Vikings: Raiders from the North

"Vikings: Raiders from the North" is a terrific introduction to the culture of the Viking peoples. It is part of Time-Life's Lost Civilizations series. This book goes beyond the stereotypical image we have of the Vikings as rampaging, looting, bellicose pirates to show us the richness of their society.The book treats you to a brief history of the Viking world and the archaeology from Viking sites. This gives you a more balanced view, as we learn about the farms and crafts that were part of their world. Important parts of the book deal with Viking craftsmen such as ship builders, jewelry makers and wood carvers.As with all Time-Life books, this one is richly illustrated with color photographs, maps and illustrations. These let you see the beauty and intricacy of Viking craftwork, from their beautiful boats to the delicate personal effects such as buttons, combs and brooches. The maps and diagrams of archaeological sites help you visual what the text is describing.The book is devided into four sections that outline the rise of Viking culture in present day Scandinavia; the Viking quests for wealth and glory through continental Europe and the Near East; the Viking influence on the British Isles; and the Viking exploration and settlements on Iceland, Greenland and the New World. There are also supplemental sections on Viking ship building, the archaeology of York (Jorvik), the modern search for Vinland and Viking artwork.The book tries to dispel some of the misconceptions and myths about Vikings (eg. Vikings never wore horned helmets) while it tries to give you an idea of the full range of Viking culture. Most people within the Viking culture were farmers, and their story is also told within this book.All in all this is a good introduction to Vikings. If you want a fairly balanced account of Viking culture, I recommend this book. It is also quite a fast and enjoyable read.