Review – Vikings: a history of the Northmen

Current Archaeology - review by Carly Hilts: In his introduction, W B Bartlett denies he is making any attempt to write a ‘definitive history’ of the great sweep of the Viking Age. Instead, his aim is simply to explore some of the key events and figures involved. But, despite this modest framing, he has achieved a wide-ranging and very informative overview of this eventful period of history – and an interesting read, too.

Above all, this is a useful work of reference, and a solid introduction to a subject as complex as it is fascinating. The only slightly strange note comes from a concluding discussion of whether, in the context of their violent times, the Vikings should be considered ‘evil’ – a surprising sentiment in what is otherwise a pretty even-handed overview of the period.