Product Description

Discover the story of the Vikings -- their ships and weapons, legends and sagas of war and discovery.

Here is a spectacular and informative guide to the daring adventurers of the Viking Age. Superb color photographs of Viking ships and swords, clothes and shields, memorial stones and beautiful brooches offer a unique "eyewitness" view into the lives of the Norse people and their outstanding achievements. See a Viking battle-ax, the magnificent ship in which a Viking queen was buried, the Viking fortress, a beautiful ceremonial sledge, and the tools of a Swedish swordsmith. Learn why the goddess Feya cried tears of gold, how longships were made, how Greenland got its name, why walruses were used to make ship ropes, what happened to Thor when he caught the world serpent, and how warriors got to Valhalla. Discover why Erik the Red had to leave Iceland, how Viking women applied for a divorce, how Viking sailors navigated, what was on the menu at a Viking feast, how to put down an empty drinking-horn, the legend of Sigurd the dragon-slayer, and much, much more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1209678 in Books
• Published on: 2000-06-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 64 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6-These welcome additions to the popular series combine wonderful photography with informative texts that are succinct and easy to read. They provide adequate introductions to their respective subjects and should encourage further exploration. Castle looks at European fortifications, Byzantine and Muslim-influenced constructions of the Crusades, and Japanese strongholds and defense strategies through photographs of architectural features, designs, and weapons. Everyday life is also documented with pictures of artifacts and people in period costumes. Beth Smith's Castles (Watts, 1988) is a good source for more extensive reading, including some tidbits about haunted castles. Viking presents an overview of this culture from music to mealtime, social hierarchy, to the more violent aspects of their explorations and expansions into new territories. Fascinating photographs of ships, weapons, and artifacts will attract reluctant readers. Hazel Mary Martell's The Vikings (New Discovery, 1992) is one of the more recent titles that can be used for further study.
Cynthia M. Sturgis, Ledding Library, Milwaukee, OR
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
...a mini museum between the covers of a book. [Eyewitness series] -- The New York Times

These books' striking visual impact will draw in even the most casual readers. [Eyewitness series] -- School Library Journal

From the Inside Flap
Full-color photos. "Viking presents an overview of this culture from music to mealtime, social hierarchy, to the more violent aspects of their explorations and expansions into new territories. Fascinating photographs of ships, weapons, and artifacts will attract reluctant readers."--School Library Journal.  

Customer Reviews

excellent book
This is an excellent source for basic information about the Vikings. It provides pictures of actual artifacts from the Viking Age, as well as photos of reenactors dressed in period clothing. A very informative book, for children and adults alike!

WHAT A GREAT PRIMER ON THE VIKING CULTURE
The quality of this particular series certainly has not suffered with this offering. This work explores the world of the Vikings, their culture, times, influence on the rest of the world and life. Actual photographs of artifacts, wonderful art, photographs of reenactments are all combined with a text that is actually informative and actually interesting. It is well written and easy to understand. It is great to use to start group discussions with. This book is geared for the younger crowd, but I will promise you, that unless you are an expert, you will learn things about the Viking Culture you never knew as you read this one with your young ones. You really cannot go wrong with this work, nor any of the other books in this great series and I do highly recommend it.

Pictoral Wonders
You can't find this many pictures in a single book about Vikings for adults that I'm aware. Believe me I've looked. I also appreciate the fact that the book is historically accurate, such as explaining that the horned helmets are myth. I recommend this to both adults and children (I'm 28).