The Age of the Vikings - Paperback

by Anders Winroth (Author)

A major reassessment of the vikings and their legacy

The Vikings maintain their grip on our imagination, but their image is too often distorted by myth. It is true that they pillaged, looted, and enslaved. But they also settled peacefully and traveled far from their homelands in swift and sturdy ships to explore. The Age of the Vikings tells the full story of this exciting period in history. Drawing on a wealth of written, visual, and archaeological evidence, Anders Winroth captures the innovation and pure daring of the Vikings without glossing over their destructive heritage. He not only explains the Viking attacks, but also looks at Viking endeavors in commerce, politics, discovery, and colonization, and reveals how Viking arts, literature, and religious thought evolved in ways unequaled in the rest of Europe. The Age of the Vikings sheds new light on the complex society, culture, and legacy of these legendary seafarers.

Front Jacket

"The Age of the Vikings is an excellent book. The writing is clear, engaging, and brimming with historical insights. First class."--Peter Heather, author of "The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians"

"I know of no other book quite like this one."--Janet L. Nelson, coeditor of "The Medieval World"

"This entertaining and informative book provides valuable insights into not only the Viking expeditions themselves but also the social and cultural life of early medieval Scandinavia."--Sverre Bagge, author of "Cross and Scepter: The Rise of the Scandinavian Kingdoms from the Vikings to the Reformation"

Back Jacket

"Comprehensive and colorful, Anders Winroth's The Age of the Vikings paints a lively picture of the era when northern raiders altered the political and social complexion of much of Europe. With its cross-disciplinary approach, engagement with recent archaeological developments, and striking narrative style, The Age of the Vikings offers students of medieval history a vivid portrayal of life among Vikings, non-Viking Scandinavians, and those impacted by Viking activities during one of the West's most tumultuous periods."--Stephen Mitchell, Harvard University

"This stimulating book draws on contemporary texts and the latest archaeological evidence to bring the Viking age to life. Winroth's lucid discussion of the problems posed by runic inscriptions and skaldic verse is especially welcome. So too is his insistence that, in their efforts to obtain the treasure on which their power depended, Viking chieftains were no more violent than their Christian contemporaries."--Peter Sawyer, editor of The Oxford Illustrated History of the Vikings

"The Age of the Vikings is an excellent book. The writing is clear, engaging, and brimming with historical insights. First class."--Peter Heather, author of The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians

"I know of no other book quite like this one."--Janet L. Nelson, coeditor of The Medieval World

"This entertaining and informative book provides valuable insights into not only the Viking expeditions themselves but also the social and cultural life of early medieval Scandinavia."--Sverre Bagge, author of Cross and Scepter: The Rise of the Scandinavian Kingdoms from the Vikings to the Reformation

Author Biography

Anders Winroth is the Birgit Baldwin Professor of History at Yale University.