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Children of Ash and Elm

A History of the Vikings

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Children of Ash and Elm

By: Neil Price
Narrated by: Samuel Roukin
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About this listen

The definitive history of the Vikings - from arts and culture to politics and cosmology - by a distinguished archaeologist with decades of expertise

The Viking Age - from 750 to 1050 saw an unprecedented expansion of the Scandinavian peoples into the wider world. As traders and raiders, explorers and colonists, they ranged from eastern North America to the Asian steppe. But for centuries, the Vikings have been seen through the eyes of others, distorted to suit the tastes of medieval clerics and Elizabethan playwrights, Victorian imperialists, Nazis, and more. None of these appropriations capture the real Vikings, or the richness and sophistication of their culture.

Based on the latest archaeological and textual evidence, Children of Ash and Elm tells the story of the Vikings on their own terms: their politics, their cosmology and religion, their material world. Known today for a stereotype of maritime violence, the Vikings exported new ideas, technologies, beliefs, and practices to the lands they discovered and the peoples they encountered, and in the process were themselves changed. From Eirík Bloodaxe, who fought his way to a kingdom, to Gudrid Thorbjarnardóttir, the most traveled woman in the world, Children of Ash and Elm is the definitive history of the Vikings and their time.

©2020 Neil Price (P)2020 Recorded Books
Expeditions & Discoveries Medieval Military Scandinavia Viking Thought-Provoking Norway History
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What listeners say about Children of Ash and Elm

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Excellent

Excellent book with plenty of historical detail wrapped up in captivating narrative. The narration also provided a dramatic and effective telling

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Very informative

I loved how much in depth information it gave on day to day life of a Viking. I would’ve loved more “stories” and accounts of the dark side of the people. Still a great listen! Highly recommend

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Ambitious, broad. This book will stand for a while

A masterpiece. Niel price will shed you of your stereotypes. You will get closer to understand the world of the viking raiders. But also of farmers, fishers, traders , hired mercenaries, emperors.

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Outstanding

An outstanding overview of the Viking era.
I liked how Price was not afraid to have opinions on the Scandinavians and their world, but didn't spend the entire book reactionary-bashing.

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Excellent scholarship and presentation of the latest thinking and research

The narrator’s frequently execrable pronunciations of both Scandinavian and English words. This really spoiled it for me

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Excellent content and delivery

Fascinating book, written in an accessible style, rich in detail and up to date research. Authoritative voice and excellent pronunciation of the Nordic vocab.

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Brilliant!

This book is absolutely fantastic.

- It really takes a dive into what life (most likely) was like during those times.
- I have listened to it 3 times over.
- The Narrator was chosen perfectly.

I can't say too much without spoiling it but I just think this book is something special for anyone fascinated by early medieval Scandinavia.

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Interesting

Very interesting history of the Vikings.
The narration was good overall but spoilt somewhat by some old choices of pronunciation.

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A great view into the viking mind

A must read for anyone wanting to understand the vikings. A good narration, though the pronunciation of places in Scandinavia is a bit hard to understand to a native Scandinavian.

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Fantastic

I think Neil Price is outstanding in both his knowledge and his narrative a great book by a leading light in the field. Samuel Roukin is an excellent reader and completes the journey through what is at times a difficult telling and also a beautiful one and his pronunciation is superb. If you wish a proper understanding of the people of the north this is for you.

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