Children of Ash and Elm

The Book in 1 Sentence

A complete and real history based on the findings in the world about how Vikings truly lived their lives.

Brief Review

This book does not shy away from both the good or bad of the Viking lore. As it was written so recently, the author does a great job of explaining what is "Known" vs. was is speculated based on the evidence. As we live in a world where there is a bit more of a spectrum for people, when those types of things come up in the archeological evidence, the author does a great job of steering into it without getting too political.

Why I Read this book

The Vikings have held a special place in my head much like the Crusades from a historical perspective.

In-Depth Review (Favorite Quotes)

This book starts with the mythology. The beginning of the world according to ancient lore, the creation of Ash and Elm. The way that this story is fit in the sagas, the artifacts, the life that the vikings lived is a great representation of how the stories have been passed down from time to time. There was a section in chapter 2 that spoke about the gods and how they were pictured/represented and for some reason I just kept thinking about how it could be applied to modern day thinking. I need to flesh it out though.

The author is fantastic about in his presentation. The separation of the book sections really tell a complete story of the Northmen. You start in the more mythological and guess work based on the little bit of artifacts that have been collected, but it quickly moves on to their time as raiders, then lastly to the end of the viking age.

Shows like Vikings actually did a decent job of telling the brutality of them, but it does miss the slavery, rape, and polygamy that has been proven to exist at the time. The author implores people who watch those more pop cultural references and are fascinated with that version to know and understand who they really wore. Yes, some of them did incredible things like Harold Bluetooth, (actually not him as he was aggressive and a tyrant, but he was a reason the North world came together which is why the technology is named after him), Rolo and his decedents which includes William the Conqueror who made the UK what it is now, mostly.

Rating

When I started listening/reading books at a more concerted effort rather than just haphazardly, Vikings books have always been a more common thread. I find the picture that has been created to be fun and interesting. However, when you read this book and books like The Last Viking you get a better picture of what life was really like for them and by them. This book was so well written and I am really sad that I finished it. I'll give this an 8.

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