The Vikings
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The Vikings
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Narrated by:
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Kenneth W. Harl
About this listen
As raiders and explorers, the Vikings played a decisive role in the formation of Latin Christendom, and particularly of western Europe.
Now, in a series of 36 vivid lectures by an honored teacher and classical scholar, you have the opportunity to understand this remarkable race as never before, studying the Vikings not only as warriors, but in all of the other roles in which they were equally extraordinary - merchants, artists, kings, raiders, seafarers, shipbuilders, and creators of a remarkable literature of myths and sagas. Professor Harl draws insights from an astonishing array of sources: The Russian Primary Chronicle (a Slavic text from medieval Kiev), 13th-century Icelandic poems and sagas, Byzantine accounts, Arab geographies, annals of Irish monks who faced Viking raids, Roman reports, and scores of other firsthand contemporary documents.
Among the topics you'll explore are the profound influence of the Norse gods and heroes on Viking culture and the Vikings' extraordinary accomplishments as explorers and settlers in Iceland, Greenland, and Vinland. And with the help of archaeological findings, you'll learn to analyze Viking ship burials, rune stones and runic inscriptions, Viking wood carving, jewelry, sculpture, and metalwork. By the end of the series, you'll have a new understanding of what it meant to be a Viking and a richer appreciation of this remarkable race - a people who truly defined the history of Europe, and whose brave, adventurous, and creative spirit still survives today.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
©2005 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2005 The Great CoursesListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about The Vikings
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dr Z of Ely near Cambridge, England
- 15-09-16
Spellbinding
Prof Harl weaves a grand tale over thousands of years. It is clear that he knows the cast of characters in considerably more detail than he can discuss in these spellbinding lectures.
The delivery is passionate. The story vacillates from horror, hilarity, crazy turns and byways leading to some bizarre situation. Quite in keeping with the Icelandic bards.
Poignant for me as this is my ancestry that, to my shame, I knew very little about beyond the cliches.
My understanding of European history has increased hugely giving me insights into religion, folk beliefs, legal systems and why we binge drink in large halls!
Brilliant. Thank you. Could you do one on the Icelandic Sagas please?
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Flopadoo
- 06-03-17
Excellent - accessible and informative
I really enjoyed this. the coverage is really broad and Kenneth Harl does a great job in putting it into the wider context and also humanising many of the protagonists. Great stuff. Well worth a listen.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Prof. Paul Williams, Bristol, UK
- 22-04-22
Amazing!
A complete tour de force. It really makes the listener want to study more. A masterpiece. Very, very highly recommended.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Alexandria
- 05-06-16
Fascinating
Would you listen to The Vikings again? Why?
If not the whole thing I think I would listen to individual lectures. There was just so much information taking it all in at once is impossible.
What did you like best about this story?
It wasn't a story but I did enjoy the way the proffessor made what could have been a very boring list of dates, names and conquests into events that involved real people.
Which character – as performed by Professor Kenneth W. Harl – was your favourite?
There wer eno characters but the Proffessors love of his subject really came through and made listening all the more natural and enjoyable.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Bit long for one sitting but I did listen to it straight through over a few days.
Any additional comments?
Really enjoyable. Outside of old films and cartoons my knowledge of Vikings was resticted to horned helmets, dragon boats and berserkers. I am so glad that I have filled out by knowledge now and the almost caracature image I have had of them all this time has now been corrected quite a bit. :)
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Mr
- 18-09-17
Outstanding
A joy to listen to. Well structured, very well researched and explained.
Fantastically delivered by Professor Harl
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Steve
- 26-01-18
Fascinating subject, Brilliantly taught
If you have any interest in The Vikings or early Europe this is a well constructed and delivered course on an adaptable, tough and influential people.
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- Anonymous User
- 30-06-23
Beautiful course on Nordics history
A truly amazing story of Nordic nations from ancient Viking times till late Medieval age. Based on solid historical science (and beautifully narrated) by prof. Harl.
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- gff25
- 09-12-24
Excellent course
My son is currently studying the Vikings in Year 4 at primary school and I was inspired to learn more about them myself. I found this a fascinating course that really broadened my understanding of this fascinating civilisation. A genial lecturer, who clearly really knows his stuff, delivered the talks with great enthusiasm and an infectious love of his subject.
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- Carl Chivers
- 29-10-15
Vikings!
More history than I expected.
Brilliant history to those interested (or not).
Lecturer is very interested in the topic which keeps it very engaging.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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- Rick
- 22-01-18
Great introductory history of the Viking era
Very informative, handy supplementary pdfs. Narrator speaks a bit too quickly at times, otherwise very good course.
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