A REALLY COOL BOOK ABOUT VIKINGS
Ever since I can remember remembering I have been fascinated with Vikings. I think it began when I read a condensed version of Beowulf in a Childcraft encyclopedia. The story was exciting and the pictures of huge warriors wearing horned or winged helmets wielding massive swords captured my imagination. Shortly thereafter I discovered Norse mythology and my interest in al things Viking skyrocketed.
However, the more I learned about the Vikings the more I understood that they were not, to put it mildly, friendly to Christendom. As the product of a devout Southern Baptist upbringing this was always somewhat troubling for me. Imagine my excitement when I discovered Lars Walker’s books about Erling Skjalgsson, Norway’s first Christian lord. The first book, The Year of the Warrior, is a rousing page turner that I simply could not put down. Simply put, it is an exciting mix of historical fiction and fantasy. Mr. Walker has continued Erling’s saga with his most recent book, West Oversea. In this book, Erling and his companions journey to the new world. As with the first book, West Oversea not only delivers an action packed story but also some penetrating spiritual insights. However, it does this without getting “preachy” or sacrificing good story telling. If you are strapped for gift ideas then look no further, just remember to get a copy for yourself.
Joel,
John Ming turned me on to “The Saxon Stories,” a series of books by Bernard Cornwell, who has also authored a ton of other great books and series. Per Cornwell’s website, “The Saxon Stories tell the tale of Alfred the Great and his descendants through the eyes of Uhtred, an English boy born into the aristocracy of ninth-century Northumbria, captured by the Danes and taught the Viking ways.” I burned through the first book in short order while in Ramadi back in 2005 and have been a fan ever since. I can’t recommend them enough.
Brian
Thank you for the endorsement, Joel. The book seems to have had precisely the intended effect in your case.
Brian,
FWIW, I turned John Ming on to that series back in 05.
Lars,
My pleasure. I loved both of your Erling books. I am also a big fan of Wolf Time. I should have included a plug for that book as well. I look forward to your next book.
Just ordered a copy as a stocking stuffer for my son. Now I’ll have to see about getting a copy of the first one.
Dead Mule, if you can’t find a copy at a reasonable price, contact me at lars (at) larswalker.com. I have a stock.