The Sea Wolves: A History of the Vikings

· Tantor Media Inc · Narrated by Joe Barrett
4.0
3 reviews
Audiobook
7 hr 16 min
Unabridged
Eligible
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About this audiobook

In AD 793, Norse warriors struck the English isle of Lindisfarne and laid waste to it. Wave after wave of Norse "sea wolves" followed in search of plunder, land, or a glorious death in battle. Much of the British Isles fell before their swords, and the continental capitals of Paris and Aachen were sacked in turn. Turning east, they swept down the uncharted rivers of central Europe, captured Kiev, and clashed with mighty Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. But there is more to the Viking story than brute force. They were makers of law-the term itself comes from an Old Norse word-and they introduced a novel form of trial by jury to England. They were also sophisticated merchants and explorers who settled Iceland, founded Dublin, and established a trading network that stretched from Baghdad to the coast of North America. In The Sea Wolves, Lars Brownworth brings to life this extraordinary Norse world of epic poets, heroes, and travelers through the stories of the great Viking figures, including Leif the Lucky, Eric Bloodaxe, and Harald Hardrada. This riveting history illuminates the saga of the Viking age-a time which "has passed away, and grown dark under the cover of night."

Ratings and reviews

4.0
3 reviews
Steve McCabe
December 21, 2019
As a listen it's great, but historically...? Perpetuates the old myth about babies on spears, and it's UK geography is all over the place. And I think the narrator meant to say 890 not 1890...
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About the author

Lars Brownworth, the author of Lost to the West and The Normans, created the genre-defining history podcast 12 Byzantine Rulers. Lars has written for the Wall Street Journal, and he has been profiled in the New York Times. He lives in Maryland with his wife. Visit him at larsbrownworth.com.

Joe Barrett has been a working stage, screen, and recording booth actor since 1974 and an award-winning and eight-time Audie Award-nominated audiobook narrator since 1999. He also practiced law for five years-but don't hold that against him. Joe is married to actress Andrea Wright, and together they have four children.

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