Vikings!

by Magnus Magnusson

The Vikings hold a particular place in the history of the West, both mythologically and in the significant impact they had on Northern Europe. Magnus Magnusson’s indispensable study of this great people presents a rounded and fascinating picture of a nation who, in modern eyes, would seem to embody striking contradictions. They were undoubtedly pillagers, raiders, and terrifying warriors, but they were also great pioneers, artists, and traders—a dynamic people, whose skill and daring in their exploration of the world has left an indelible impression a thousand years on.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Historical, Medieval, Military History, Reference, Archaeology

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1968

About the author

Magnus Magnusson, KBE, was an Icelandic television presenter, journalist, translator and writer. He was born in Iceland but lived in Scotland for almost all of his life, although he never took British citizenship. He came to prominence as a BBC television journalist, and was best known as the presenter of the BBC television quiz programme Mastermind, which he hosted for 25 years.

Under Icelandic naming conventions, his name would have been Magnús Sigursteinsson (Magnús, son of Sigursteinn), but his family adopted British naming conventions and he took his father's surname. Although born in Reykjavík, Magnusson grew up in Edinburgh, where his father, Sigursteinn Magnússon, was the Icelandic consul.

Reviews

[Bettie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A BBC publication with many colour photographs, maps and illustrations. "

"I've started so I'll finish": http://youtu.be/JGIA-RKaS9I

The so-called Viking Age began around AD800 and lasted for nearly three centuries.

My mother once told me
She'd buy me a longship,
A handsome-oared vessel
To go sailing with Vikings:
To stand at the stern-post
And steer a fine warship,
Then head back for harbour
And hew down some foemen.

(Egil's Saga, Ch.40)



Stieg Larsson's partner took revenge with 'Viking' curse

Viking Kittens

Hávamál - DIY Viking handbook for survival.

[image error] Gokstad ship, Bygdøy, Oslo

The Viking sailed from Norway to Chicago for the World's Fair

From the ship burial at Oseberg.

[Pattie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up in a charity shop a long time ago and always promised myself that I’d read it. Well, the opportunity to do so presented during our Covid restrictions. I decided to read it one chapter at a time to prevent becoming overwhelmed with the Scandinavian names and the amount of facts reported.

I am impressed with Magnus’ writing skills, his high intelligence and his scientific determination to present facts in a logical interpretation.

I am delighted to have read this book and it has informed me with loads and loads of facts about my mother’s people. If you enjoy archaeology and history then this book is definitely for you!! xx

[Lewis Woolston · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid account of the Viking age told well, never sacrificing either entertainment and readability nor solid scholarship.
From the earliest voyages until the battle of Hastings in 1066 the entire saga of the Vikings is presented here in very digestible form. Ideal for history lovers and those who've seen the recent crop of TV shows and movies and want to know the reality behind the stories.
The only slight downside is that this book is slightly old (published in 1980) so some of the scholarship is now a little outdated. But still an ideal read for anyone interested in this fascinating period of history.

[Shane Findlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most remarkable books I have read regarding the V.A.
It is laced with his personal opinions which got my brain justa buzzin. What more can you ask for in a book?

[R.J. Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book over the summer for fun, and I probably wouldn’t have posted a review here were it not for the contradictions I found recently between this book and the newer, more politically correct ideas about global warming. First, though, I’ll praise the book for what it is, a thorough introduction to historical Viking studies. The author of this book is part storyteller, part travel agent, and part archaeologist. This book is both a retelling of historical battles and legendary tales, and the disclosure of the latest (as of 1980) archaeological findings with descriptive narratives of modern-day locations and peoples in northern Europe.

What caught my attention, and what begs for further research, is the several places where the climate of the Viking age is described. It clearly contradicts the modern theory of Global Warming and the idea that the sea level has remained steady for eons. For instance, the Greenland saga explains that the Vikings were able to settle there because it was much warmer than it is today; and explains that they abandoned their Greenland homes as the climate grew cooler (only a few hundred years ago). In several places in this book, the author states as matter-of-fact that the sea in Viking times (only a thousand years ago) was significantly higher than it is today. One such example is a promontory of historical significance in Norway, where a battle fought off the coast of what was then an island marked the beginning of that nation. In the telling of the battle of Stamford Bridge (1066 AD) the author points out that the Vikings left their armor in their ships due to the late-September heat. The impression I gained from this book is that the world was much warmer in Viking times…and that (knowing my history of other civilizations at this time) humanity thrived.

I guess the question to ask is whether to discard this book because it does not agree with modern theory, or to question modern theory because it ignores the data presented in this book?

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read ahead of my forthcoming trip to Shetlands, Orkneys, Hebrides, and Faroes.
I was disappointed by this book:
I would have liked a timeline to make more sense of the history.
I would have liked this by chapter too, to make it easier for me to see when the Vikings first arrived in each area.
I would have liked less of every person being described by their title and university etc. e.g. Dr Kristjan Eldjarn, then Curator of the National Museum of Iceland and later the President of Iceland.
And oh for a bit of DNA testing to solve the mysteries of remains found e.g. potentially those of St Magnus.

[Ryska · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far one of my favourite Viking books there is, really. Goes into extensive historical detail of both what the Vikings were about, how they lived, how they were interpreted, and his later editions give excellent detail and information about lesser known Viking settlements such as Dublin, pre-Tsarist Russia, and the various islands of the North Atlantic. Always an enjoyable read and a great review of information, or just a reread if you feel up for it.

Magnusson is a great author, never dull in his style of writing and his other books I would highly recommend

[Skallagrimsen]

A pleasantly presented history of the Vikings and their epoch: readable, informative and entertaining, but without quite distinguishing itself beyond many other books that have been written, before and since, about this perhaps overappreciated subject. While probably dated by now on a scholarly point or two, you could still do worse for a general introduction. I enjoyed it.

[Prue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was OK, but I can't say it was the most amazing non-fiction book I've ever read. Magnusson was incredibly informative, and a lot of work was put into the research and writing to make it both factually correct and interesting. And it was interesting! I learned a lot from this book, which I always want when I read anything non-fiction.

Honestly, the main reason I gave this three stars is because the chapters are very long and don't have subheadings, so if you step away from the book and then continue reading, it's not as easy to categorise where and what you were reading about. I sometimes I found I would have to reread pages to get an understanding of where I was. Personally, in non-fiction, I like a subheading as that keeps me focused in reading, so I did find this book a little bit more difficult to read.

However, if that doesn't bother you, then go ahead, because this book is packed with information about the Vikings and the period of time in which they inhabited. Magnusson does a good job of not putting too much information that explodes into a giant book, but concisely approaches events through significant rulers at the time. The coverage over 300 years or so is done really well, and I learned a lot about Vikings.

[Eike-Henning Nießler · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the 9th century broke from Scandinavian shores wave after wave of plunderers, merchants, settlers, colonists and explorers that would shape history from the riverbanks of western Russia to the fjorded coast of Greenland.

In collecting the research for his BBC television special into this remarkable book, Magnus Magnusson gives a singularly concise insight into the Viking age between the late 700s and the Norman Conquest of 1066. Charmingly he gives modern and personal experiences to supplement the historical accounts of the sagas and medieval chronicles.

The book isn't exhaustive, nor by any stretch is it meant to be. Magnusson Acknowledges the constraints of his arbitrary time frame for the Viking Age and duly notes where the archaeological evidence is scarce, circumstantial and incomplete. In fact, since 1980 when it was first published, even since 2003 when this illustrated edition came out, some new finds (like the Ridgeway burials in Dorset) have come to light to add to our understanding of the Viking expansions.

However, all of that isn't important. In best popular educational fashion, the brief anecdotal summaries of the different stages of the Viking Age give enough information to continue on your own. 'The Vikings' is without a doubt a solid start and essential first reading on the subject.

[Anna C · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) An engagingly-written and reasonably balanced history of the Norse. In particular, the chapters on the Viking presence in pre-Norman Britain were a fascinating and eye-opening read (not just raiders, they rose to real political prominence on both sides of the Channel). Magnusson is a bit of a romantic, and tends to place too much stock in the literary evidence of the Norse sagas, but he's clear-headed enough to acknowledge contrary points of view when the situation demands. This book was actually originally published in the early 80s and hasn't been revised since then. Admittedly, a few decades don't make a huge difference when discussing the events of a thousand years ago, *however,* I'm sure there have been new archaeological discoveries, or at the very least updated trends in the scholarship, that this book doesn't address.

[Kyrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good, fairly thorough walk through the rise and fall of the Viking era. It covers all the territory they reached, and has lots of pictures and maps to keep you going while you read. It has a lot of emphasis on archeological finds (it's surprising how well some things have held up). I also liked that the author explored different saga traditions while trying to find what was the probable truth of events.

It fulfills the 2018 Popsugar Advanced Reading Challenge of a microhistory.

[Laurann Cowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent account somewhat based on the author's PBS-TV series. Many beautiful photographs not only of artifacts which have been discovered but the locations in which they were found. Although I was aware of some of this information the added details were enlightening. This covers a lot of ground, as did the Vikings!

[Steve Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written book that covers a large chunk of Viking related history. Succeeds in undermining many stereotypes. Vikings who were considered saints. Christian bishops waging war and blinding anyone not willing to follow God. Ethelred the unready promoting genocidal ethnic cleansing. King Canute actually being Norse and clever with it. Eye opening.

[Graham Way · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent overview

This rather complex overview looks in depth at the developments of the civilisation of the North. The coming together of the people's of the north into what was known as the Viking civilisations is explored in detail and provides a good foundation of study to more contemporary study of this period. A work of scharship well worth reading.

[Ilaria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book if you want to learn a bit more in depth about the Viking Age; it would have benefitted of some maps for the reader to see the itineraries of the different Viking expeditions and their settlements.

[Thomas Washington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't like the inconsistent flow of the narrative, changing focus from history, to modern day to archaeology, to a different point in the history. It made it difficult to retain information. I liked the last chapter, since it was only focus on the history. Wish the whole book was more like that.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Svenska upplagan (1981) heter "Vikingarna i öst och väst.
Bred historieskildring, stor bok illustrerad med m ånga foton.

[Wayne Schemmer]

L

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has aged well pretty well since it's 1980 publication. Informative, with nice references from the sagas and chronicles, it has, however, too much detail about archaeology.

[Mercedes Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book about The Vikings to be a surprisingly enjoyable read; for the life of me I don't know how historians can make such a lively subject so boring, but it seems to happen frequently. An unabashed descendant himself, Magnus Magnusson puts the antics of his Viking ancestors in everyday language that moves right along: "'From the fury of the Northmen, deliver us, O Lord!' That is probably the most hackneyed line in all the vast literature about the Vikings and their evil ways." (He tells us that it is apocryphal.)

No, he does not whitewash the Viking violence, but he does make sure we understand the sociological implications of their expansion over Europe: "Their assaults on abbeys and monasteries destroyed not only buildings but also the organization of the extensive demenses of the church. The old-style loyalties to State and Church were breaking down. In their place, rural seigneuries grew up, in which free men offered their services to the lords in return for protection... The Vikings were the midwives of feudalism in France." He admits this is an oversimplification, but asserts this is the best way to "make sense of the turmoil of the ninth century." It's an interesting approach, and throughout the book he does a good job expanding on his theory.

This edition was published in 2003, and I was gratified to see reference to my new favorite Viking: "These brothers (Halfdan, Ubbi and Ivar the Boneless) were said to be the sons of a certain Ragnar — perhaps the Ragnar who attacked Paris in 845." We get a certain amount of discussion about Britain, and he doesn't neglect Viking Dublin, Frankia, or Russia. Then we learn about the settlement of the Isle of Man, Iceland, the Faroes, Greenland, and even Vinland. I think he lost some steam during this latter section, but he brings us back to Harald Hardrada and we end the book with Stamfordbridge and his professed end of the Viking Age.

I came out of this reading with a healthy respect for the Viking talent to overcome obstacles, build successful settlements, create beautiful things, make money and survive. It's a good overall introduction to a diverse set of people, and I would recommend it to readers who have reached any level of research on the subject.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very lengthily but never boring and always interesting book covering pretty much the entire history of the vikings, it covers all the key periods from the origins of the scandinavian countries, the myths behind their pagan beliefs, their development of seafaring boats, all the major explorations to Iceland, Greenland and Vinland, the invasion years of Anglo-Saxon England, including the decades of raids upon Gaul/Frankia (modern day France), the founding of Normandy by the Viking Rollo, the history and founding of Sweden, Norway and Denmark with all their turbulent royal histories, ultimately leading to the year of 1066 featuring William the Bastard, Duke of Normandy, Harold Godwinson, brief King of England and Harald Hardrada, King of Norway.
It has some fantastic colour photographs in the middle of great historic archeological finds and discoveries and of recreated longships and fjord landscapes.
Anyone interested in Vikings at all should read this book because you do learn a whole lot more that you might imagine. It is highly recommended.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had its interesting moments. The colonisation of Newfoundland/Greenland and the debate over the discovery of mainland North America was particularly enlightening.

However, at times it read more like an archaeological guide than what I hope it would be, e.g. an account of how the Vikings lived, their customs and ways of life. Instead it focussed to far too great an extent on the latest archaelogical Viking artefact to be dug up from some location I've never even heard of and have no idea of the location.

For that reason, it was pretty dry and uncaptivating for large segments. Not one I'd recommend.

[Tom Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice overview of the Vikings history and their personality during this period.