ISBN The Vikings: A Very Short Introduction English

The Viking reputation is of bloodthirsty seafaring warriors repeatedly plundering the British Isles and the North Atlantic throughout the early Middle Ages. Yet Vikings were also traders settlers and farmers with a complex artistic and linguistic culture whose expansion overseas led them to cross the Atlantic for the first time in European history. Highlighting the latest archaeological evidence Julian Richards reveals the whole Viking world: their history society and culture and their expansion overseas for trade colonization and plunder. We also look at the Viking identity through their artistic expression rune stones their ships and their religion. The Viking story is also brought up to date by examining their legacy from the medieval Icelandic sagas to 19th Century nationalism Wagner and the Nazis. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts analysis perspective new ideas and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.