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  • The Sea Wolves

  • A History of the Vikings
  • By: Lars Brownworth
  • Narrated by: Joe Barrett
  • Length: 7 hrs and 16 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (52 ratings)
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The Sea Wolves

By: Lars Brownworth
Narrated by: Joe Barrett
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Summary

In AD 793 Norse warriors struck the English isle of Lindisfarne and laid waste to it. Wave after wave of Norse "sea wolves" followed in search of plunder, land, or a glorious death in battle. Much of the British Isles fell before their swords, and the continental capitals of Paris and Aachen were sacked in turn. Turning east, they swept down the uncharted rivers of central Europe, captured Kiev, and clashed with mighty Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire.

But there is more to the Viking story than brute force. They were makers of law - the term itself comes from an Old Norse word - and they introduced a novel form of trial by jury to England. They were also sophisticated merchants and explorers who settled Iceland, founded Dublin, and established a trading network that stretched from Baghdad to the coast of North America.

In The Sea Wolves, Lars Brownworth brings to life this extraordinary Norse world of epic poets, heroes, and travelers through the stories of the great Viking figures, including Leif the Lucky, Eric Bloodaxe, and Harald Hardrada. This riveting history illuminates the saga of the Viking age - a time that "has passed away, and grown dark under the cover of night."

©2014 Lars Brownworth (P)2015 Tantor
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What listeners say about The Sea Wolves

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

More history they didn't teach you at school

Any additional comments?

Having received followed an Anglo-centric history curriculum at school, I knew about the wicked Vikings, danegeld and the Danelaw. This book is a very informative introduction to the rest of Viking history. Worth a listen, if only to discover the name of the first European born in North America.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding, smooth and flowing

This is a great survey of the history of the vikings. It was hard to put it down.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic

I listen to a lot of historical books. This is by far one of the best. Having visited Norway, I did know a little of the history of the Viking’s but that book filled in a lot of the details.
Fascinating
(And I recommend visiting the Viking ship museum in Oslo which was brilliant)

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A great introduction to the Vikings

For someone with no prior knowledge of the Vikings this was a great introduction to their culture, kings, queens, wars, and their extraordinary spread across the globe from Turkey and the Middle East to Iceland and even the shores of the US.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

ruined by narrator

unfortunately couldn't progress through the book as the narrator made it so dull. maybe if they re did it with a new narrator I will try again

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book

Love this book. Listened to it multiple times and will listen listen multiple more.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Not what I expected ~ more a history book than a novel

I expected a novel about vikings. I was sadly disappointed to listen to a book on the history of what a Viking is and where they came from. Had two attempts at getting past the first couple of chapters. Then gave up..

It might have got better later on, even the good narrator didn’t make it worth listening to.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Really exciting and well read book

Exciting, factually based where possible and a fun listen. Personally enjoyed this a lot - hold on for the first passage it gets better

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping, informative and full of excitement.

I thoroughly enjoyed this reading. The story line and information was incredibly exiting.
I didn’t want it to end!

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