William R. Short

Mr Short has here attempted to resurrect the combat skills of the Vikings, using medieval fight manuals and trial and error. The things he and his compatriots discovered while working on this stuff, with actual weapons, are informative, and give a balancing viewpoint on both the primary and secondary sources of Viking military history. I'm not sure if by reading this you will become a Viking warrior--that would take many years of actual physical training under a teacher's watchful eye--but you will learn things you didn't know, and that is always a win-win.… (mehr)

This book is an excellent source for anyone interested in Icelandic vikings. Not only does this book explain how Iceland was founded and how their government worked, but it also explains everything about their daily lives. Everything is included: diet, shelter, weapons, marriage, trade, transportation, art, religion, and even social structure and gender roles. Everything about their culture is included in this one book, giving a well rounded view in a writing style that's easy to follow. Pictures and illustrations are even included to help give a better mental view of this society. It's good for anyone looking for a source on Icelandic viking life for writing or just for a good read.… (mehr)

A very detailed account of Viking life in Iceland. It goes into how they set up their government, Viking weapons, food, medicine, trade, ships. The book also discusses about their lives including gender roles, outcasts, duels, life's milestones, poetry, art, music, games, mythology, and conversion to Christianity. The book ends with talking about settlements in Greenland, Vinland, and Iceland's heritage. As someone who has recently started to have a large interest in Viking life, I found the information in this book very interesting. There's a lot to be had here for those who wish to delve deeply into finding out about Vikings.… (mehr)

This book is proof of what the best sort independent scholarship (spiced with a deal of good-natured obsession and a little bit of eccentricity) will produce. William Short has given us a book with enough information, perhaps, to start our own Viking settlement (assuming we had the skills to do so). And, this book will certainly take it's place on the reference shelf for when I'm reading the Sagas, and other such things.

I would note, however, that it's written in a fashion that tends to the wooden. It's best to be read in smaller pieces, or used as a point of reference when reading other works. Trying to read it from end to end, I think, would leave one cold and perhaps even yawning.… (mehr)