
A History of the Vikings
Gwyn Jones(Author)
Oxford University Press
2nd Edition
Published on 17. May 2001
Book
Paperback/Softback
528 pages
978-0-19-280134-0 (ISBN)
Description
An utterly splendid book, quite the most brilliantly written, balanced, and explanative general work on the Vikings ever to appear in English or in any language.' Scandinavian Studies
The subject of this book is the Viking realms, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, their civilization and culture, and their many sided achievements at home and abroad.
A highly readable narrative follows the development of these Northern peoples - the Nordmenn - from their origins and the legendary pre-history to the military triumphs of Canute and the defeat of Harald Hardradi at Stamford Bridge in 1066, which symbolically ended the Viking age.
The book recounts the Vikings' exploits in war, trade, and colonization: the assault on Western Christendom; the trading and military ventures to the Slav and Muslim worlds and to Byzantium; and the western voyages of discovery and settlement to Greenland, Iceland, and America.
Numerous photographs, maps, and drawings contribute to Gwyn Jones's rounded portrait of Viking civilization and vividly evoke the importance in their culture of religion, art, and seafaring.
The subject of this book is the Viking realms, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, their civilization and culture, and their many sided achievements at home and abroad.
A highly readable narrative follows the development of these Northern peoples - the Nordmenn - from their origins and the legendary pre-history to the military triumphs of Canute and the defeat of Harald Hardradi at Stamford Bridge in 1066, which symbolically ended the Viking age.
The book recounts the Vikings' exploits in war, trade, and colonization: the assault on Western Christendom; the trading and military ventures to the Slav and Muslim worlds and to Byzantium; and the western voyages of discovery and settlement to Greenland, Iceland, and America.
Numerous photographs, maps, and drawings contribute to Gwyn Jones's rounded portrait of Viking civilization and vividly evoke the importance in their culture of religion, art, and seafaring.
Reviews / Votes
What a superb book this is! Wise, well-informed, judicious and infinitely readable. * Magnus Magnusson, Scotsman * an utterly splendid book, quite the most brilliantly written, balanced and explanative general work on the Vikings ever to appear in English or...in any language. * Erik Wahlgren, Scandinavian Studies * A highly readable history. * Oxford Time * no better book on the Vikings has ever been written, and it is one which every educated person with any interest in history should know about ... Readers will be delighted to discover the eloquent and sparkling prose of a natural Welsh bard and storyteller who was one of the shining lights of University College, Cardiff. The man writes beautifully. There are not many history books one can pick up and start reading anywhere just for the sheer enjoyment of literary craftsmanship and even fewer as authoritative as this. * Lloyds List 13/04/1994 *More details
Edition
2nd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Edition type
Revised edition
Illustrations
numerous halftones, line drawings and maps
Dimensions
Height: 197 mm
Width: 131 mm
Thickness: 30 mm
Weight
365 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-280134-0 (9780192801340)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Previous edition
Gwyn Jones
A History of the Vikings
Book
11/1984
2nd Edition
Oxford Paperbacks
€12.37
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
Gwyn Jones is Emeritus Professor of English Language and Literature, University College, Cardiff
Author
Emeritus Professor of English Language and LiteratureEmeritus Professor of English Language and Literature, University College, Cardiff
Content
PART 1 - THE NORTHERN PEOPLES TO AD 700; 1. THE SCANDINAVIAN COMMUNITY, I: DIVERSITY AND UNITY; PART 3 - THE VIKING MOVEMENT OVERSEAS; PART 4 - THE VIKING AGE ENDS