The Vikings

By: Kenneth W. Harl, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Kenneth W. Harl

Length: 17 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

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 Courses

Dr. Harl is the best.

Listen to every lecture series Dr. Harl has ever done for The Great Courses. In fact, you could probably sneak into his classrooms to hear his other courses. Tulane's security is not that great.

The best comprehensive history of the Vikings

I love Norse history and, out of all the history audiobooks I've listened to in general, this is my hands down favorite. I can nearly say this includes all history books I've read but I love Heimskringla, The Prose Edda, The Poetic Edda, and Beowulf; all of which he references throughout the lectures. He draws upon a wide variety of sources from the Russian Primary Chronicle to the latest archeological findings. The detail, depth, and breadth that he goes into is way beyond the Vikings and provides an excellent history for the whole of Scandinavia in that period of time. In addition to an engaging presentation of so much history, I really like the breakdown of the lectures.

Outstanding

Wonderful history, and incredibly deep. It was very ambitious in its scope, and could probably be split into two or three lecture series, making it even more of a bargain

Thoroughly enjoyable

I highly recommend this lecture series to anyone who is interested in Scandinavian history. This is far more than just a history of the Vikings. This is an engaging and entertaining history of all of northern European development over 700 years.

Entertaining and Enlightening

One of the few benefits of having an hour commute is having Audible and the concept behind the series of Great Courses. This was my first one and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I felt like I was sitting in his classroom. If I wasn't driving, I probably would have taken notes. Just got the one on the Ottomans. So we'll see how that one is.

Detailed look at the Vikings

Dr. Hart provides an informative and interesting look into not only the Viking Age, but the events that led to it and the Vikings' incredible impact on much of Europe and beyond. I really enjoyed this and it was never boring. Great listen, especially if you watch VIKINGS.

Fascinating

After living in Norway some years ago and hearing of the Viking era from various sources, it was fascinating to hear how important the Viking era was to the development of the Europe we know today. It is much deeper and more influential than I could ever imagine. Furthermore, the author and lecturer is fantastic.

Well done, but not my cup of tea

I don’t know if its the nature of Viking history or the fact that this lecture series wasn’t structured as a narrative but I just didn’t love it. I love professor Harl and have enjoyed him on many different lectures. Perhaps it’s because though the Scandinavians and their Viking raiders had a huge impact on history they were not a civilization focused on documenting their history so we rely on secondary or external sources for much of their early history. That said professor Harl is the only reason I was able to get through this whole series.

Another amazing great course

There is nothing like the Great Courses. Every one of them have been astounding. Dr. Karl Harl clearly is a world-renowned expert in Viking civilization. He delves unto the myths surrounding the culture, and sets the record straight in this most extraordinary people. He’s captivating, funny, and insightful at every turn.

The Vikings by Professor Kenneth Harl

This is an absolutely phenomenal lecture series. I have learned so much and I really appreciate that I was able to get a hold of it and listen to the whole series!