THE NORSEMEN

by Count Eric Oxenstierna ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 8, 1965

Count Oxenstierna covers a great deal more territory than did Farley Mowat in Westviking (p. 956). Where he lacks Mowat's brilliance, vividness and waspish humor, he makes up for it by sheer wealth of illustration (153 pieces of art work) and a giant substructure. Mowat confined himself to original saga sources and personal interpretation in discussing the Norse migrations to Greenland. Count Oxenstierna merely includes that into his larger scheme. Also in the Count's favor is the unearthing of a great number of artifacts since 1930 which have been piling up in museums and have never before been studied as closely as he does here. Even as wide-handed as he is, Count Oxenstierna admits that an enormous amount of material remains yet to be assessed. Oddly enough, the Allied bombing of Hamburg, Germany, has led to the recovery of many Viking articles from the earth, all of which indicates that the Vikings were great traders and explorers--much more so than they are credited with being. These rovers invaded not only Ireland and England but visited the Orient, Russia, Byzantium, Baghdad and North America. However they lacked a sense of history and destiny as a people and never dominated any particular area except their homeland. Count Oxenstierna strips many false notions about them and some of his most revealing pages deal with their home life, the role of their women, and domestic aspects.

Pub Date: Nov. 8, 1965

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: New York Graphic Society

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1965

Categories: NONFICTION