A Brief History of the Normans

If you're related to (or fascinated by) the Normans this is a very interesting book on where they came from and what they did. I'm most interested in the continuity of their relationship to their Viking/Norseman past and this book does give indications of the strength of that as they evolved and moved through Normandy and England (and Italy). It is also possible to read between the lines and see the interconnectivity of their roots and the events that shaped the Norman conquest of England and the earlier viking raids and invasions. The book is well written although in places the conclusions the author draws seem to contradict, maybe a translation problem, but anyway, a good book, very interesting and not too long. Well worth it.

This is an exceptional view from the Norman viewpoint: the author writes from a Norman University. It contains a rare treatment of the whole founding and development of Normandy, expatiating greatly on areas not concerned with war. This kind of information is hard to come by. However, the author could delve more deeply into the results of the Norman Era, especially in the fecund, verdant fields of Sicily and Italy.