Chronicles of the Vikings : records, memorials and myths

There have been many books about the Vikings but few that see them from their own point of view. Most rely heavily on the accounts of prejudiced observers (who saw the Vikings only as savage and unscrupulous raiders and invaders) or on the archaeological record, which tells us much about the material culture of these peoples but little about their values and ways of thinking. This book brings the Vikings to life, showing them as they saw themselves, portrayed in their own writings or in the reports of those who knew them closely. It looks at the problems they encountered in discovering, populating and clutivating new lands and the difficulties of keeeping law and order; and shows how they coped with famine and other natural disasters, and with travel and its perils. We see something of the Vikings' popular culture, their proverbs and aphorisms, and thier sometimes irreverent approach to their gods and goddesses, the supernatural, magic and charms. Drawing on a wealth of primary sources, this book offers a fascinating insight into the Viking world.