Sons of Vikings: A Legendary History of the Viking Age

Book Review Written June, 6, 2019Sons of Vikings: History, Legends, and Impact of the Viking Age, By David Gray Rodgers with Kurt NoerThis is a well conceived and thoroughly enjoyable chronicle of the Viking Age and its impact on the subsequent events that make up human history. Rather than just narrating a timeline of events, the authors use the unique approach of relating the stories of specific individuals, some protagonists and others antagonists, whose actions impacted on the flow of events as the Viking Age progressed from 795 CE to its end in 1266 CE. The authors performed rigorous research of extant contemporary records, as well as the Viking legends, in the form of the Norse Sagas, in their effort to ensure that the individuals' stories are accurately and thoroughly told; making room for many conflicting view points; but first and foremost, ensuring that the book is about people. By getting to know the people involved, combined with an enjoyable narrative style that makes for good story telling, the casual reader can easily acquire the heart of this history, while the more avid student of the past will find things that they may have previously overlooked. It's important to know that the Vikings, despite what you might have heard or thought, were much more than a gang of violent thugs who brutalized and murdered their way through the Medieval Christian World, generally making he Dark Ages darker. While the Vikings were violent people, living in a violent world, they were also traders, entrepreneurs, ship builders, navigators, explorers, and settlers. Vikings were indeed brave and furious warriors but most began as farmers, they held honor in the highest regard, lived by strict social and moral codes, were democratic by nature, and believed in law and order. Finally, the Viking Age, which lasted less than 300 years, had a dramatic positive impact on World history. In order to discover these truths about the Vikings and the Viking Age I strongly recommend that you read this extraordinary book. It is not only an excellent historical chronicle, it is also an engaging and very enjoyable story. It contains, not only, a treasure house of historical facts and details about the social, economic, political, religious, cultural, and war fighting elements that existed in the Medieval world and the Viking Age, but also it has all the elements of a good novel, with heros and heroines, drama, suspense, mystery, discovery, love, hate, greed, betrayal, lots of war and battles, sacrifice, glorious victory, and devastating defeats. This is an excellent book by most any measure. If you have never read a history book, start with this one. I really enjoyed this book, rate it a Five Star read, and recommend it without reservation!

I myself am the descendent of Norwegian settlers, so I wanted to learn all that I could about the Norwegian culture, including information about the Vikings. While many shows and movies portray Vikings as violent brutes, this book gives a clearer understanding of who they are and why they behaved in the way that they did. I love the way the author weaves Viking mythology and religion into a deeper understanding as to who the Vikings were, thus pointing out their values and beliefs. This is a very good read for most anyone wanting to learn more factual information about the Vikings -- and especially if you want a more neutral view of them (vs. false heroism or vilification as commonly seen in other books, films, etc.). This book should be recommended reading for anyone studying world history, particularly of the Dark Ages. I wish this book had been around when I was studying high school European History.

Almost without bias, which is hard when writing anything. This was a fantastic compilation of well thought out approaches giving an open perspective to a difficult conversation. Read it, and understand it is as factual as one can get on a topic based in much misrepresented and some truth over the ages.

Was a little all over the place but still really informative

Very well written and enjoyed it a lot. Good information on vikings impact on global (for it's time) reach and longevity for today.

Very good read, well researched. I have purchased at least 10 books regarding Vikings recently and have been extremely disappointed. This book was a welcome change.

This book is very informative. I like all the ways is shows the Vikings within the history of other people's and lands.

Wonderfully written.

Sorry but I got bored with this book nothing new just flicked the last half. And finished in in an hour.