Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 4-8. The Vikings were Scandinavian farmers, cooks, craftsmen, merchants, sailors, traders, and explorers as well as infamous raiders of other civilizations. They left few written records, but the Bergers do a more-than-able job of introducing them. Repudiating a negative image with the statement that most experts now believe that the Vikings were no more brutal or ruthless than other Europeans of the time, the Bergers pay tribute to the Vikings' ideals of freedom and democracy as well as their skills and courage. The many illustrations include maps, drawings, prints, and paintings from many periods in addition to color photographs of Viking artifacts and sites, some reconstructed. Most of the pictures are well chosen and are reproduced with exceptionally fine clarity and rich colors. A time line, source notes for quotations, and lists of books and Web sites conclude the volume. Visually appealing and quite informative, the book will appeal to browsers as well as young researchers. --Carolyn Phelan Copyright 2003 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-6-Chock-full of color maps and photographs of artifacts and historical locales, this book offers a lively, highly readable introduction to the Vikings, beginning with their attack on Lindisfarne in 793 and ending, in 1066, with William the Conqueror. Myths about the ruthlessness of the Norsemen are dispelled without glossing over the violence that did take place. The lasting impact of Viking culture, including the ideals of equality and democracy, may be surprising to some readers. While covering much the same material as Hazel Mary Martell's What Do We Know about the Vikings? (Peter Bedrick, 1992) and Susan M. Margeson's Viking (DK, 2000), this offering is more fluid. It is a solid springboard to further research.-Rita Hunt Smith, Hershey Public Library, PA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Dispelling the myth of the Vikings as exclusively warlike people in horned helmets is the goal of this book, which examines the wide-ranging and long-lasting influence of Viking culture around the world. Maps, photos of artifacts, and drawings of imagined scenes of Viking life enrich the occasionally dry but nonetheless informative text. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. From HORN BOOK Spring 2004, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
