The Children of Ash and Elm: A History of the Vikings

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This is a great example of a well rounded history book, being both not too technical, and not too journalistic - instead making a book that really nails the best of both worlds form these two forms of historiography.

It’s a story of a specific group that had their very own unique combination of complexities and contradictions, as all peoples do. What I appreciated most about this book was how it offered a nuanced look into Viking society and culture beyond their military conquests. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles of the Wessex kings give contemporary accounts of Viking raids by surviving victims, late 700s– , pp. This book provided a comprehensive and detailed account of Viking history that was both informative and engaging. Children of Ash and Elm will reward the casual reader as well as serve the serious student looking for a better understanding of who the Vikings were, what drove them, and the effects they had on the world around them.The problem here is not that it is an academic work, for I can accept that and even appreciate it for the most part. This is a very comprehensive walk through the archeological evidence and giving sensible theories on what that means. Hun omgang met de natuur, de Goden en elkaar is zoveel meer sophisticated dan je zou denken, voor ons in contradictie met het onderlinge geweld en de slaven die als menselijke offer gebracht worden. the chapter about the christianization and centralization of the Viking states under European style monarchies.

Mostly, I'm constantly frustrated because I find archaeological conclusions suspect, but also wish there were more of them -- rather like that Woody Allen quip about the restaurant with terrible food and small portions.Over 500 pages of narrative, he skillfully blends extended discussions of the recent finds at settlement and burial sites with his own anecdotes, reflections and investigations. Overall, "The Children of Ash and Elm" is an excellent read for anyone interested in Viking history.