Blood of the Vikings

The influence of the Vikings on British culture is particularly apparent in the realms of language, literature, art, myth and legend, but we have been guilty of stereotyping the Vikings and Viking culture for many years. What is the truth? In this book, which accompanies a TV series, Julian Richards explores the world of the Vikings, their homelands, the raids on Britain and Ireland and subsequent occupation and expansion of their settlements, their artistic and technological skill and their great trading reputation. Combining archaeology and historical sources, as well as genetics and other scientific analysis, he traces the modern descendants of the Vikings living in places such as Orkney - the results of these analyses were only made available after the hardback had gone to press, but are briefly outlined here in the paperback. A well-written and absorbing account.