Download or read book God s Viking Harald Hardrada written by Nic Fields and published by Pen and Sword. This book was released on 2020-02-19 with total page 549 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An epic historical biography of the Norwegian king who laid claim to the thrones of Denmark and England. Harald Hardrada is perhaps best known as the inheritor of “seven feet of English soil” in that year of fateful change, 1066. But Stamford Bridge was the terminal point of a warring career that spanned decades and continents. Thus, prior to forcibly occupying the Norwegian throne, Harald had an interesting (and lucrative) career in the Varangian Guard, and he remains unquestionably the most notable of all the Varangians who served the Byzantine emperors. In the latter employment he saw active service in the Aegean, Sicily, Italy, Anatolia, Syria, Palestine, and Bulgaria, while in Constantinople he was the hired muscle behind a palace revolution. A man of war, his reign in Norway was to be taken up with a wasteful, vicious, and ultimately futile conflict against Denmark, a kingdom (like England) he believed was his to rule. We follow Harald’s life from Stiklestad, where aged fifteen he fought alongside his half-brother, King Olaf, through his years as a mercenary in Russia and Byzantium, then back to Norway, ending with his death in battle in England. Praise for God’s Viking “A gripping story of the last great Viking who is remembered most for his boast to the Saxons that he had come to conquer their land and ended up with just enough to contain his body . . . . Most highly recommended.” —Firetrench

Download or read book God s Viking Harald Hardrada written by Nic Fields and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page 336 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Harald Hardrada is perhaps best known as the inheritor of 'seven feet of English soil' in that year of fateful change, 1066\. But Stamford Bridge was the terminal point of a warring career that spanned decades and continents. Thus, prior to forcibly occupying the Norwegian throne, Harald had an interesting (and lucrative) career in the Varangian Guard, and he remains unquestionably the most notable of all the Varangians who served the Byzantine emperors: in the latter employment he saw active service in the Aegean, Sicily, Italy, Anatolia, Syria, Palestine and Bulgaria, while in Constantinople he was the hired muscle behind a palace revolution. A man of war, his reign in Norway was to be taken up with a wasteful, vicious and ultimately futile conflict against Denmark, a kingdom (like England) he believed was his to rule. We follow Harald's life from Stiklestad, where aged fifteen he fought alongside his half-brother king Olaf, through his years as a mercenary in Russia and Byzantium, then back to Norway, ending with his death in battle in England.

Download or read book Streams of Gold Rivers of Blood written by Anthony Kaldellis and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2017-06-07 with total page 464 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the second half of the tenth century, Byzantium embarked on a series of spectacular conquests: first in the southeast against the Arabs, then in Bulgaria, and finally in the Georgian and Armenian lands. By the early eleventh century, the empire was the most powerful state in the Mediterranean. It was also expanding economically, demographically, and, in time, intellectually as well. Yet this imperial project came to a crashing collapse fifty years later, when political disunity, fiscal mismanagement, and defeat at the hands of the Seljuks in the east and the Normans in the west brought an end to Byzantine hegemony. By 1081, not only was its dominance of southern Italy, the Balkans, Caucasus, and northern Mesopotamia over but Byzantium's very existence was threatened. How did this dramatic transformation happen? Based on a close examination of the relevant sources, this history-the first of its kind in over a century-offers a new reconstruction of the key events and crucial reigns as well as a different model for understanding imperial politics and wars, both civil and foreign. In addition to providing a badly needed narrative of this critical period of Byzantine history, Streams of Gold, Rivers of Blood offers new interpretations of key topics relevant to the medieval era. The narrative unfolds in three parts: the first covers the years 955-1025, a period of imperial conquest and consolidation of authority under the great emperor Basil "the Bulgar-Slayer." The second (1025-1059) examines the dispersal of centralized authority in Constantinople as well as the emergence of new foreign enemies (Pechenegs, Seljuks, and Normans). The last section chronicles the spectacular collapse of the empire during the second half of the eleventh century, concluding with a look at the First Crusade and its consequences for Byzantine relations with the powers of Western Europe. This briskly paced and thoroughly investigated narrative vividly brings to life one of the most exciting and transformative eras of medieval history.

Download or read book King Harald s Saga written by Snorri Sturluson and published by Penguin UK. This book was released on 2005-04-28 with total page 253 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This compelling Icelandic history describes the life of King Harald Hardradi, from his battles across Europe and Russia to his final assault on England in 1066, less than three weeks before the invasion of William the Conqueror. It was a battle that led to his death and marked the end of an era in which Europe had been dominated by the threat of Scandinavian forces. Despite England's triumph, it also played a crucial part in fatally weakening the English army immediately prior to the Norman Conquest, changing the course of history. Taken from the Heimskringla - Snorri Sturluson's complete account of Norway from prehistoric times to 1177 - this is a brilliantly human depiction of the turbulent life and savage death of the last great Norse warrior-king.

Download or read book The Last Viking written by Don Hollway and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2023-02-07 with total page 377 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Now available in paperback, this is a rich and compelling account of the life of King Harald Hardrada of Norway, one of the greatest Viking warriors to have ever lived.

Download or read book Norse Mythology The Gods Goddesses and Heroes Handbook written by Kelsey A. Fuller-Shafer and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2023-10-03 with total page 240 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Discover the gods, goddesses, and heroes from Norse mythology with this beautiful handbook that captures the ancient stories that captivated the Vikings. Learn more about your favorite Norse gods, goddesses, and heroes with this collection of profiles that share the real stories behind the characters. With characters from Norse myths coming to life on the big and small screens, and in the pages of new and exciting fiction, this guide can give you all the details you need to understand your favorite heroes, villains, and powerful deities. With comprehensive entries that outline each character’s names, roles, related symbols, and foundational myths, you can get to know the roots of these personas, and better understand the new stories we tell about them today.

Download or read book Vikings written by Tristan Mueller-Vollmer and published by Bloomsbury Publishing USA. This book was released on 2022-03-29 with total page 340 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For three centuries, the Vikings changed the political world of northern and western Europe. This encyclopedia explores exactly how they did it in a highly readable and informative resource volume. How did the Vikings know when to strike? What were their military strengths? Who were their leaders? What was the impact of their raids? These and many more questions are answered in this volume, which will benefit students and general readers alike. The only encyclopedia devoted specifically to the topic of conflict, invasions, and raids in the Viking Age, this book presents detailed coverage of the Vikings, who are infamous for their violent marauding across Europe during the early Middle Ages. Featuring extracts of poetry and prose from the Viking Age, the book provides cultural context in addition to an in-depth analysis of Viking military practices.

Download or read book The Untold History of the Vikings written by Martin J. Dougherty and published by Cavendish Square Publishing, LLC. This book was released on 2016-07-15 with total page 226 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Beginning in 789AD, the Vikings raided monasteries, sacked cities and invaded western Europe. They looted and enslaved their enemies. But that is only part of their story. In long boats they discovered Iceland and America (both by accident) and also sailed up the Seine to Paris (which they sacked). They settled from Newfoundland to Russia, founded Dublin and fought battles as far afield as the Caspian Sea. A thousand years after their demise, traces of the Vikings remain all the way from North America to Istanbul. They traded walruses with Inuits, brought Russian furs to Western Europe and took European slaves to Constantinople. Their graves contain Arab silver, Byzantine silks and Frankish weapons. In this accessible book, the whole narrative of the Viking story is examined from the eighth to the 11th century. Arranged thematically, Vikings – A History of the Norse People, examines the Norsemen from exploration to religion to trade to settlement to weaponry to kingdoms to their demise and legacy. But today questions remain: what prompted the first Viking raids? What stopped their expansion? And how much of the tales of murder, rape and pillage is myth?

Download or read book Norway written by Judy Lomax and published by Imray, Laurie, Norie and Wilson Ltd. This book was released on 2022-07-28 with total page 392 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This well-established cruising guide covers the coast of Norway northwards from the Swedish border in the Skagerrak around the North Cape to the Russian border. It includes coverage of the Lofoten and Vesterålen islands, the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and the remote volcanic island of Jan Mayen. Author Judy Lomax continues to sail this beguiling coastline of majestic fjords and multiple islands and uses her extensive network of contacts, built up over more than 30 years, to help monitor changes in the region. This fourth edition incorporates numerous updates to her previous work and expands on the detail for some areas such as the Oslo Fjord and the Telemark Canal. There is a wealth of new photographs and revised Imray plans throughout. Whether you are on a private vessel or one of the many ships cruising this stunningly beautiful region, Norway is a trusted and proven companion. "Any yachtsman even contemplating a visit to this loveliest of cruising areas could be considered negligent if he did not buy this book". - RHR, Cruising "...The author finds it difficult to avoid superlatives when talking about Norwegian scenery. I find it equally difficult to avoid superlatives when talking about this book. I am impressed. Also most Norwegians may learn a lot of facts from this excellent book. This will remain a classic, and will come in new editions in the foreseeable future..." Customer feedback “For anyone sailing in Norwegian waters this book is an absolute must. It is the perfect example of a truly excellent pilot from which practically nothing can be found missing.” Christine Holroyd, Cruising Association magazine.

Download or read book Vikings written by Sean McCollum and published by Capstone. This book was released on 2011-07 with total page 26 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Describes Viking warriors, including their training, fighting methods, and weapons, as well as their decline and their place in popular culture"--Provided by publisher.

Download or read book The Humanism of Doctor Who written by David Layton and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2014-01-10 with total page 364 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From 1963 to 1989, the BBC television program Doctor Who followed a time-traveling human-like alien called "The Doctor" as he sought to help people, save civilizations and right wrongs. Since its 2005 revival, Doctor Who has become a pop culture phenomenon surpassing its "classic" period popularity and reaching a larger, more diverse audience. Though created as a family program, the series has dramatized serious themes in philosophy, science, religion, and politics. Doctor Who's thoughtful presentation of a secular humanist view of the universe stands in stark contrast to the flashy special effects central to most science fiction on television. This examination of Doctor Who from the perspective of philosophical humanism assesses the show's careful exploration of such topics as justice, ethics, good and evil, mythology and knowledge.

Download or read book Vikings written by Kelly Farrell and published by Centennial Books. This book was released on 2020-12-08 with total page 98 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Over one thousand years ago, kingdoms across Europe were changed forever as the Vikings sailed in. Prepare here to board an iconic Norse ship and be transported into the battles, the legacies, and the everyday lives of these intrepid warriors. From buried treasure to noble laws, to murderouos myths: this the story of the Vikings. The Vikings were the original explorers with a legacy going back to 800 AD. Popular culture thinks the 1600s was the Age of Discovery when Europe discovered the Americas. Did you know some of the most exciting days of seafaring expansion took place close to a thousand years before that when a group of seafaring Scandinavians departed their homelands for the British Isles, seeking great power and prosperity at all costs? For the next three centuries, the daring voyagers pillaged and plundered their way to a vast kingdom, and in the process, developed new trade routes, spreading everything from commerce to art to language from the Far East to the New World. The pages of this book will take you into the Norseman's universe - their daily lives and ritual deaths. We’ll explore the magical mythology of the Norse gods, go behind-the-scenes of the hit History series Vikings, and examine their lasting legacy on the today's world. We even cover pop culture too — much of Game of Thrones was based on the vikings (and countless other shows and movies too). Here, in these richly illustrated pages, is everything you need to know about the medieval warriors of the sea.

Download or read book The Rough Guide to Norway written by Phil Lee and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2013-12-19 with total page 595 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Rough Guide to Norway is the definitive guide to Scandinavia's most inspiring country. You'll find insider tips on where the locals spend their time,as well as advice on how to make your money go further. This 6th edition features all-new colour photography on every region, as well as extended sections on Svalbard and Spitsbergen, winter and summer adventure activities and Norwegian flora and fauna. The chapter on Oslo now makes it easier than ever to visit this buzzing, style-conscious capital set on the doorstep of stunning alpine landscapes. You'll also find plenty of advice on visits to Viking settlements, great art and historical museums, and the Arctic wilderness, as well as expanded information on exploring the country via the Hurtigruten Coastal Steamer. At every step, the Rough Guide to Norway steers you to the best hotels, cafés, restaurants and shops across every price range, giving you clear, balanced reviews and honest, first-hand opinions from authors who know their herring from their lutefisk. Originally published in print in 2012. Now available in ePub format.

Download or read book The Rough Guide to Norway Travel Guide eBook written by Rough Guides and published by Rough Guides UK. This book was released on 2017-03-30 with total page 629 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Rough Guide to Norway is the ultimate travel guide to Scandinavia's most inspiring country. There's stunning photography to inspire you, crystal clear maps to guide you and in-depth coverage on everything from Norway's charmingly laidback cities to the mighty ice-plateaus of Svalbard's artic wilderness. The Rough Guide to Norway will ensure you make the most of your time in Norway, whether you are planning a city-break in style-conscious Oslo, a retreat in a stunningly sited, fjordside hamlet, or an adventurous trip hiking past mountain waterfalls, cross-country skiing or chasing the elusive northern lights. Insider reviews reveal the best places to eat, drink and sleep with something for every budget, whether you want to stay in a remote lighthouse or fisherman's hut, enjoy Bergen's top-notch culinary scene, or have a night out bar-hopping in Norway's buzzing capital city. Make the most of your trip with The Rough Guide to Norway.

Download or read book The Rough Guide to Norway written by Rough Guides and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2017-04-18 with total page 629 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This in-depth coverage of Norway's local attractions, sights, and restaurants takes you to the most rewarding spots-from the Troll Wall to fjords to museums-and stunning color photography brings the land to life on the pages. Discover Norway's highlights, with expert advice on exploring the best sites, participating in festivals, and exploring local landmarks through extensive coverage of this fascinating location. Easy-to-use maps; reliable advice on how to get around; and insider reviews of the best hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, and shops for all budgets ensure that you won't miss a thing. Make the most of your time with The Rough Guide to Norway.

Download or read book DKfindout Vikings written by Philip Steele and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2018-09-04 with total page 71 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This fun, fact-filled book for kids ages 6–9 is the ultimate guide to Viking history, from Loki and longships to runestones and raids. Entertaining and educating young readers through a combination of close-up images, quirky trivia facts, quiz questions, and fascinating tidbits, it’s the perfect book for any kid who can’t get enough of these medieval adventurers. What games and sports did Vikings play? Which animals played a part in their lives? Who was the Viking god Thor married to? Find out the answers to these questions and more in DKfindout! Vikings, which features photographs of Viking forts, artifacts, and weapons, as well as realistic re-creations of family and farming life. This book explores all sides of these legendary seafaring settlers, from famous Viking battles and voyages to feasting, trading, and popular pastimes. Though the Vikings often led violent raids on foreign settlements and cities, they also had strong family bonds and rich styles of art, fashion, and storytelling, which kids will discover as they flip through the pages of DKfindout! Vikings. Vetted by educational consultants, the DKfindout! series drives kids ages 6–9 to become experts on more than 30 of their favorite STEM- and history-related subjects, whether Vikings, volcanoes, or robots. This series covers the subjects that kids really want to learn about—ones that have a direct impact on the world around them, like climate change, space exploration, and rapidly evolving technology—making learning fun through amazing images, stimulating quizzes, and cutting-edge information. The DKfindout! series is one that kids will want to turn to again and again.

Download or read book Vikings written by Tony Allan and published by Duncan Baird Publishers. This book was released on 2002 with total page 148 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A richly illustrated introduction to an extraordinary people.