why I did that as it is a favortie book about a favortie subject - the year 1000 C.E. or A.D. - Plan on going back and re-reading/finishing it in the future.

[Joel Robb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A time of turbulence and upheaval -- tracing the 40 years of pressure on Europe that came from a powerful, raiding Viking north; an entrenched, enlightened Moorish Islamic caliphate on the Iberian peninsula; a strong and swift mounted warrior peoples (Magyars) who threatened the center; an ancient Byzantine kingdom to the east -- and how events, intertwined throughout, inspired personalities, treachery, war, and politics led to a common thread of the Christian religion to allow kingdoms to interact and set up the basis of many of the modern states of Europe in the 2000's. If you enjoy historical books, this one is written in understandable language; I used other history books, maps (the ones included in the front of the book are useful), and the internet (for vocabulary, latin translations, and additional information and images of the players) to accompany my journey through this time -- difficult Viking and Arabic names needed some tracking -- pay attention to the most important (Svien Forkbeard, Olaf Trygvesson, Sigrid the Strong-minded, Ethelred the Unready, Canute the Mighty, Al Mansoor, Otto I-II-III, Theophano, Gerbert (Pope Sylvester II), Boleslav, Vladimir, Vjak) -- Most of them have chapters dedicated to them, but with all the other characters, it can get overwhelming.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Reston illustrates how, at the end of the first millennium, Europe became more decidedly Christian than it had been before. Each region Christianized in a different way, some retained their previous customs along side of the new monotheism.

Given the paucity of the record, there is little to work with. Reston does a good job of knitting it into a readable work. He is clear in stating that source material is often poetry and myth so historians and readers need to beware.

Whether or not specifics are true, there were three things that seemed conclusive. One is that in this period Christianity often spread by conquest. A second is that a few well born women were able to lead "countries" (areas?) and did not always have to marry to do it. The third, the advanced civilization of the Moors in Spain, has a supportive fact: Spain had 17 universities compared to two in the rest of Europe.

This book is definitely intended for a popular audience. The writing is clear and the characters are brought alive through their human characteristics.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If motion picture technology had been available between 950 and 1000 AD, then this would a documentary about one of the greatest turning points in European history. The old order is crumbling: Charlemagne's once vast empire is in pieces, the papacy in Rome is fighting the rising influence Byzantium, England and France are facing the invading Vikings; Germany and Italy are up against the Hungarian Magyars, the Christians and the Moors are facing off in Iberia. These conflicts were so great that many people believed that the end of the world was near.
In 950 AD almost all of Europe, with the exception of Charlemagne's empire, was pagan. By 1000 AD, Christianity replaced almost all of these pagan religions. By delving into the lives of the most important players of the day and their rivals, Reston examines the great conflict between Christianity and the pagan religions and the changes that it wrought on civilization.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The short version: I have a number of issues with this book, but I recommend it nonetheless.

Reston's overarching theme is quite muddled. There was an apocalypse? But there wasn't? Oh the pagan armies of monstrous foes were baring down on Christianity? Oh, it was the clash of personalities over a period of decades? Huh? Ah, OK, the Christians beat out the pagans, so it was like an apocalypse for the pagans or an apocalypse in the 12th century sense of the triumph of 'good' over evil. I guess...The entire thing is an unclear stretch. There was no united pagan host seeking to wipe out Christianity or battle for religious supremacy, as is hinted at on the book's inside cover, and really, in this respect Reston is just expanding on the "jihads" of Mansor in Spain and the Viking raids (which were actually seen as apocalyptic hundreds of years before 1000 AD). The Christian front was far more organized, it being one religion versus dozens, and really the decades around 1000 AD were much worse for pagans than Christians, but, of course, even the Christian kingdoms spent most of their time fighting and trying to one-up each other and there was no United Nations of Christianity at the time.

Honestly, calendar dates aside, the coming of the Mongols in the 13th century and The Black Death in the 14th were far more apocalyptic than Viking raiders, cultured Arabs and 2nd rate barbarian horsemen.

Reston's contemporary world asides are lame; he builds the Magyars up to be something on par with the Mongols, then slowly and unintentionally reveals they were kind of boring losers by comparison (no offence Hungarians); he often just directly copies or paraphrases primary sources with limited interesting opinion or innovative thought; he includes no citations which means his sources and opinions should be taken with an extra grain of salt -- especially since some of his claims are disputed by historians (eg Jomsvikings even existing); and he rambles on about Christianity and inserts his own thoughts into the minds of historical figures, such as Gerbert and Otto preparing for the apocalypse (maybe -- again, he's not very clear when it comes to his theme).

I am very critical of historical works, given I studied history extensively in college. So here's why you should still pick this up and read it if you love history, particularly Medieval, Viking, Moorish, Holy Roman or Byzantine history:

The biographies, mini-histories, tales and primary sources presented are all wonderful, and Reston has, overall, assembled a fascinating grouping of them which keep the reader thoroughly entertained, and which paint a brilliant portrait of the European world in the centuries around 1000 AD. Ignore the half-baked theme and structure and digest the wonderful, beautiful history instead.

True Rating: 3.7 Stars

[John Lindemuth · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enlightening book depicting the confluence of events that transpired during the end of the first millennia. Largely it showed the overwhelmingly positive influence Christianity had upon European culture and the advancement of civilization. Effectively the taming of a continent.

[Leonard Pierce · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointing overview of life at the turn of the first millennium, permanently crippled by its pro-Christian bias and short shrift towards cultural mixing.

[Catherine Austen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the story about King Olaf - I was so inspired I read the Heimskringla after this. I don`t remember too much else so I guess it`s time to reread.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some interesting interconnections with many of the people remembered best by history from the era.
But a couple of dislocations, for me.
For one, Reston mentions in passing the Oseborg ship, a burial ship form Norway laden with two well-appointed female corpses. One of high rank, the other plain. He declares that amongst the possessions of this "VIking Queen" there were "two pounds of hashish."
Considering this perhaps a firstevidence, for the trading of Islamic cannabis from the Mediterranean, I looked into it...
All the scientific findings about the ship declare the girl with the cannabis possessed a leather pouch full of seeds, not highly processed cannabis hashish. Two pounds of which, anyway, are unlikely to fit into anybody's belt-sash pouch. So either Reston got a little inventive there, or is playing some modern game of "telephone" with archaeology.
Another incident, unlikely to have occurred, deals with the mysterious death of Olaf Trygvesson, recorded as having "died at sea in a battle with a Swedish foe."- Never seen again, to history. But Reston finds him, through a later wanderer, disguised as a monk living on the banks of the Danube, 800 miles away and twenty years older.
Unlikely. But, hey, it made for a great night's-long read.

[Mason Frierson · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book shouldn't be listed as 'history' -- it's a soap opera using myths, legends and a sprinkling of historical fact to describe the lifes, loves and back-room politics of the kings, queens, sultans and popes who happened to be ruling various European countries and tribes at the year 1,000. It needs some strong editing as well: we have events knowingly mentioned on one page but not explained for another chapter or two. Throw in the occasional error-in-fact (page 115, description of a battle in 732 AD: "With the defeat of the Moors, the advance of Islam into central Europe was checked forever." I guess the author's never heard of the Ottoman Turks) and this book was highly disappointing.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not a light read. I thought it would be helpful to learn more about early European history (around the year 1000 A.D.). The information provided was overwhelming. It was helpful to see the interplay between the Scandinavians, Romans, The Holy Roman Empire. I got lost in the relationships, intrigue, murder, wars and general corruptness of the players. This book is not for the average reader, wanting more general understanding of the period, but more for the reader that has very specific needs and interests.

[I.D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look at what was going on in Europe in the years leading up to 1000 AD. The different leaders, cultures, religions, etc
This is an interesting book with a liberal use of era poetry. It can get a bit confusing with so many names being tossed around and no glossary at the back to help keep them all straight. Also the format of chapter by region instead of the book in chronological order means some people drop in and out a few times. Still it’s well written and researched and worth looking at even though we are well passed the year 2000 (this book wonders what we were going to be facing)

[Anthony Cleveland · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well written book. Each chapter presents an interesting and informative look at individuals who had a significant impact upon European history just prior to the year 1000 ad. However, the author has a tendency to bounce back and forth in time which can be somewhat confusing at times. All in all, worth the time and effort.

[Glenn Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book covering Europe at around the 1000 AD mark with emphasis on the Viking leaders, the Moorish leaders and the Frankish leaders, political, military and religious. Forced conversions, forced expulsions and forced marriages led to a brutal time to be alive.

[Mike Cross · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very far reaching history of Europe around 1000 AD, told through the eyes of different leaders and situations that eventually all come together. Sometimes hard to follow all the characters. Recommended if you are interested in that time period.

[Dan Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of detail that let's you get a pan-European view of what was going on politically around 1000 AD.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting history of Europe at 1000 AD.

[David Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very scatological...not exactly something meant to get you thru the day after a Big One softy twisty -- but educational and entertaining.

[Pat Perkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mini biographies of the major European leaders of the 10th century. Interesting.

[Sam Hagadorn]

FINISHED: Fort Belvoir, VA - NCE

[Catisha Scavairello · Rating 3 out of 5]

One thing is for sure, the author didn't skip on the savage details.

[Taylor Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong narrative driven stories that includes commentary on historical consensus. Not all of the chapters are built the same, I skipped around some and still thoroughly enjoyed this book.

['Aussie Rick' · Rating 3 out of 5]

James Reston's account of Europe during the years leading up to and at 1000 AD makes very interesting reading and is quite enjoyable. The first few chapters covered the Vikings and sometimes you felt as if the author was pulling your leg with some of the names of the people & leaders involved, eg; 'Forkbeard', 'Blueteeth' 'Bloodaxe', 'Lapking' and many others. But as you read further into the story you realised that these people were real and that they were some of the players on the stage during this period of great turbelance along with 'Eirik the Red', 'Leif Eriksson' and 'Alfred the Great'. By the middle of the book I started to find some of the names of people and places I have read about before in Spain, Europe and the Byzantine Empire. Overall this was a very enjoyable account of some of the people and places that were involved in changing the face of Europe leading up to the first millennium.

[Sarah - All The Book Blog Names Are Taken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite what I was expecting, but decently written nonetheless. Truthfully I'm not sure what I was expecting, though certainly the idea of the spread of Christianity was one of those things. I guess I was expecting a little more having to do with England's battle with the Vikings, but perhaps that was just my own bias and interest.

I did NOT enjoy the recreated conversations. Unless you know for a fact that exact conversation took place and those exact words came from someone's mouth, do not bother. There's a reason I don't read historical fiction and some of those parts read as such.

I did find it interesting how the author was able to overlap so many if his subjects. It tied everything together nicely and gave the book cohesion - where otherwise it could easily have been a hodgepodge of people who had no connections.

[Seth D Michaels · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mostly enjoyable history of turn-of-the-last millennium Europe - looking at the frontiers of Christianity in the Viking lands, Hungary and Moorish Spain, as well as the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire. It very interestingly combines the harder sort of historical study with contemporary accounts - which is to say, songs and legends, taking them somewhat at face value as reflective of the way people experienced those times.

I just wish it had been a little better-written. The structure results in a lot of things happening out of chronological order, which makes it confusing, and the author is a little too delighted with himself at times. A book I really wanted to like was mostly just-ok and didn't drive me to pick it up that often.

[Justin Covey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not so much the history of the centuries surrounding 1000 AD as what was believed to be the history. This is the authors acknowledged position outlined in the introduction when he states he'll be repeating much of the oral history and epic tales about the time period. As long as this is kept in mind the story presented here is an enthralling one. On the negative side I wish the author more frequently told where he was getting his information and the book suffers terribly from a poor presentation of events with chapters frequently referencing things not explained till much later. Still, a quite fascinating book.

[Kathleen McRae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an entertaining read and I am sure the author did his research. That being said he gave his list of characters a more human aspect by focusing on their part in this historical tale. I was aware that history has generally written by the victors even in that time and especially in that time because it was a warrior world with much political assignations dictating events. Political as in religious interference and marriages that cemented dynasties.I did note that women were very much absent from this history and included as the spoils of war or as women of higher birth who could with their marital alliance further the ambitions of the men in their life

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was completely off-base with what I thought this book was and what it actually is (the back cover lied to me). I thought that it was about Christianity and the fears of the Apocalypse around the previous millennium. However, instead it's about the spread of Christianity and the conflicts when it ran into Paganism and Islam. It's about as historical as anything relating to the 10th century can be based when all you have is poems, stories and "history." The history is super interesting with a lot of fascinating people living in a decisive historic time.

[Christa · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting take on early Medieval history relying mostly on oral histories. The author's goal was to look at what the people of the time believed to be their history and then sort out what seemed too impossible. I don't know that he was always successful here, especially as I have read several other histories of this period which contradict some of what he allows as fact, but the book is still informative and offers a different perspective than others that rely on archaeology, later histories, and other sources. This book is a relatively easy read - conversational and informal.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book isn't a straight history tome but more of a narrative of the shakers and movers of the tenth century in Europe. It is an excellent introduction to th beginnings of the Holy Roman Empire and the forces that formed the beginnings of Europe as we know it. Reston looks minutely at the Vikings, the Moors, the Magyars, The Spanish and finally the Ottonian Dynasty in what would eventually become Germany. The book is infused with humour and is extremely readable even if you know nothing of the time period.