Northmen: The Viking Saga - A Historical Exploration of the Viking Age (793-1241)

darkstar666: An excellent book, with lots to learn - for instance I had no idea that Normandy in France, and the Normans, were named after their settlers, the "Northmen." Or that the Angles and Saxons were also Northmen - they invaded England after the fall of Rome, and were the "English" invaded by Northmen 400 years later! But it's more appropriate for say a college level history class than a casual history buff. Otherwise 5 stars.

United States on Feb 14, 2024

Calpe: Excellent purchase

Spain on Oct 23, 2023

Darren Kealey: As an Englishman, I had some notion of the importance of the Vikings to our own history but knew little of it. This book provides that knowledge and I would recommend it to anyone wishing to understand the impact the Vikings had across Europe and actually, a little beyond.

United Kingdom on Jun 18, 2022

fletchmar: Easy read and easy to follow the story. The names & locations become challenging but made it through! I learned a great deal about the "Vikings." The author is excellent. I also got his other book on the Anglo-Saxons & believe it to be even better!

United States on Jan 25, 2022

G. Wurr: This is a well researched and presented book. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone researching or has an interest in this period of history.

United Kingdom on Jun 20, 2021

Emily: This is the first book about Vikings I’ve read, and it was perfect! Only downside is the names are tough to keep up with as many of them shared the same name, but that’s obviously nothing against the author. The 300+ pages summed up Viking history in a way that felt like a story was being told instead of information being thrown at you. He’s able to give you the needed info without the fluff while still diving into certain battles and people. Bravo. This was an amazing read

United States on Sep 13, 2020

Derek Meinke: John Haywood’s book tells the story of Scandinavia, from the Greeks first contact with them in 300 BC, to the mid 13th century. It gives great detail on their religion, their warrior and sea faring culture, their ancient and mysterious religion, and the eventual expansion from their homeland to raid, trade and settle elsewhere. It gives several chapters on their impact on The British isles, from the first raid on Lindisfarne, to the last Norse-Gael kingdoms. It covers their raids into Germany and France, and the founding of Normandy. Their expectations to the east, to the lakes of Finland, the forests of Russia, the vast Eurasian steppe, and Constantinople. It also covers their settlement of Iceland, Greenland, and their failed colonies in North America. I can not recommend this book enough, not just for people interested in the Vikings, but anyone even remotely interested in history.

United States on Jun 28, 2019

funkymummy: Enjoyable and informative book.

Canada on Jan 16, 2019

John C.: one of the most interesting and detailed accounts of viking timelines.. for viking life his other book tops but for the historical and mythological description this is up there with th best.. best prices are found online

Canada on Apr 23, 2017

Marty Nader: I really enjoyed this book. Haywood examines Norse history from its beginnings in legends and sagas and moves forward through time until the end of the Viking Age. I liked how Haywood broke up the history of the Northmen by geography: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Frisia, Frankia, Normandy, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Isle of Man, Orkney, Hebrides, Iceland, Greenland, etc. This book helped me paint a complete picture in my mind of the many facets of Norse culture and history. Too many books focus exclusively on raids and sea kings, but this book tells the ironic historical tale of the cultural and religious assimilation of the conquering Norse into the civilizations and peoples that they were conquering.

United States on Apr 19, 2017