The Wolf Age: The Vikings, the Anglo-Saxons and the Battle for the North Sea Empire

Came quick, well packed, for people interested in early development of England. Depends on what's known not unsure stuff.

I’ve always been intrigued by Nordic history so when I saw this book at the store I had to pick it up. The story reads like a real life Game of Thrones minus the dragons and White Walkers.

漫画の幸村誠『ヴィンランド・サガ』とほぼ同じ時代を扱う、西暦1000年前後のヴァイキング史。導入が13世紀のアイスランドで、口頭で伝え継がれていた何々サガを文章にまとめた人物から始まりますので、Kindleのサンプルを読み始めたときは少し面食らいましたが、本編はヴィン・サガと同時代です。巻末の参考文献にヨムスヴァイキング・サガはあるのですが、本文にはヨムスヴァイキングもヨムスボルグも出て来ず、それは残念。とは言え、ノルウェーのオラフ・ハロルドソンが主役的な存在感であるものの、クヌートは準主役あるいはW主演であり、トルケルもたっぷり出て来ます。出来事や人物の動きを追いながら、周辺知識の解説もごく自然に施されるスタイルで、平易で、面白く、勉強になり、原著がノルウェーでよく売れたというのも頷けます。ただ、あとがきに〈In other words, much interpretation and many academic deliberations lie hidden behind the text.〉337頁とあるそのhiddenの部分にこそ興味のある方には、物足りないかもしれません。（また、同じく、よく売れた、国の成り立ちに大きな意味を持つ時期を扱った、一般向けの本でも、たとえば中公新書の『応仁の乱』とはスタイルが違います。）しかし、ヴィンサガの同時代を扱った入門書を探している方には、候補に入れることをお勧めしたい1冊です。

This is a brilliant book. Absolutely fascinating. I thoroughly recommend it.

There's nothing new in this examination of the eleventh century power struggle for control of England. Not a thing I didn't already know. So imagine my surprise to have been so enthralled by a story I already knew so well. Tore Skeie ingeniously starts his narrative in Iceland, 1241, with the skald Snorri Sturluson, who regularly appears in books about the Vikings but usually only in the source notes. Snorri is regarded as the most important source for Norse history, and by including his life and times in the actual story Skeie's introduction really hooks the reader, as well as helping to give historiographical context to the rest of the tale. By the time of Snorri (1180 - 1241) the Viking Age was long gone and already considered a golden age of extraordinary Scandinavian giants, far more impressive than their Christian descendants in 13th Century Scandinavia. I've read similar accounts of how Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, Cassius and Brutus were considered almost superhuman by the Romans who lived just one generation later, yet marveled at the lives their forebears had lived. This uses the same type of near contemporary source to stress how unique the early period was considered.By the 13th Century the Danes were accepted members of the Christian family of nations although, as we quickly learn from the fate of Snorri, they were still ready to pick up a sword, when necessary. This is a fantastic way of emphasising what a short-lived phase was the period of the pagan Norsemen. Cnut the Great (990 - 1035AD) arguably their most important leader, was already the third generation of Christian in his family. It was Harald Bluetooth, Grandfather of Cnut, who oversaw the conversion to Christianity of the Danes in the 970's. The Danes who had settled Normandy were far more French than Dane by the 940's, so one could conclude that the Norse enjoyed their greatest successes after converting to Christianity, but this made for a far less alien and magical Saga by which a skald could captivate his listeners with tales of the great deeds of their semi-mythical ancestors.I've read many books about 11th Century England, from the likes of Peter Rex and Frank McLynn who depict the Anglo-Saxon age as a time of perfect egalitarian justice (these books are the offshoots of Victorian ethno-nationalist bigotry) to the far more balanced Marc Morris, who is often dismissed as 'pro-Norman' for having the temerity to allow actual history to get in the way of a damn good story. Although I did find all of his books to be damn good stories. Queen Emma and the Vikings, by Harriet O'Brien, and Bloodfeud, by Richard Fletcher, are two more incredibly readable narrative histories focusing on these same times and events, but even in such a crowded marketplace The Wolf Age is an indispensable volume for fans of the era to read. Even if just to remind yourself why you were captivated by the accounts of these events to start with. This book made me feel like I was a schoolboy again, discovering these tales for the very first time. I am confident it will have the same effect on many others, given the chance.

Well written and translated. Very interesting book

This was the one of the two best books I have read on this subject. To say I was disappointed upon reaching the end would be an immense understatement. Hugely entertaining, and informative. Most enjoyable. Trouble is, I feel let down now. Follow that, as they say!